Normally the tip prices are pretty good - $20 with catcher $15 without. Don't mind paying that if its a good mower, but not a parts one.
AVB, probably was just a sheared key, but once I see so many fixes (maybe botches), I shy away. And the bar blade botch was off putting. Just didn't want to take the risk of a bent crank or anything else.
I grabbed a 1993 Morrison classic 35 briggs Alloy deck there 2 months ago, added a bit of oil, replaced the primer and air filter, and it started first go. I just wait for ones like that.
