Found a Ryobi 40V mower at a garage sale for $80 - is this a steal or a trap?

Hey everyone, I'm usually over in the woodworking section but I need some lawn advice. I was at a garage sale this morning and picked up a Ryobi 40V brushless mower for $80. It looks barely used. The guy said he bought it last year but moved to a place with a lawn service. I've never owned a battery mower before. Is this a good deal or did I just buy someone else's headache? It came with a 4Ah battery and charger. I have about a quarter acre of grass. Should I flip it or keep it? Thanks!

Dude, $80 for a brushless 40V Ryobi with a 4Ah battery and charger is a steal. That battery alone is worth like $100+. I've had the same mower for 2 years and it's been solid. Just keep the blade sharp and don't let the grass get too tall. For a quarter acre, you might need a second battery if you let it grow out, but otherwise you're golden. I use mine for trim work around my shop, works great. Nice find!

I'd be a bit cautious. Those garage sale finds can be great, but you never know how the previous owner treated it. Check the blade for nicks, and run it for a full charge to see if the battery holds up. Also, Ryobi 40V is a decent platform but not as powerful as gas. For a quarter acre, you'll probably be fine, but if your grass is thick or wet, it might bog down. If it works, keep it. If not, you can probably sell the battery alone for what you paid. Win-win.

Brushless motor is the key there. If it's truly brushless, you got a great deal. The brushed versions are weaker. Check the model number - if it's the RY401110 or similar, that's the good one. Also, make sure the battery isn't a knockoff. Genuine Ryobi batteries have a certain weight and the terminals are clean. If it's legit, you basically stole it. I'm precision obsessed, so I'd tear it down and check the motor brushes (even brushless has some) and clean it up. But for $80, even if you have to replace the battery next year, you're ahead.

Thanks for the replies! I checked the model and it's RY401110. The battery looks genuine, has the Ryobi logo and everything. I ran it for about 20 minutes and it didn't slow down. The blade is a little dull but I can sharpen it. I think I'll keep it. Appreciate the help!