Purchase detector On-Line or From Local Store?

[markinmichigan]

I have purchased from Bart and he is top notch. You can't go wrong.

Mark in Michigan

 

[itsaring!]

I've bought from sponsors, former sponsors and non sponsors. Tire kicking can work. I would say you can also find used ones on places like FB market place. But if you are just starting out and don't know how detectors work it, can be hard to know if the one you are getting is having issues. I actually downsized my detector fleet down a couple and bartered a trade. Not sure what state you live in? But you can trade something out you don't use for something you do. I swapped my old CZ21 and Explorer SE for some stuff I wanted.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Brick and mortar stores can't compete with online stores because of the cost of rent, electricity and so on. I'm not going to spend more on anything to help pay some guy's bills just to support the local economy.

 

[vmc1161]

Brick and mortar stores can't compete with online stores because of the cost of rent, electricity and so on. I'm not going to spend more on anything to help pay some guy's bills just to support the local economy.

If I open a widget store down the road from you I just know you would buy from me… right? …right

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Brick and mortar stores can't compete with online stores because of the cost of rent, electricity and so on. I'm not going to spend more on anything to help pay some guy's bills just to support the local economy.

Reminds me of my wife's gripe that "downtown main street" disappeared with the advent of the internet shopping phenomenon (Amazon, internet mail-order, etc....). And gripes about Costco that is putting the boutique corner markets out of business. But then lo & behold, guess where my wife shops for our blue jeans and our groceries ? Yup : Amazon & Costco. Doh !

 

[John Madill]

The sponsors here are great. On facebook when i see someone asking for a good online supplier i mention Bart at Big Boy Toys.

This winter wh8ile in florida i visited a coastal metal detecting store in search of a nice beach scoop, figuring he would have a bigger selection than my inland Michigan store. I was right, he had a nice display and it was easy to handle them all and make my selection.

as for detectors, they were all in their boxes. Not much on display. but my Michigan store, about 40 minutes from my house, makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. Everything is on display out of the box. and a great selection of used machines.

when i first got started i went in there and told him i wanted a Vanquish 440. He said he would be happy to sell me one but that he had a 540 in the box, slightly used with wireless headphones that he would sell me for less than the new 440. And he added the previous owner had not registered it so i could and get the full warranty. not likely to find a deal like that online.

later i bought a lightly used XP ORX, same situation. Not registered, i get the warranty. the other day i went in there and bought a new machine, one very popular right now, fully waterproof. took it to the beach and the numbers were all over the place. i put it back in the box and called him. he said bring it in, we'll work something out.

he had a Nokta Double Score and told me to take it home and give it a try. not going to find that kind of service online either.

Couple of years ago i got it in my head i wanted a Vibra-Probe pinpointer. Reads only at the tip. Online they are about $150. went in to my local store and he happened to have one sitting on his counter. I asked how much and he said it was used, i could have it for $80.

now i am very fortunate because this shop is a rarity. but it is nice to be able to see and feel machines before making a decision.

 

[John Madill]

Reminds me of my wife's gripe that "downtown main street" disappeared with the advent of the internet shopping phenomenon (Amazon, internet mail-order, etc....). And gripes about Costco that is putting the boutique corner markets out of business. But then lo & behold, guess where my wife shops for our blue jeans and our groceries ? Yup : Amazon & Costco. Doh !

ironically, i got my first detector from Costco. Did not know ANYTHING about the hobby but saw a BH Discovery 1100 on the shelf for $100. Went home and looked it up online. It was the bottom shelf machine with a couple of higher end Discoveries available. then i went to the Costco website and saw that for $5 more and a few dollars of shipping i could have the Discovery 3300. it is a nice starter machine, pinpoints, ground balances, discriminates, etc. that is the one that got me started.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

ironically, i got my first detector from Costco. Did not know ANYTHING about the hobby but saw a BH Discovery 1100 on the shelf for $100. Went home and looked it up online. It was the bottom shelf machine with a couple of higher end Discoveries available. then i went to the Costco website and saw that for $5 more and a few dollars of shipping i could have the Discovery 3300. it is a nice starter machine, pinpoints, ground balances, discriminates, etc. that is the one that got me started.

yeah, I'm not saying that today's "low end machines" aren't as good, or better, than yesteryear's top-end machines. Electronic & computer advancements move-so-fast, that the low end machine of today rivals the top end of machine of 10 or 20 ys. ago. Still though, even if they were arguably the same machine : I would give my business to the hobbyist dealer, not the big box or costco or Amazon. Then you can chit-chat about machine settings, etc... But that's just me.

 

[John Madill]

Brick and mortar stores can't compete with online stores because of the cost of rent, electricity and so on. I'm not going to spend more on anything to help pay some guy's bills just to support the local economy.

Seems logical but my brick and mortar store must be the exception. His prices are at or lower than what I see online. The other day I went in to look at the new Simplex machines. He offered me a Simplex+ new in the box for $200.

A year ago he found himself with too many Garrett Apex's in stock and offered to sell me one for $300. I passed but kick myself now.

By being a familiar face you have a chance to unlock some good deals.

It's important to know the going prices of things so you do not overpay.

 

[Fe Man]

Oops. Didn't mean to respond (again). Can't figure out how to delete message so here's the filler .

 

[hunter1]

I always buy from forum sponsors. I think it's the best deal for everyone involved.

^^^ This, I personally like Bart at Big Boys Hobbies.

 

[achaios]

Most of my purchasing is done on-line these days, but years ago, a coin store in my area also sold metal detectors (they were a White's dealer). The guy knew something about what he was selling. I don't know how many coin shops there are in my area anymore, and for metal detectors, I would go with one of the forum sponsors with good reviews.

--Tom

 

[Benchthis2]

Most of my purchasing is done on-line these days, but years ago, a coin store in my area also sold metal detectors (they were a White's dealer). The guy knew something about what he was selling. I don't know how many coin shops there are in my area anymore, and for metal detectors, I would go with one of the forum sponsors with good reviews.

--Tom

Thanks Achaios when with Big Boys Toys, Bart help a lot!

 

[achaios]

Thanks Achaios when with Big Boys Toys, Bart help a lot!

When I bough the smaller coil for my Equinox, I think I bought it from Bart.

--Tom

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Thank you guys for the kind words. Being a small business we definitely appreciate the business. Anyone with questions feel free to call us. Be glad to help. That's what we're here for!