Don't want to offend the wife, but...

Had an Echo CS-370 that stopped running this summer. Took it to a full service dealer/repair shop that sells Echo and Husqvarna products and was essentially advised it would cost same amount to fix as to replace the saw. I then started researching/thinking about a replacement and decided that I would pick up a Husqvarna Rancher 455 after the bills from Christmas were paid. Then, on Christmas my thoughtful wife surprised me with an Echo CS-400 that she bought from dealer/repair shop mentioned above. She pointed out that it was a step up from the old saw. Well, it is a step up, but I had hoped to take a couple of steps up... What do I do? She was proud of the fact that she picked out and bought the saw for me.

Also got a x27 from my wife that I have no second thoughts about.

Echo makes good saws I have had my cs310 for 5 years of almost flawless service aside from the oil filter last month. That said 40cc is a bit to low for anything other than limbing for me. For around 400 you can buy a cs600p on ebay new ! Those are real sweet ! Check craigslist too there are often stihl, husky and echo listed at great prices. I would keep the cs400 if you can and put a 16" bar on it for limbing and upgrade to a bigger saw around 50 to 60 cc for the main cutter.

Pete

Brag up the saw to friends when she is around.
Trade it up, if at the same dealer she bought it at should be doable.
Explain to her that it is doesn't quit fit you. Size matters. Then talk to the dealer.

The X27 will be useful. Brag it up

Go to the dealer without her knowing and trade it for a better the same color saw. Tell the dealer, you don't want the wife to know, pay the difference. She'll never know.

I'd keep it as your "small" saw, tell her how great it is. Then for next year start working on her now about all the great scrounge trees that you could have gotten if you had a big "serious" saw, especially how it will easily pay for itself the first year versus buying oil/gas/electricity. Then by next year, just get it for yourself with whatever story you have to (guy at work is selling a like new Huskie really cheap - insert whatever works for you).

This is why I don't buy my wife shoes...... she would have no problem telling me I picked out the wrong pair, no matter how proud I was of my choice.

That being said, I'd level with her. Tell her that you really do need something larger than 40cc for serious firewood cutting and although you really appreciate the thought, you'd like to trade it for something a little larger that will make the work easier and more efficient.

Good luck.

Keep it, run it, and appreciate it. If you need another, bigger saw, then go buy one. But the Echo stays. My 2c.

This

Yeah, I have been saying this all along with you guys that get tools for Xmas from your SO. My wife and I have an agreement, she does not buy me tools, equipment cycling, fishing, hunting, or shooting gear for this very reason. She has no clue what I want and I am very picky about it. OP, this here is a very delicate situation, and only you will know how to handle it. My wife and I are pretty good about this sort of thing. If we don't like something the other gets for us, we are just plain honest about it. Better to get something you like than something you are dissappointed with. Actually had this issue come up several years ago on Father's Day. She bought me a tie clip because she knew I wanted one. She knew that I wanted a Mont Blanc one and she knew the specific one I wanted. However, we were saving for a house and she did not want to spend that much on it. Instead, she got me a sterling silver one for around $50 from England instead of the Mont Blanc. I was not over joyed by it because she knows I prefer not to spend money just to get something to fill a void in the interim. I told her how I felt and while she wanted to return it I told her we would keep it since it was essentially from my 3 and 1 year olds. Then, I told her that instead of $250, I had found the Mont Blanc for $125. Double edged sword there. She felt bad because she would have bought the Mont Blanc for $125 without batting an eye, which she did for my birthday a couple months later. In the end, it all worked out and now I alternate between 3 tie clips when I go to Court. The third tie clip is a really, really long storry that involves my dad and I, and I will not bore you with it.

Then, I dated a girl that threw a tantrum when I told her I did not like a present she got me.

Only you will know how your wife will handle being told that you want a different saw. For something I am going to use for a decade or more, I want it to be the one I want, and nothing less. However, I want to remain married for the rest of my life too. Requires some balancing.

Just went back and read some of the other responses. Yeah, my wife would be questioning the hell out of me if I wanted another saw a year later. Then again, I did just tell her I want a MS170 for limbing. When she heard $180, she just shrugged her shoulders and said "Is that all it costs? Go buy it."

In the end, only you know your budget, whether a larger saw is even in the budget for next year, etc.

End of the day though, I think some of the other guys on here got it. It is all about communication. If you have a healthy relationship, you should be able to discuss this entire subject, weigh all the options like using this saw until you can buy a larger one, exchanging this saw for the larger one now, etc.

I have no idea how you guys get away with that. My wife spots new stuff in a millisecond, even if it is the same color as the old one.

It is an inate ability perfected with training from there Mom. Think about it. How many times did ever get something past your mom?

I would keep the saw because it is a gift and because it will make a nice limbing saw. That being said I would also let her know that you are still looking to get a larger saw in the next year. Even when you do get a larger saw you may still find yourself using the 400 more then you would think due to the weight factor.

Man, I would keep that saw forever! You'll eventually get the saw you want, but for now, you NEED THAT saw. Don't dash her happiness, brag about how your wife bought it all by herself. Speak no more of your slight disappointment. Let her pride and happiness be your Christmas present to her. It will pay dividends down the line.

I've been doing stuff like that for my wife for 35 years. This summer, she surprised me with a 27 ton splitter. You may do better in the long run.

Which do you want more?

If you go behind her back with a trade in you'll get busted. If you tell her it's not what you wanted ,but she is so proud of her purchase you just burst her bubble either way your sleeping on the couch for a long time, and the only thing you'll be snuggling with is yourself

Keep the saw save up for what you want and buy it, when she asks why tell her a 2nd saw is like a spare tire you need one. What if when making a cut the bar gets pinched you need the 2nd saw to get it out.

This could work.

For me it would be a no brainer. For sure thanking the wife and letting her know how much you appreciated it is the first order. The second order is explaining why you want or need the other say. The third thing I'd do is go to that saw shop and give them a piece of my mind. They knew what saw you wanted so why did they not sell that saw to your wife?

Keep the saw. Save up for a bigger one whenever you can.

I was with Mikey517 on this, and then I ran the situation past my wife. She was more of a mind like BackwoodsSavage (without chewing out the salesperson). I think it was really good of your wife to take that much of an interest in what you like to do and what your needs are, tool-wise. She's a keeper, and if it was me, the chainsaw would be, too.

Keep the echo, but think bigger (and better) than the rancher. Read up on Arborists site.

Good for your wife for trying (Heck never can have two many saws) ....With me I cant imagine anyone picking out a saw unless it was very old. (This is the first x-mass I have been shock with something very cool though)

The truth is the best policy. Either keep the saw and thank your wife, who obviously cares a great deal for you, for her thoughtfulness, or be stright with her and explain why you need a larger saw. You may even take her to the dealer where she can learn more about saws and saw choices. I say this because any lady with an X-27 would, most likely, be quite open to advancing her education.

Yeah, I find that most women prefer communication over almost everything else. I tend to talk to my wife about my feelings on a lot of things and she does the same. That way, nobody is keeping anything pent up waiting for an explosion later on.

"this is why i dont buy my wife shoes", how perfect a comment is that LOL.

anyways... keep it as your small saw, throw a 16" bar on it when your able to upgrade to the beast you want. The dealer will no doubt try to make $$$ off this current lil' mistake and then more $$$ off your new upgraded saw.