Why All the Mystery Surrounding Whites Detectors??

[bdahunter]

I'm interested in adding the new Whites Surf Pro Dual Field PI to my arsenal but I'm having a hard time finding much by way of feedback on this unit from any of the forums. I realize that it is a comparatively new unit but by now I would have expected to hear something substantial by way of reviews from surf pirates on some of the forums.
My heart is really set on a waterproof version of the new Whites TDI but this may never turn into a reality so I'm thinking I'll settle for the Dual Field which at least has made it to market. I don't want to jump in to the PI end of detectors if there is a better option though.
The other thing that is bugging me about Whites is the mystery surrounding the pricing of their units. I e-mailed a dealer that I have a credit with and they said I have to phone them to get a price. What's with that? This is annoying as I live in Bermuda so I have to call long distance during the day and hope to reach somebody who can check out the price and then whisper it into my ear. What a stupid policy!

Anybody have an opinion about the Dual Field?

BDA

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi BDA,

Just got a Whites Surf Pro Dual Field PI but like most I've not used it quite yet. It has only been on the shelves a very short time so I do not think there are many out there to report. I'll have something to say after this weekend. I've used the older Surf PI Pro a lot and am very glad to get the pulse delay knob back on the Surf.

White's basic idea is to support in-store face to face sales as much as possible. Phone calls are of course fine. Electronic means such as email and internet are generally forbidden means of advertising. White's dealers are almost all authorized to sell locally only. There are only a handful of authorized national dealers.

In other words, you walk into a store or call a dealer and the price you negotiate is between the two of you. The dealer sends you an email, and you turn out to be a competitor wanting to bring the heat down and now the dealer has to explain to White's why they as a local dealer was competing with the authorized national outlet. Or the immediate local dealer if there is one in your area and the person you are dealing with is not.

The policy is designed to try and insure that local dealers survive and that it does not all degenerate into one big warehouse selling everything mail order.

Steve Herschbach

 

[John-Edmonton]

n/t

 

[Bobbie]

n/t

 

[bdahunter]

Small business is good, I'm a small businessman myself. I'm also a customer and it would be much easier to buy any other brand of detector with a posted price, right on the website. I do everything I can to make it easier for my customers to buy my product and I follow it up with good customer service. If it's hard to get the service before you buy I find it's even more difficult to get service after you've parted with the $$$.
I'll wait to hear what you have to say Steve, as I value your opinion.

Thanks,

 

[mudpie1]

I paid $809 USD.

 

[bdahunter]

Thanks Mudpie! It's always a concern when you are using a credit that the price doesn't get padded to reduce the credit, you wind up taking a double hit. When prices aren't posted it's very difficult to determine whether or not you're getting stung.
How do you like it so far?

Cheers,

BDA

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi BDA,

I'd not argue with you as regards the policy, just reporting what it is.

I'm curious to see how the Surf compares to the TDI with ground balance switched off, and then ground balance switched on.

I plan on Hawaii in November and will have a waterproof TDI with me if I have to make it myself. The Surf is for backup just in case.

Steve Herschbach

 

[Mirco]

I feel sorry that I did not think of it before I bought MXT and PI PRO. I would `ve never bought from a company with such a corrupted anti-consumer anti-transparency pricing policy! What a shame! Consumers are ripped-off here and there by everyone who is not lazy.

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi,

White's is the norm for companies that want a dealer network. Almost all dealerships of any product are authorized to sell in certain areas or territories. Many prohibit internet sales. Try and buy a Stihl chainsaw or Honda outboard online. Putting an item on the internet does nothing to insure you somehow get a better deal. Go ahead and shop all the other brands of detectors online and tell me how much variation you see in the advertised prices.

Steve Herschbach

 

[treasurefiend]

I see why they don't list online prices. But when you try to find a price, and you don't have a local shop to check - its a pain in the a**. I applaud their efforts for small shops, but its not like everybody can go and find 5 dealers in their home town...

 

[bdahunter]

I see why they don't list online prices. But when you try to find a price, and you don't have a local shop to check - its a pain in the a**. I applaud their efforts for small shops, but its not like everybody can go and find 5 dealers in their home town...

You can imagine my dilemna living in Bermuda then. It's 700 miles to dry land and then I have to start looking for a dealer. Returns are almost impossible and require tons of customs paper work or I have to pay 33% duty AGAIN. Most manufacturers won't honor warranties to Bermuda as it is outside the U.S. so I pay for the warranty but can't use it and the shipping each way is about $100.
Needless to say I want to be certain that I am dealing with someone truly reputeable when buying a detector for Bermuda.

Then downside of living in a tropical paradise,

BDA

 

[Mirco]

I`d trade my S500 coupe, my house in Westchester Co, and my office midtown Manhattan for your "problems" in a blink!

Just to escape the rat race and miriads of tickets on every step!

You just cannot imagine how lucky and privileged you are!

 

[bdahunter]

I`d trade my S500 coupe, my house in Westchester Co, and my office midtown Manhattan for your "problems" in a blink!

Just to escape the rat race and miriads of tickets on every step!

You just cannot imagine how lucky and privileged you are!

I have heard this line before from people who come to the islands as tourists. Being a tourist is a lot different from living and working in tourist land though it is hard to believe that from the tourist's perspective. Pina Coladas, pristine beaches, swaying palm trees and quiet walks in the moonlight.
Many try to achieve the vacation experience year round by moving to a tropical paradise and are shocked to find that the reality of living/working full time is vastly different from the week in the sun the experienced on vacation. I lose over 20% of my staff in the first three months they spend in this tropical paradise and 50% in the first two years because they cannot adjust to the new reality of working here.
I don't have the rat race that you experience Mate but I have rat race just the same only the challenges are completely different. I've dealt with both types of rat races and I would say that my current situation is better than my previous position back on the mainland, if it wasn't I'd move. Yes I'm fortunate, just not as fortunate as you might think.
Time to get back to spinning the exercise wheel in my cage, eventually we'll make some progress.

Cheers,

BDA
(the grass is always greener - over the septic tank)