Supply Chain Issues on Metal Detectors and Gold Prospecting Equipment - Order Early or Risk Not Getting Your Items for The Holiday!
Supply chain issues a problem for most industries over the last year. It is no different for the treasure hunting industry. 2020 and 2021 has seen an ebb and flow of products coming in and out of stock on metal detectors, gold prospecting equipment, and outdoor supplies. It started in for short periods of low supplies with our distributors. Then, the lag time increased. Shovels and digging tools, for instance, were out of supply with almost all of our suppliers for about 6 months. Metal detectors and accessories have been going in and out of stock and continue to do so. Gold prospecting equipment? The same. Almost all sizes of classifiers are still out of stock with our suppliers. Luckily, we have stocked up on our supplies and have a good inventory of most sizes...for now.
Metal detector shortages have always been a thing. Even before the last couple years. Manufacturers make a certain amount of product during a run. If that item experiences a larger demand than anticipated, much like what recently happened with the Coiltek Equinox coils, people have to wait months to get their products. If they don't get in line and preorder, the wait could be a year or more.
Whether the product shortages are linked to Covid-19, labor shortages, or the backlog of ships at ports in the U.S., rest assured, it is a real issue.
I know you have heard it from other outlets, but it is heavily recommended you plan your holiday gifts well ahead of time to avoid a potential conflict...at least in this industry. And, since this is all over the news, you can rest assured other people will heed the warning. Which will make it even harder to get items that are snatched up early by those prepared.
Don't wait for Black Friday deals this year. Just be content you can get the product you want when you want it - before it is too late.
- Joshua Turpin
