I was looking for another grinder, didn't need it, but I wanted a LEM. I was thinking of getting at least a #8, but then I seen a #12 on craigslist for $450, with foot control and what was listed as a jerky slicer/tenderizer. The pictures were to ones from the LEM website, so I looked at the site and called and asked if he would take $400 for the set, he agreed. When I went to see it, the auger was not one of the big bite versions, ok no problem there. Then the only plate he had was the course plate, along with the knife, no other plates, tubes or even the meat pusher. When I mentioned this he knocked another $25 off, I thought this was a decent deal.
Well, when I get home to order the missing medium and fine plates, I look up the model number and find that this was a discontinued model, somewhere between 12-15 YO. The seller had said it was only a "couple" years old, and had been only been used a couple times, he had also mentioned that a son, or nephew had done the listing. I also find that one of the replacement gears is plastic, something I did not want, so without disassembling, I think it may give me issues down the road seeing as to how old it is. Oh, and the other piece turned out to be just a meat tenderizer, not a jerky slicer.
I called him to let him know the info, and he pretty much said he considered it an as-is sale, though I feel it was not as advertised, I have decided to let it go, and have taken this as a learning experience. I guess if this lasts me a few more years I will have gotten my moneys worth, but am disappointed, mostly at myself. for not doing better research. I guess I could sell the tenderizer for about $150 to even out the loss a bit since I have not had to use one before, or maybe try it first and find it makes better steaks.
So, how do you guys handle both of these sides? Me, I try and advertise what I am selling to the best of my ability, if someone shows me where I am wrong I will try and make it right. When I buy, I seldom complain unless I feel I was misled, even if I find later the price was too high.