Minelab launches new U.S. website with direct sales- Dealers gotta be unhappy

[silvercoinboy]

I received an email this morning with the launch of their direct sales US website. Not sure why they would move to undermine their dealer network like that. The site (https://usa.minelab.com/) has a blog (not finds as of yet) and sells accessories. You need to set up an account to access the full site and to purchase items.

 

[Mark kus]

Never would I only buy from Richard
Mark

 

[IDXMonster]

Will all these items on this new site be offered at MSRP? If so they’ll never sell anything except to people who don’t know any better. Now, if it’s all heavily discounted….they won’t have any more dealers. I’m not understanding the business model by seemingly competing with their existing outlets, but I don’t have the full picture yet either.

 

[fwcrawford]

Garrett is doing this now and I think when Whites was still in business, you could buy from them too.
Not sure on the logic of this though

 

[markinswpa]

I got the e-mail and checked out the site. Prices listed for buy now is MSRP. And you know they will charge tax but do offer free shipping over $99. I have never paid MSRP and not about to start. Maybe they will have big slash sales like the one they ran last month. I'd like to hear what some of the dealers have to say.

 

[silvercoinboy]

they don't have the new Manticore 9' coil in unfortunately.

 

[DWerk]

Stick with the local dealers. They won't be around when you need them if you don't. You won't have the friendly face to sit and talk with, answer your questions, tell you what is or isn't worth a crap, can often fix your problems on the spot, etc.. I would rather have them around or they will go away just like your local mom-n-pop stores did. Once they are gone you are stuck with whatever the big box/big boys want to charge and never get the reliable service or help.. Don't believe that; go to a big box store and get the employees to tell you about the products they sell, they don't know how to plug them in let alone how to program them...