are you a ring finder member

[cw0909]

would love to hear your stories

http://theringfinders.com/

Looking to rent/hire a metal detector? Why not find a metal detecting specialist who can help you find what you have lost. By contacting one of the metal detecting specialists in our directory, who have years of experience and the best equipment, you will have a much greater chance of success in finding your lost item.

Become a Ring Finder
http://theringfinders.com/join/

Ring Finders Directory
http://theringfinders.com/directory/

 

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[willie d]

I sent Chris an email a while back.

His response email mentioned something about getting back to people with how much the fee would be to have your name on the list.

I never heard anything further.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

cw0909, where did you get the quote, which included the sentence:

"....who have years of experience and the best equipment ...."

Here's the scoop: This guy's directory thing, on the surface, is not a bad idea. Ie.: a roster of will-call hunters who, for a fee, go out to look for lost rings and such. There is a charge to be on his national listing database (not too expensive, but I can't recall the exact cost). The cost gets you a web-page for interested parties (those who respond to your craigslist lost-&-found prompts) to click, to read the speel. Nothing wrong with that so far, because of course, there are domain name costs, hosting costs to create and maintain a website which has those subpages of members to have their own individual links, etc... This is standard, you would expect from anyone who goes through the trouble of creating such a franchise network. The person who's hired the ring-finder franchisee pays a certain amount to the hunter for the call-out. And then can add a tip if the hunt is succesful. That's the way I think the system works. No problem still, as there's nothing wrong with charging for a service, right?

But the problem is, the quote:

" .... who have years of experience and the best equipment ...."

You see, there is simply no way the creator of this website, franchise thingie, to actually know that persons who pay in to subscribe and get this title, are .... in fact .... "experienced". Essentially anyone who pays this guy the fee, is .... PRESTO, a member. No criteria for his experience level, type of machine used, etc...

And if you think of it, there's really not much the creator can do, to police this anyways. I mean, what is he supposed to do, fly around the country and meet and test individual persons all over? Of course not. It's an "honor system" of anyone who claims to him, to be skilled, etc.... Herein lies the problem: Any yahoo, who picks up a machine from harbor freight, practices in a few sandboxes, and then thinks he's "skilled".

We're having this problem in my locale. A fellow near here, runs his ad every week or two (to keep bringing it back to the top of craiglist), advertising his services. When you click on it, it brings you to this ring-finder site, which is very well presented. The viewer would have no reason to think, he or she isn't about to hire the services of an "experienced professional" (especially seeing how professional the website is, etc... it's an easy conclusion to come to). However, this particular guy, is apparently a rogue beginner. He might have the best intentions, he might be having a lot of fun, and heck, he might have even had a few successes so far. But if you watch this guy for a little, and you are an experienced hunter, you immediately recognize all the beginner signs: Swinging the coil a foot off the ground. Rushing over to show the customer every single pulltab he finds. And (my favorite) a coffee can with holes drilled in it for a sandscoop He's dressed like a homeless guy. And his machine for the beach was not a wet-sand beach machine. A friend of mine, observing this local fellow, and his customer, while detecting. From a distance, he saw the unsuccessful hunt end, and saw the lady hand the guy the cash. My friend however, went right behind this guy (my friend has over 20 yrs. beach experience), and found the ring for the lady. He handed it to her, no charge.

Now you might think "why do you guys care if this goes on? you can merely answer lost & found ads yourself, and go do it for free if you like?". But the problem is, people are seeing this "service" ad, calling him, and not putting their lost ads on craigslists, to begin with. After an un-successful call-out, they might assume "why bother letting another md'r try, since I already had a professional try and it wasn't there". Because of course, the average public doesn't know a good user, from an un-skilled one.

So I contacted the owner of this ring-finder service, and ..... I didn't wanna cause trouble or anything, because I'm sure this beginner is sincere. Yet it's causing all hobbyists to look like geeks, if they think this guy portrays the face of detecting. I asked the owner of franchise "how do you monitor your franchisees, to make sure they're "experienced" as your site says they are?". His answer was, that there is no way he can police or monitor for that. He merely has to go by the say-so of whomever he allows to be on his list. And therein lies the problem. No accountability. Just immediate "professionality", simply because you're on a glitzy list.

I sympathize with the owner of the franchise list, because the concept is a good one. I just wish he could weed out cases like this. I don't see how he could do it, but .... certainly there must be some way to do it. Either that, or remove the blanket statement that "you will be hiring a professional with the best equipment", unless that part is a known truth, for each payee.

 

[wirebender]

Tom I totally agree with you! got some excellent points!

 

[finders]

Hi It's Chris Turner from The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Service/Directory

Please understand that this directory was created to help people find their lost jewelry. The member that you are talking about has successfully helped people find their lost items, he loves what he is doing! He also gives a portion of his reward money to charity.

I can not speak for his experience but I can say that he loves to help people find what they have lost...This is what its all about, giving people a second chance in finding something they thought was lost forever.

I have not had one complaint from anyone that has had him out to search for their lost rings.

As far as how someone dresses...Please don't judge the book by the cover! Remember he joined our directory to help people, that doesn't make him a bad guy.

I'm working hard to make The Ring Finders a household name, I'm proud of our members and as you can see from our Book of Smiles, we are making a difference.

Our directory will grow in numbers as people see the discoveries that are being made by our members. My partner and I realize that it will take some time to develop, but we are here to stay!

Note:

I will be writing a blog here soon in regards to two members who were contacted from our directory recently and hired to do an estate search. I helped them both with the contracts and how to preform the search, one member found 90lbs of silver! The estate donated the $20,000+ to seven different charities.

Much success to you all and may the gold find your scoops.

Best,
Chris Turner
www.TheRingFinders.com

 

[finders]

Sorry if I didn't get back to you... The cost to join The Ring Finders Directory is only $39.99 per year...That works out to $3.33 per month.
I sent Chris an email a while back.

His response email mentioned something about getting back to people with how much the fee would be to have your name on the list.

I never heard anything further.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Chris, thanx for chiming in. No, it's not likely you will "get a complaint" from someone who's used one of your members, who thought they were incapable or inexperienced. Because that's the problem: The average Joe Q. Public simply doesn't recognize an experienced user verses a rogue beginner. You or I can spot the beginner from a mile away (no headphones, has a 19.99 harbor freight cheapie, digs with an ice-scream scooper, doesn't fill in holes, swings a foot off the ground, etc...) , but to someone un-initiated, they have no idea. So on what basis are they "going to complain" to begin with? All they know is they hired a "professional", so what do they have to compare it to, so far as skill level goes?

And yes, as I say, no doubt he's had some successes. If someone says "I lost my such & such, in this confined little spot of beach blanket sand, well yeah, no doubt even a beginner can find them sometimes. I acknowledged that. It was just the impression my friend had, of the unprofressional overall approach he had observed, and the thought that this lady had just paid "gas money call-out fees", for someone who was obviously unqualified. His machine of choice (I won't get into detector chevy/ford debates here) wasn not suited for wet mineralized salt (perhaps this fellows other callouts, where he was successful, were on dry sand? or land? etc...). So my friend just effortlessly goes behind him, and finds it. An experienced hunter would know which machine for which job. But as I say, no harm in a beginner trying, and no harm in the concept of a franchise like this, but I just wish there was a way to enforce the websites own claim, that you will be calling out an "experienced professional".

And .... no, the "lack of customer complaints" does not mean your franchisee knows what he is doing. It just means the customer doesn't know anything about metal detecting.

 

[JW]

SCAM ALERT....


Here is one of the scamming CL ads...

The link: http://reno.craigslist.org/laf/1961245814.html
__________________________________________________________

The Ring Finders...Metal Detecting Service


Metal Detecting Service

*Beaches, parks, lakes & yards...If you lost your ring...We can find it!

*We use the best metal detecting equipment available for both land & water.

*Based on Reward - You only pay if the item is found.

*Member of The Ring Finders Directory...

Visit my profile page at: http://theringfinders.com/Tony.Mitts/

*Lost Something?... reply ASAP! Before someone else finds it!


*(When you want your lost ring to Find you!)

__________________________________________________________





It states "You pay only if the item is found"


If you then go to the link it states that there is a $25 fee if the item is not found.






Not sure which planet your from but $25 IS PAYING for an item that is not found.






You sir are a running a scam. You should CLEARLY state what you are doing. Offering a stated "free" service for a $25 dollar fee is dishonest to the core.



Not to mention your dude (in Santa Cruz) has NO clue as to what he is doing. He couldn't find a ring that most detectorists could and still charged the fee. Another md'er went out the next day and returned the ring for FREE. The real free not the $25 "free".






Take out the word FREE, if it isn't free. Or I will start top call all your guys out for planted lost items and give them exactly one cent when they find it because that is EXACTLY what your website states...




YOUR GIVING METAL DETECTING A BAD NAME WITH YOUR MISLEADING WORDING AND "FREE" FEE SYSTEM.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I need to investigate this further.


Is this a "free" service?

Or a service that is free with exclusions? (Fee service)

 

[Woodland Detectors]

This is pitiful.
Profiting on ones losses.

I guess some folks don't mind paying to have something sentimental found by skilled experts though.

(who are these Experts I keep hearing of?)

Folks around here know we will do it for free. No strings. Clear conscience.

 

[finders]

It is a directory where treasure hunters can list their service to help others. If they want to charge they can charge, its up to the person who joins the directory and how they want to run their service. The directory is there to help the public find someone to help them find what they have lost. Most members work on the reward basis and have a call out fee to cover their gas. Come on guys no need to bash this directory...

I need to investigate this further.


Is this a "free" service?

Or a service that is free with exclusions? (Fee service)

 

[bigscoop]

I can see a few "really experienced" people doing this, but like Tom has brought up, it sure leaves the door open for just about anyone with a metal detector. Seems like there should be some way of possibly maintaining a rating through some type of client feedback system, maybe something similar to the Ebay rating system? I think designing a way to maintain the site's integrity and some standard of service would have to be a top priority, otherwise as the franchise continues to grow you risk losing that integrity and standard of service.

 

[JW]

Just take out the ambiguous wording on the website and the misleading wording on the CL ads...


Or is it something else...





The idea is great!


Just don't say it is something it isn't or hype up people who may not be all that...




It's been brought up before yet the "Free" fee system still remains...

 

[finders]

Attention all Treasure Hunters... Please understand that this is not a Franchise... It is a Directory. A directory of people like you here on this forum, people who enjoy metal detecting.

This directory gives our members a chance to be found and to help the public find their lost jewelry. No Scam! A directory where people can list their service.

They can charge if they like... Its their service, most work on a reward basis and have a call out fee to cover their gas if the item is not found.

Before the bashing and negative judgement read the website and what is being offered. Everyone has a profile page that is clear on what they offer and what is being charged...No surprises!

The testimonial page will shed light on the positive effect The Ring Finders Directory has made already in this short time.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion and I respect that! Just remember that if you're worried about the image of this hobby...Don't be! The Ring Finders are here to give a positive image! From the Newspaper and TV interviews and smiles and testimonials, I'd say we are heading in the right direction.

For the people that are still not clear, this is a Directory and people who want to help and earn extra income can join. We are not hand picking the treasure hunters (members), that would be impossible to do! Please read below (In blue)... This is on the directory page at the bottom...

This is the end of my discussion to this subject as I feel no need to further defend myself.

I wish you all success in your treasure hunting adventures!

Kind Regards,
Chris Turner


The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Service Database is a directory of independent metal detector service providers. The information in the directory is self-reported. The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc. does not determine, warrant or endorse the information on any of the entries in the directory. Use of the directory is voluntary and will not result in any liability against The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc. In no event shall The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc. be liable for damages to any user of the directory for the voluntary selection of services provided by any individuals or companies listed herein, or for any other damages which may occur.

The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc. offers a database directory, not a referral service. The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc. does not recommend or endorse any of its listings. We do not verify the qualification of any individual or business listed. The inclusion or omission of particular individuals, businesses, organizations, or services does not imply a recommendation, or lack of, by The Ring Finders Metal Detecting Services Inc.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Well, reviewing the local "ring finders" CL ad, seems to have removed the "free" part (because, of course, it's not free if you charge time & gas). Not sure about other ring-finder's CL ads. This still doesn't address the issue of the ring-finders main page guaranteeing you're getting an "experienced person with the latest equipment", but at least it clears up the "free" part, (in at least, this one person's ad).

 

[srf2112]

Hello,
My name is Scott and I'm the "rogue beginner" that Tom(CA) is bashing. Unfortunately I am compelled to respond to some of his lies and fabrications. I joined up with the Ring Finders directory for the simple reason of finding more opportunities to meet the challenge of hunting for lost rings and to get that incredible feeling of returning it to a very joyful owner. It also gives me the opportunity to donate to Breast Cancer charity. My sister is a survivor but our Mother wasn't. I have been a tradesman my entire life and have been detecting for a couple years. I have purchased top quality equipment and trained and learned my tools and, I believe, become very proficient at using them, just like ANY trade. I am a decent, hard-working man and have nothing but the best intentions and would never have believed I would have gotten the unbelievably childish, selfish and mean response I have from a few "pirates". You compare apples and oranges. I hunt for pleasure all the time and if I find a returnable valuable I do just that, free of any charge. What I offer is a "service" so the owner can take some immediate action to try and retrieve their lost valuable. I quite often waive a call-out fee but I can't afford to absorb expenses when I'm asked to drive somewhere far away to hunt...would you? Don't lie and say I put "free' in my ad & then removed it...I did NO such thing. You are flat-out lying! Don't sit here and use semantics and a couple of words from the website as justification to carry out your agenda. If you really feel so strongly, there's nothing preventing you from placing your own ad worded anyway you like. Advertise that you'll search anywhere at anytime completely free of charge regardless of how much it costs you to do it. Stand behind your talk...you do enough of it. If one of you two "public watchdogs" had any substance behind your rhetoric you would do just that and that way anyone who needed the service would call you and you could protect them from my evil scam. You're full of opinions and assumptions but are you capable of any real "action"? Why don't you show everyone how sincerely you feel about "protecting" them from a "rogue beginner" driving 3 hours and using $40 in gas, searching for 6 hours and then having the audacity to accept a $25 call-out fee ? Yeah, I didn't think so. If, horror of horrors, I am unqualified then the only person who needs protecting from my great "scam" would be myself. The particular search you're referring to is so infused with lies and delusions it does not even resemble the actual truth. A woman had lost her ring and called me about a week later when she saw my ad. She lives about 1-1/2 hours away and wasn't able to meet at the spot immediately so we talked on the phone and google-earthed it to try and determine the spot the ring was lost on a large beach. I WAIVED the call-out fee & spent 2 days and 12 hours gridding off and searching the area she had said she believed it was in but no luck. We had agreed to meet at the beach on my 3rd trip out and as it turned out we realized that she had originally placed me about 50-75' South of where the ring was probably lost. KNOWING the tides would be too high to search down low in the wet sand/water area that afternoon, I had brought my land machine to search a possible dry sand area they had been picknicking at. THAT is why I didn't have a wet sand machine. (Did your friend bother to tell you that I only searched the dry sand that afternoon ?) I was planning on coming back in a couple days when the tide and my schedule would be best to search the correct area of the wet sand. The ONLY reason your buddy found out the proper location & located the ring another day was because I had placed the ad, recieved the call and put the effort and work into contacting the owner and meeting her at the beach where your friend happened to be that day. Your "friend" barged in, interrupted our conversation and then insulted me before he started searching in the sand two feet from me. "20 years experience" are you kidding ? You would think he'd learn some manners at least if not some technique. The guy was literally swinging his coil like an upside-down rainbow, never getting closer than 6-8" from the sand. He got the info on the CORRECT location (in the water and shorebreak) at the same time I did but was able to get back before me and locate the ring. (I guess even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then) As far as him "seeing" me be payed for the dry sand search that is a complete out and out LIE ! I was showing the woman the diagram I had drawn outlining where I had already searched and handed her a flier I had. As far as my hunting technique, that is another lie your buddy told you. It sure is interesting how quickly you gobble up and repeat what you want to believe Tom. And yes Tom, I have made a quick, cheap and very effective shallow sand scoop from found material. Maybe you have plenty of $ from all the rings you've found and cashed in but I'm raising two children alone and can use every penny I save. "Dressed like a homeless guy..." ?!? Are you serious ? What are you a 16 yr old girl ? Dickies, a flannel and tennis shoes, how would you have me dress Tom ? As I already pointed out to you and JW, I am not a problem for you or anyone else unless you choose to make me one. First your "friend" goes on CL and makes up lies that attack my character and integrity and now you two go into your little kingdom and continue this behavior? In the guise of looking out for the public good ? You obviously think so very highly of your intellect Tom that you sit on this forum and pontificate to your minions but I'm here to tell you that I'm not impressed. It's obvious that I'm no threat to you and your "booty" (most of my searches are on private property and sports fields, or is that part of your kingdom you're tasked with watching over also) and I am not in a "scam" to decieve people for "easy" money so what is your REAL motivation ? From all of your ridiculous assumptions and dishonest statements and accusations it would appear that greed and ego are behind all of it. (You two Pseudo-Christian hypocrites should read your "good" book again and refresh your memories) Last I checked Tom, your lovely little war-zone of a town, Salinas, is known for gang killings, not beaches. If you're so in need of a cause why don't you do something to help clean up your own town and do someone (other than yourself) some good. Sitting around comparing eye patches with your girlfriends and wading around in waist-deep water doesn't make you an extreme athlete. Just remember that the next time you delude yourself into thinking you're something you're not old man. Your selfish little "pirate" tantrums are one thing but disrespecting a man in public and questioning his character is another level that you two would be well-advised not to go to. Does the term "slander" ring a bell Mr vocabulary? I apologize to all intelligent, free-thinking forum members who already see through your agenda for having to post this. This is Tom(Ca) and JW's place of choice for continuing their self-serving, lies and agenda so it is where I am forced to respond. I will not be drawn into any more public arguments with these childish, selfish cowards. I have done nothing wrong whatsoever and I will leave it up to the forum moderator or administrators to put an end to these dishonest and unwarranted attacks on my character and integrity on this forum.
Scott

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Scott, I want to publicly apologize for the things said, way they were said, implications involved, etc.... I have never met you, and only went by the image (that perhaps my mind went to assumptions on), that was relayed to me. I had read your CL ad prior to that chance meeting between you and the other guy. Of course, there are always two sides to every story (location not being correctly relayed to you, ability to use diff. machines for the right purposes, etc...), so for that, I apologize.

The "free" thing, I don't see the word "free" on your CL ad, so I thought it was removed from earlier wordings you used. But perhaps I was incorrectly recalling the "free" vocabulary, from the R.F. website. Again, I apologize. I knew I'd seen "free" somewhere, but then had to chuckle when I read the fine-print on the call-out fee. (that does need to be addressed). And NO, there is nothing wrong with charging for a service by the way. You're absolutely right: we should be compensated for a service, if we want. It's just that in that case, the "free" part becomes a misnomer. I know JW is very caught up on that, so forgive him too for an over-reaction please. No, this doesn't make you a "scam", but, it's a choise of wording that isn't clear-cut.

And no, your intentions, your budget, your charitable contributions, none of that was ever in question. I said that initially, from the start, that "no doubt, you are sincere". I just had the mental image of someone who was not skilled at detecting, yet is deemed a "qualified professional", for no other reason than paying to be on a list.

And yes, I realize that this is highly subjective, because there is no magic formula of # of years, to become or attain such a status. I realize that this is perhaps an un-solvable problem, and anyone who wants, can try to help others. I just wondered where the "professional" comes from, when in fact ........ maybe not you, but you can imagine, what if there really was a fellow who picks up that $19.99 radio shack machine, pays his $39 to R.F. and now he's a professional with credentials that the un-knowing public, would have no reason to dis-believe? Afterall, he's on the list isn't he?

Again, I'm sorry, and I hope you will accept this public apology, for my apparent way-blown-out-of proportion mental image, of a 3rd hand story I heard, that I probably should never have made assumptions on.

PS: I also didn't realize (but now see it), that you are the same person, who many months ago, invited me to show you some ropes, and even to a BBQ for pete's sake. Like I said, I never met you, and when this 3rd person story was told to me, I didn't know it was you, who I'd actually, as it turns out, corresponded with already. Again, please forgive my stupidity, and not trying to meet you to get to the truth of things

 

[srf2112]

Thank you Tom. Your apology is appreciated and accepted.
Scott

 

[GraybeardDigsIdaho]

SCAM ALERT....

JW, You posted above my ad on Craigs List (I'm Tony Mitts).

Just wanted to let you know that I agree that how the ad was worded wasn't the best, and has since been deleted. Chris has an updated version of the ad that I will use in the future that is much clearer. I have only posted that once.

The LAST thing I want to be known as is a "scammer", and I do take offense in that. I have helped a few people find lost items, and have never charged - mainly because I am approached while metal detecting up at Tahoe or in the local parks. This was before I joined the Ring Finders - and the reason I joined up for the directory. I love the feeling of making someone's day finding their class ring, ear ring, bracelet etc. NOT to SCAM them. How dare you.

If someone calls me out as a service, I feel that a call-out fee to cover gas is fine. I will be sure to make that _very_ clear in future ads, if I ever do it again via craigslist. There's a lot of weirdos on craigslist. You would be amazed what emails I got on certain "objects" that were "lost" and where these certain objects were "lost"

I think I'll just stick with word-of-mouth and letting the agencies around here know (sheriff, park rangers, etc.)

Chris Turner is a stand up, honest guy. The Ring Finder Service has made many depressed people very happy people once again by finding their beloved items.

Thanks,
Tony

P.S.

Here's a pic of the "Scammers" JW mentioned. Yep, definite scammers here! Just look at 'em... criminals all!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

adaven, although JW came accross uh .... rather harshly, it only centers around the "free" thing. And you yourself saw the weakness of this phraseology. Because when the reader gets further along, he sees he'll be paying something. That's the only issue here. There's nothing wrong with charging mind you, but then .... it's no longer "free". That's the only focal point of this, and yes. To call it a scam, no, it's not a scam (nor are you, or other listed hunters). That just needed to be corrected.