Wait. Now let's look it this:
"After being completely confused by the detectors offered on the Web, my husband called one of the retailers. He explained that we wanted a detector that would be easy for a 7-year-old to use, but that would be suitable for finding Civil War artifacts, since we live close to some known encampments.
The salesman found this hilarious. "Believe me, you're not going to find any Civil War artifacts. I've been doing this for three years and I've never found anything valuable." (Presumably, after this conversation our salesman enlisted and is now in Iraq leading the search for weapons of mass destruction.) The salesman also said not to worry about getting a metal detector that would be easy for our daughter. "She might go with you once, then she'll get completely bored and not want to do it again." Instead of taking this advice, my husband insisted on purchasing one, so the salesman recommended the $130 Tracker IV. Then, perhaps remembering what line of work he was in, he said, "You'll have fun," which turned out to be the equivalent of saying "bon voyage" to the passengers boarding the Titanic."
First, a dealer with three years of experience? This dealer sounds like they went to Wal-Mart and listened to a high school sales person.
Second, a BH Tracker for civil war relics? Not MY first choice.
Then they went to Maine to seek out civil war relics? She needs to review American History 101. Nothing fought in Maine.
She had trouble with a detector any "7 year old" can operate? Maybe the understanding limitations should have been lower, like something from Fisher-Price.
The salesman and husband both had their minds made up for her before she even started, as neither of them sounded very supportive.
It's people like them (and her) that I hope to avoid on a beach in the first place, and not just when I'm MDing.
This synopsis was doomed from the start, as not a lot of thought or time was put into "learning" the hobby.
