A Sad Sad Day for MineLab Users

[migolddigger]

It truly saddens me to say this, and I want everyone who reads this to understand why I'm writing this letter. Today I learned of a tragic mistake was made on Monday May 5th 2008. Sandra from MineLab was let go from her Job. From what information I have gathered it was because of the new Company's downsizing. I can only go by what information I have gathered so If anyone would care to correct me feel free to do so anytime.
1st Let me start out by saying, that I have never met anyone so dedicated to there job and so willing to help anyone than Sandra. If there was ever a question you had you could always count on Sandra to have the answer. She was truly dedicated to her job and a breath of fresh air to talk to on the phone. From what I understand Dick Schultz will be filling her position. That will be a hard feat even for Dick if he would care to admit it. For those of you who don't know Dick Shultz, He used to be her boss and has been at Minelab for a long time. I have called Sandra on many occasions with problems I have had with my Explorer and she was spot on with her answers and her knowledge. Why would a Company such as Minelab Make such a grave mistake as to let such a wonderful, Knowledgeable person such as Sandra go? I will never understand that. They have made a terrible, ,terrible mistake in my honest opinion.
If they were smart enough to see the knowledge she possesses, they would at least keep her on a retainer like a
1-800 # for her knowledge so we as consumers / detectorist could ask questions and understand are detectors a little better. That alone is priceless and invaluable to everyone who's ever had a Minelab in there hands. I understand the rational thought process if your a large company and you purchase an existing successful company such as Minelab, that you might want to get ride of some employees.I mean, It makes sense from an overhead standpoint. The sad truth of the matter is Minelab is wrong wrong wrong in this instance. I only hope they retain her quick before some other company snatches her up.
Sandra you are a truly wonderful inspiration to us all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your hard work and always taking the time to answer all my questions.

Sincerely

Thomas E Weaver

 

[RLOH]

Thomas, Sandy was great at her job and she was always my "ace in the hole". I could always count on her being able to make things right. I hope she can get a job in the metal detecting industry. She will be missed. R.L. Johnson

 

[nero_design]

Semi-related:
.
I recently emailed Minelab in relation to a series of upcoming projects that could have benefit them considerably. That was about a month ago.
I didn't explain this in my email: I just sent a formal request for a contact detail in relation to their PR department at the Australian office.
A simple request. Nothing more and no hint about why.

No reply.

I'm not the sort of person who contacts someone twice to offer a "gift-horse".

Whilst it's clear that they've been downsizing recently, a failure to communicate with clients and their customer base can result in
the death knell for even a stable and previously well represented player. I've personally watched worldwide corporations tear themselves to pieces for all the wrong reasons. It's unfair for me to comment upon the decision to release employees without knowing more of the circumstances although it appears the employee was valued by the customer base. Hopefully, this will lead her to a more suitable position elsewhere.

I once took over the role of Client liaison with my father's company for about 6 months. It was a construction firm with about 50 subsidiary companies. I enjoyed handling the occasional irate and distressed customers. And believe it or not, their biggest (or only) concern was that people would not take the time to listen to their problem and assist them in resolving them. I now realize just how important it is for a customer to be able to access assistance in order to placate them. Communication is what employers demand from their staff and it's essential for members to communicate in order for any company to survive and function. But the degree and quality of communication between the staff and the public (or client) is the weakest link of any business.

Regards,


Marco Nero

 

[nugget71]

There are always some things that are hidden by a mist, things we can not see nor begin to understand why certain things simply are but I'm sure such a dedicated person such as Sandra will only prosper in the future and move on to bigger things. There is always a positive that comes from a negative and visa versa, we are where we are because the universe wants it that way and sometimes no matter how hard we try or how good we are at what we do we are pushed by unseen forces that challenge us................I'm sure Sandra will rise to the occasion.
Cheers!

 

[Mike Bearden]

Not only did she know the product line well, she also went the extra mile for the customers needs !
I've had the pleasure of talking with her many times and if she happened to be off work and I needed to talk to her she would call me back on her time and expense as soon as she got the message.
You just don't get any better service than what Sandra offered and we can only hope that life will reward her with great opportunities in the future !!!
I seriously doubt that Minelab will ever replace someone like her and SHE WILL BE MISSED but rest assured that Dick Shultz is a very capable individual that KNOWS the product line too.
So in closing .... if you're reading this Sandra ..... Best of Luck to you my friend and I hope to get out that way and spend some quality time with you and yours in the gold fields

Mike

 

[Gonehunting]

Just a few weeks ago someone put down that she was moved to a different department, up in other words,,, so I take it this is not true... what a shame
Sandy helped me several times and always had the answer I was looking for. She will be sorely missed...

 

[JW]

as good as Sandy was and she was good, she took over what was Dick's job for five years before he was promoted to D.O.. Dick hired Sandy and trained her, she had previous detector and customer service experience because she was a Minelab dealer, and that was built upon to help her become Customer Service Manager at Minelab. Sandy will be missed but such is life with Corporate take overs and downsizing.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Yup!
Sandra is the BEST!
My opinion is Dick had to cut off his right arm, reluctantly.

Looks like all the profits were made in the minesweeping contracts and some sucker bought the into that.
Now, who cares about some small demographic of hobbiests?
Are they worth 10's of millions?
no.

That's business.
Nothing personal.
Sandra was personal to the customers and it was more than just business.
Best to you Sandy, we love you!

Sunny Jim

 

[Gonehunting]

so is she gone or promoted to a different department???

 

[bbqbull]

I too have talked to Sandy on the phone.
She was #1 in my book.

If this is true that she was let go to downsizing.....ect, its Minelabs loss. They will figure it out someday.

Folks please remember this..........When a door closes............a window opens!

Sandy will do just fine, trust me on this one.

Mike

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I guess Sandy had to lose her moderate salaried job so some stuffed shirt could justify his big end of year bonus. Seen it happen too often. Minelab makes a great detector, but what the hell, everyone else does too. My next purchase will be with someone else just for the hell of it. Gotta do my part to screw the man.

 

[moose57]

I'm going to miss talking to sandy,everytime I had a question she was always there to help and hearing her voice on the other end ment alot
she will be surely missed now i'm sadly sadden by this.How does a company just let someone go that cares as much as sandy did for this
hobby and everyone involved in this hobby I wish you the best of wishes and I will miss talking to her it's a sad day.......:sad: