Well I try to look at the big picture and how it effects me in my little one : Bolens collecting, tinkering , restoring, etc. I can't find everything new and have paid (surly what would be deemed exuberant prices) for parts that were ,my thinking was: want vs need vs cost vs availablity etc. and have chosen accordingly. Without some quality used parts from high quality people some of my stuff would still be sitting.
Kudos to the guys that take the time to do all the aforementioned activities ( in this topic ) to help the Bolens hobbyists ( or any make for that matter). I realize some do this for a LIVING and the cost of business you SHOULD know HAS to be factored into pricing and I respect as such.
When I first started "messing around" with the brand 25+ yrs ago , The Internet , Sonny's , Sam's , etc weren't known or around ( no inference intended to who was where & when) you just went to your local dealer and the price WAS the price , things change , free enterprise won't.
Back when Gardenway folded & MTD took over a PROMINENT Bolens dealer who befriended me mostly based on my purchases, I'm sure, sent me a complete interchange list for every seal, bushing, bearing, race, belt , and on and on etc. even a list of parts still available from MTD ( some still are) I bet you wouldn't get that list now BECAUSE he makes A LIVING doing it ! Hey MTD wants $3.10 for a .22 cent o-ring that gets resold and so on and so forth. Us Bolens hobbyist's need all you guys. Need and fair market value will sort the rest................... Just my thoughts
Edited by WrenchinOnIt, December 31, 2014 - 02:58 PM.