An issue of metal detecting "job wise".

Yesterday as Alfred and I were on our way towards our adventure towards the beach that we were going to hunt. He aboarded a subject that made me think and I decided to ask my friends here at the forum. The question at hand would be... Has anybody profit from taking his or her machine(s) and placed an anouncement in the papers, and made an approach to people to locate x or y item for a price? example $10 an hour or fraction to locate a water valve under a ceramic tile.so the resident does not break extra or the wrong tile. I feel that having my 6 detectors 4 land units and 2 water proof plus my 27 years of expertise in the field I would place my detectors not only for the hobby but as an extra income as the frosting of the cake. My buddy puts the gasoline and his vehicle and his salesman talent to work to unite with me make some presentation cards and lauch the campain.Any comments on this matter? Thanks...... 

I say go for it.....you might also have the local Church's post it in their bulletins...it would serve both the members and you.

You can make your own tear off cards...just print them on computer, stack hem on their bottom edge, coat the top with rubber cement, let dry and do t it again. This way they can tear off a card with your information on it and it looks like something done at a print shop.

Some local TV stations will let you place an ad on their bulletin board free if it helps the community.

Curtis thanks for answering my post, strange as it may sound you are probably the only so far that has approved this idea or subject. In another forum all would answer this suject in a way I have expected... I agree with them as well in the fact that this is a hobby that deserves folks like them and like me that return the lost item to the owner and the payment would be convert bitter faces into happy ones. I have been exposed to times like this and it is a satisfaction that I like to have more often.But the other side of the coin is a different story, after I have invested on accesories and detectors (6) my mother on the verge of dispair seeing how I converted my hobby into an obsesion and have taken money so badly needed for other necesitys and shown her my "out of control" hobby. Seriously am I foolish acording to her terms and I quote.... Where is the treasure here in Puerto Rico? Why the heck you need 6 machines? With the most 2 will be enough. In part I think she is right recovering coin by coin will be antagonizing unless I sprout a miracle and find 1 or 2 items that will mitigate in great part my investments. So my buddy told me to use my machines in the fashion job wise, I mean when will I find 2- $1.100, a $370.00, a $750.00, a $800.00 and just recently a $1700.00 Spectra V3. I am planning to sell off at least 2 of them in the near future to spare her sanity. In part I feel devided in this behalf job or hobby would you take the 2 options? Or incline in one dirrection?   Thanks.

I think you have a good idea, and it will not only help people in your local community, but it can also lead to conversations that may yield a new place to detect with permission. I have heard stories also of people offering their services to insurance companies to prove a claim from their clients. Basically an insurance client has had some jewelry insured, they lost the item in place X, the insurance company would rather not pay the client on the claim if possable. But to hire an experienced detectorist to search the specified area for the item. If recovered the detectorest would get a % of the claim value. If nothing was discovered then a small fee is given to the detectorist for his time and effort.

I have answered ads on other posting boards and helped people find mostly boring stuff like property markers, but they usually pay about $20-$40 for something that takes 20 minutes or so....saves big time over having a surveyor come out!  I have helped with finding keys, locks and a diamond ring.  One of my friends asked if I thought I be able to find a diamond tennis bracelet in her backyard that she lost three years ago....I took that as a challenge, but it's wet her now....I have often thought the same thing about "hiring" out the detector (with me operating it)....just need to find  cost efficient way to market it I think!

[Lost Ring?]

Here is a copy of my ad that I post regularly on craigs list.  I have also made business cards (Free from vistaprint.com).

Lost Ring?

Date: 2009-11-03, 10:31AM EST
Reply to: comm-3520@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I can help you find your lost ring or jewelry. I am an experienced metal detector enthusiast from the South Jersey area. I recently returned a white gold engagement ring that was lost in a backyard, and a woman's wedding band lost at a swim club..

If you lost your ring in an outdoor area, and have a rough idea where it was dropped or fell, I can most likely find it.

No Recovery, No Fee

References provided.



I also regularly trole the lost and found ads and send emails explaining my services.

I may have made $200 this year.  Not much, but it is some extra spending money.

if you turn your hobby and free time into a job,  you have just that,  a job and no free time  JMO

That's not true if you really enjoy doing " a Job" I would still classify it to others as a hobby because it's something you would do even if you were not getting paid to do it. The only difference I guess if you could call it is that you are a professional detectorist or recovery expert, while working for a client, and that you detect off hours as a dedicated detectorist. That's my take on the subject.

The recent influx of 40.00 detectors will unfortunately put an end to this.

That, and a lot of park hunting and people giving permission, I fear.

The $40 detector (or even $200 detectors), along with the lack of experience, creates an opportunity.  People buy them to find their lost ring, and either have the discrimination (if the detector even has this control) wide open, or all the way up.  My guess is the failure rate is higher than the success rate.

I have a hardware store nearby that rents out metal detectors.  I handed him a stack of cards telling him to give my number out if the renter is unsuccessful.  The hardware store employees don't even understand how the discrimination control works. 

I posted an ad on craigslist for this same thing 2 months ago. Didnt get a single response.

Keep it up and you will.  I only get 4 or 5 a year.  Every few weeks I repost it to get it back on top.

Here's a diffferent approach on the subject that might dissuade folks from estimating the cost to locate that lost item versus buying their own $40 Wal-Mart detector.  Offer to help find that lost item in exchange for getting to hunt the person's entire yard and keep whatever else you find that wasn't the original lost item.

Here's a diffferent approach on the subject that might dissuade folks from estimating the cost to locate that lost item versus buying their own $40 Wal-Mart detector.  Offer to help find that lost item in exchange for getting to hunt the person's entire yard and keep whatever else you find that wasn't the original lost item.

Great idea!  IN fact, what I say is that I will find your item for free it it was built before 1900 (I am flexible with this time period.)

Here's a diffferent approach on the subject that might dissuade folks from estimating the cost to locate that lost item versus buying their own $40 Wal-Mart detector.  Offer to help find that lost item in exchange for getting to hunt the person's entire yard and keep whatever else you find that wasn't the original lost item.

Great idea!  IN fact, what I say is that I will find your item for free it it was built before 1900 (I am flexible with this time period.)

There you go!  You could always do a sliding type of charge, I suppose.  For houses 1900 and older, free.  Houses 1964 to 1900, maybe free or $5?  Newer, $10 an hour maybe?  It may get complicated, but think of the areas it would open up to hunting!

I've seen folks scoff at the idea of making a paying job of it, but consider...gold is over 1000.00 per ounce. Sure makes it enticing.

Best of luck regardless.
BW