OnEbayIm"chileheadplumber"
New member
OK, Heres my story. Starts slow, but gets better. I wanted to get into metal detecting. So I went to Walmart and got a Bounty Hunter 2200. I took it out, and we found some interesting things in my back yard (a 12" long all metal toy car that looks like a derby racer, an OLD plow head, an OLD metal bowl all rusted up, a car fender!!!, a car axle, etc).
At the time I didnt know any brands, and was metal detector ignorant. Completely. BUT I knew the box of the Bounty Hunter said that it would pick up coins as deep as 11 inches. It wouldnt pickup ANYTHING further than 4" INCLUDING MY NISSAN MAXIMA! This was wide open, no descrimination. So I took it back to wallyworld and go my $ back to find a better one.
There were no local dealers, closest one that sold anything real was 45 minutes. We went there after a phone conversation, (1 hour away each way) and he NEGLECTED to tell me that HE DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING IN STOCK!!!
So I went to Ebay. I began searching chatrooms, ebay, forums, etc. I did this relentlessly for 2 weeks, and it was like a drug; I couldnt get enough. I couldnt decide brand, features, price, etc. I almost got fed up and said forget it all. I was obsessed, and waaaay too stressed over my decision, which I still hadnt made.
I bidded on several on ebay and always got outbid. Used Garretts (cheaper ones) are going for more than new retail prices!!!
Then it happened. The amazing part.
Things at my home arent so good. My son is Autistic. He has anger and rage issues, and is almost always mad and explosive. We had decided this was FINALLY something we could do for fun, which added to my stresses.
I found a guy who was local (30 minutes away) who had not one. but TWO Garrett MDs for sale. (I needed two) The auction was still early, and I placed my bid for $50, and then emailed him to see if a local pickup was OK. We chatted, I called him up, and spoke to him on the phone. I asked him if he would end the auction early and sell me the detectors if I drove to his house with cash TODAY. (I wanted to go detecting that day, not 2 weeks later!) He said YES! I asked how much, expecting $500 or more, and he said $75.00 for BOTH! I said, thats not enough. (trying not to sound too exstatic I said "I'll give you at least $100, $75.00 isnt fair to you, its TOO cheap." He agreed happily, and arranged to meet me that day. It never happened. The detectors continued getting bids, and I was sweating. I knew if they got too high he'd change his mind. 2 days later I finally got a call through, with bidding nearing $75.00 (though theres no doubt in my mind they'd have sold for $500-$600 minimum) at the last days and minutes. I drove to his house and got my 2 detectors. He had asked what I was going to use them for in one of the first conversations, and I explained that my son was autistic (Asperger's Syndrome, PDD, ODD, and Skitsophrenic) (seriously) and that we were going to go out as a family and start a new pasttime hobby. He said "Im sorry, but I cant sell them to you" But they are yours free. I tried to pay him. He wouldnt take it. I drove home VERRRRRRRY happily with the family and my Garrett GTA Ultra 1000 & TR Discriminator!!! (both looked like new)
I then contacted Garrett, and they were SOOO friendly. They sent me free of charge a VHS video on the GTA 1000, an owners manual, and 2 new battery compartments since mine were all cracked up and broken in half. The detectors otherwise were both like new.
Everything was free, and only the batterys costed me. Now I'm back on ebay looking for another metal detector for my wife.
At the time I didnt know any brands, and was metal detector ignorant. Completely. BUT I knew the box of the Bounty Hunter said that it would pick up coins as deep as 11 inches. It wouldnt pickup ANYTHING further than 4" INCLUDING MY NISSAN MAXIMA! This was wide open, no descrimination. So I took it back to wallyworld and go my $ back to find a better one.
There were no local dealers, closest one that sold anything real was 45 minutes. We went there after a phone conversation, (1 hour away each way) and he NEGLECTED to tell me that HE DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING IN STOCK!!!
So I went to Ebay. I began searching chatrooms, ebay, forums, etc. I did this relentlessly for 2 weeks, and it was like a drug; I couldnt get enough. I couldnt decide brand, features, price, etc. I almost got fed up and said forget it all. I was obsessed, and waaaay too stressed over my decision, which I still hadnt made.
I bidded on several on ebay and always got outbid. Used Garretts (cheaper ones) are going for more than new retail prices!!!
Then it happened. The amazing part.
Things at my home arent so good. My son is Autistic. He has anger and rage issues, and is almost always mad and explosive. We had decided this was FINALLY something we could do for fun, which added to my stresses.
I found a guy who was local (30 minutes away) who had not one. but TWO Garrett MDs for sale. (I needed two) The auction was still early, and I placed my bid for $50, and then emailed him to see if a local pickup was OK. We chatted, I called him up, and spoke to him on the phone. I asked him if he would end the auction early and sell me the detectors if I drove to his house with cash TODAY. (I wanted to go detecting that day, not 2 weeks later!) He said YES! I asked how much, expecting $500 or more, and he said $75.00 for BOTH! I said, thats not enough. (trying not to sound too exstatic I said "I'll give you at least $100, $75.00 isnt fair to you, its TOO cheap." He agreed happily, and arranged to meet me that day. It never happened. The detectors continued getting bids, and I was sweating. I knew if they got too high he'd change his mind. 2 days later I finally got a call through, with bidding nearing $75.00 (though theres no doubt in my mind they'd have sold for $500-$600 minimum) at the last days and minutes. I drove to his house and got my 2 detectors. He had asked what I was going to use them for in one of the first conversations, and I explained that my son was autistic (Asperger's Syndrome, PDD, ODD, and Skitsophrenic) (seriously) and that we were going to go out as a family and start a new pasttime hobby. He said "Im sorry, but I cant sell them to you" But they are yours free. I tried to pay him. He wouldnt take it. I drove home VERRRRRRRY happily with the family and my Garrett GTA Ultra 1000 & TR Discriminator!!! (both looked like new)
I then contacted Garrett, and they were SOOO friendly. They sent me free of charge a VHS video on the GTA 1000, an owners manual, and 2 new battery compartments since mine were all cracked up and broken in half. The detectors otherwise were both like new.
Everything was free, and only the batterys costed me. Now I'm back on ebay looking for another metal detector for my wife.
Nice, very nice. I'm sure everyone's smiling now. Myself included. There's the proof, 
still some solid people out there! Best of luck in the family hunting
You were more then deserving for those "gifts". Hopefully these machines will get your son out and allow a great release for his anger. I too have a son living at home with similar behaviors. You just have to take one day at a time. Good luck, and if you have any questions, please fire away. 
I hope all goes great for you and yours. Have fun.