Important Announcement From White's Electronics

[Steve Herschbach]

9 hours ago, And said:

Does anybody have some news about the future of White's? I can't find any information in the internet or from the dealers  etc.

Well, the fact they are setting a guy up to handle warranty work the next couple years pretty much says they are done. No reason to do that were the company to pick up and go on as before. Dealers are liquidating stock. Just like Tesoro there may end up being no news at all. The factory is shut down, there are a couple places where you can get service for now.... game over.

[And]

13 hours ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Well, the fact they are setting a guy up to handle warranty work the next couple years pretty much says they are done. No reason to do that were the company to pick up and go on as before. Dealers are liquidating stock. Just like Tesoro there may end up being no news at all. The factory is shut down, there are a couple places where you can get service for now.... game over.

OK. Thanks for the clear words. Sad but true...

[Mike Hillis]

Carl, do you know if Todd or Centerville can do the upgrade from a V3 to a V3i?

Thanks,

Mike

[Geotech]

I expect Todd can, but not Centerville.

[locator]

On 8/10/2020 at 7:32 PM, Steve Herschbach said:

Well, the fact they are setting a guy up to handle warranty work the next couple years pretty much says they are done. No reason to do that were the company to pick up and go on as before. Dealers are liquidating stock. Just like Tesoro there may end up being no news at all. The factory is shut down, there are a couple places where you can get service for now.... game over.

I'm with Steve and think it's time to say good bye.

Thank you White's for your outstanding service, for your kindness and for all your help you gave your customers. Thank you for all the fine detectors and with that thanks for the haul of nice and valuable finds. It makes me sad to see this company go. Wishing all the best to all involved people for there future. Live long and prosper, stay safe and healthy.

 

[okara gold]

I met a guy the other day... 83 years old and still hunting in the water. Started in the 1960's and has never owned anything but a Whites. He was very sad to see them go.

[TerryinHawaii]

How can we contact Todd or Centerville for repairs?

[Steve Herschbach]

20 minutes ago, TerryinHawaii said:

How can we contact Todd or Centerville for repairs?

Centerville is pinned at the top of the forum. I will add Todd when I get his contact info.

[okara gold]

11 minutes ago, phrunt said:

Not being rude but I think that was part of the problem, that was their target market.  Dedicated long time users.  They did little to encourage new purchasers to the brand with new technology or even keeping up with existing technology of competitors.   They relied on stubborn old mules that would use nothing else.  Only problem is they stick with the detector they bought donkeys years ago as they like it and know it well so that results in few sales for Whites.   I'm very sad to see White's go, I fear one day there will be one or two major brands left and the glory days of cheap high power detectors like the Nox are part of the process, they're there to kill off competition, then prices will accelerate once the competition is gone. 

They have to be careful though, I think it's a dying hobby, every find is getting harder be it gold or old coins and relics.  People are wearing more and more cheap fashion jewellery.  Modern coins are rarely used......  The easy gold nuggets in Africa and other detector gold rush countries can only last so long.

The new range of kids detectors are there to get a new generation into the hobby.  I doubt it will work.  It takes a certain type of person to enjoy detecting, a lot of disappointment.  There is no instant gratification like a lot of people are used to now.

I think you have 2020 vision. No pun intended. I started in the '70's when even mediocre detectors found silver coins all over the place. Gold nugget hunting started for me in the mid '80's. Again lots of virgin sites and not an overabundance of people involved. I saw a kid today on the beach walking with his detector over his shoulder. Not sure why but I wouldn't be surprised if he was bored with it. I find more titanium, chromium and tungsten rings than ever before. Kids get bored easy if there isn't instant gratification. The younger folks will gladly pay $800 for a new phone. Look at what it does!