Teasure_Hunter....
I got to agree with you that with the metal detecting TV shows, the hobby has taken off, and also that if you are a 'noobie' and want to research, compare machines, price shop, and bring up the first-googled-company, then KellyCo is the best for that. Which in turn, can swamp your business. It is a good probelm to have :-)
I buy something new pretty much every month, from a digger, to a coil, to knee pads, to a new detector, etc. Some at local stores and some I order online. If it's a White's product, I use KellyCo. They have the White's niche and I think have some great sales people and a few, I ask for, that know their White's stuff.
As a comment to my post earlier in this thread, I just found it strange that my V3i was on backorder for a week, and the day I called to cancel the order, I was told 'not to cancel it would ship tomorrow', and they didn't lie... it shipped the next day! I wonder if my V3i experience was like when you call the hottest restaurant in town to reserve a 7 PM table for two for dinner. They tell you they are totally booked for the night. You name drop that you are "good friends with blah-blah, one of the owners"... then... suddenly... they have a table for 2 at 7 PM with a window view! You arrive and best table in the house! Hmmmm?....
I just ordered a lower rod for my V3i from KellyCo about 20 minutes ago. I am not sure how many noobies watching the metal detecting shows will be ordering a lower rod for a top end machine(?) I used a nice coupon code on top of a sweet price, that can't be beat. Let's see if I get back-ordered.....