Life as a Metal Detecting Dealer: Romancing the Soil and the Soul
Ah, the crisp air of the British countryside mingled with the smell of wet grass—it’s another magical morning at a metal detecting rally. As a dealer with Crawfords Metal Detectors, each rally is a unique tapestry of hopes, dreams, and yes, the incessant British weather that always keeps you on your toes. One moment you're basking in a soft English drizzle, and the next, you’re scrambling to secure your tent against an impromptu gust of wind. It’s an unpredictable dance between man, machine, and nature.
Rallies like Coil to the Soil and the grand dame of them all, Detectival, are yearly pilgrimages for us. Setting up our stall amidst a sea of eager detectorists is an experience filled with both anticipation and a tinge of envy. You see, ‘manning the stall’ has its own set of challenges and rewards. The former mostly includes watching enviously as adventurers march off into the open fields, detectors in hand, chasing after buried treasures. Meanwhile, we stand guard over our own trove—metal detectors, pin-pointers, and spades, oh my!
But we offer more than just shiny new equipment. As the official UK distributor for Minelab, we've had the honour and privilege of running the Minelab Test Bed. This is no ordinary patch of earth; it's a detectorist’s playground, an area where enthusiasts can bring their machines and trial them on an array of interesting targets that we've pre-buried. Whether you're a novice seeking to sharpen your skills or an old hand eager to try out the latest Minelab tech, the Test Bed is an Eden of endless possibilities. And the best part? It's all free! Here, hints and tips flow as freely as the laughter and camaraderie that fill the air. The Test Bed is a place of learning, sharing, and passion for the craft. It's where technology meets treasure, and for us, being able to provide that experience is as rewarding as any golden find. This year its been particularly busy as we've been showing many of the new Minelab machines, including the XTERRA-Pro, Manticore and Equinox 900 detectors.
Customers approach our stall like they approach a newly discovered patch of land—with curiosity and the dream of a great find. You'd think they’d spare the sales pitch, but even seasoned detectorists can't resist the allure of a good bargain. And then, of course, there are those who are looking for something for nothing. "Any freebies?" is a question often heard, usually followed by a cheeky wink. Ah, the eternal quest for the Holy Grail, or in our case, a high-end metal detector that's also a steal. We might not always satisfy their dreams of a free find, but the spirit of camaraderie keeps the air light.
The Crawfords tent is not just a place where we share our goods with customers, no, often customers come to us to share too. We love it when customers come and show us what they’ve just found out on the fields. There’s nothing like celebrating good finds together, and it certainly inspires others when something good has just come up.
The days are long, filled with banter, sales, and the sharing of legendary finds. But as the sunlight wanes, the atmosphere shifts and turns into something even more magical. This is the best moment for us—the evening when the stall is closed, the treasures of the day are counted or sometimes still being searched for, and the fire is lit.
A communal bonfire becomes the hearthstone for stories, songs, and general merriment. With a cup of cider, pint of ale, or in some cases something stronger, we gather around to share our tales of the day. There's laughter, the strumming of guitars, and even a brave soul who attempts to put their day into a ballad—singing praises to the metal gods for the coins or relics found.
This year, we had the privilege of attending the Rodney Cooke Memorial event, a gathering that was as heart-warming as it was exciting. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere made everyone feel like a part of an extended family. The event was a touching tribute and a joyous celebration rolled into one.
Being a metal detecting dealer is not just a business; it’s a way of being intricately woven into the fabric of this community—a community that thrives on the thrill of discovery and the warmth of companionship. For every hard bargain driven at our stall, there are moments of genuine connection that are absolutely priceless.
We’re happy when we can give back to the community, and in June we held our own detecting Rally – the Twin Ribbons Training Day. On this day we raised nearly £4,000 to share between Breast Cancer UK, and Prostate Cancer UK. This was a lovely event with FREE homemade cake made by the fantastic team here at Crawfords Metal Detectors.
So, here's to muddy boots, beeping detectors, and the incomparable joy of gathering around a fire with friends who share your passions. Until the next rally, may your finds be plentiful and your spirits high. And if you happen to be passing by our stall, give us a wave. We're more than just dealers; we're your fellow adventurers in this grand quest, romancing both the soil and the soul.
From all of us at Crawfords Metal Detectors, happy hunting!
Craig Allison – Director Crawfords Metal Detectors.