Buying Your First Metal Detector

So now that you know about all of the major metal detector manufacturers, the different types and how different frequencies respond to different types of metals, you might be asking yourself this question. Which metal detector is the best? Unfortunately there is no real answer
to this question. The best metal detector is the one that works the best for you.

Choose a metal detector that has been designed to do the type of treasure hunting that you will be doing the most. Don’t buy a metal detector that has been designed for saltwater use if you live 1000 miles or 1600 kilometers from the nearest ocean, and don’t buy a multi-purpose machine if you only plan on hunting for small gold nuggets in the middle of the desert.

If you are not sure you will like the hobby of metal detecting, then don’t spend a fortune on a
machine that is only going to collect dust in your closet because you got tired of digging up
trash. Metal detecting is just like anything else in life. You have to go through some trash
before you get to the good stuff below!

Take your time and research your first machine, and when it arrives, get to know it very well. Spend some time outside in the great wide open looking for treasure. Enjoy the hunt. Enjoy being outside. The more time you spend with your metal detector, the better you will get.

You will soon know exactly what your machine is trying to tell you. Your time and patience will be well rewarded. Once you get hooked on digging up treasure, then you can upgrade to some of the fancier machines on the market that have all the bells and whistles.

Where to Buy Your First Metal Detector

You have done all of your research and finally decided on a specific brand and model of metal
detector. You are 100% certain that this is the machine for you. Perfect! You are ready to make
the purchase, but where do you go to buy this thing?

If you have chosen an inexpensive entry model metal detector, then you may or may not be able
to walk into a local department store and make your purchase. You may even know of a local
sporting goods store that sells metal detectors. Great! Go for it, but if you have chosen a more
expensive model, then there is a really good chance that you won’t find it in a local store.

There are a handful of metal detector stores out there that sell nothing but metal detectors and
metal detecting supplies, but these stores are few and far between. The chances of there being
one of these stores within a reasonable driving distance of your home are slim. This leaves you
with only one option. You will have to purchase your new machine either over the phone, or
on the Internet.

I happen to live about 30 miles from a metal detecting specialty store, but I have purchased
every single one of my metal detectors over the phone, or on the Internet. Why did I do this? I
did this to save money. I always found much better deals this way.

Should you buy a used metal detector over the internet?

Being able to purchase a metal detector on the Internet brings up some very interesting points. The most notable being: Should I buy a used metal detector over the Internet.

I bought my second machine on Ebay. It was used and I was 100% satisfied with the purchase. I was able to get an older machine in excellent working condition for half of what I would have paid for a new one. You just have to be smart about who you are buying the metal detector from, and you have to realize what is at stake.

There is a really good chance the used purchase will not come with any type of warranty. Are you okay with that? I was.

Ask as many questions as you possibly can. Ask for pictures of the metal detector. If you and the seller are local, arrange for a meeting where you can see the machine in action. If you are not local, then ask the seller if they would record a video of the machine in action and either post it to youtube.com, or send it directly to you. Research the sellers reputation. Don’t be afraid to poke and pry. In the end, your research will be well worth the extra bit of work.

Also be mindful of how you pay for the metal detector. When I purchased mine from Ebay, the
seller stated that there would be no returns. I paid for the transaction using Paypal. Paypal
gives you some protection in this type of situation. If you are not happy with the item, or it is
not as described you can dispute the transaction.

In my case, if the metal detector did not work upon arrival, I would have disputed the
purchase. Luckily, it was in good shape. That was over six years ago, and the machine is still
kicking. I won’t tell you how much treasure I have found with this machine either. You will just
get jealous!

This is an added layer of protection for buyers. Keep this in mind. Also, remember to research
this fact before you take my word for it. Policies change every single day. If you plan on paying for a used metal detector with Paypal, look over their seller protection policy first!

Buying used could also become a huge nightmare for you. If you are not comfortable with the
idea, then don’t do it. People have had horrible experiences buying used metal detectors on the
Internet.

Where else can you find good used metal detectors?

Ebay is not the only place where you can find some really great deals on used metal detectors. You could also try looking at Craigslist.com in your local area. You may be able to find some great deals there. Just be cautious of who you are dealing with.

There are some online metal detector vendors that offer used merchandise as well, and you
will find a handful of online metal detecting forums where people buy and sell all sorts of
things like treasure and used metal detectors.

Buying a new detector?

I have also purchased some machines brand new. I also made these purchases over the phone,
or on the Internet and I could not be happier with my purchases. Here is a list of some of the more popular Internet vendors in no particular order. Please note that phone numbers and websites change on a daily basis.