The $50 comment was just that, a comment. It was't directed at you. I was more of a statement. When I started this (kinda of like the original post) I would flip $50-$75 mowers all the time. As time progressed, as well with experience, I became a little more selective at what I want to repair and then sell. It's a matter of time, money spent, and profit made. The Lawn-Boy stuff is my hobby. I like to restore them. I try to keep at least on restoration going to help break up the chaos of customer work. I tend to gravitate to the 2-cycle equipment. There are not a lot of guys around here that still work on it and the demand for work is high. If you have the right tools and education you can make a decent living on it. I am not a dealer for any new equipment so I realize that is a different ball game. I guess I am not sure why you threw your comment in about "took it to the scrap yard" anyway. I made a comment directed to the other fella's that were talking about fixing there mowers. The guy appears to be new at this and may have caught "the bug" that we all do. He showed off his project and the first response was kind of a stab. Just sayin'. I remember what kinda crazy stuff I got into the first few seasons I did this. I know I have spent way more time and money than I should have on tons of equipment. I think most of us have. It's part of the learning curve. I was only trying to give some positive feedback. I wouldn't expect someone who owns a brick and motar dealership to spend much time painting and rehabing push mowers. My guess would be your too busy for that, especially if you sell parts. I used to sell about 60-80 push mowers a season (only because I am in an area that will swallow every $80 mower available, city lots) I prefer now to put my 40 hrs in on customer stuff now and keep a project or 2 going on my own.(Lawn-Boy's or chainsaws and backpack blowers) I do far better financially (and mentally LOL) to restore old 2-cycle mowers and sell them. Customers get a quality piece of commercial equipment. (that mower in my pictures is from 1985 and it still runs great) I can't think of a new commercial mower on the market that will still be cutting grass 30 some years from now. I totally agree with your statement about most people not caring about brands anymore. There is little difference in quality anymore. Most customers don't care about brand, the equipment's ability to complete the task they have, maintenance, or taking care of it. But they tend to care a TON the moment it doesn't start and run. LOL. That is why I have toned down on selling a broad spectrum of equipment. Most of the people that are willing to spend 4-5-600 dollars on a 30 + year old mower tend to know what they are buying and what to expect from it. So that's it, no hard feelings, again that $50 comment wasn't an insult to you or your business.
I will continue to post my projects once i'm up and running again.(Just welded new box sides and rocker panels on my truck and had it painted so its taking up the garage until i finish putting the peices back on.) Please continue to share your feedback/tips they are very much appreciated. Nice to chat with like minded people that don't think its crazy to breathe new life into an old mower and keep it from the scrapper.