Excalibur II...sending it back... AGAIN!:ranting:

[SwingBlade]

This is the second time in four months that I am sending back my Excal II back to Minelab. I sent it back in March (unit bought in Sep 09) because it couldn't hold a threshold (it sounded like tuning in a shortwave radio). I waited patiently until mid May to get it back. I used it once and it was fine. Took it out over the weekend...After a one hour ride to the beach, I turned it on and the same thing happened again. Now my patience is over.

I called Minelab on the drive home as I had nothing better to do, after working my way through a maze of call center workers, mid-level managers, I finally ended up with the new service manager. I had a lengthy conversation with him, and try to explain the level of frustration that I and all other Excal users are experiencing. The fact that a machine that costs $1200 that has to be sent back twice is unacceptable... I told him that $1200 is a mortgage payment for some people and that his company has to stand up to "the best metal detecting technology" like they claim to answer the phone to. I am writing a letter based on our conversation and I am requesting a brand new in the box Excal (not that it wont happen to the new one). I will keep all of you posted.

Any suggestions with what to do if I get denied? I can use it as a anchor for my boat, a bat in the local softball tourney or use the crappy shaft that they give you to poke holes in my lawn to core aerate it.

SwingBlade

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[billn1956]

What this company really needs is for people to take them to small claims court in there citys .It dont cost all that much and they will loose because of the way they are running there company.And treating there custmers

 

[Shambler]

Have you hunted with an Excalibur before?

 

[SwingBlade]

Shambler - Actually, yes I used my brothers and a buddies Excal before I decided to purchase my own. Don't get me wrong, it's a great machine when its working. The problem is that they are breaking down far too often for a $1200 machine.

 

[DEEPWATER Charlie]

I've been using the Excalibur for close to 15 years. Several years ago my headphones ceased to work. I mailed my detector to Minelab and it took at least 6 weeks for them to look at it and eventually replaced the headphones and sent it back. After receiving my Excalibur, I couldn't adjust my threshold due to some type of interference. Thinking that Minelab had messed it up, I mailed it back for further repairs. Each time it came back I had the same problem. This went on for some time and each timeI sent it back they did additional work to it until it was rebuilt. Talking with their staff about all types of interference it came to light that in my area they had placed 2 new cell phone towers. The interference may have been caused by these towers. Upon going back to the beach, about a 45 minute drive, the metal detector worked flawlessly. Upon returning home I turned on the detector and still received the interference. So I can to believe that Minelab was correct in pointing out the possibility of the cell phone towers. This may be the same problem you are experiencing. Check and see it any cell phone towers have been erected in your area recently. For this might be your problem.

Best hunting,

Deepwater Charlie

 

[grumpyolman]

Why is it the consumers are expressing their frustration with ML and not the dealers? There would be one in my stable now, instead of the CZ-21, if the reliability/service issue was a non-issue. After reading posts from others who have done the same, switched to the CZ, I am thinking choosing the CZ was a good idea. jim

 

[Shambler]

Shambler - Actually, yes I used my brothers and a buddies Excal before I decided to purchase my own. Don't get me wrong, it's a great machine when its working. The problem is that they are breaking down far too often for a $1200 machine.

I asked because mine does that on occasion, and it seems to be interference. If you've never heard it before, then maybe I'm wrong. When you turn the sensitivity way down and hold it in the air, does your threshold improve? It happens for me at the same places all the time and at others sometimes.

Also, if I'm any where within 20 yards of my buddies excal neither of us can hunt. If we switch to "auto" we can get a little close, but probably at the expense of depth.

 

[SwingBlade]

GrumpyOldMan - We are expressing our frustration to Minelab because THEY BUILT IT! My dealer only sold it to me, and to have authorized repair you need to send it back to Minelab.

Shambler & Deepwater, I did try all the suggested remedies before contacting Minelab, but to no avail. I even tried draining the battery and recharging from scratch,,,nothing. I turn it on and it just goes nuts. I even took it to that last spot where it was working properly.

 

[SwingBlade]

-- moved topic --

 

[snoopythebeagle]

I would work with the service manager. He's new, so if he gets this fixed, it's good for him and good for you. I would keep a friendly approach; being firm but polite worls well, generally. Demanding a new unit now might be premature.

I would ask if they'll extend the warranty. That seems like a reasonable request given the recurring problem that could happen again after being out of warranty - not to mention for a good part of the warranty it was actually at Minelab!

I would talk your local dealer into letting you use a demo (same model) and take your own unit and the demo unit out for a spin. If you still have problem, but demo is OK, you can prove better the issue. If you get same results form both machines (i.e. the interference), then I think you have an environmental matter that Minelab can't fix.

I think you mentioned a realtive that has the same unit. Borrow his and use that as a secondary test against your unit - see if you get same interferecnes.

Just trying to offer some options to weigh. Let us know what happens.