Brand new $8,500 VII for $4,500 on Craiglist

[algale]

Ads on Craigslist drive my crazy when there's no photo or the seller has simply gone to the manufacturer's/retailer's web site and cut and pasted the manufacturer's/retailer's description and/or photos.

The part number may be for a PowerPro Mark 7, but that number could just as easily have been sourced from the Shopsmith web site as it could have been read off of the machine itself. The fact that the original ad listed it as as a mythical "Mark V11" and the ad has been changed to specifically list a "Mark 5" makes me think that the seller doesn't know which end is up (or if it is a double tilt ) on Shopsmith equipment, that they grabbed some info from the Shopsmith website (like the item number) and then someone came out in person and found an old Mark 5 and educated the seller.

By the way, is it just me or is there a disproportionate amount of Shopsmith equipment and accessories advertised as "new in box" or that has only been taken out of the box to take a photo but was "never used"? If all these claims are true, it is an unusual phenomenon. How many new in box Unisaws are out there?

[dusty]

Ads on Craigslist drive my crazy when there's no photo or the seller has simply gone to the manufacturer's/retailer's web site and cut and pasted the manufacturer's/retailer's description and/or photos.

The part number may be for a PowerPro Mark 7, but that number could just as easily have been sourced from the Shopsmith web site as it could have been read off of the machine itself. The fact that the original ad listed it as as a mythical "Mark V11" and the ad has been changed to specifically list a "Mark 5" makes me think that the seller doesn't know which end is up (or if it is a double tilt ) on Shopsmith equipment, that they grabbed some info from the Shopsmith website (like the item number) and then someone came out in person and found an old Mark 5 and educated the seller.

By the way, is it just me or is there a disproportionate amount of Shopsmith equipment and accessories advertised as "new in box" or that has only been taken out of the box to take a photo but was "never used"? If all these claims are true, it is an unusual phenomenon. How many new in box Unisaws are out there?

All very valid points. It all gives credence to the advise "caveat emptor".

[letterk]

They created a life tine of confusion by using Mark 7 as the nomenclature to follow on after a Mark V. Especially when there is a Mark 5 and a Mark V and a Mark VII. Then, chronologically, the Mark VII is the older of them all - not the newest.

Mark 7 PowerPro - Shopsmith needs to do a market blitz to clear up the confusion.

They could always add a can of Sterno in the lathe holder position and turn the lathe into a rotisserie and call it a Mark 8. Or was that a Ford? Might have to add another feature and call it a Mark 9.

[JPG]

The Mark 5 Mark VII Mark V and now the Mark 7 confusion has been lamented here a few times already.

IMHO Magna American started the confusion by releasing the Mark VII after continuing to use the Mark 5 designation after it acquired the 'shopsmith brand' as well as after the Mark VII release. To add to that confusion, the Mark VII also contains a label that also states it is a Mark 7 in addition to the Mark VII labeling!

Now we do not know why SS Inc. started to use the Mark V, but they did so even though they initially used Mark 5. Conjecture for sure, but it may have had to do with someone else 'owning' the Mark 5 trademark.

We may not like their using Model 500/505/510/520 to distinguish later models, but they apparently intended to not add to the Mark X labeling.

Now when the double tilt design was released, I think proper homage was paid to the preceding Mark VII by designating it as a Mark 7. It created less confusion than adding a '530' or similar to the mix.

Consider the Mark 7 includes the Power Pro headstock and as such is a major model difference, so a 'new' Mark x is appropriate.

[lv2wdwrk]

Has anyone requested pictures?????

[pennview]

Al, you're probably right about the seller having gone to the Shopsmith web site and plucked the information regarding the part number and price that appeared in the earlier version of the ad. That price -- $3979 -- for the Mark Seven originally posted in the ad is today's selling price and that price has only been in effect for a couple of weeks. If the stuff were really that new, these folks could simply ship it back to Shopsmith and get a full refund under Shopsmith's 90 day money back guarantee.

[fjimp]

I find craigslist advertisers can be well meaning yet totally unaware of the products they offer. A friend recently asked me to comment on a link he provided. The seller was calling a 510 a 520 and had somehow stuck the power pro handle on it as well. In that the unit was near my home I offered to go along for a look see. I looked and asked permission from the seller to clarify what we were looking at so he could correct his ad. The man became very defensive and informed me I had absolutely no knowledge to base my comments on. We left and he was graciously allowed to keep his treasure. I noted a few days later the ad had been updated and the price lowered. I have a feeling it never sold as the price was still extreemly high and the condition of product very poor. Jim

[easterngray]

I look at Shopsmiths on Craigslist all the time and will not even bother looking at an ad that does not have a picture. The mis-statements as to what is being offered are extremely common. I attribute it to well-meaning ignorance, not dishonesty. Alec

[fredsheldon]

I won a bid on e-bay for a 510 upgrade and the guy never shipped. After many e-mails and excuses I finally requested a refund from e-bay. The same week another listing from the same seller showed up with the same exact picture as for the listing I responded to. Over the next 45 days the seller had 35 bad deals go down and he is now banned from e-bay. I got my money back with no problem because of e-bay, but if it had been craigslist I would have been out a few bucks. I called this guy on the VII but he won't return my calls anymore

[JPG]

I find craigslist advertisers can be well meaning yet totally unaware of the products they offer. A friend recently asked me to comment on a link he provided. The seller was calling a 510 a 520 and had somehow stuck the power pro handle on it as well. In that the unit was near my home I offered to go along for a look see. I looked and asked permission from the seller to clarify what we were looking at so he could correct his ad. The man became very defensive and informed me I had absolutely no knowledge to base my comments on. We left and he was graciously allowed to keep his treasure. I noted a few days later the ad had been updated and the price lowered. I have a feeling it never sold as the price was still extreemly high and the condition of product very poor. Jim

For a while I sent E-bay sellers questions that actually were an attempt to point out errors in descriptions. Some were appreciative, some no so! One started arguing and eventually accused me of harassing him!

None so ignorant as those who will not listen.

And also there is horseflesh and aqua!:rolleyes: