Now tell me the truth, what do you REALLY think of Kellyco?

[coinshooter]

Sounds like alot of problems with this company. I'm glad I have stayed loyal to my local detector shop. If we all use the "Home Depot" of detector sellers - Kellyco ? , we will have no mom and pop detector shops to go to, as they will all have gone out of business. Freebies are nice, but so is SERVICE when you need it. Judging by the posts under the Metal Detecting Minelab String, there have been alot of folks with problems with this company. What experiences have you had?

 

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[Scott in SLC]

Kellycrooks nailed me twice. It will never happen again, besides Tom @ Metal Detectors of Minneapolis will beat there price and take care of you in the process. I even tried to buy something that I didn't need from Tom and he talked me out of it and explained why. Won't ever do business with Kellycrooks. Scott in SLC

 

[mercuryman]

I agree with the above statement by Woohie007. There are no mom and pop stores in my area. There is a Hobbytown USA an hour and a half away, but all they have are 4 expensive Whites, and my Bounty Hunters were bought at Cabela's. I would like to see a place with a large selection of accessories, and new and used detectors. Around here there is not a lot of detecting going on anyway. When I do upgrade it will probably be from Kellyco, because that is all I have a catalog for.

 

[tennessee jed]

you guys need to look on the net! there are lots of mom and pop dealers.check with larry at middle tennessee relics or rafael at shiloh relics(this is were i got my machine)these guys will shoot you right! they know there stuff and make a living in this line of work! give them a call or e-mail. this is not an add!!!!!!!!! wink

 

[Scott in SLC]

Mercuryman, Before you make the mistake of using Kellycrooks, call Tom @ Metal Detectors of Minneapolis 1 800 876-8377. He will treat you well and ussually beat all prices. Scott in SLC

 

[Carl-NC]

Kellyco sells fraudulent "long range" equipment, notably the "LectraSearch" locator, which I am told is made exclusively for Kellyco. You can see what the LectraSearch is all about, including what's inside one, on my web site.

I've spoken with "Stu" at Kellyco, and he refused to tell me who actually manufactures the LectraSearch. He did tell me that Kellyco is an "authorized repair center," so they definitely know what's inside one, and that it is an outright scam.

Based on this alone, I would never buy anything from them.

Additionally, some of their accessories are "made for Kellyco" and are no better than brand-name items, maybe even lower quality. Ferinstance, the Hothead coil, which I have one, is a Kellyco "exclusive", and performs no better than a stock coil. Many others have said that the "free" goodies they often include with detectors, are of poor quality.

Finally, there have been many reports of people receiving detectors that were not brand new (probably returns), and of receiving detectors that did not even work out-of-the-box. Also reports of Kellyco convincing buyers to buy a different (sometimes lesser) detector, most likely because it has a higher profit margin, or to move bloated stock. You've already seen that, right here on this forum, when Woohie was falsely told that the CZ20 was out-of-stock, and was recommended a CZ70.

Some years ago, Kellyco had a "trade-up" policy, where you could buy a model, try it out, and then trade it up to any more expensive model, paying only the difference in price. What they didn't tell you, was that they would charge full retail for the more expensive model.

The list goes on and on... I highly recommend a local dealer, or one of the many other smaller mail order dealers. I've personally dealt with Dixie Detectors, Tom@Minneapolis, Reilly's Treasured Gold, and Hays Electronics... and there are many other good dealers out there.

- Carl

 

[Anonymous]

Just my two coppers....
When I see all of those freebies, it tells me they are charging too much for what they are selling.

I'd druther skip the bells and whistles and get a better price.

As far as the selection of freebies, I can beat their prices on those as well, besides being able to pick and choose what I'm getting. Free is meaningless if you aren't going to use the stuff.

I shop at Walmart simply because I like the way Walmart does bussiness, and to compare them to Kellyco isn't fair. Everything I've seen about Kellyco is geared toward them making money. Compared to Walmart, RVers can pull in and park overnight in Wallmarts' parking lot whether they shop there or not.

Personally I have nothing against Kellyco, and would buy from them if they had what I wanted for what I wanted to pay, but so far that hasn't been the case. After all of the research I've done, it seems Ebay is the best resource for good prices, even on new stuff, and there are several credible companies doing bussiness there.

 

[Carl-NC]

PRICE WAR..PRICE WAR...PRICE WAR

In general, metal detector manufacturers use rather interesting business models. Authorized dealers, including K, are restricted in how little they can charge for a detector, and what they can include with it (freebies). Ferinstance, I know that with one manufacturer, dealers may sell for no lower that 80% of retail, and can only throw in certain extras. White's and Minelab forbid non-K dealers from advertising prices. White's even forbids non-K dealers from mentioning that they carry White's, so if you pay attention to magazine and web ads, you will notice that dealers never even mention the name White's. As I recall, Minelab forbids non-K dealers from selling their detectors via mail-order. So you see, the detector business is rather strange. You can also see that, with advertising restrictions and low-price limits, K doesn't have to worry much about another dealer beating their price, at least in print. And, yes, other dealers will throw in "freebies".

K does help sponsor this web site, but it would continue to exist, with or without their support. If you visit other detecting web sites, such as Findmall and Treasure Depot, you will find that they are sponsored by a number of other dealers, but not K. Interestingly, those other sites are far, far more popular than TNet, and have forums specific to brands & models. Findmall, for example, has a CZ-users forum, and an Explorer-users forum, both moderated by very experienced users. I highly recommend checking them out.

When people ask about K, I tell 'em what I think. I've never bought a detector from them, and for no other reason than the LectraSearch scam they run, I never will. The massive negative feedback I've heard from other customers, would also be enough to keep me away. The feedback indicates that it's not just honest mistakes, but intentionally misleading customers. K pulled one of their classics on you (I've heard it from several other customers as well), and would not have corrected their "mistake" had I not called them, and then told you that they had the CZ20 in stock. Most people probably never call their bluff.

I don't advocate using any particular dealer, I simply suggested that there are lots of other choices out there, and mentioned a few that I've dealt with personally. Most do not put out a catalog, but if you call them up, they will usually offer a decent deal. And if you tell 'em you're looking at the K package, they will often work with you to match that deal, as best they're allowed. If you're happy with the deal from K, then that's what counts.

- Carl

 

[coinshooter]

One thing no one has mentioned yet. What happens when your detector breaks. My local detector shop has said they will handle all of it from taking it in to getting it back and calling me when it is ready. Don't know if K will do that? Also, as far as the freebees and credit from K are concerned, I believe K got egg on it's face and it knows that it's business is a word of mouth business. Wouldn't you try to plug the dam before it burst if it was your business? Giving away a few freebees to retain a customer is a good way to keep someone's loyalty. For k it just becomes a tax write-off. By the way, Carl, I love that picture, you look like "Scotty" in Star Trek firing a phazer at something! wink

 

[Carl-NC]

What happens when your detector breaks.

I recommend returning the detector directly to the manufacturer. Practically all the manufacturers have excellent repair service, and the dealer, whether Kellyco or not, really adds nothing to the process, except more time.

Giving away a few freebees to retain a customer is a good way to keep someone's loyalty.

Actually, the freebies are a way to attract new customers, and a way to compete with other dealers since detector prices are regulated by the manufacturers. And, K (and other dealers) have been doing the freebie-thing for a long time. I still have my first Kellyco catalog, from 1978, and freebies were common back then, although K put more realistic prices on them than they do now. Like, $50 instead of $350.

By the way, Carl, I love that picture, you look like "Scotty" in Star Trek firing a phazer at something!

Not me! That's the infamous Thomas Afilani, who's scammed even more treasure hunters selling LRLs, than Kellyco has with their LectraSearch.

- Carl

 

[coinshooter]

I see you changed your pic. I didn't mean to insult you in any way, I just like to have fun. the other pic was really klind of cool, but I am sure everyone thought it was you. Maybe you should put the other one under it with one of those pop-up boxes that explains who it is when you put your cursor on it.

 

[Carl-NC]

I see you changed your pic. I didn't mean to insult you in any way, I just like to have fun. the other pic was really klind of cool, but I am sure everyone thought it was you. Maybe you should put the other one under it with one of those pop-up boxes that explains who it is when you put your cursor on it.

Ha! I wasn't insulted, I'm just funnin', too. This pic isn't me, either, it's Jim Thomas, another dowsing rod salesman. He does some of his wallet mining at the annual Texas Treasure Show, where I took this photo.

I switched pics because discussions in the LRL forum brought up one of Jim Thomas' dowsing gadgets. I'll probably switch back, or to something else entirely.

- Carl

 

[coinshooter]

I'll have to look for this guy next time they have the GPAA Treasure show at Del Mar. Sounds like you are very well versed in this stuff. Are you an electronics hobbiest or did you build your own gadgets for a time, or are you a geophysicist?

 

[Carl-NC]

Are you an electronics hobbiest or did you build your own gadgets for a time, or are you a geophysicist?

I'm a chip designer for Analog Devices, data converters and radio chips mostly. Dabble with detector circuits on the side.

 

[Carl-NC]

Hi Dave,

No doubt Kellyco has quite a few satisfied customers, or they would certainly be out of business by now. But they also have a lot of very dissatisfied customers, who often come out of the woodwork when you ask, "what do people think of Kellyco?"

The LectraSearch is a scam, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Kellyco knows it's a scam, there is no doubt about that, either. And there is a very good chance that it is all K's making, that is, they're not just passing the buck, they're manufacturing it. I won't do business with someone I believe to be intentionally defrauding others, and when asked, I will let other's know what I've found.

Regarding your prior question, I have a GTI2500 with the stock 9.5" and the 12.5". The additional depth with the 12.5" coil is surprising, and would be great for relic hunting. However, it is possibly the heaviest coil I've ever seen, and I simply could not use it more than an hour or so. It actually made my arm sore.

The Hothead coils are "made for Kellyco" exclusives. The concensus is that they are no better than stock coils on depth, except that they are usually larger than the standard stock coil and gain a little depth in that respect. That is, a 12" Hothead will go a little deeper than a 9.5" stock coil, as expected with any larger coil. Construction quality is not that great either... I have a brand-spanking new one that is dead out-of-the-box.

There is another coil that's recently come about, the Hotshot, I believe from Jimmy Sierra. Feedback has generally been positive, though I've never used, or even seen, one.

- Carl

 

[dalef]

No problems with Kellyco

I have had great service from Kellyco and will do business with them in the future. Many of the not so local shops around where i live don't even know how to operate the detectors they sell.

As far as being "talked into" a different purchase, I currently own a Garrett detector even though I was going to purchase a Whites. It's my own fault for not sticking to my original choice. Nobody can really talk you into buying something. Do some research, pick the detector you want and tell the salesperson you don't want anything else.

There are definately pluses to finding a local shop, though. When I lived in MO, I bought a detector at Clevengers and they were really knowledgeable and had an indoor test area where you could test a detector and dig up coins. Haven't seen that around here.

 

[Dave (Pa)]

Mom & Pop -V- Kellyco ?

Hi'

I bought a whites MXT a month or so ago and did search the net. It's my first MD and I did a lot of chating and research befor buying it.
Kell____ Had the best price. But I couldn't get all my questions ancered and I did drive the extra 1 1/2 hrs 3 Times befor actualy buying it. George spent 5 or 6 ours with me going over all the pros and cons of the differant things each detector would and would not do and was not a salesman but a knolagable user. Hears a man that didn't know me from Acam and in a crouded little coin shop in a small back street 1 isle shop that you had a hard time passing another coustamer stoped his busness and talked hours and showed me several differant brands. Thats worth an extra 50.00 to me! AND I got every extra Kelly____ said they would give from whites themsalves with out screwing the Mom and Pop out of there dinner money!

I found that the Manufacture was as great as the Dealer! Whites called me back at home after hours twice from my e-mails and I used there 1-800 # several times getting to talk to someone within min',s. of my call and I found them to be just as helpfull.

I also ended up buying a tosaro for my wife! She was sold on the few ounces lighter becouse of a neck and back problum.

I also got good advice on where to start hunting and find coins from a local tresure hunter who has been around this vally for 40 or 50 years and hunted in my home town. See if you can get all that out of Kell___?
I would have travled a lot farther to do Buss with a small town corner shop!

 

[Selecter]

I purchased at least 7 different machines from KellyCo starting in 1974 in ending in 1987 or so. All worked perfectly and all were picked from their catalog which was HUGE! There was NO INTERNET ! then so you paid 5 bucks ofr their catalog and if you ordered they took the 5 bucks of the price of the detector.

Anyone who knows anything knows that those long range dowsing things are complete scams. I was down at Kellyco showroom about 1980 or so and I asked Stu A. who has owned the place since it's start why he sold them, and he told me that there were hunters that swore by them and had come by the store and showed him stuff they said they had found. He said that since you can dowse for water ( and you can ) he was not a judge to determine what worked, as he always wanted to offere anything the th'er wanted on the market he sold them to.

I thought maybe his answer to me on that subject should shed on light on his thinking. Anyways I always got a good machine from Kellyco back then.

 

[Carl-NC]

Anyone who knows anything knows that those long range dowsing things are complete scams.

If that's the case, then it is absolutely inexcusable for Kellyco to promote these scams, and rip people off. They not only promote products they know are scams, they have even MADE them. This is outright fraud, nothing less. Read The Case Against Kellyco for more info on this.

- Carl

 

[Thonolan]

I've used Kellyco just once, and they did alright by me. Actually, one of things I ordered was a small coil for a Fisher 1235-x and they accidently sent me a coil for the cz series, instead. When I informed them of their mistake, they apologized and quickly sent the appropriate coil. Since their prices are quite competitive, I will definitely continue to do business with them.