Fishers new International shipping policy... wtf

Ausgoldhunter said:
To be honest, I don't care where they are made.... Do they work as intended? .. if the answer is yes.. then i don't care.
that said I'm a nugget shooter, so those machines aren't of any use to me lol.


I Ordered a second Fisher GB Pro on Monday, from the guys at KellyCo... It appears it is on Factory back order until most likely May. Not a problem i can wait. but given this new International shipping policy..
Am i going to be waiting 2 months for nothing?..

Guess i will find out in may..

anyway FTP I still <3 u guys!
Click to expand...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I ordered a GBP yesterday with 50 percent down it will take 4-6 weeks . great price under $600
 

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Ausgoldhunter said:
Well I wasn't given the reason just the policy.. and while counterfeit detectors are i'm sure a huge pain in the ass for FTP. I still don't see a problem with authorized dealers selling Internationally.
I'm sure i am missing the point, so fill me in.
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Well, to cut to the chase, I was a dealer for a vast array of products for almost 40 years. ATVs, boats, snowmobiles, outboards, and yes, many lines and types of metal detectors and prospecting equipment. Almost all dealerships come with territorial restrictions. So many dealers per town, so many dealers per state. There are almost always restrictions on selling outside your home country as each country has and controls its own dealer distribution network.

I am not defending the way things are. I am just explaining the way it is. The enforcers are not the companies. It is the dealers and the distributors. They have contracts for their areas. When another dealer sell out of area, it could result in lawsuits, plain and simple. You are talking territories, and money. And livelihoods. If you were an authorized Australian dealer and I started bootlegging product into your area, threatening to put you out of business, you might protest. And if it continued you might threaten to sue the company involved for not enforcing its contracts with other dealers resulting in a loss of business and livelihood.

A few time over the years I would now and then unwittingly cross the line. A new employee might ship something out not knowing. You would be surprised how fast the heat can come down sometimes. More often, nothing happens. But it can cost a business their dealership if they continually abuse their contractual obligations. It is about power, control and money. You may be thinking "Gee Steve, these are just metal detectors" but you would be surprised at just how seriously people take their businesses and their money. Thank God I finally got big enough to actually be able to dictate back to some degree. Big dealers can gain control over manufacturers. But small dealers are totally at their mercy.

In this particular case I am not sure where you got that email. It has been edited to leave out over half, so if it was provided to you it is out of context with an agenda - which was to piss you off. The original is about the fact counterfeit First Texas product (happening to Minelab and White's also) are getting out of control. Gray market dealers are aiding in this. First Texas is taking strong steps to try and address the issue, and part of that is trying to go after those bootlegging these units across dealer lines. In other words, trying to make sure people (you) work only with legitimate dealers so as to not get ripped off. If you buy this great deal Fisher from this US dealer and he sells you some cheap knockoff that performs at 50% of norm, you go online and get all on Fisher for making this piece of garbage. That they did not make. And I am telling you these fakes are very well done in all ways. All that gets left out is the performance. Anyway, long story short is First Texas is having to clamp down hard on the dealer network to gain tighter control over the flow of legitimate product so as to exclude the garbage. The intent is not to mess with you. Honestly, all you are doing for Mike is highlighting the fact that they have work to do in Australia if you are dissatisfied with your ability to get First Texas product at reasonable prices.

Again, I have no pony in this race. I am not defending any company or its practices. Believe me, they catch some heat from me on stuff now and then! You asked, and so I am just pointing out some of what is going on inside the industry. Be very careful where you buy the top end units these days. Counterfeit GPX 5000 detectors in particular are a serious problem. Minelab has been instituting some security measures on new units like special holographic stickers a dealer can read with a special tool. That is how bad it is getting.
 

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FYI guys there are dealers out there that have Gold Bug Pros on the shelf. No need to wait if you want one. Call around.
 

Steve Herschbach said:
Well, to cut to the chase, I was a dealer for a vast array of products for almost 40 years. ATVs, boats, snowmobiles, outboards, and yes, many lines and types of metal detectors and prospecting equipment. Almost all dealerships come with territorial restrictions. So many dealers per town, so many dealers per state. There are almost always restrictions on selling outside your home country as each country has and controls its own dealer distribution network.

I am not defending the way things are. I am just explaining the way it is. The enforcers are not the companies. It is the dealers and the distributors. They have contracts for their areas. When another dealer sell out of area, it could result in lawsuits, plain and simple. You are talking territories, and money. And livelihoods. If you were an authorized Australian dealer and I started bootlegging product into your area, threatening to put you out of business, you might protest. And if it continued you might threaten to sue the company involved for not enforcing its contracts with other dealers resulting in a loss of business and livelihood.

A few time over the years I would now and then unwittingly cross the line. A new employee might ship something out not knowing. You would be surprised how fast the heat can come down sometimes. More often, nothing happens. But it can cost a business their dealership if they continually abuse their contractual obligations. It is about power, control and money. You may be thinking "Gee Steve, these are just metal detectors" but you would be surprised at just how seriously people take their businesses and their money. Thank God I finally got big enough to actually be able to dictate back to some degree. Big dealers can gain control over manufacturers. But small dealers are totally at their mercy.

In this particular case I am not sure where you got that email. It has been edited to leave out over half, so if it was provided to you it is out of context with an agenda - which was to piss you off. The original is about the fact counterfeit First Texas product (happening to Minelab and White's also) are getting out of control. Gray market dealers are aiding in this. First Texas is taking strong steps to try and address the issue, and part of that is trying to go after those bootlegging these units across dealer lines. In other words, trying to make sure people (you) work only with legitimate dealers so as to not get ripped off. If you buy this great deal Fisher from this US dealer and he sells you some cheap knockoff that performs at 50% of norm, you go online and get all on Fisher for making this piece of garbage. That they did not make. And I am telling you these fakes are very well done in all ways. All that gets left out is the performance. Anyway, long story short is First Texas is having to clamp down hard on the dealer network to gain tighter control over the flow of legitimate product so as to exclude the garbage. The intent is not to mess with you. Honestly, all you are doing for Mike is highlighting the fact that they have work to do in Australia if you are dissatisfied with your ability to get First Texas product at reasonable prices.

Again, I have no pony in this race. I am not defending any company or its practices. Believe me, they catch some heat from me on stuff now and then! You asked, and so I am just pointing out some of what is going on inside the industry. Be very careful where you buy the top end units these days. Counterfeit GPX 5000 detectors in particular are a serious problem. Minelab has been instituting some security measures on new units like special holographic stickers a dealer can read with a special tool. That is how bad it is getting.
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Very well explained Steve, thank you.
 

Terry Soloman said:
Umm, what Tesoro Rep are you talking about? PLEASE, show us the posts you are typing about because I have no clue what you are trying to say. I do not work for Tesoro – OR sell equipment of ANY kind. I typed my opinion, and Mike the Fisher rep found it necessary to slander and insult me. Can you find even ONE post where I have done the same?
Click to expand...

Perhaps Namalos and Cladtomeetyou ring a bell; if not I'll explain further. I never claimed you work for Tesoro, I'm speaking of the actual Tesoro rep.
 

Terry, if you don't want to receive a troll's reception, the hot setup is not to be a troll.

If you have a strong association with or preference for a particular company which you've made well known (that being the actual case, and I have no problem with that), then don't go trying to raise a stink on other companies' forums, especially about stuff you're clueless about. It damages whatever credibility you might otherwise have. Your posts on gold prospecting with a metal detector are usually pretty good, why ruin it? Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I'm under the impression that you have a business where without credibility ya ain't got nuthin'.

Maybe you've noticed how often I post on the Tesoro forum. Almost never. On those rare occasions when I do, it's usually to speak well of a Tesoro product I think someone else is bashing unjustifiably, or simply to supply information on something I happen to know about. Also been known to post on the White's forum...... and been thanked by White's. Don't recall ever posting on the Garretts or Minelab forums, but maybe I have.

--Dave J.
 

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Everyone has opinions Terry. People voicing their opinions about you is not slandering you or marginalizing you. You are marginalizing yourself. You are the one that doth protest too much. You seem to think you know better than absolutely everyone about everything. People like Mike Scott do not have to prove you wrong about things. They do know what they are talking about and rather than listen, you want to play the role of aggrieved party, and just keep flailing away. I agree with Dave however that the person you are damaging the most is yourself.

Maybe you relish the role of the loner, the outsider speaking "your truth". Maybe you are purposefully trying to put yourself at odds with people, drawing lines in the sand with you on one side and most of the people I want to hang with on the other. If that is the case, I would say you are doing a very fine job of it. Good luck with that. I think you are hitching your wagon too hard to a horse that isn't going anywhere. That is just my opinion.

Other than that, I do hope everyone is having a fine Easter morning. God bless you one and all.
 

I'm still wondering why Terry was on the Fisher forum in the first place.:dontknow: Research for a purchase?
 

Where in there does it say anything about me getting a complimentary detector? No, I am completely unaware of any plan on anyones part at Fisher to send me a free metal detector. It certainly has not come up in any discussion. It was not at all what I was referring to in that post. You just want to spin it that way. Keep flailing, maybe you will land a punch.

I know Fisher is working on something. I think it is something I have been wanting from them (and others). I therefore in my supreme arrogance play on about the idea that they are making it for me. But they are not making it for me Terry, except in the sense that I represent a market segment that it might be profitable for them to address. They are making it for whoever wants to buy it. If it is what I want I will be first in line.

You do realize I owned one of the largest multi-line detector dealerships in the country for almost 40 years? Since when do you think I have ever paid for metal detectors? If I wanted one, I pulled it out of stock and took it home. Or bought it at dealer cost, used it, and sold it used for more than I paid for it. Terry, I in effect have not bought a detector in almost 40 years. There are benefits to being in the industry. It has actually been my job to use the stuff. I still have my connections. Owning a detector will never cost me a dime as long as I live. The idea giving me a free one buys influence with me is laughable. Like I need the money anyway.

I have indeed in the past been outright given free metal detectors by just about everyone under the sun, including Fisher. I am the guy the old Fisher did not listen to when I told them the Gold Strike was going to be a bomb. I actually am pretty choosy these days as testing machines is a bit of a pain in the ass. I have enough detectors so just because somebody wants to send me one free to run it through the paces does not mean I want it. I am doing them a favor spending my time evaluating their prototypes, not the other way around Terry, and I sure as hell am not going to pay them to work for them. Oddly enough, despite what you want to imply, they value my opinion precisely because of my reputation for independent opinions.

I place a lot of value on maintaining that reputation because it means I in my way have a tiny amount of influence in what comes to market. I push and pull and prod for the purely selfish reason of getting the kinds of detectors that I personally want to use. They do not always listen and I get frustrated to no end at times, but the fact is I have the ear of some people who make things happen in this industry, and for that I am very, very grateful.

What else Terry? Please do go on.
 

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I know Fisher is working on something. I think it is something I have been wanting from them (and others). I therefore in my supreme arrogance play on about the idea that they are making it for me. But they are not making it for me Terry, except in the sense that I represent a market segment that it might be profitable for them to address. They are making it for whoever wants to buy it. If it is what I want I will be first in line.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> DAM i just ordered a Gold bug pro ... maybe i should have waited for the new model ?
 

j piddle said:
Steve has plenty of money to buy any detector he wants but does not have to because he is such a large dealer and just takes them from inventory.
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Not so much money just nothing else worth spending it on! I do love my detecting. Some guys have RVs or motorcycles or golf clubs. My bucks are reserved for detectors. No longer a dealer though. My partner and I founded our company in high school and built it up from nothing. I am proud to say we were able to convert it to an ESOP and it is now employee owned. The people that worked for me now work for themselves. But they still get me deals!

I currently use Garrett, Fisher, Minelab, and White's product myself. Tesoro has not offered anything new to prospectors in over 15 years. I wish they would reintroduce the Diablo uMax with iron disc.
 

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Steve Herschbach said:
FYI guys there are dealers out there that have Gold Bug Pros on the shelf. No need to wait if you want one. Call around.
Click to expand...
Steve is right there .... Just look around and you can pick up your Gold Bug Pro right away............
 

If it's ok and safe to go back to the question of International Shipping........
Protectection for offshore (International) dealers is all fine and noble.....how about protection for us consumers after all without we/us there is no need for dealers.
.
On this Island/Continent of Au. there have been several Importer/Dealers over the past 20 years, none of which seem to have had much product interest or commitment to anyone but themselves.
One dealer openly advertised as being a Fisher Dealer and Authorised Service/Repairer, which turned out to be totally incorrect and can be proven by those that mistakenly took his word for it.....me included.
.
Lessons learned and internet access have changed the way we shop and more importantly who we trust to shop with.
.
Once a good FTP US dealer is found the word of mouth spread fast as can be seen on one of our local forums.
These are the dealers we would like to protect cause they provide the services needed both at home and abroad to us that have none or lousy service.
Local Importer/Dealers with bad attitude that do not look after their customers will have no customers........they are now the ones that scream for protection.
.
One thing that is dead set and certain, is that.......... Loud Bombastic dealers with inclusion of repeating obnoxious advertising on their forum posts and those with "Me Me" links on the bottom of every one of their forum posts ..........are the ones we least recommend and do dealings with.
.
ivanll
 

Hi Ivan,

The best bet is doing exactly what you are doing, and as customers complaining that the local dealers are not providing proper service and support. I would think that would be the goal, to get better service and support in Australia, rather than have to order from other countries? I would think Mike would be very concerned about any perceived lack of Fisher availability in Australia. Perhaps certain US dealers could be designated "official exporters" if none already serve that purpose.

If I am the loud bombastic person you were referring to with "me, me, me" links although I am not a dealer I will pull the links or leave the forum if I am bothering you. My site is informational but if I am annoying people than I will attend to other business. My apologies if that is the case.
 

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ivanll said:
If it's ok and safe to go back to the question of International Shipping........
Protectection for offshore (International) dealers is all fine and noble.....how about protection for us consumers after all without we/us there is no need for dealers.
.
On this Island/Continent of Au. there have been several Importer/Dealers over the past 20 years, none of which seem to have had much product interest or commitment to anyone but themselves.
One dealer openly advertised as being a Fisher Dealer and Authorised Service/Repairer, which turned out to be totally incorrect and can be proven by those that mistakenly took his word for it.....me included.
.
Lessons learned and internet access have changed the way we shop and more importantly who we trust to shop with.
.
Once a good FTP US dealer is found the word of mouth spread fast as can be seen on one of our local forums.
These are the dealers we would like to protect cause they provide the services needed both at home and abroad to us that have none or lousy service.
Local Importer/Dealers with bad attitude that do not look after their customers will have no customers........they are now the ones that scream for protection.
.
One thing that is dead set and certain, is that.......... Loud Bombastic dealers with inclusion of repeating obnoxious advertising on their forum posts and those with "Me Me" links on the bottom of every one of their forum posts ..........are the ones we least recommend and do dealings with.
.
ivanll
Click to expand...

Very well put ivanll.

I've never had a problem buying overseas, or locally.. I would prefer to purchase a detector from a local dealer.. sadly as ivanll stated. the dealers here aren't interested in building a customer base. its just a "few bucks on the side" business for them.
As such I'm more than happy to buy overseas. Hell I'll pay the $100 in shipping costs and still come out of the deal $150 better off than buying locally.

I understand why these steps have been taken by FTP.. We have other options, Tesoro, Garrett, Minelab, all fine and good.. I personally own or have owned all of the following. Tesoro Lobo, Garrett AT Gold, and Minelab Eureka.
Sorry to say it but NONE do as good a job as the GB2 / Gold Bug Pro..

Anyway It sucks, but that's the way it is..
 

Thread has been cleaned..

Do not go into a brand forum and bash the brand for any reason, brand forums are here for a reason.

STOP the insults and attacks on other members it violates our rules....



Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 

Let it go Terry, thread has been cleaned.


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 

Ausgoldhunter.
.
As you most likely know there are 2 full page advertising of Fisher detectors in our local monthly Gem And Treasure Magazine with mentioning of five different places in different states and contact info for each, which would indicate there is a Fisher network in operation.???............It's also indicated Fisher detectors are in stock.???.........but so do Alibaba.
.
Some of the contact names are known/familiar but none are on the Fisher "where to buy" list for Australia and .......... Never have been.
I've contacted one of the advertisers several times and got a negativ result every time...........they do not carry/provide any parts for Fisher detectors........ nor have service or repair facility!!!
.
Dodgy dealers are not on my preferred list....... I would rather stick with the known trusted dealers in US that have provided outstanding service in years past.....and they accept PayPal.
.
My money...I choose where to spend it.
.
ivanll
 

ivanll said:
Ausgoldhunter.
.
As you most likely know there are 2 full page advertising of Fisher detectors in our local monthly Gem And Treasure Magazine with mentioning of five different places in different states and contact info for each, which would indicate there is a Fisher network in operation.???............It's also indicated Fisher detectors are in stock.???.........but so do Alibaba.
.
Some of the contact names are known/familiar but none are on the Fisher "where to buy" list for Australia and .......... Never have been.
I've contacted one of the advertisers several times and got a negativ result every time...........they do not carry/provide any parts for Fisher detectors........ nor have service or repair facility!!!
.
Dodgy dealers are not on my preferred list....... I would rather stick with the known trusted dealers in US that have provided outstanding service in years past.....and they accept PayPal.
.
My money...I choose where to spend it.
.
ivanll
Click to expand...


100% with you on that one, I work for my money, some days 18 hours +... I should be able to choose where to spend it..

I have a Friend bringing me back a few Fisher Machines next month from the US.. also another one living in Plano TX willing to ship me anything.. So in theory, Problem Solved.
I would still like to be able to spend my money locally.. but we both know that ins't going to happen..

anyway agreed! I'll spend my money where i like...
 

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