Sending etrac back

[brother steve]

Have to send my etrac back as I don't have any volume in the speakers. Went out Friday coin shooting ,just to get familiar with the etrac and was having a good time. Learned a lot and was feeling more comfortable with the machine. Sunday I went to an old site that I was researching and got all ready ,turned on the machine and no volume. Tapped the box once or twice and on it came. Huh? I found a target and put the etrac down to dig and no sound again. This happened a couple of times. Then it just quit. Plugged in the headphones and it worked fine. I called Minelab and they were real nice and told me to send it back they would take care of everything including the shipping. I feel like I sent my kid away to summer camp or something. So ,study up on some sites till she gets back. I did realize through all this ,that headphones bring in a lot more sounds and tones that I did not hear with the speaker. So I am working on some wireless headphones and I will keep you posted on those.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

Probably a bad connection of the speaker, but before you send it back try plugging the headphones in/out a couple dozen times and see if that eliminates the issue. It's designed to shut off the speaker when the headphones are plugged in and might just need to be broken in a bit.

 

[MHirschmann]

Thanks for your post. It's good when people post about the good service that Minelab has been giving customers. Minelab has been making serious changes and customer service has increased tremendously over the past couple of years. It's always great when someone posts positive contact with Minelab (or any manufacturer for that matter) rather than us only hearing half the story with the few and far between negative experiences. I am glad they are taking care of you. I would certainly recommend using headphones. I can't imagine digging many of my finds without a quality set of headphones. Its the faint tones that generally bring the good old stuff and I don't much luck finding this stuff with the speaker. I feel that the speaker is a backup plan if my headphones were to fail. I would be hard-pressed to think of a scenario where I purposely go on a hunt with only my speaker. Do what you want, but I highly recommend giving the idea of using a set of headphones a second thought. Thanks again for posting and I am glad that Minelab is taking care of you. HH -Marc

 

[brother steve]

When I get it back, I will start with headphones. It helps me zone out and focus on the tones. Thanks for the kind words. I feel Minelab is a great company with a great product.

 

[ronfin]

Get a pair of Sunray Golds. They're amazing when used with the E-Trac!

 

[steelheadwill]

Minelabs customer service has been great in my experience..
Glad you learned early the difference headphones make, it's almost a visual
HH to ya!

 

[moonshine]

i totally agree. when i first got my etrac, it was the first time i ever had headphones. in fact i might not have ever tried them if they didnt come with the machine. but ill tell you, i will never detect without them. you become one with the machine.

Minelab will take care of you. I had a very pleasant experience with them. i trust them. They had my detector for just a few days then sent it back to me. it only took about 9 or 10 days door to door. i wouldnt hesitate to send it in right away if i ever have an issue. free shipping both ways, friendly, responsive repair people, quick turnaround. what more could you want.

 

[McDean]

Kudos to minelab for a great product and good "after the sale service", can't wait to see where they will take the next machine in terms of technology(and service). I have never had a problem with my etrac and had it since release but does anyone else notice on your etrac that you can faintly hear the tones out of the external speaker when your headgear is plugged in? It is JUST barely noticeable on mine and while it's not a problem whatsoever, was just curious if anyone else had this too...

 

[Barry NY]

I'm curious - how long have you owned the unit?
When did the charge appear on your credit card statement?
Why would you ever send it back for repairs if it broke within 60 days of the charge appearing on your credit card statement?

You have a right to a FULL refund or NEW replacement unit from the place you bought it from - or you can dispute the charge and WIN if the retailer doesn't replace or refund. Forget dealing with the manufacturer - that's the retailers problem - let them return it for credit or repair.

This isn't a car it's a piece of electronics.

I don't understand why everyone falls victim to repairing damaged goods that break early on - within 60 days of the charge appearing on their credit card statement. Would you have your new LCD TV repaired within 60 days or would you haul it back to place you got it and demand a new one?

 

[brother steve]

That's a good point Barry. I did call the dealer when this first happened and he advised me to contact Minelab. It has not been 90 days ,but it was close.Never gave it a thought to demand a new machine.

 

[ryanchappell]

I wouldn't send my E-Trac back for that!

First I never use the speaker, and always use headphones. Second, I can open the housing and reconnect a wire myself. Nowhere does it say that opening the housing violates the warranty. Third, who in there right mind could go a week without their E-Trac.

 

[Barry NY]

Steve - what the dealer told you - go to Minelab - that's the problem right there - I'd never buy from that dealer again.
Check the date of your credit card statement where the charge appears - not the date when you purchased the item - you have 60 days from that date to get satisfaction.