In article ,
"Denis Marier" wrote:

Today I was at Sears looking at their 18" chainsaw.
The salesperson went into the back store and came back with a large box.
We removed the steel staples and unpacked the box. The chainsaw look good.
I removed the gas cap on the tank. I immediately smelled gasoline. I did
not know if the residual gasoline left in the tank was the result of an
engine test before shipping or something else.
Or maybe someone used this chainsaw, cleaned it and repacked it. On the
other hand it could be quite normal that every Sears (Poulan) chainsaw's
engine are tested prior to assembly and shipping. Comments would be well
appreciated.

I don't know the answer, but I'd think it would be very hard to fully
clean a chainsaw if it saw any cutting at all. The bar gets scuffed
pretty easily as well as the sawdust that finds its way everywhere on
the saw. Maybe they are test fired - wouldn't be too hard to believe.

Just FYI, I don't believe the Poulan's get very good reviews from what I
remember - definitely stay away from the McCollough at Home Depot or
Lowe's. The Husqvarna and Stihl saws get the most favorable reviews -
tho I have a Makita which has worked pretty flawlessly for 2,1/2 years
now. If money is an issue, I always see used Huskys and Stihls in the
local classifieds as well as traded in saws at my local hardware store
and the forester's/orchardist's/farmer's implement store. Whatever you
choose, go with a brand that has a local repair facility - much easier
to get knowledgeable service as well as parts than for an off brand.