Do key-start lawnmowers work as advertised?

[lafinfil]

Mike Johnson wrote:
If my mower didn't start with three pulls I'd change the oil and check the spark plug and air filter. A new mower, key start or no, won't need much less maintenance than my antique Craftsman.

Those are all good things that should be done as part as the regular maintenance, but most of the time I've
found the problem to be the fuel system. Stale gas that has varnished up a carb after sitting for a few month over the winter
or a filter that needs changed - occasionally a plugged vent in the cap but this is usually shows as a "runs and quits" problem.

The majority of non running power equipment that I have bought usually have been repaired with a good carb cleaning.