WheatbackDigger
Sr. Member
- Jul 8, 2005
- 313
- 25
- Detector(s) used
- Etrac
Maybe somebody can help me and the girlfriend solve somewhat of a mystery. I bought the girlfriend a Minelab Xterra 705 for Christmas from Kellyco. Used it once and after a couple of hours it started going haywire (as a side note, it was a beautiful, 80 degree, blue sky day). Thinking the batteries were dying, we didn't think much about it until we tried using it again with fresh batteries a few weeks later. The thing wouldn't even turn on. No biggie, called Minelab and they suggested sending it in under warranty. Wonderful. A few days later, Minelab calls, "sorry, but your detector has been submerged in water". I look at my girlfriend and we both are thinking "what are they talking about?" My first thought was that they had our detector confused with someone elses. But, she reassured us and sent us pictures of the internals. And yes, it was definitely submerged and starting to rust. Motherboard fried and a $350 price tag to repair it. Our thoughts were no way. $350 to repair a $500 dollar detector makes little to no sense in my mind. So as a last effort, we called Kellyco. Spoke to some higher than the almighty service rep who informed us that they have a 30 day return policy and we were stuck with the detector. Explained that it was a Christmas gift, and that we didn't have a chance to use it until weather permitted it. (another side note, we did open it shortly after Christmas and seemed to work fine, and put it away for better weather). The service rep explained that winter time is the best time to test the detector. We still don't understand what that means, Sub zero and a foot of snow is the best time to test a detector? Really
Well that's the back story, now the mystery of the submerged detector.
How did we end up with a detector (sold as brand new from Kellyco) that obviously took a bath?
The box was undamaged when delivered
The detector was used once, blue sky day
The detector was always stored indoors
The detector was bought new
I could be wrong, but here is our theory. It truly is the only explanation. This was a returned (new) item to Kellyco that the previous owner dropped in the water, dried it best that could and sent it back in the 30 day return policy (knowing that it would never work correctly again). If that's the case, shame on the customer. Kellyco, takes it as a return, not paying attention to detail and resells it to a second customer (us). If that's the case, shame on Kellyco. Minelab, $350 to fix a $500 machine. Price of doing business I suppose. Can't really blame them. Seems a little steep, but companies are here to make a profit.
So, if someone else has a better explanation or theory of how we ended up with a submerged detector, I would like to hear them.
I've been a Minelab loyalist for the past 15 years, but I think I'm going to replace the bad detector with a Garrett. (one last side note, it won't be purchase from Kellyco. I'm done with that outfit)
Pictures
Well that's the back story, now the mystery of the submerged detector.
How did we end up with a detector (sold as brand new from Kellyco) that obviously took a bath?
The box was undamaged when delivered
The detector was used once, blue sky day
The detector was always stored indoors
The detector was bought new
I could be wrong, but here is our theory. It truly is the only explanation. This was a returned (new) item to Kellyco that the previous owner dropped in the water, dried it best that could and sent it back in the 30 day return policy (knowing that it would never work correctly again). If that's the case, shame on the customer. Kellyco, takes it as a return, not paying attention to detail and resells it to a second customer (us). If that's the case, shame on Kellyco. Minelab, $350 to fix a $500 machine. Price of doing business I suppose. Can't really blame them. Seems a little steep, but companies are here to make a profit.
So, if someone else has a better explanation or theory of how we ended up with a submerged detector, I would like to hear them.
I've been a Minelab loyalist for the past 15 years, but I think I'm going to replace the bad detector with a Garrett. (one last side note, it won't be purchase from Kellyco. I'm done with that outfit)
Pictures