I too have heard disconcerting stories about Minelab service.I cannot speak for the current situation,but a couple years ago I had a Musketeer that was giving me problems.I wanted it fixed before the LBH hunt.So being kind of a road hog anyway and living in MO,I decided that the drive to Las Vegas wasn't all that far and I wanted to go to the Gold Show in Phoenix.So off to Vegas I went.I walked in at Minelab and said I was an unhappy camper,very nice people,told them the problem.They said go down to the end of the block to a bar/restaurant and come back in an hour.After a very nice one hr visit with a pretty little barmaid,I came back.They said the battery compartment was bad and they replaced it at no charge.I had had the detector for about 2yrs.So then I hit them for donation for the LBH but the gal said she had a request from Judie,RiverRat,for that hunt.So I told her to send her some great stuff and she did.I hope that their service has not changed as I was very pleased.Now,would I have received the same service by mail/phone,I don't know.Go in person whenever possible.