Minelab customer service question

[mpan]

I'm a prospective detectorist, been studying and soaking up the forum topics for many weeks now. I'm interested in hunting parks, other gathering spots, and beaches for coins and jewelry, and prospecting. I live in the California desert so am interested in prospecting too. I've looked at the MXT Pro and the Xterra 705 and am really falling on the side of the 705, but I'm very concerned about all the posts I continue to read about Minelab's abysmal customer service here in the USA. I'm getting ready to spend quite a bit of money and if something isn't right or breaks I need the confidence that it will be fixed thoroughly and quickly. The latest posts I've read are from this past summer and are pretty negative, which is kinda scary since I've seen similar posts going back several years. Have they gotten any better, or is it still a case of "you pays your money and you takes your chances"?

I think if it's not gotten significantly better I'll have to pass up Minelabs and go with someone else. Can you all help me out here?

mpan
(no detector yet)

 

[morelic55]

I think all the manufactures have their problems with customer service. I think the dust is finaly settled in Chicago with Minelab and it will be better. I will say, the Xterra 705 is twice the machine as the MXT,lighter, balanced better and 4 less batteries to worry about!!

 

[surfman]

I think their service has been improving alot here lately. I wouldn't hesitate buying the 705. I own three Minelab detectors, just got my Explorer Se last Friday. I have only had one small problem with my X-terra70 and it was fixed and returned to me in less than 10 days. I live in Delaware and the repair center was in Nevada. I think that was pretty good service. Love my Minelab detectors.

 

[leroy1937]

n/t

 

[leroy1937]

what ever you do buy from local dealer. They well send it in and take care of you
I just got my 705 found coins but want to look for gold also

 

[TomB]

mpan....If you will look back several pages on this form you will find a discussion on Minelab service. I voiced my opinion there and still stand by it. In fact my X-Terra-70 is at Minelab for repair, right now. The latch on the head broke preventing me from shutting the battery door. I mailed the unit to Minelab on the 17th of December. I had not heard anything from Minelab so I called this past Friday to check on its status. I was told, by Angie, that the unit did not arrive at their office until 28th Dec. probably due to the holidays. She told me that the turn around was about 20 days. She further advised that a tect would check my unit and call me before any repair work was done to advise me of the cost. Not that I didn't believe what Angie had told me I decided to check with the post office on the delivery date. Because I had insured the unit they were able to tell me that the unit, in fact, was delivered on the 28th of Dec. The point I'm trying to make here is that Minelab is going to repair my unit and Angie told me the truth. I think that says a lot. I will post when I again hear from Angie or some one at Minelab about my unit. Good or bad I will let every one know the outcome. One more thing my hunting partner has also sent his 705 unit in for warranty repair. He was also told that a 20 day turn around applied to his unit also. I don't and have never worked for Minelab but I'm satisfied with their customer service. HH TomB

 

[mpan]

Thanks for the input, I ordered an X-TERRA 705 today.