^ Prices have gone up some, but a mower doesn't really ship for free.
Further, this seems to have one grade higher engine than what was likely used on the $100 mower you bought. B&S has changed the name of their engine series a few times in past years but today the cheapest mowers have a 450 series engine linked below rather than a 500 series engine that this product has. The difference doesn't necessarily matter for a well kept lawn, but it is a larger engine series and that raises cost a little.
Comments & Reviews (3)
Downside is they tend to use an engine with a carb diaphragm that needs replaced every few years but that's only a $3 part and two screws to remove.
Further, this seems to have one grade higher engine than what was likely used on the $100 mower you bought. B&S has changed the name of their engine series a few times in past years but today the cheapest mowers have a 450 series engine linked below rather than a 500 series engine that this product has. The difference doesn't necessarily matter for a well kept lawn, but it is a larger engine series and that raises cost a little.
http://www.briggsandstratton.com/lam/en/engines/push-mower-engines/450-series
Thank you!