I have been looking to buy a new detector and have backed off because of the coil that comes with the detector. What seems like a good price now turns into a not so good price. It doesn't seem that difficult to have a dealer stocking three or four coils or if drop shipped, the regional distributor could pack the coil of choice. A good example of this is the Whites MX7. I do not care for the stock 9.5 concentric coil and would prefer the 10 inch dd. Now that $599 detector turns into a $778.00 detector. I could sell the stock coil for the usual "give away" price and purchase the coil I want for the full price. Nothing will change, but I know there are many who share my opinion.
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Why Can't Manufacturers Offer a Choice
- Thread starter RLOH
- Start date
I whole heartedly agree with you, but, first off, not many dealers actually stock detectors and coils anymore, but have them drop shipped to us by the distributor. Secondly, co. would end up selling a few less coils if we could make coil selections on new detectors. HH jim tn
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
It has been many years since I dealt with White's but they used to swap coils at the buyers request. I would call the factory and ask.......... nothing to lose.
I think the main reason is that metal detectors aren't built to order, they're mass produced and then held in inventory. You're buying a metal detector that's already boxed ready to ship.
Also, It's easier for marketing to describe and price a machine with a specific searchcoil, than to run through a slew of options. Also makes management of inventory a lot easier.
I'm not "defending" the system, just answering your question. It really would be nice for the customer to be able to specify options and have it boxed up specifically for that order. Or to have more than one option already in the box in stock. I buy stuff all the time on Amazon where I pick options, although I'm often not sure just how they did it on the other end -- custom pack for my order, or options already in inventory.
I'd like to see the system move toward more customizing of the bundle for the customer, but I'm not the guy who would have to figure out the details how to do it. That change impacts everything from procurement to production planning to advertising to customer service to shipping dept. to a dozen other things I can't think of at the moment. To the customer it may seem like a small thing, but for the manufacturer it's a change that impacts almost every part of the business. Engineering dept. would probably be least affected.
--Dave J.
Also, It's easier for marketing to describe and price a machine with a specific searchcoil, than to run through a slew of options. Also makes management of inventory a lot easier.
I'm not "defending" the system, just answering your question. It really would be nice for the customer to be able to specify options and have it boxed up specifically for that order. Or to have more than one option already in the box in stock. I buy stuff all the time on Amazon where I pick options, although I'm often not sure just how they did it on the other end -- custom pack for my order, or options already in inventory.
I'd like to see the system move toward more customizing of the bundle for the customer, but I'm not the guy who would have to figure out the details how to do it. That change impacts everything from procurement to production planning to advertising to customer service to shipping dept. to a dozen other things I can't think of at the moment. To the customer it may seem like a small thing, but for the manufacturer it's a change that impacts almost every part of the business. Engineering dept. would probably be least affected.
--Dave J.
vlad
Well-known member
And buying an alternate loop ties up cash in an item you may not move for months.
At one time Kellyco would swap out a loop for a small charge, but as of now do not (as a general principle.)
Your best bet is to simply hit Finds Accessory Forum; often you can find loops among many items there very cheap (compared to new prices.)
If you buy direct from a factory, I can think of no reason why a loop cannot be swapped; they sit stacked on shelves.
If they must open a box to do it, how much trouble is it to retape a box?
At one time Kellyco would swap out a loop for a small charge, but as of now do not (as a general principle.)
Your best bet is to simply hit Finds Accessory Forum; often you can find loops among many items there very cheap (compared to new prices.)
If you buy direct from a factory, I can think of no reason why a loop cannot be swapped; they sit stacked on shelves.
If they must open a box to do it, how much trouble is it to retape a box?
For a small operation, no big deal. There are things small companies do better than large ones. But for a large company, what you describe involves complicated inventory and record keeping and production scheduling issues. There's nobody in the company who can just go do it, not even the company president.
I wish there were a good system for offering customers choices on searchcoils. But like I said, it's not a matter of saying "okay we'll do that now". It impacts the entire business other than engineering and janitorial. ....A large company could do it that way if they built the business around doing it that way, but once everything is set up the other way, making the change is not just something you can tack on to the existing system of doing things.
I wish there were a good system for offering customers choices on searchcoils. But like I said, it's not a matter of saying "okay we'll do that now". It impacts the entire business other than engineering and janitorial. ....A large company could do it that way if they built the business around doing it that way, but once everything is set up the other way, making the change is not just something you can tack on to the existing system of doing things.
vlad
Well-known member
If none of the factories are doing it, it will be a real plus for gaining more sales by someone. (DTex did this years ago.) And you do not need a highly trained tech specialist to swap out loops. Sales and inventory
are computerized also, but I do not mean to quibble. Where there is a will there is a way.
I would think the added sales would more than pay for a person or two. (plus you could charge a nominal fee for the option-related to loop value) I'm referring to factory direct sales only.
Good will is earned and counts for a lot, and service is something people do not forget.
It does breed loyalty.
are computerized also, but I do not mean to quibble. Where there is a will there is a way.
I would think the added sales would more than pay for a person or two. (plus you could charge a nominal fee for the option-related to loop value) I'm referring to factory direct sales only.
Good will is earned and counts for a lot, and service is something people do not forget.
It does breed loyalty.
Okay, Vlad, let's suppose that for the most part the business continues to work the way it already does, the underlying pattern being doing things in big chunks, and the customer cannot order a variant of a particular SKU. It is what it is.
But, there's a separate business unit (for lack of a better term) that's set up to handle special requests on a limited range of products, those products being the ones that the kind of customers who know about searchcoils are most inclined to buy. Maybe 15 models, not our entire product range which is so many models that nobody in the company even knows how many there are. Factory direct only, and a special price structure. So it's a little bit like setting up a small company inside a big company. Once you've got that, it can be more than just searchcoils, it can be different rod lengths, different mix & match accessories, etc. And no presumption that it's going to ship the following day, although if something the customer requested is not in stock we'd contact the customer and ask them if they want to skip it, or to wait for it. Among the things that won't be offered is any kind of a custom tweak or PC board modification or anything that requires the involvement of engineering dept. or the interruption of regular manufacturing. Just a list of the variants we offer and what the price tag is. We're boxing it up for that customer, we're not doing custom manufacturing or providing engineering services.
Something like that might be doable. Whaddaya think?
But, there's a separate business unit (for lack of a better term) that's set up to handle special requests on a limited range of products, those products being the ones that the kind of customers who know about searchcoils are most inclined to buy. Maybe 15 models, not our entire product range which is so many models that nobody in the company even knows how many there are. Factory direct only, and a special price structure. So it's a little bit like setting up a small company inside a big company. Once you've got that, it can be more than just searchcoils, it can be different rod lengths, different mix & match accessories, etc. And no presumption that it's going to ship the following day, although if something the customer requested is not in stock we'd contact the customer and ask them if they want to skip it, or to wait for it. Among the things that won't be offered is any kind of a custom tweak or PC board modification or anything that requires the involvement of engineering dept. or the interruption of regular manufacturing. Just a list of the variants we offer and what the price tag is. We're boxing it up for that customer, we're not doing custom manufacturing or providing engineering services.
Something like that might be doable. Whaddaya think?
vlad
Well-known member
The ability to customize a detector purchase might have people opting for a FRL detector over another brand (I know that money is often in short supply for many and they often just do not buy another loop later-so getting the configuration they want might sometimes outweigh some of the features on a different brand.)
I really like the 10" oval on my F-75; someday would be nice to have an 11" round concentric. DD's have their use, but I guess the 10.5" for my CZ
(and the 10" wafer for the Mk-1) spoiled me. Among other factors, cannot be beat for depth.
I first sold Fisher in the '70's and the company has always been know for service; and I recall how nice Don Parks was years ago-things are even better today.
I really like the 10" oval on my F-75; someday would be nice to have an 11" round concentric. DD's have their use, but I guess the 10.5" for my CZ
(and the 10" wafer for the Mk-1) spoiled me. Among other factors, cannot be beat for depth.
I first sold Fisher in the '70's and the company has always been know for service; and I recall how nice Don Parks was years ago-things are even better today.
If a detector has manual ground balance, then you ought to be able to choose your coil, not have it chosen for you. Period. Just sell the coil separately and adjust the detector price accordingly. This is not a complicated decision. I can't tell you how many times I've seen threads just like this one. I can only assume it would negatively affect manufacturers profits by doing so.
Jim Robertson
Well-known member
You can get any coil you want just talk to Richard at Backwoods Detectors. He has many models and will work with you on coils. They are great machines and very fast recovery speed. Plus 2 tones. I have Vista Gold and love to use it where there is iron in the ground. ie. rusty nails.
Snap On Man
Member
Looks pretty simple to me. You simple package a detector without a coil and one with. Two boxes on the shelf.
I was Snap on Dealer for 20 years. If Snap On offered something in the tool set the customer did not want. I would simply remove it send ito back to Snap On adjust the price and make the sale. CUSTOMER HAPPY!!!!
I was Snap on Dealer for 20 years. If Snap On offered something in the tool set the customer did not want. I would simply remove it send ito back to Snap On adjust the price and make the sale. CUSTOMER HAPPY!!!!