Terrance,
If you want a decent petrol hedge trimmer "Makita/ Tanaka /Echo" etc, your going to have to spend at least $500 for a new one.
My experience with cheap Chinese petrol tools is their underpowered, poorly built & lack of parts.
You could try ringing a few dealers for a good brand used hedge trimmer.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of cheap price is forgotten ...
cheers gmax