Thanks, everyone. Actually he texted me after I got home and he said it started when he tried it again after I left. I'm going to have him let me hear it start when I talk to him next. I want to hear it with my own ears. I don't need shenanigans. I wish I could trust people who seem trustworthy but the fact of the matter is that even the most unlikely people will bend the truth to suit their needs.
As far as the batteries and gasoline supply, the batteries are all new and there was enough gas in the tank to take it for a test drive. He told me that it started right up when he tried it that morning so that's why I want to hear him start it when I'm on the phone with him.
While we're on the subject of generators, I noticed this one has a summer/winter lever. What does that do? He didn't know.
