if you were to buy a used metal detector, what would you look for?

[davest]

how would you test it? What can a person do to make sure that what they buy is gonna work?

Recently there have been some good buys in the newspaper and on craigslist, but I don't want to buy someone elses junker.

Let's say your looking at a used Minelab EXcal for a very nice price, how do you test it waterwise if you're standing on dry land 5 miles from the beach?

 

[Iron Patch]

You drive 5 miles to the beach. ..but that might not even help because it's a used detector. I have no problem buying most used machines but a water unit I'm not sure I would. I'd at least go through Ebay and pay with Paypal. Paypal totally favors the buyer so a claim saying it didn't work would be granted in your favor. Just make sure the seller has feedback, and more auctions, otherwise a PP claim is worthless if there's no $$$ to grab.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

If you cant take it to a beach, take it to a pool, just stay away from the bottom or sides if it isn't fiberglass pool, because of the re bar.

I would first try to find one first from a respected member of one of the boards, most of us care about our reps.

I have bought 3 excals and a waterproofed sovereign gt used and all 4 units worked perfectly on arrival. One came from ebay, 3 from the boards, from respected members....

I just picked up a used excal for $475 shipped off a board, going to build a straight shaft for it, maybe $25 to build. I found a used WOT coil for it for $80.

Good luck...............

 

[silverswede]

I would make sure if I were to buy it that the owners manual comes with it or if not enough information that I could download one. There are a great lot of top line detectors sitting in closets that the owner was never interested in using or lost interest quickly when they found it too complicated to enjoy.

 

[Born2Dtect]

Most people want too much for a used unit. I have seen 6 month old detectors listed for more than you can get them now. I like PayPal both as a seller and buyer.

Trying out a detector is great if you can. Look for loose things, scratches, dents. On water detectors, try to take apart the shaft, they are notorious for jamming if not cared for. Look inside, any corrosion at all is a warning sign.

I like to buy from TNET from a member who i have seen posting for a while. I try to get a feel for who they are. Some I would not touch, some I buy from.

Don't fall for the it's under warranty. Not all warranties transfer, not all are life time. If you don,t see a dated receipt don,t count on a warranty and buy accordingly.