Those of you who run a lost jewelry detection service, I have a question

[zeusophobia]

What's your success rate? I'd imagine it's low due to the fact that if someone finds it before you do, they're not giving it back.

Also, what do you do to increase your success rate? I'd imagine you interview the person who lost it to narrow down where it might be. Anything else?

What kind of metal detector do you use for this?

 

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[Sandman]

It is hard to come up with a success rate as a lot depends if its lost in water, snow slopes, or where ever. Many times ppl report a lost item when they miss placed it in their home. Sometimes it isn't lost at all. They just wanna see the nerd looking for it. Reason why I used to charge a fee upfront. The detector too depends on location.

 

[cudamark]

Sandman pretty much said it all. In my case, if the person calls me right from their blanket in the dry sand at the beach, I'm currently 100% on those. Yard searches, about 85%. Lost a month ago in the surf, it's less than 25%. So much depends on the circumstances, how long the item has been lost, Private or public search area, and most importantly, whether there is more than one possible area where it could have been lost. In many cases, they don't know that. They remember having it at one point and later discover it's gone. They may have been in many places and done all kinds of activities in the interim. Some of these areas just aren't searchable with a metal detector, such as shopping malls, inside a store, or many other paved areas. Other than adding another set of eyes to search, having a metal detector is no extra help. The equipment needed is based on the item and search area. I currently have 13 detectors. Some are better at certain searches. A small gold earring stud and I use my Goldmaster Vsat, out in the surf and the Excalibur gets the call. Dry sand and yards, the E-trac is my first choice. Coil selection is another factor. A junky park you might need a small coil. A huge soccer field and a huge coil can save you from a long and hard day of searching. You need to start with a good detailed discussion with the person who lost the item. Narrowing down the search area and getting valuable details of how it was lost can significantly increase your success rate.

 

[flgliderpilot]

What do people pay for something like this? I find it hard to believe people would pay up front for someone to search an area ... but then again who knows. I have no interest in providing this service btw just surprised

 

[cudamark]

The only time I charge an up front fee is if I have to travel any distance or incur any extra costs, such as tolls, parking fees, scuba dive costs, etc. The amount would depend on how much it will cost me to do the hunt. People who have lost their wedding ring or a family heirloom don't seem to have any problem with those charges.

 

[Fletch88]

I've only found 1 of 2 attempts. One was in a yard and a breeze with the cleansweep coil on my Silver uMax. The owner tried to give me $100 but I refused it, since he lived in the same town.

The other was in a black water pond under a dock in Ponte Vedre in 50 degree water with 10-15" of muck and I was unsuccessful. I did find a few pieces of clad but that was it. When water and ocean currents are involved it gets much more difficult to locate lost items.

 

[airscapes]

lost my stuff

I belong to this group Lost My Stuff Group - Home
we don't charge to search it is all volunteer. However, on the one and only search I did, (Car Keys) I spent about 20 minutes in the leaves and under brush and found them. The woman was so happy she gave me $80, as a replacement key from the dealer would have cost here several hundred and half a day of time. It was very rewarding even without the tip but very much appreciated.