Metal Detector Dealers

[jhen999]

I know that not all metal detector dealers are hard to deal with, but I made a call to a local dealer and was trying to get some info on another coil for my metal detector, that I didn't buy from him, right off the bat, he said, sounds like something you bought off the internet, told me some name of a coil that I never heard of, and I ask him about the sunray x-8 and I got the same thing, sounds like something you read on the internet....and told me good luck with that...He is a big time dealer with a couple of shops in the area and has been in business for 30 years...I guess he thinks he can be rude with people because they didn't buy there metal detector from him....I don't spend a lot of money on the hobby...but I can tell you I,ll never deal with that guy if I do need to buy something....

 

[airscapes]

Myers Metal Detectors
Call Phil and get a price, nicest guy you will ever deal with, good prices and service.

 

[Sandman]

These dealers have a lot invested in their dealerships with stock, rent for the building, wages, and such. Then they have "customers" call to get information and most times will then order from someone on the Internet. The shop I worked at had a policy that if a customer came in and ask for help in using their detector, we weren't to give them any help and to tell them to contact the people they bought it from.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I understand what you are saying sandman, but that can also deter people from making future purchases from them. I call several times with questions before I buy, but I do eventually buy. I haven't had anyone ask me if I purchased my detector from them. Some are more helpful than others. Could be a misunderstanding, bad day, who knows.

There is someone out there willing to help you, keep trying till you find one that will.

 

[1shotwade]

This attitude is getting worst every day. Since the internet so many people can get "deals" if they work at it and it really hurts the mom & pap places.A few years ago I bought a gun over the internet. Of course it must be shipped to an FFL.So I had it shipped to the gun repair shop I always deal with. (Keep in mind this guy is making $30 to spend 10 minutes filling out paperwork and staying on hold with the feds.)So anyway he calls and said my gun was in and I went down. While there he say "Why don't you just buy this gun through me?" "I replied I'd buy all my guns through you if you can match the price!" He went back and looked at some paperwork and came back to the counter and picked up my new gun (that I had not even touched yet),looked at the trademarks then threw it down on the counter so hard it bounced a foot of the counter and exclaimed "SOB, I can't even get this Dam thing for what you paid for it!"

I'm sorry things aren't working out better for some of the locals but that was the last time I have or will be in his shop.He should be glad to make the kind of money he gets just for receiving the gun and checking it in!

Wade

 

[rwd mo]

I know that not all metal detector dealers are hard to deal with, but I made a call to a local dealer and was trying to get some info on another coil for my metal detector, that I didn't buy from him, right off the bat, he said, sounds like something you bought off the internet, told me some name of a coil that I never heard of, and I ask him about the sunray x-8 and I got the same thing, sounds like something you read on the internet....and told me good luck with that...He is a big time dealer with a couple of shops in the area and has been in business for 30 years...I guess he thinks he can be rude with people because they didn't buy there metal detector from him....I don't spend a lot of money on the hobby...but I can tell you I,ll never deal with that guy if I do need to buy something....

I was a multiline dealer for about 20 yrs and a lot of people came in to see how their detector worked and didn't buy from me and a lot of detectors were of the bounty hunter radio shack kind.I never turned down a customers questions for help, believe me it comes back in a good way eventually and pays off finally.been detecting 44 yrs and been abused by other dealers when on a vacation a thousand miles from home, It never hurts to be nice to anyone but sometimes it hurts underneath,but pays off. rwd mo

 

[jhen999]

That's what I was doing..calling about a coil I was interested in buying and wanted some info. on....and he got upset because I had bought a used metal detector from a friend...and I was looking for another coil...and he didn't want to give me that info.....his lose...I bought it some where else...

 

[prospect007]

this is the internet age. most dealers are on line, if they are not, they should get into the 21st century and get online. even most mom and pop stores are online.

 

[TNGUNS]

We are blessed to have several reputable dealers on Tnet. I think it is safe to say that a great deal of their business is generated by us and thus they realize that news of rude treatment of any would be shared among all. Thus cutting their own throat. To top it all off I think most of our vendors are a cut above and have no fear of us sharing information or they would not tiptoe in this particular tulip patch to begin with. I have personally dealt with Edd at Treasure Mountain and words can't tell you how great the guy is. I hear the same thing about other dealers on the site as well. Good and bad have come from the net no doubt, but fortunately our sharing of information somewhat protects us all. HH

 

[Boatlode]

These dealers have a lot invested in their dealerships with stock, rent for the building, wages, and such. Then they have "customers" call to get information and most times will then order from someone on the Internet. The shop I worked at had a policy that if a customer came in and ask for help in using their detector, we weren't to give them any help and to tell them to contact the people they bought it from.

The only advantage a shop owner has is personal service. You can't get that on the internet. Your owner threw that away with his "no help" policy.

 

[jhen999]

Your right Tnguns...after talking with this guy here local and getting the BS I did from him...I got right on the phone with Keith at Fort Bedford metal detectors...got the info. I wanted and bought the coil from him....should have done that in the first place, that was my bad...

 

[G. I. Digger]

These dealers have a lot invested in their dealerships with stock, rent for the building, wages, and such. Then they have "customers" call to get information and most times will then order from someone on the Internet. The shop I worked at had a policy that if a customer came in and ask for help in using their detector, we weren't to give them any help and to tell them to contact the people they bought it from.

Years ago I was a Service Manager at a few auto dealerships and saw the difference between providing great service vs poor service. Some dealerships basically only serviced their customers. When a customer called, that bought their car from another dealership, we gave them appointments weeks away when we could have serviced their car in the next few days. We survived with middle of the road profits. The last dealership I worked at had a policy to service anyone regardless where the auto was purchased and our labor sales were thru the roof year after year. Once the car was in the dealership we had the opportunity to sell other services and it paid off! Yes today folks only look for bargain pricing and usually get burnt with no one to turn to if a problem arises. Call Bart at BigBoy Hobbies!

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Our "local" dealer is not so local to me and carries White's.. I made appointments to come during his hours - which were my work hours - and BOTH times he blew me off and wasn't there after I drove a 40 mile round trip and stretched my lunch-break. His wife met me the second time, though she "didn't know much about these detectors", and had these little plastic paddles with coins glued on them and waved them indoors in front of a detector. I asked to take the same display/demo model outside and try it on soil as I never hunted flying coins indoors and she said that wasn't possible.

Internet isn't so bad.

 

[justdon]

Just my belief you will end up talking to good/bad and ugly dealers.There are a few i talked to i would give my business to in the future.Some i could care less if they went under right now.But if you are constantly rude you will pay for it in the long run.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Jhen999, I'm sorry but I'd have to side with this dealer (attitude "to the side" for a moment). Because these poor dealers are stuck with these mail/internet order outfits able to under-cut them so hard, that ..... there's no way a brick & mortar dealer (with a walk-in shop), can compete. And put yourself in his place: how is it fair to him that when personal hands-on service (even if only a phone call, or counter-demonstration, etc...) is needed, that THEN you go to them for free advice? Yet didn't buy from them ?

Yes it's fun to have the lowest low price. But that dealer has no way to expect that if he's going to give you time, that it will somehow make you loyal to him in future purchases? You've already shown a penchant to going with the low-ball price, so .... odds are, you're simply going to do that in the future as well NO MATTER HOW NICE he is. Unfortunately, dealers have seen this scenario all-too-often, and they're justifiably getting sick of it.

 

[jhen999]

Hey Tom...I can understand that.. but this was no mom and pop shop,he has a shop in Sacramento and one the Bay Area he has a web page and he sales on the internet, that's where I got his phone number and seen the coil I was looking for..i was looking for another coil and I was going to buy the coil from him..but it never got to that point...if somebody is being rude to you before you even get to ask about what your wanting..are you going to just say I deserve that and go ahead and buy from him anyway..There are a lot more people that deal in this business that will be more respectful than that...And I think your a fool if you don't look around to fined the best deal you can...I don't have a boat load of money..so yes I,ll look for the best deal I can....and I am sure there are a lot of people on here that would say the same thing..

 

[Sandman]

Another good reason to buy from a brick and mortar shop is you get to carry out the detector you just bought and knowing it works as the dealer could have tested it in front of you. Some don't but you can ask. At the big Internet stores the employees can toss boxes around or drop coils on the floor. Wonder why you aren't finding silver like you should? This is the service you pay a little extra for. Young employees giggle when they drop your item.

 

[jhen999]

I am not sure if you asking me why I haven't found any silver...I have to say I have found my share of sliver over the years, but that was back in the 80,s , I am 70 years old and know that I have got back into the hobby after being out of it for 15 years, sliver coins just down lay around 2 or 3 inchs in the ground....all the easy silver has been gone for years...if your finding silver know days its because your looking where nobody else has or its deeper than most detectors can find know days...you just have to swing it the right place at the right time....I am not trying get anybody up sit here about buying metal detector equipment, and it shouldn't make any difference weather you buy from mom and pop or big chain stores, or on line stores..people like to be respected and not talked to like they don't need your business ....and its one thing in this world today that you don't see much of...from kids to business....if your saleing or buying the most easy thing to do is be respectful....because if your not your not going to sale or buy much....IMO....