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Mass Marketing VS Dealerships...Which is Best?

reddirtfisher

New member
:cool: Does anyone remember the "good old days" when a metal detector was a little harder to come by and they were only sold by local dealers? The local expert trained the new hunter in use of the machine and he taught them the "Treasure Hunter's Code of Ethics"? Nowadays there are metal detectors everywhere. Cabela's, Sears, Harbor Freight Tools, Bass Pro Shops, Ace Hardware, Big Lots,. etc etc........man I mean everywhere!:surprised: Is this a good thing or a bad thing?:shrug: I have come across a few "beginners" lately who don't even cover their holes or ask for permission to hunt. Most of the time they are using those cheap, mass marketed detectors that "you know who" sells.:huh: I would like to know what you all think about this. Thanks, RDF :cool::detecting:
 
Speaking of ethics is it kind of an unwritten rule (or at least manners) to make an effort to return finds to original owners if possible? I am sure that the original owner finds more value in the things we uncover.
 
I personally perfer dealers. For many, selling detectors is their main source of income and hence, they will be far more knowledgeable about their product then anyone in the businesses mentioned. Further, most are of the hobby themselves and ultimately have a concern for the hobby, which ,they will pass along to their customers. MHO, anyway. HH jim tn
 
Most Dealers are part-time, out of their homes, or Garages, at best a small business setting and the ones who only sell detectors have a lot of slow times.....The Manufactures are experiencing no growth due to the limited sales.. Mass marketing puts the detectors out where they are a spur of the moment item of purchase. Means more sales for them, sometimes, better prices for the consumer, and much more money going to manufacturers for research and development...So in the long run it may be best..Yes we will loose the hands on experience of the dealers..Thats bad..But they will survive, and even gain more business overall.Why a good number of those people buying detectors at Joe Blows department store..Will get into the hobby, and meet others..They will then be guided to a dealer for better products..and knowledge..hence more sales for the local experienced dealer...Look at all the manufacturers who have sold out or folded up completely..Not enough sales of products..This could get the ones left more business, and make them profitable. So as bad as it sounds..It may be better....
They should all include and most do basic rules of detecting in their packages...Just my take, and thats not taking into considerations of my friendship with my dealer... Just a point of business take from me..Either make a profit or you will go out of business..
 
Even the local dealers are using the internet to sale detectors. IMO this is one way they are competing. While the deals and frebies may not be as good as some you still can call the dealer for help. My local dealer only carries Garrett and Whites. I wanted a minelab. That left an Internet sale, which is what I did.

Now on the mass marketers. The single biggest problem I see is lack of help after the sale. Who do you call? I guess you come to a forum such as this one and ask for help. I do wonder though as times are getting hard will we not see more makes of metal detectors going the mass market route? I think it will happen. I can see it now. Minelab and Whites in a Bass Pro, Beale.
 
I guess it is just the sign of the times. I have gone through this in a couple of hobbies. The only real bad thing about mass marketing is it gets many individuals in the hobby who should not be in the hobby. There is no effort put out to find out about the hobby. They just go to the local store and get a detector from someone who know absolutely nothing about detecting. They have little or no care about the next guy but they have good credit. They have poor manners and really not interested in getting involved enough to learn the ins and outs of the hobby. They see an ad on TV and watch this guy dig a gold coin and that is what he is going to do. He has no idea of the responsibility of what comes with being in the hobby. The worst manufactures usually beat the really good manufactures out because they have hot shot ad men working for them and sell cheap crap and we all end up with inferior products in the end. We also watch the old great manufactures go down the tubes because they can not keep up because they have quality products which these people don't have any idea about. We end up with stuff that can not be repaired or didn't work in the first place. Never to have the quality or character of by gone years... Thanks for reading....Z
 
i was never told the ethics, but weeks before i got my detector i was on this forum so i guess you could say i was taught :biggrin:
I have never seen a detector in my area and im in a city of maybe 60k. Go figure!

anyway it doesnt bother me

sadly technological stuff has finally came and taken over

i run at a park and i hardly see any kids out anymore
 
i buy from dealers but in the uk the we get ripped off so much i tend to buy from the u s . your prices are at least 33% less than the same item in the uk. never quite understood how a company like compass was allowed to go out of business. i started using there machines in the late 70,s and made a good living in the 1980,s just using 77b,s. i have always found the detector dealers/manufacturers are there own worse enemy. most have at some time sold new models that should have been scrapped. the big american manufacturers only look after there american customer base, which means eastern european firms are making a dent in detector sales and will continue to do so
 
He's in Oregon somewhere....That was about a year ago Ispoke with him think he still makes em
 
Elton when I was looking to buy I did call a Compass distributor and he informed me that the manufacturer was going belly up. He was very blunt and upset, he said that this time they may even be arrested but I can't remember the terms he used as far as the laws broken.
 
You're correct, Boris. It's an accepted service by many in the detecting
"fraternity" to try to return things like class rings with school names or
engraved owner's names, if at all possible. It helps give the detecting hobby
a more respected reputation. But it can only be done when there's enough
info. to go on, of course. It's a nice thing we can do for others sometimes.:thumbup:
..W
 
Boris, depending on when that talk took place, the dealer may have been upset
because some years ago the Compass factory was largely destroyed by fire.
One of the technicians named Goss and his wife tried to keep it going for
awhile but I think even they have now given up, just not enough capital to
make it work. Maybe the dealer you mentioned suspected an arson for
insurance case?
..W
 
Thanks Boris..I had not heard that..Tuff..hope all worked out for them..You know they built a pretty good machine for a long time..
 
Thanks Wayne and that may have been the case, he was really upset about us "Americans" "and our little rich asses" so that conversation didn't last long, I hate when someone insults my home.
 
it was cheap and i couldnt afford anything else as i am on a strict budget. the detector came with a manuel and on the back it had the code of ethics on it. i read it very carefully. i was actually asked once what they were when i mention there was such a thing to someone who was looking into getting a MD. sadly i didnt know them all by heart. but i have since brushed up on them. :) i am now saving to buy from a dealer due to its the only place i know of that has the machine i want.
 
a few others are used to buying from a local metal detector dealers. Because of cost of manufacturing, and, not having a prior large market ( Purchasers)
Just about all the Metal detector makers are selling to retail store outlets.This simply helps their bottom line..Many think it isn't good for the industry..But , due to the slow growth of the hobby, it's almost mandatory for them to sell as many as possible to remain in business. Some think it hurts the hobby because lack of training on where and when to dig...And yes there will be some problems..But common sense should prevail and they will learn where not to dig Ie: some parks, private property with out permission..and other things......I think if they sell more it will be better in the long run, and help dealers with people who really like the experience..Their next detector after meeting other detectorist will come from a dealer when their ready for an upgrade. You are a wonderful example of what I am saying...You love it, and will upgrade from a dealer...Most stores such as wal-mart or others will not carry top of the line...SO it will work out in the long run, and maybe even help the rising cost of detectors to actually go down..Hope Iexplained it properly.
 
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