Watching For The Manticore Boat

[phrunt]

They have setup strategic warehouses all over the world for logistics, even in New Zealand a tiny customer base with a population of 5 million of which 99.99999% don’t use detectors.

Perhaps they will end up with Minelab direct where we buy off them directly, I recall reading in an investor report they are trialing that somewhere I can’t remember which country.

Perhaps small dealers were taking prepayments and deposits as they knew the big box stores would end up with the bulk of the early stock so it’s an attempt to secure some sales at the detriment of their customers.  I recall the exact same thing with the Nox so there is a lesson to be learnt for customers and small dealers.

Customers shouldn’t go on any list that requires any payment and small dealers should know Minelab doesn’t care about them.

I’ve driven 4 hours with another 2 to go, heading home to collect my Manticore which should arrive today if I’m lucky, Monday if I’m unlucky 😁 Then I’m driving 7 hours back to my Caravan spot to use the thing.  The things we do for detectors.

 

[GB_Amateur]

16 minutes ago, phrunt said:

New Zealand a tiny customer base with a population of 5 million of which 99.99999% don’t use detectors.

Let's do the math:  0.00001% = 1/10,000,000.  Multiplying 5 million times that results in 0.5 (or one half).  So there is a half detectorist in all of New Zealand?  Simon, you usually have a higher opinion or yourself, let alone JW.  😁  (OK, I think just this week I made a post saying we all exaggerate occasionally.  You've successfully fulfilled your quota.)

As far as the disappearance of brick-and-mortar small time metal detector dealers who know their product, that's been going on a long time.  I've told of my travails before, when I tried to find a dealer here in Indiana.  The closest two (one <50 miles and the other <100) were dismal failures, IMO.  One had some stock, including snake oil Long Range Locators (LRLs).  Scratch those con-men (or dolts) off my list.  The other had a website that would cause First Texas to win worldwide awards for theirs.  The times the website claimed they were open (which was Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, ONLY) wasn't even accurate, and it was hell to find a phone number.  When I finally did that it took them a week to call me back.  I asked them if they had the (at the time) new Equinox and I got a "huh??" response.  When I clarified (why should I have to? they were an authorized Minelab dealer -- tells you what that title is worth) they said "oh, so far we've only gotten one" and that was that.  No asking to take down my number to call when they get a supply.  Just as well as there was no way I was ever going to be in contact with them again.  I couldn't get off the phone fast enough (and apparently they couldn't either.  And yes, I was nice, not insulting.)

For a few years when I visited my sister I would stop by Gold-N-Detectors in Golden, CO.  Bill there (forget his last name) who ran the place was a knowledgeable detectorist and member of the local Eureka Club.  They had tons of stuff, including a room full of literature and about every coil cover ever made, to give you a flavor of their stock.  But he was already past typical retirment age and when he left it turned into a large, almost empty room with just a few detectors on the wall and a guy at the counter who didn't give me the impression he had ever swung a detector, other than in the store....

Gerry and Rob and a few others are a rare and dying breed.  I'm glad we still have them, though, and that's why I'm staying on Gerry's waiting list this time around until he calls me ready to ship, asking for my CC#.  (No expecting $ to get on his list -- one of many reasons he has a loyal following.)

[okara gold]

My Manticore is now waiting for me at my local dealer's store, (1 1/2 hour drive). It arrived there yesterday, and it will be in my hands tomorrow. My dealer offered to ship it to me free of charge but by picking it up, I have an excuse to see if there just might be something else, I desperately need in his shop.😁

I was on his list of early buyers and no deposit was needed.

 I did a water hunt this morning with my Nox and sniffed out this gold ring. It may possibly be the last gold my Nox finds for a long time. It's time to earn your beans Manticore!

 

[F350Platinum]

My local dealer got about 20 Deus 2's when they were hard to get, managed to snag one. He has the 900 and 700 but not the M-core. I'd direct y'all there if he did. 👍 This guy really knows his stuff.

[Troy E]

Gerry from Idaho hooked me up with a Manticore today.

Gerry sent me a e-mail asking if I was ready for a Manticore if he got a bigger shipment in next week?

I said hell yeah.

Then I got a call from Gerry saying he could get one shipped out today.

I can’t speak enough of Gerry’s professionalism, promptness, and integrity and kindness.

I really wasn’t expecting to get one till maybe March.

Thank you Gerry…….

[FloridaSon]

Gerry is top shelf

[UT Dave]

23 minutes ago, Troy E said:

Gerry from Idaho hooked me up with a Manticore today.

Gerry sent me a e-mail asking if I was ready for a Manticore if he got a bigger shipment in next week?

I said hell yeah.

Then I got a call from Gerry saying he could get one shipped out to me directly from a distributor right now.

I can’t speak enough of Gerry’s professionalism, promptness, and integrity and kindness.

I really wasn’t expecting to get one till maybe March.

Thank you Gerry…….

 

Saw this, just checked my email, I've got one shipping from Gerry out of this batch too.  Yippee!

- Dave

[stateguy]

Where were you guys on his list. 
I am waiting to here from him

[Gerry in Idaho]

18 minutes ago, stateguy said:

Where were you guys on his list. 
I am waiting to here from him

Both of them were ahead of you on the list.  Check your email as I sent a message to you earlier today still wanting to know if you want 1 or 2.  I now see your reply.  You asked to be on my list later Oct. 

I still have a couple customers from Aug., a couple from Sept who are ahead of everyone.  But they have said they don't need them right now because of where they live and winter.  They are allowing me to sell to others on the list behind them, very kind.

My list is shrinking daily not growing.  Some folks have had enough and purchase Deus-II's, some pulled the trigger and purchased EQ-900's, people on my list purchased from Cabela's and a couple of my customers found them from really small dealers who recently received an order.

It looks like things are starting to move a little more, which is good for all of us.

As for my thoughts of Cabela's getting them, a product they know nothing about.  I've told Minelab management my thoughts.

25+ yrs as a multi line dealer.  I was fresh, eager and had energy to help my customers become better with their detectors.  I had decent profit margins and perks, now mostly gone. I've watched many of my friends shops die off, watched 2 bigger major detector manufactures shut their doors.  My perks from manufactures have been taken away.  My margins from manufactures have been cut (some in half). But I'm expected to survive.  Many dealers don't even carry inventory, just do drop ships.  Manufactures change their words and loyalty and sign up dealers all over who do nothing, but cut margins even more, even on a product we can't get.  Why are those folks even dealers?  Why allow Cabela's to even get them?  As long as the manufactures move the product and they get paid, the share holders are happy.

Yes, I get old and grumpy at times and no I don't take change as easy.  I guess I should try to survive and change with times. I don't know.

Thank you my customers who are sticking it out with me.  You know I'll always have your back and you know I'll share more knowledge than Cabela's.  After all, 50 years of swinging a detector and I've learned a thing or two.

 

 

[UT Dave]

47 minutes ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

 

Yes, I get old and grumpy at times and no I don't take change as easy.  I guess I should try to survive and change with times. I don't know.

 

I relate well to grumpy old guys, myself.

- Dave