...........and if you know the on-line price but are willing to pay a few bucks more for the personal service, ask him what you'll pay for it. If his answer is "If I tell you, will you buy it?".......Politely walk out the door as you answer "I'll think about it!"

A dealer may be franchised for one brand and hype it, while playing down or outright bad-mouthing another which he carries as a "Multi-line Dealer". (???) The truth is that all detectors have something to offer or they wouldn't be in business.........you just have to choose the "best" fit for your needs and price range, while sticking with the major brands.

If you buy a major brand on-line from a reliable dealer and read the instruction manual, there are brand-specific sites on which to post inquiries and you will generally receive a rapid response from active dealers and detectorists.

Be they walk-in dealers or those using telephone "order takers" that can't answer your pre and post-sales questions, they are best avoided. A sign above the counter reading "IF YOU DIDN'T BUY IT HERE,THEN DON'T ASK" is a good clue........and you may be asked "If I tell you the price, will you buy it?"

Chet