Don't Be a Victim...

Trans Bay's Marketing Canine,
Mister, 1/3rd of my marketing
team, watches over my web page
to protect YOU against those that
would mis-lead, bait & switch you
to the WRONG Detector or Sell
you Accessories that don't live up
to the quality professional
standards.

THE FOLLOWING are Customers and Contacts of Trans Bay, who
have shared their Horror Stories, Fears & Apprehensions, with me and
Larry @ Big Valley, and regretfully wished they would have dealt with
Big Valley or Trans Bay Metal Detectors in the first place. Please,
send us your Horror Stories regarding the purchase of 'new' detectors
through Mail Order No-Service Companies that just slap a UPS Sticker
and are reluctant to help or resolve issues.

You have ENTERED, Trans Bay's Chamber of Horrors, so read carefully, educate
yourself so as to protect yourselves from the Internet Hype and NO Service After the
Sale Mail Order Companies that just want to separate your money from your wallet
and be done with you.

Avoid the Risk of Ordering by Mail and receiving Broken, Returns, Repacks, even damaged &
broken metal detectors.   Avoid receiving sub-quality diggers, headphones and other accessories that
are prone to breaking over and over.   Remember, whatever the guarantee... You'll have to send it
back at your expense and then absorb additional shipping and handling charges of up to $15.00.
That's THEIR policy, not ours.

As of 2007-12-16, LATEST Horror Story from Roger C.......

Hi Greg, wish I had known about you sooner. But here is my horror story regarding that “Florida” mail order
place: ordered a Fisher 1236X2 from them, mainly because they included the coil cover and the Fisher carry bag,
when it arrived it obvious that it had been used, and was defective as well, and the “official” Fisher carry bag was no
where to be found, instead they sent a really cheap generic bag.

I called to address this issue, they first wanted me to file a claim with UPS, then when I would not do that they
wanted me to send everything back at my expense, finally they issued a call tag and said they would send another
one, this time with all the correct pieces and parts. When I finally received the “new” 1236X2 (two weeks later), it
looked like it had been a repack, but it worked. I noticed that it also came with a sticker that said “assembled in
Taiwan”. I immediately called Fisher and they told me that since they were now in the “First Texas Products”
family they were sending the 1212, 1225 and 1236X2 offshore to be built, but would bring them back to the USA
when their contracts were up.

I did not want a Chinese built detector, so I again called the Florida company, to make a long story short, they
agreed to credit me the full price I paid on the Fisher, issued a call tag, and sold me an X-Terra 30 at a discounted
price. When I received the X-Terra 30 (two weeks later), everything looked good except the control box, did not have
the protective covering over the face and was just “thrown” into the box, and when handled, would make a noise like
there were loose parts moving around. But it seemed to work. However, by this time I was not going to deal with
them again so I sent it to Minelab to be repaired under warranty, since I live in Tucson, Arizona, Las Vegas is not
that far away. Now I’m waiting to get it back from them.
Thanks for listening to my rants about my experience. I really wanted to know more about your used Minelabs,
especially the Quattro. I like the X-Terra so much I am looking for a really nice X-Terra 70.
Regards, R.C.

HORROR Story 2007-04-26
Ten plus years ago my brother-in-law called me from Utah.   He told me about an ad in a Kellyco flyer for
a discontinuing Garrett model and gave me Kellycos phone number. I called and bought my first detector
from Kellyco. The deal went well, and the detector worked OK. I seldom used it. Other things in life
got in the way. Looking back I realize that I never actually learned how to use the detector.

A little over two years ago, after retirement, I decided to buy a new detector and start really
learning how to hunt. So, I ordered an updated Garrett from Kellyco. When the third detector from
Kellyco arrived as defective as the first two, I called Kellyco and asked for my money back but was
told everything except yes. The Kellyco rep said I would have to send the defective detector to the
factory for repairs. And he said over and over If you had told us you were going to use your detector in
California, we would have recommended a different detector. I never got answers when I asked the
questions: what did California have to do with the three inoperable detectors they had shipped to me, and
since I lived in California, where did they think I was going to use the detector?

I called the Garrett headquarters and told a lady named Mary the whole story about the three defective
detectors and that Kellyco refused to refund my money.     Mary called back about a half hour later and told me
Kellyco would not only accept return of the defective detector but would pay the freight. When I asked if
Kellyco intended to return my money, Mary said that Kellyco agreed to discount any make or
model detector they had in stock. I realized from that answer that Mary had done all she could, and that
the only way I was going to get anything for my money was to work a deal with Kellyco.
I called Kellyco back and they were much friendlier and very helpful. After some, what will you use it
for conversation, the Kellyco rep suggested a White's MXT.... At this point I was just trying to
get something functional for my money. Then the Kellyco rep said my credit card would be charged for
the MXT purchase and that Kellyco would issue a credit to my card for the full price of the Garrett plus
shipping when it arrived back to them. I will never, did I say NEVER, do business with
Kellyco again. The whole process seemed to take forever. The order for the Garrett detector was placed
around Christmas, 2004. I received my working MXT in mid April, 2005. Kellyco also received the returned
Garrett in mid April but they didn't credit my card till August. DID I SAY I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS
WITH KELLYCO AGAIN?   Since that time I discovered quite a few metal detecting forums on the net. From
the forums I have come to realize there are some really great dealers and that a good relationship with one of
them is very important.    Sorry I rambled on so much. Guess I am still aggrivated about that encounter with
Kellyco.   Good luck and have fun, Bob ***

HORROR Story w/good Outcome... 2007-09-00
Sometime around September 2007, Billy T, went on the Internet and studied the various models.   Billy had to
contend with the Fog of Internet and voluminous amount of information.   Billy wanted a general purpose
detector that he could hunt coins and jewelry in the Bay Area, and make an occasional trip up to Gold County.
Billy did his homework and settled on the White's MXT which had three modes of operation including Coin and
Jewlery, Relic and Prospecting. Instead of calling his Local Dealer; Trans Bay Metal Detectors, in Foster City,
CA, Billy called that 'Florida' Company being lured by the bundling schemes.   When it came to placing his
order, unfortunately he opened the door by asking them their opinion on the White's MXT.   Their Customer
Service answer was; "Since it's your first metal detector, MXT is much too complicated.. You would be much
better off with the user friendly Bounty Hunter Time Ranger instead.    So Billy Bought the Bait and Switch, I've
heard it numerous times before. Well, they're the Experts Right???? hmmmm.

After some more research, it became clear that the Time Ranger is a good Coin Shooter with a high Fun Factor
with Features Galore. BUT.. the White's MXT seemed to be more widely accepted as a Nugget Shooter in
addition to Coin and Jewelry Hunting.    After a 20 minute phone conversation and listening and questioning
Billy as to what he wanted in a Professional Metal Detector, I agreed, the MXT was definitely his best choice and
it was unfortunate that he was persuaded otherwise.   I offered him a deal including his Time Ranger in on trade
that he couldn't refuse.    Billy and I set up an appointment for the purchase and training (Mid part of October).

HORROR Story Averted... 2007-03-31,
I have got quotes from Kellyco, and understand that they have some very questionable practices, service, and
lower quality accessories. But the package deal is tempting. Most tempting is the free Bullseye II with every
purchase. Greg, I have been reading a lot about you on the Whites forum, and it sounds like you have a
reputation second to none. I left you a voice mail, and am following up with the email. I want to order the White's
M6 and have a few questions.....Are you able to sell into Indiana? We have a couple dealers within an hour of me,
and I plan to visit one of them, but they don't offer much of a discount or a package incentive. Could you give me
your price on an M6, and what accessories are included with that.
Please call me or email me back if we can work together. A good reputation is more important to me than
anything....... Note: Customer R.S. Chose to DEAL with Trans Bay and currently a very happy-satisfied customer
of Trans Bays.

HORROR Story 2006... Don't Let This Happen To You:
SALES TAX: Willing to Mail Order to beat the Sales Tax. Well read the following:
One of my customers, Larry, was buying out of state cigarettes from Nevada to avoid the California Sales Taxes &
charges. This company was audited by California SBOE.   All Larry's Invoices were produced going back three
years, and after having to pay for the original sales tax, interest and penalties, the cost of the cigarettes to Larry
actually TRIPLED.      Larry has learned by his mistakes and is a Loyal Trans Bay Metal Detectors Customer
having purchased the following: Minelab Explorer SE, White's MXT, White's GMT.   Trans Bay will give you an
OTD Price and absorb the Sales Tax for you which will beat the pants off those Mail Order Guys and I'll make
sure your metal detector is problem free before you take delivery locally.

HORROR Story 2005... Mail Order Detector not checked out by Seller and Sent to Victimized Customer:
This happened recently with a White's M6 purchased from that Florida Company. Customer, Ricky came to me
and I checked it and found it to be defective. Ricky's son was devastated as it was going to be his metal detector.
It was suggested Ricky send it back to White's Electronics thereby incurring more wait and expense.

Ricky decided to avoid further problems, purchased another one from Trans Bay which was Immediately checked
out and found to be working fine. The Florida purchased Detector was sent back within 14 days avoiding
RESTOCKING Fees. ***

HORROR Story 2006... Mail Order Accessories & Bundling Schemes Mis-Leading and are anything but Quality.
Customer Mark, came into Trans Bay several weeks after purchasing his White's DFX from the Florida Mail
Order Store. Mark's wife actually made the purchase as a surprise for Mark's Birthday and was drawn by all the
hype and bundling (Inflated Accessory Package to 400.00). When Mark received the Detector and Accessory
Package, he found the HYPED Package lacking in quality and most of the accessories received actually were
standard ie Rechargeable Battery System etc. The Eagle Headphones which had a 99.95 value were VERY
Cheap Construction and HURT his Ears. Mark has become an excellent Trans Bay customer and will be
purchasing his next metal detector from Trans Bay where he is assured of Support AFTER the sale and
QUALITY metal detecting accessories. ***

HORROR Story #5, 2006 Location: Big Valley Metal Detectors, Citris Heights, CA
TRUE STORY: Customer comes into my associate dealers store with his Florida Mail Order purchased White's
Meal Detector. The Customer was complaining about the low quality of the 'bundled' accessories.   The
Customer handed Larry 'Their' Digger and asked Larry what he thought... Larry grabbed the blade and handle,
and put some pressure on it and it snapped like a twig.   The customer looked at Larry and said Di"That's OK
Larry, it was a piece of SH.T anyway", and then purchased the REAL DEAL, Lesche Digger.   You might say
their $69.95 Digger, usually on sale for $39.95 Really Nothing but a CROC!!!!
Note: Their Lifetime Warranty will replace the broken accessory like their digger, but you have to pay the
Shipping and Handling charges BOTH ways which will cost you over $20.00 ... Break it over and over and that
Digger will end up costing you hundreds of dollars over the long hau

AVOID falling into that TRAP OF INCONVENIENCE and FRUSTRATION by
dealing with Professional Home Based Dealers like Trans Bay Metal Detectors in
Foster City, CA, BIG VALLEY Metal Detectors in Citris Heights, CA, or one of our
newest, Gayle at Valley Detectors, Modesto, CA., Andy Sabisch in North Carolina...
We share the same philosophies.

KEEPING Our Customers Happy: I had a customer purchase a Minelab SE from me.
The next day he brought it back as it had a minor defect in the screen that was
intermittent and wasn't obvious when I initially checked it out. Rather than just tell the
customer to send it into the factory, I exchanged it on the spot & Happiness
Prevailed! I sent the defective SE back to the factory to correct the screen problem so
my customer was not inconvenienced and no wait. Minelab replaced the defective one
with a new one and everyone was happy.

Received 2008-01-10 HORROR Story, Mail Order Detector, Falls Flat on Customer Expectations.... becomes a very
expensive detector.

I called kellyco last fall and was interested in a underwater detector, and asked about the new vipper trident.The
salesperson on that saturday morning said the machine was a good detector. after receiving it , the headphone pads
kept falling off ,and i could not get a signal on gold jewelry even at 2 inches.and the coil is very heavy.. I called them
and upgraded to a garrett sea hunter mark 2 (much better) and lost 70 dollar restocking fee.I guess they are starting
to sell garbage. not to mention the time it took to send this back and postage. thanks Doug (you can put this in you
horror section if you want.)

Doug, thank you so much for the Kellyco Story.   Their Vipers and Tridents are CHEAP as you found out.   They pay
under $100.00 per unit depending on the quantity. I could have purchased similar units with different decals but why
carry crap?   The Garrett is much better and I'm sorry you got stuck like so many others with the restocking fees.   And
there lies the problem... That Trident you rejected will be cleaned up and re-packed and will be recycled out to the
next victim.   Plus didn't you have to pay shipping back to Kellyco and did they charge you the originally 'Free' shipping
costs.    Get the word out.   Next time, deal with a Professional that will make sure you get the right detector in the first
place. Keep me posted on how you like the Garrett and next time you and I will deal.   Some very exciting models out
there.   Please visit my BEST Detector series.   I appreciate your feedback

Trans Bay's Blogster