don't be taken by this ad

[wan2fly]

Either this person is misleading or has been misled.
Central Machinery is Harbor Freight as everyone here knows. I just think it's kind of funny while I look for a new DP

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/685092875.html

[Pappy]

In an area that large, he will probaly find a sucker. $150 for a $50 DP. not a bad deal on the seller's side!

[sparkeyjames]

He will be caught out. Here in the Detroit area he would have gotten several posts shooting him down as a fraud and a rip off artist. Then his post would have been flagged to death.

[Uncle Cracker]

I used to rat out these scams on CL with a "Re:" ad in the same category, but doing that somehow got me banned from CL. Doesn't seem fair...

[cabinetman]

If someone is dumb enough to spend $150 on THIS DRILL PRESS, they should learn a lesson.
.

[BigguyZ]

Wow. This is my favorite quote:
"Similar to Powermatic tools in accuracy and power."

[gad5264]

But you get two tools in one, a DP and spindle sander......

[wan2fly]

My favorite part is that it is "Imported" and gives the impression that the import is from Europe... maybe "Central" Europe??

Wow. This is my favorite quote:
"Similar to Powermatic tools in accuracy and power."

This is the CL advertisement:
Brand new high-end drill press.

Unopened, still in box.

Central Machinery 5-speed drill press for only $150!
Can also be used as a spindle sander (2 tools for the price of one!)

Imported. The Central Machinery brand may not be well known in the US, but is highly regarded in Europe. Many famous European furniture makers use Central Machinery tools.

Similar to Powermatic tools in accuracy and power.


Weight: 51 lbs.
Spindle stroke: 2";
Maximum swing: 9-1/2";
Table size: 6-5/16'' x 6-1/2'';

Price is firm. Cash only please.

[kramer katt]

post is now "flagged" by moderators at CL

[LYU370]

Ah... It gets better. He posted a new one last night...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/687637727.html

This one is Imported from Italy, so we've had a $50 price increase... Now $200

HA HA HA HA

[poolhound]

Ah... It gets better. He posted a new one last night...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/687637727.html

This one is Imported from Italy, so we've had a $50 price increase... Now $200

HA HA HA HA

Also flagged and removed. Its good to see the CL moderators keep on top of this sort of thing

[LCHIEN]

Was the post removed by actual human moderator, or as the CL indicates, by user flagging in sufficient quantity to trigger an autmoatic removal process. I think the latter.

Frankly, as much as the post offends me (or makes me laugh), I fail to see how it met the CL criteria for flagging, e.g.
"

• miscategorized - wrong category/site, discusses another ad, otherwise misplaced
• prohibited - violates craigslist Terms of Use or other posted guidelines
• spam/overpost - posted too frequently, in multiple cities/categories, or is too commercial

Misleading stetements, wrong opinions, exaggerations, are not among the criteria.

I think the claims were wildy exaggerated, but being somewhat subjective, hard to prove or disprove. For example, he is right Central Machinery is not a well known name. Arguably it could be held in high regard amoung furniture makers in eastern Europe whose only other DPs are of 1952 communist lefthanded eastern Clumso-vakia design vintage. High end? By my standards, no, but Maybe someone elses, depending upon what you are comparing to.

However, the specs given I imagine are correct, and from them you could not tell this unit from a Powermatic, nor could you differentiate from the basic design features. e.g. both have quill, motor, covered multi-step pulleys, base, support column, elevating table, right-handed feed crank, depth stop, chuck, etc. just like a Powermatic. Sure I realize its a $65 drill press at HF, being listed for $150. In the end, its Buyer beware - Caveat Emptor. If we allowed users to start voting on the value of CL and eBay postings, all **** will break loose.

What if someopne posts a Craftsman RAS on CL, and some righteous reader says, oh no, that unit was recalled and even at $25 its too dangerous to use, and he flags the post. Are we going to let others tell us what we can and cannot sell and at what prices?

[Copper]

Misleading stetements, wrong opinions, exaggerations, are not among the criteria.

Actually, they are:

(From the craigslist terms of use)

You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:

i) that is false, deceptive, misleading, deceitful, misinformative, or
constitutes "bait and switch";


However, I see your point and strongly agree with you that buyers need to do their research first.

[LCHIEN]

Actually, they are:

(From the craigslist terms of use)

You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:

i) that is false, deceptive, misleading, deceitful, misinformative, or
constitutes "bait and switch";


However, I see your point and strongly agree with you that buyers need to do their research first.

I'll cede that misleading is and should be prohibited. However, I'll stand by my assertion that the statements he made are not like "Rated no. 1 by Consumer Reports" which are untrue and confirmable as such, but more like "High End Drill Press" which is more debateable and not attributed to anyone in particular. If pressed he will say his brother in law told him so, and usually the BIL is very knowlegeable.

My analysis of his Ad:
Brand new ( likely true) high-end drill press (Debateable - but an opinion).

Unopened, still in box. (probably true)

Central Machinery 5-speed drill press (Accurate description) for only $150! (His asking price, thus true)
Can also be used as a spindle sander (2 tools for the price of one!) (nothing out of the ordinary but Quite true)

Imported(True). The Central Machinery brand may not be well known in the US(An opionion, but probably quite true), but is highly regarded in Europe (An opinion, but I'll bet someone in Europe likes them). Many famous European furniture makers (I can't even name one European Furniture maker so what and to whom is Famous? Again, a hard to refute opinion) use Central Machinery tools.

Similar to Powermatic tools in accuracy and power. (arguably true, how much off does "similar" allow, anyway?)


Weight: 51 lbs. (True, all specs below here true and accurately reproduced, no lies)
Spindle stroke: 2";
Maximum swing: 9-1/2";
Table size: 6-5/16'' x 6-1/2'';

Price is firm. Cash only please. (firm price may be the only lie here.)


So there, not one confirmable lie or totally misleading statement. Nonetheless, I'd avoid this guy like a snake oil salesman, because of the tone and because I know better.

[Uncle Cracker]

Latest ad also flagged...