Is it wrong to look for deals on metal detectors....

[jhen999]

I had a post on here a few weeks ago about a Dealer that I had called about buying a coil for my metal detector...and I know he had the coil because I had seen it on his web page along with his phone number, but because I did buy the metal detector from him, it was a good luck that kind of thing..what I would call being disrespectful...and I have had some comments saying they feel sorry for these mom and pop dealers that don't have time to talk to you if you didn't buy anything from them, this dealer was no mom and pop store by any means... and by other posts that I have put on here that I am the kind of guy thats just looking for the best deals I can get...yes I look for the best deal on anything I buy, and I think most people are like that... maybe others have boat loads of money just to buy at any price at there regular dealer price...I don't have boat loads of money...So is it wrong to look for deals on metal detectors and anything that you buy?? Happy Hunting and Good Deals...

 

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[Lores]

I bought mine off of craigslist and talked the sellers down before i purchases. times they are a changing. Good merchants keep up, but go bankrupt.

 

[luvsdux]

IMHO, it's not wrong to look for good deals on anything. However, I'd rather buy local, if possible, and don't let a small difference in price deter me from that. Unfortunately, one can't always get what's desired locally and therefore shopping the net or by phone enters the picture.
luvsdux

 

[jhen999]

That's me...I have to drive 45 miles to the closes dealer that might have what I am looking for...and the closes multi line dealer is an hour and half drive for me..me and my wife both do a lot of on line shopping...for the best price we can get....I know its always good to put it in your hands and hold it, look at it all that kind of stuff...but sometimes you just cant do that, and most of the stuff you get online, if you don't like it send it back..i have done that a few times with metal detectors because of them being faulty...from dealers in the mid west...you do what you have to do...and your right a few dollars here or there does not make that much difference. But I,ll be darn if I would buy from a dealer that shows disrespect before you even tell him what your looking for...

 

[dahut]

Of course not.

 

[mlayers]

I see nothing wrong with it. I will shop around and check out prices before I buy. I only make $12.50 a hour and I'm the only one that works in my home. So I have to make every dollar count.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Absolutely nothing wrong with looking for deals BUT don't expect "service" from a dealer that you didn't buy from. In fact, it would be quite rude to call dealer XYZ to ask for help with something you bought from dealer ABC. Dealer service is part of the price.

 

[BosnMate]

I wanted a Sunray pin pointer, so I drove 60 miles to purchase one from a company that advertised that they sold exactly what I wanted. I didn't call first, I drove down in order to check out their store because, I'd never been there and they had some good stuff advertised that I wanted to look at. He didn't have a Sunray in stock, and commenced to mean mouth the pin-pointer, trying to sell me something else, for more money of course, up to and including a new detector, because it pin pointed so well I wouldn't need a pin-pointer He wasn't even willing to order the Sunray for me, and he was the bloody advertised dealer. I hate to be played for a sucker, baited and bumped up, so I left his store totally p'od, and have never been back. I bought my Sunray via mail order, and it's everything they advertised, exactly what I wanted, and none of the lies he told me came true. Since then I've purchased a DFX and I'll guarantee it wasn't from that jerk, it was another mail order deal. He brings his stuff to the yearly local gold show, and I won't even go to his booth, and further more I tell anyone who is interested just what kind of a guy he is.

 

[jhen999]

I agree Jason in Enid...but I was wanting to buy a coil and pretty much got told good luck because I didn't buy the metal detector from him...wasn't wanting advice...there is no excuse for disrespecting people for any reason...

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I agree Jason in Enid...but I was wanting to buy a coil and pretty much got told good luck because I didn't buy the metal detector from him...wasn't wanting advice...there is no excuse for disrespecting people for any reason...

Jhen999, you just had to bring the topic back again, eh? I would have to disagree. There is a time to "disrespect" (fail to offer service, and not mince words one-bit that you're not going to sell or offer advice etc...). Yes I know you're disputing that you "asked advice", but ...., to the dealer, it could have appeared you were going to see the thing there (try it at his counter, etc...), then go buy elsewhere.

Let me give you an example jhen999: I operate a street-sweeper company, that does work in asphalt and construction type work. We get undercut by a certain competitor by a good $20 to $25 p/h. You can imagine it's mighty tempting for our customers to go to this other company right? And by your logic, it's "not wrong to shop around for the best deal" right? And sure, I can't fault them or stop them, right? BUT YOU TELL ME: If that same customer calls me at 2am because that other company's sweeper broke down, so they want me to come out and finish the job, what's my incentive ? If all I'm left to do is play second fiddle, then no, I have no loyalty to "rush out of bed" for that customer, do I? Or if I get two competing calls for a time-slot, where I only have a single unit available: which one do you think I'll say "yes" to: the customer who is loyal, or the customer who only calls when the cheapo-company is booked or broke down ? OF COURSE I'm going to book our units with the customer who is loyal. The other one will tend to only use us AFTER he's called the cheapo co.

Do you see ? Thus, sure: go ahead and shop the cheapest places. But just be aware that if the non-cheapo places fails to offer you service, or seems abrupt, doesn't give you the biggest smiles, etc..., that .... they're tired of being undercut by the others. If you don't like it, that's fine. Simply go back to the catalog place.

 

[Sandman]

Tom is totally correct! If you only have so much to spend, then shop for the best price, but don't waste a dealers time when you know your not ordering from him. That is worse than RUDE.

 

[Jason in Enid]

I agree Jason in Enid...but I was wanting to buy a coil and pretty much got told good luck because I didn't buy the metal detector from him...wasn't wanting advice...there is no excuse for disrespecting people for any reason...

I completely agree! The good thing is that for every jerk salesman, there are plenty out who DO want to make you a happy customer! Call around, another vendor will have your coil and they wont care if you bought the machine from them or not.

Have I mentioned Bart at Big Boys Hobbies LOVES selling equipment? Call him.

I will say that I agree with Tom's explanation to a point also. I have heard a LOT of stories from detector dealers about customers who call them over and over asking advice on which one to buy, all the specs, details,etc. Then they turn around and buy from KC because it's got $free stuff$. Then they want to ask the dealer for help in setup and tips. That crap really irks them to say the least.

I stand by my original post. Looking for bargain prices is fine, just remember that real dealers will gladly help you AFTER the sale. Some dealers give GREAT prices too! (just call and ask)

 

[jhen999]

Tom and Sandman...Again I agree...I am 70 years old and know my way around metal detectors to a point..thats what this forum is for to ask and get pointers, and the internet is where I do my research..i don't call dealers for info. ....I bought my detector from Jim at Infinite detectors in the Bay Area.. and bought 3 coils from Keith at Fort Bedford detectors back east and bought items from are local Mom and Pop shop here, but he is not a Minelab dealer....and all of them are always helpful with things I am looking to buy....I am just trying to say as a customer trying to buy something from anyone..don't you think you should be treated with a little respect...not just bowled off..

 

[jringo]

YES,it is Wrong to try and get the best deal for your hard earned money.You should Always pay full retail and tip 20%.Do it for "the children".

 

[jhen999]

That's funny.......