Is Minelab going to direct sales???

[robby4570]

There's talk on Fakebook about Minelab selling detectors on their website now. Does anyone know anything about this? What effect will it have on their dealer network? If this is so... how do the dealers feel about this?

Enquiring minds want to know

 

[Diga]

Like it or not, due to the internet, dealers no longer serve much of a purpose. Certainly not enough of a purpose for the manufacturers to justify using them.

Manufacturers used to need the dealers and magazines for advertising and sales. Now the manufacturers can do that for free on the internet, without having to give a cut of their profit to the dealers.

 

[Princess]

Interesting topic... I hadn't heard this about Minelab; and I see both the positive & negative aspects. For one thing, I think the ability to purchase directly through the manufacturer's website may be easier for the consumer. It would also be a profitable move on Minelab's part. However, if the trend were to continue (as it most likely will), I can't help but wonder what it might do to the job market for dealers. In the industry where my dad works as a dental technician, he has seen technology take over positions that were once performed by paid employees. Yes, it requires some employees to operate the technological equipment, but it indubitably removes the necessity of other people's jobs, as well.

Just my thoughts.

 

[UT_Dave]

They are. Dealers aren't thrilled.

- Dave

 

[Cherry Picker]

I think a lot of dealership-style sales are on the block. It is all about profit. Cut out the sales, and invest in shipping.

It was not many years ago people swore they would never buy online. You can't stop the future, but some things are easily predicted.

 

[CountyWorker]

I think a lot of dealership-style sales are on the block. It is all about profit. Cut out the sales, and invest in shipping.

It was not many years ago people swore they would never buy online. You can't stop the future, but some things are easily predicted.

 

[RobNC]

Just another greedy move by the masters of greed. Kiss any kind of discount goodbye. No more perks, no more support from a dealer. Deal with MoneyLab directly. The best thing dealers can do is double down and not offer Moneylab machines for sale. Minelab will change their mind real quick if dealers drop them. Sorry, I may own a Minelab but I've never liked their attitude or greedy behavior. When my Equinox 800 dies off no more Minelabs for me.
We live in times where other companies are making very capable machines for a lot less money.

 

[hoser]

I guess I could see it coming. To me, I think taking out the middleman might impact sales to some extent as without having a dealer you can go to and try out, or "test drive" several detectors might turn some people away.

 

[CalReg]

It wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Surf Master]

Logged in , I don't see any place on there site about direct sales

 

[metaladdict]

Let's GO Garrett!!!

 

[UT_Dave]

Garrett is further along with direct sales than Minelab.

- Dave

 

[robby4570]

Just another greedy move by the masters of greed. Kiss any kind of discount goodbye. No more perks, no more support from a dealer. Deal with MoneyLab directly. The best thing dealers can do is double down and not offer Moneylab machines for sale. Minelab will change their mind real quick if dealers drop them. Sorry, I may own a Minelab but I've never liked their attitude or greedy behavior. When my Equinox 800 dies off no more Minelabs for me.
We live in times where other companies are making very capable machines for a lot less money.

I agree about Minelab's GREED and lack of customer service/care. I love all the Minelab machines that I have owned over the years and the "old" Minelab before CODAN bought them out in 2008 was a good company to deal with and had a great product, I'm told. I got my first Minelab machine in 2011, a very used Sovereign Elite with a few issues. Knowing it was out of warranty, I still called ML Tech Support and they helped me with everything! Even sent me a new battery pack for the cost of shipping alone! I had a long talk with the tech support guy and got a great education on how the machine worked and how to maximize it. When the 3030 came out late 2012/early 2013, I got to swing a buddy's for a while and fell in love with it. But I just could not afford it so I got an E-Trac instead and while it wasn't as featureful as a 3030, it was a great machine too, a real Silver Magnet. In 2020 I decided I wanted a waterproof VLF so I got an Equinox 800... and was immediately disappointed. It's a good machine and my primary water VLF machine but a downgrade from the E-Trac I'd been swinging for 6-1/2 years. So I finally got that CTX 3030 I'd wanted and immediately had a battery issue upon arrival. Apparently the battery (and likely the whole machine) was allowed to ride in freezing conditions in January so when it arrived the battery was completely discharged and the charger wouldn't see it. It took multiple calls and an elevation to a department manager at Minelab USA to get this resolved AND they still insisted that I needed to send the charger, power cord and battery to them before they would issue a replacement... for a brand new detector I'd had for 2 days! And apparently they use a 3rd party repair facility and not ML people for repairs...

Yeah, Minelab the company SUCKS but I think the detectors are still top notch. I still don't understand why GPS can't be incorporated into the new crop of detectors (from all manufacturers for that matter) since it's been in two ML machines for 12 years or more now.

 

[Cherry Picker]

I agree about Minelab's GREED and lack of customer service/care. I love all the Minelab machines that I have owned over the years and the "old" Minelab before CODAN bought them out in 2008 was a good company to deal with and had a great product, I'm told. I got my first Minelab machine in 2011, a very used Sovereign Elite with a few issues. Knowing it was out of warranty, I still called ML Tech Support and they helped me with everything! Even sent me a new battery pack for the cost of shipping alone! I had a long talk with the tech support guy and got a great education on how the machine worked and how to maximize it. When the 3030 came out late 2012/early 2013, I got to swing a buddy's for a while and fell in love with it. But I just could not afford it so I got an E-Trac instead and while it wasn't as featureful as a 3030, it was a great machine too, a real Silver Magnet. In 2020 I decided I wanted a waterproof VLF so I got an Equinox 800... and was immediately disappointed. It's a good machine and my primary water VLF machine but a downgrade from the E-Trac I'd been swinging for 6-1/2 years. So I finally got that CTX 3030 I'd wanted and immediately had a battery issue upon arrival. Apparently the battery (and likely the whole machine) was allowed to ride in freezing conditions in January so when it arrived the battery was completely discharged and the charger wouldn't see it. It took multiple calls and an elevation to a department manager at Minelab USA to get this resolved AND they still insisted that I needed to send the charger, power cord and battery to them before they would issue a replacement... for a brand new detector I'd had for 2 days! And apparently they use a 3rd party repair facility and not ML people for repairs...

Yeah, Minelab the company SUCKS but I think the detectors are still top notch. I still don't understand why GPS can't be incorporated into the new crop of detectors (from all manufacturers for that matter) since it's been in two ML machines for 12 years or more now.

I agree Robby. Minelab makes some killer detectors, but their customer service has gone downhill.

My first ML was a Sovereign GT. Tried the Explorer II, and the Explorer SE and just couldn't click with them. The E-Trac put them at the top of my list. I had the CTX3030 for a short time and loved it. The only thing I liked as well was my E-Trac, but it was just too heavy for me. Still the best detector I ever owned.

 

[Princess]

I guess I could see it coming. To me, I think taking out the middleman might impact sales to some extent as without having a dealer you can go to and try out, or "test drive" several detectors might turn some people away.

Exactly... you've raised a good point. This reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday, when I expressed to a friend that I could not shape an informed opinion on whether to purchase a digital piano until I have actually tried one out. The situation is different, but the application remains. From this perspective, it seems like local dealers will always be advantageous for the serious buyer, especially if one is intending to invest in high-end equipment.

 

[robby4570]

Exactly... you've raised a good point. This reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday, when I expressed to a friend that I could not shape an informed opinion on whether to purchase a digital piano until I have actually tried one out. The situation is different, but the application remains. From this perspective, it seems like local dealers will always be advantageous for the serious buyer, especially if one is intending to invest in high-end equipment.

Yeah, until they decide to Hell with it and stop being a dealer. That basically has happened in my area. The only brick-and-mortar White's and Minelab (Minelab only after White's went away) dealer decided it was time to retire and close up shop. They are very dear friends and I wish them all the best in retirement but that still leaves my area for hundreds of miles with out a local dealer who will help you learn the machine or sell you the right accessory and have it in stock to take home today and not wait a week or more for it to come on the big brown truck... If you have a local dealer, by all means, support them...

 

[Diga]

Exactly... you've raised a good point. This reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday, when I expressed to a friend that I could not shape an informed opinion on whether to purchase a digital piano until I have actually tried one out. The situation is different, but the application remains. From this perspective, it seems like local dealers will always be advantageous for the serious buyer, especially if one is intending to invest in high-end equipment.

With such a variety of modern metal detectors, what are the chances that the dealer will have the few detectors (or even any), of the detectors that someone wants to try out? Even if they did, does that mean that person can hunt with the detectors to test them out? What does the dealer do with the detectors that were tested and not wanted? Sell them as demo units and take a significant financial hit? That is of course, unless the manufacturer provides demo units free of charge.

Above and beyond that, a dealer is only one person, and that one person may have bias. They also may not have full knowledge of all the various detectors and hunting ground types. As such, it seems to me that by far, the best way for a newbie to learn and decide upon a new detector, is by using the detecting forums to get good information from many experienced and knowledgeable hunters.

 

[Princess]

With such a variety of modern metal detectors, what are the chances that the dealer will have the few detectors (or even any), of the detectors that someone wants to try out? Even if they did, does that mean that person can hunt with the detectors to test them out? What does the dealer do with the detectors that were tested and not wanted? Sell them as demo units and take a significant financial hit? That is of course, unless the manufacturer provides demo units free of charge.

Above and beyond that, a dealer is only one person, and that one person may have bias. They also may not have full knowledge of all the various detectors and hunting ground types. As such, it seems to me that by far, the best way for a newbie to learn and decide upon a new detector, is by using the detecting forums to get good information from many experienced and knowledgeable hunters.

I see your point, and I agree that forums like this one are an excellent way for hobbyists to scout out the options and advantages of different detectors.

I think you're absolutely right that a dealer is likely to hold some sort of bias; although it's also true that multiple members of the same forum may lean toward the same bias, and I think we may see that here at times. Please note that I wasn't suggesting dealers should provide demo models for field tests; but I thought that some of them might allow you to turn on the machine in the store, listen to the tones, check out the settings, etc. As I mentioned, I think in this way, dealers could be advantageous for some consumers; but I believe you're right that this isn't necessary. Regardless, thanks for sharing your viewpoint.

 

[Diga]

Please note that I wasn't suggesting dealers should provide demo models for field tests; but I thought that some of them might allow you to turn on the machine in the store, listen to the tones, check out the settings, etc.

If so, and the tester didn't purchase the detector, the dealer would be legally obligated to then advertise the item as a demo or open box unit at a discounted price. That would result in little, if any profit. It might even result in a financial deficit to the dealer.

Above and beyond that, with the internet, there is typically numerous videos showing any particular detector in action, as well as going through all the settings, hearing the tones, etc.

 

[MTtrashdigger]

Manufacturers continually move to D2C sales in part because their dealers refuse to stock a breadth of product or maintain inventory levels sufficent to support the consumer demand. Many dealers expect their suppliers to have inventory available to them on demand. Seems like more and more retailers just want to become a fulfilment house for online sales without making an inventory investment. How many times have you gone into a store to buy something , only to be told " sorry, we don't have that in stock but we can order it it for you"?
The whole purpose of having a dealer or distributor network is so the manufacturer can focus on R&D and Marketing support and continually bring new and innovative products to market. If the manufacturer is expected to fulfill just in time demand for consumers one unit at a time, they might just as well cut out the middleman, and many of them do.