I was looking thru FB marketplace, and it seems there are hundreds of generators for sale. All years, sizes, and states of condition. Do these sellers ever read other ads that are posted?. Prices are almost the same for running, and non-running units. Size doesn't seem to matter either. Do people buy generators for the upcoming storm, with the intent of selling it when the storm passes?. There's alot of them that were stored with gas from 2-3 years ago, that no longer start. To ones that run, but don't make power. But they want what they paid for it years ago. I bought mine years ago, and wouldn't think of selling it due to how hard they are to find when you really need one, along with a million other people when a storm hits.,,
What's the deal with gas generators?.,,
- Thread starter BigCahuna
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Typical of FBMP...bunch of old people who bought a gen, didn't know how to store it, now it doesn't work and they are to cheap to have it fixed and/or don't want to bother researching and buying a 15 dollar carb for it but now want to sell it for 12 bucks less than they paid 3 years ago when it worked.
I just wanna know; is this still available? 
Anyways, Marketplace seems to be a perpetual dumpster fire. I'm almost wondering if people up the price due to the abhorrent amount of lowballers that they price it high to actually get near what they want.
I'm fortunate (and unfortunate in a way) to live on a busy road that if I set something along the road for sale it goes quickly.
Anyways, Marketplace seems to be a perpetual dumpster fire. I'm almost wondering if people up the price due to the abhorrent amount of lowballers that they price it high to actually get near what they want.
I'm fortunate (and unfortunate in a way) to live on a busy road that if I set something along the road for sale it goes quickly.
Do your part and lowball them all.. haha
Good post -
I have been thinking about a unit for our new home. Didnt think about checking marketplace. Though this time of year in the south maybe not a lot of good deals. Storm season is coming.
Anyway, the other part of the equation is something I see all the time. EVERYONE here on the NC coast came from the Northeast and a bit more rare from the west.
SO... they think because there are hurricanes here it seems like EVERYONE (including my wife) is concerned about a long term power outage. So many people move in and first thing they considering is spending north of $12,000 on a whole house system. I may do a basic portable to power refrigerator, TV, sewer system and maybe a window AC unit instead of the house HVAC system. Cost would be around $1000.
With that said, it's not reality and I might do nothing. Though my wife would like to. Talk to any long term resident here and the last time they needed their whole house system was in 2018. But it was a 3 or 4 day outage. That is a lot of maintenance since then for a whole house. Many of the long term residents which they didnt bother.
So... anyway. I suspect at least here, people buy these things because they think they will lose power like all the time, Then they never do, so the ones with portable units sell them.
Here you go, thanks to the OP first one I run into on Marketplace
"
I have been thinking about a unit for our new home. Didnt think about checking marketplace. Though this time of year in the south maybe not a lot of good deals. Storm season is coming.
Anyway, the other part of the equation is something I see all the time. EVERYONE here on the NC coast came from the Northeast and a bit more rare from the west.
SO... they think because there are hurricanes here it seems like EVERYONE (including my wife) is concerned about a long term power outage. So many people move in and first thing they considering is spending north of $12,000 on a whole house system. I may do a basic portable to power refrigerator, TV, sewer system and maybe a window AC unit instead of the house HVAC system. Cost would be around $1000.
With that said, it's not reality and I might do nothing. Though my wife would like to. Talk to any long term resident here and the last time they needed their whole house system was in 2018. But it was a 3 or 4 day outage. That is a lot of maintenance since then for a whole house. Many of the long term residents which they didnt bother.
So... anyway. I suspect at least here, people buy these things because they think they will lose power like all the time, Then they never do, so the ones with portable units sell them.
Here you go, thanks to the OP first one I run into on Marketplace
"
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A-i Power
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store with ethanol free fuel, run with whatever's available.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
My WGen9500DF has never seen gasoline - none planned …
When hurricanes such as Isabel hit the East Coast years ago, stores that sold generators found that some buyers would get a generator before the storm, obviously used it during, and then would return it after to get the entire new price refunded. Some stores had to restrict returns as a result or even say, "Sales of generators final". That's probably why you're seeing what I highlighted in your post. It's like people who hoarded paper goods during the pandemic and then tried to return all those extra packages of paper towels (unused, I hope) later.
This, plus folks who dont think long term look to selling their generator as not something they need, it could be a bellwether sign of folks trying to recoup cash for whatever short sighted financial reasons.
After living through a few major catastrophes (2005 Katrina, 2021 Central Texas Freeze, 2025 Central Texas Flood) a generator is a must have in my book.
One thing I'm not sure was even available for home type generators, was the ability to run on propane or natural gas. If I had to do it again, I would opt for the ability to have it run on natural gas. I could plumb it into the gas line in the house and never worry about running out of fuel. During Sandy years about 12 years ago, there were lines of people waiting to get into gas stations to refill their gas cans. And if anyone's ever went a while running a genny on gasoline knows, it can get expensive. Plus you may have to travel a distance to find a station that isn't affected by the power outage. By now I would think most stations would be setup with generators. But it is funny to look at ads in fb marketplace for a genny that doesn't run, right next to one that does run for the same price.,,
When you're sitting in the dark with nothing to do, buying a generator sounds like a great idea. Then, later, when the reality of storing something heavy that is rarely used sets in, it doesn't seem so grand anymore.
I personally knew people that bought gennys in preparation for Y2K. No telling what became of those.
I personally knew people that bought gennys in preparation for Y2K. No telling what became of those.
This sums up pretty much everything on FB MP.
I have a Predator 6.5KW. It is a beast to move around even on wheels. Only has a recoil starter, but it starts easily and reliably. Schlepping gas is a PITN, I wanted the watts so that I could operate the well pump. It is stored full of blue stabil-ed E-10 and I have 3 5gallon cans for temp storage. I got smart and finally installed a mains interlock with an outside plug for the gen. I keep the gas for 2yrs, then run it through the lawn mowers.
Have you noticed thousands of take over my lease offers there as well?
I think it’s more a case of people selling things they otherwise wouldn’t sell but at the moment everybody and their brother wants/needs extra cash but the crap they are trying to sell isn’t worth it.
" Bunch of old people" ?
I've always felt a little thinking outside the box could go a long way. Phones can be charged on li-ion jumper packs. I've got at least 10 Milwaukee lights and have even kept working on a vehicle on my 2-post in the dark with those (granted, powering the lift is a different matter). Our ARB freezer/fridge would store at least a little food indefinitely, provided I have enough gas to idle a vehicle and charge the battery periodically.
And if you have a vehicle with an inverter, run an extension cord into the house if you must power light loads like conventional lamps or maybe a TV -- obviously a house fridge would be unrealistic.
I don't live around hurricanes but have had to deal with power outages for downed trees, lightning, and wildfires. Granted, they're usually under 24 hours but if I can go camping for multiple days I better be able to survive in my home for several days without power
I do the same with the exception of continually cycling through my E-free gas. I have half a dozen 5 gallon cans and keep at least three of them full but I have a FIFO (first in first out) system to keep the fuel relatively fresh.
IF...,,and big IF....you can afford it.....A Generac or Kohler whole house standby machine is the way to go. Lights go out, it turns on automatically. You can run any appliance you want. No re-fueling. Do an OCI once a year, a battery every 5-6 years, air filter, plugs every 350 hours. Too easy to maintain. Even has a Fumoto oil valve to make oil changes easier. Their not cheap. 20KV was $ 12,000.00. That's soup to nuts ( transfer switch, hook up, permits, etc ) WELL worth it if you live in an area where the grid goes down a lot, like me....But, like I said, they ain't be cheap by no means...,,and a good selling plus when getting rid of the house. Mine is natural gas fueled.
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I have a 3000 watt portable inverter generator with a 30A outlet and a 25ft 10 gauge extension cord that plugs into a subpanel next to my main panel. It has six select circuits that can be isolated from the main and get powered by the generator (unprotected back-feeding is for fools). I also have a window unit and space heater (as needed) that plug directly into the generator.
I've had to use it a few times and it does the job using much less gas than a "whole-house" unit. We just hang up a few blankets to isolate the living room, and we stay cool or warm while still powering the fridge, a few lights, WiFi and the coffee maker...all the survival basics! I live in hurricane country and so far haven't had a direct hit, but a severe storm can still knock power out for a day or two and I like to be prepared, and my blood is way too thin to handle this heat.
I've had to use it a few times and it does the job using much less gas than a "whole-house" unit. We just hang up a few blankets to isolate the living room, and we stay cool or warm while still powering the fridge, a few lights, WiFi and the coffee maker...all the survival basics! I live in hurricane country and so far haven't had a direct hit, but a severe storm can still knock power out for a day or two and I like to be prepared, and my blood is way too thin to handle this heat.
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