Looks like Whites is going down...

FCalabash wrote>
>
> I actually run a successful multi million dollar b
> usiness.....

Well, shrimpin sure is paying off Bubba Gump.lol.. With that kinda bread you could buy your own forum and kick off anyone who doesn't agree with you.Thats what id do. Unless your overhead in that multimillion dollar shrimpin buisness is more than your taking in, if so just stay here with us workin in folks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 12:10AM by Woodbutcher.

Woodbutcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCalabash wrote>
> >
> > I actually run a successful multi million dollar
> b
> > usiness.....
>
> Well, shrimpin sure is paying off Bubba Gump.lol..
> With that kinda bread you could buy your own forum
> and kick off anyone who doesn't agree with you.Tha
> ts what id do. Unless your overhead in that multim
> illion dollar shrimpin buisness is more than your
> taking in, if so just stay here with us workin in
> folks.

Must be nice to be sum kinda big wig 'n then hang out with us lowly peons!!!!

Seafood business is competitive in my area and you have to be own your game to compete in it. In the summer we serve close to a 1000 people a day ….Food prices have to be right as there are slim margins in making money our losing it....
Whites didn't or could not compete with the rest.

I talk to TNSS on the phone a few times a month and he is a very intelligent fellow.

BTW I AM JUST A LOWLY PEON blessed to be part of something bigger than myself.

OLE WOODY I actually thought about buying a forum but decided I would rather spend my time chasing relics than running a forum.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 12:50AM by calabash digger.

There are a few rules I live by.
I mentioned a few earlier.

Never lie.
Never steal.
Never try and defend an indefensible position) - seem some here enjoy trying this bs.
Never sell my soul to the devil



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 04:09AM by tnsharpshooter.

Now looking at the list above what stands out?
For me it is this.
Notice White’s only made one model (if I am not mistaken) wireless oem supplied detector model (V3/V3i). Pricey setup btw for most.
They never offered an intermediate or cheaper priced wireless setup detector model.

Neither has Fisher or Technetics yet seems they offer a lot more cheaper units. This likely helps them with profits.

Xp jumped on it first.
Garrett, Minelab and Nokta Makro hopped on the wagon.

So to any manufacturer.
General purpose detector, better have wireless capability imo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 01:13AM by tnsharpshooter.

calabash digger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seafood business is competitive in my area and you
> have to be own your game to compete in it. In the
> summer we serve close to a 1000 people a day ….Foo
> d prices have to be right as there are slim margin
> s in making money our losing it....
> Whites didn't or could not compete with the rest.
>
> I talk to TNSS on the phone a few times a month an
> d he is a very intelligent fellow.
>
> BTW I AM JUST A LOWLY PEON blessed to be part of s
> omething bigger than myself.
>
> OLE WOODY I actually thought about buying a forum
> but decided I would rather spend my time chasing r
> elics than running a forum.


No kiddin???---Yah'alls a lowly peon to???---Well, I welcomed you to the forum when you showed up over here---now I git to welcome yah to the "lowly peons club"!!!! I'm kiddin, I'm kiddin-----Life's too short to go gittin all riled up over things--relax!----Make us a couple more of them thar vids of yours---I'm ready to watch 'nother one---I like watchin 'em!

When I first got into detecting, Whites was the king of the mountain of detectors. I remember staring at them in the Sears catalog and dreaming of having one...then seeing their ads in the magazines made it worse. The Blue & Grey Pro was the one I wanted most. By the ads, and my 10 year old self, I was convinced it was engineered to find Civil War relics and I wanted one bad. The MXT was my first Whites. Followed by a DFX. Since those, I have owned 3 or 4 more of each, 2 V3is, M6, more TDI models than you can imagine, including the waterproof one released a few yrs ago, a couple of 5900s, a Blue & Grey Pro, and 2 Mx Sports. Everybody kept waiting on their next big thing but it never came. With all of their best engineers gone, and the owners more interested in riding the coat tails of previously successful models instead of investing in future products...well it was bound to happen.

And speaking of the Blue & Grey Pro.... [forums.tarsaccisales.com]
Check George’s out!

TARSACCI - “Digging deeper, BEHIND the competition!”
[forums.tarsaccisales.com]

calabash digger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seafood business is competitive in my area and you
> have to be own your game to compete in it. In the
> summer we serve close to a 1000 people a day ….Foo
> d prices have to be right as there are slim margin
> s in making money our losing it....
> Whites didn't or could not compete with the rest.
>
> I talk to TNSS on the phone a few times a month an
> d he is a very intelligent fellow.
>
> BTW I AM JUST A LOWLY PEON blessed to be part of s
> omething bigger than myself.
>
> OLE WOODY I actually thought about buying a forum
> but decided I would rather spend my time chasing r
> elics than running a forum.

My hats off to you buddy for living the dream and living conservative.Running a buisness is tiresome and not always rewarding.Myself, I'd eat up the profits, literally.lol.
Start a forum Calabash,might be alot of fun.
On another note,TN is a good dude.Everyones opinion should count



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 02:22AM by Woodbutcher.

One thing I really like about Garrett is their website.
Where they show their accomplishments in a time line.
Xp does it too.

Others manufacturers should do too.
White’s site, their talk of their history seems mighty shallow. They should have give more info. Just a sentence saying we’ve been in business for over 70 years don’t cut it.

You see I have been looking around at various things and formulating objective opinion of why what happened has happened. All the even little things can add up to bigger thing.

You got to try and sell your product in big box stores if your competition is doing. You try to go the ma and pop shop way you are asking for it.

Back in the day, Americans only had 3 choices manufacturer wise for a detector brand.
That was back when.
Those days are over.
Yes there are some 80 year olds here who likely had for their first auto either a ford, chevy or dodge/crysler,,,,not a Toyota, Nissan, Datsun, Hyundai, Honda, etc.

Folks used White’s detectors (more by default) - sort of crude way to say but the truth maybe back in the day.

Who was first manufacturer you reckon to offer digital detector user’s manual via internet?
Where was White’s on this ? One of the latter or one of the first to incorporate.

I can’t remember.
Seems Xp were quick to do.

Another thing to mention.
Imo White’s were slow to comprehend electronics are what I call disposable. White’s May have actually cut their own throat by supporting older models longer.
Notice Minelab’s pledge = so much time after model is discontinued.
So this may have kept folks in used White's units longer, hence they had no reason (in their mind) to purchase another detector, even another White’s detector.
Yeah being able to brag about support and customer service is one thing, selling new detectors is where the money is though. Sounds a bit greedy maybe but the truth when it comes to business. Even noticed many folks commenting on how reasonably priced repairs done by White’s were on out of warranty units.
Ever hear this expression?. Nice guys finish last. Might apply here.

I am 100 percent certain that if White’s would have put MXT performing guts into EQX style case and madewaterproof back in approx 2010-2012 it would have been a sensation. Garrett should not have had a monopoly on waterproof General VLF detector for not near as long. Some one should have challenge them. Fisher or White’s. Naturally if White’s would have done they would have gotten away from their traditional style/looks in a detector. When Deus was released this should have turned on lightbulb BIG TIME. Between Deus and At Pro there was room for a big hit I think. As long as price was right.



Edited 7 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 03:04AM by tnsharpshooter.

Arkansas Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Geotech Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Arkansas Wrote:
> > ------------------------------------------------
> --
> > -----
> > > Anyone in this Thread worked / has worked for
> Wh
> > ites manufacturing ??
> >
> > I was Engineering Manager at White's for 6 years
> .
>
>
> Thanks for any input

There's a lot I could say, and maybe one day I will. But the bottom line is, White's had problems, and those problems were well-known before I joined 12 years ago. I kept saying the company was not going to survive unless the family sold it to someone who was passionate about the hobby and the brand. I was, but there was no interest. When I realized things were not going to be fixed, I moved on. That was a sad day for me.

Well Bluntshooter

With all the figures in front of you still cant get it right Whites have been in business 70 years not just over 50. God if you come up in the early years before computers you would not have had a hope in hell to stay with the technology looking back over all your old post you needed to ask the most simple of questions on how to set up detectors. Same with Nokta Makro they have come into it with more modern technology to start with.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 05:41AM by pinpointa.

I’ll let folks see what I am talking about.
Look at the differences here.

White’s
[www.whiteselectronics.com]

Garrett
[www.garrett.com]

Xp
[www.xpmetaldetectorsamericas.com]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 03:09AM by tnsharpshooter.

Well Woopy Do.?

tnsharpshooter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are a few rules I live by.
> I mentioned a few earlier.
>
> Never lie.
> Never steal.
> Never try and defend an indefensible position) - s
> eem some here enjoy trying this bs.
> Never sell my sole to the devil


Well, If you sell your "sole" to the devil then you'll be barefoot. If on the other hand you sell your "Soul" to the devil, well that's a whole (hole) different problem.

Tom Slick Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tnsharpshooter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There are a few rules I live by.
> > I mentioned a few earlier.
> >
> > Never lie.
> > Never steal.
> > Never try and defend an indefensible position) -
> s
> > eem some here enjoy trying this bs.
> > Never sell my sole to the devil
>
>
> Well, If you sell your "sole" to the devil then yo
> u'll be barefoot. If on the other hand you sell yo
> ur "Soul" to the devil, well that's a whole (hole)
> different problem.


Lol
This iPad mini is a beast to type on. I do it though. And have spelling on auto correct. Tried using with it off, didn’t help me though.,
Can’t stand a lap top or pc anymore.
Use them for loading pics still though.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 04:13AM by tnsharpshooter.

Started with a White's Gold Master in 1975, found all kinds of silver back then. Owned Lots of White's detectors over the years and was a brick & mortar White's dealer in the 80's - 90's. I still have a number of White's detectors but they eventually became mostly wall hangers as they just couldn't perform like the newer releases from Minelab, XP, and Makro/Nokta. I'm sad to hear this news but I've seen the writing on the wall for a number of years now. Tesoro was not a surprise and White's is not either. White's always had outstanding customer service and it's just too bad they didn't invest in updating their facilities to keep pace with the latest up and comers. R.I.P. White's.

Geotech Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Arkansas Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Geotech Wrote:
> > ------------------------------------------------
> --
> > -----
> > > Arkansas Wrote:
> > > ----------------------------------------------
> --
> > --
> > > -----
> > > > Anyone in this Thread worked / has worked fo
> r
> > Wh
> > > ites manufacturing ??
> > >
> > > I was Engineering Manager at White's for 6 yea
> rs
> > .
> >
> >
> > Thanks for any input
>
> There's a lot I could say, and maybe one day I wil
> l. But the bottom line is, White's had problems, a
> nd those problems were well-known before I joined
> 12 years ago. I kept saying the company was not go
> ing to survive unless the family sold it to someon
> e who was passionate about the hobby and the brand
> . I was, but there was no interest. When I realize
> d things were not going to be fixed, I moved on. T
> hat was a sad day for me.


why "no interest" though!..can you elaborate on this?
it seems like they just wanted to die a slow death?
it sounds like no consensus was reached on how to go forward?

(h.h.!)
j.t.

Back before I started detecting, probably would have been the late 80's or early 90's, we used to chuckle at the commercial for Whites on late night TV. The guy pats his ample beer-belly and says his wife is proud of the weight he's lost and she's proud of this...as he holds up a nice gold ring. LOL!

The story of Whites demise has played out so many times when companies attempt to transition to a second-generation run business. It takes a large level of dedication as well as a certain skill set to run a successful business. That often doesn't pass down to offspring. That was the story with both Tesoro and Whites.

And the writing has been on the wall for some time now, just like it was with Tesoro. Besides this thread, Carl Moreland has alluded in his posts to the problems at Whites for several years now. Other ex-employees have too. I remember one saying a while back that the descendants of Kenneth White Sr. were basically just using the company as an ATM.

I hope you Whites die hards won't crucify me for saying this. I take no joy in seeing them fold. I only had one Whites...a Classic ID with the Mr. Bill mod and I liked the performance but I moved it quickly because the knob set-up was bad for a lefty swinger. I have read so many great reports over the years about Whites service and I know from personal experience Tesoro was that way too. I always root for American companies and support them when all else is at least relatively equal. I wish the story could have had a different ending.

Lots of words being written, time consuming research, speculation and a good bit of sniping taking place about a co. that didn't appear to be concerned about moving forward. I've continued to follow the thread just to see whom will be first to challenge ole Cal and tnss to a duel. LOL

Not sure why, but throughout my now 48 years with this hobby I recall owning only one White's detector. A BFO Coinmaster, back in the 70's. Have supported USA co's, though. But, that may have to change, too.

Anyway, none of its worth getting ones panties in a wad over, but if there is a duel, hope calabash survives. If I ever get over his way again, would like to try out his shrimp & grits if he has it on the menu. Will admit to being kind of partial, though, to Barbara Jean's shrimp & grits down on St Simon's Island.

Everyone have a safe Fathers Day. HH jim tn

Ole Harold’s thread from approx year ago.
[www.dankowskidetectors.com]

Dang! I must have barrowed Ole' Cal's Crystal ball, LOL!

Well even though the Whites company is gone there are enough Whites detectors floating around that you will still be able to get a hold of one for years to come, they may not be the latest and greatest but they still find good stuff and some of them are very good. I am happy to have my V3i and I will probably grab myself an MXT before long. Whites build quality is top notch and I don't mind buying them used because of that.

yes! lots of xlt's for example, whitey sold tons of them!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

marcomo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Back before I started detecting, probably would ha
> ve been the late 80's or early 90's, we used to ch
> uckle at the commercial for Whites on late night T
> V. The guy pats his ample beer-belly and says his
> wife is proud of the weight he's lost and she's pr
> oud of this...as he holds up a nice gold ring. LOL
> !
>
> The story of Whites demise has played out so many
> times when companies attempt to transition to a se
> cond-generation run business. It takes a large lev
> el of dedication as well as a certain skill set to
> run a successful business. That often doesn't pass
> down to offspring. That was the story with both Te
> soro and Whites.
>
> And the writing has been on the wall for some time
> now, just like it was with Tesoro. Besides this th
> read, Carl Moreland has alluded in his posts to th
> e problems at Whites for several years now. Other
> ex-employees have too. I remember one saying a whi
> le back that the descendants of Kenneth White Sr.
> were basically just using the company as an ATM.
>
> I hope you Whites die hards won't crucify me for s
> aying this. I take no joy in seeing them fold. I o
> nly had one Whites...a Classic ID with the Mr. Bil
> l mod and I liked the performance but I moved it q
> uickly because the knob set-up was bad for a lefty
> swinger. I have read so many great reports over th
> e years about Whites service and I know from perso
> nal experience Tesoro was that way too. I always r
> oot for American companies and support them when a
> ll else is at least relatively equal. I wish the s
> tory could have had a different ending.


this is a very "plausible" explanation,however,we really don't know to a certainty
what really happened, and unless someone who worked there, and has access
to insider information (engineers..management..etc..etc..),AND wants to come forward, we will always be opinionated
about this! no matter, it's a sad scenario for a lot of guys who started hunting with whitey,
and stayed loyal to them over the years! (count ME in that crowd!)

(h.h.!)
j.t.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2020 05:10PM by jmaryt.

Founder gone.

Family in charge

Poor general management

Key engineers leave and are not replaced

Sales slump

Family treats business like an ATM

Key personnel not replaced

Outmoded distribution network collapses

......

Rick Kempf
Gold Canyon AZ- where there is no gold

lytle78 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Founder gone.
>
> Family in charge
>
> Poor general management
>
> Key engineers leave and are not replaced
>
> Sales slump
>
> Family treats business like an ATM
>
> Key personnel not replaced
>
> Outmoded distribution network collapses
>
> ......


That scenario was mirrored with Tesoro also Rick--almost to "a T"----and it's sad.

coinspader Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well even though the Whites company is gone there
> are enough Whites detectors floating around that y
> ou will still be able to get a hold of one for yea
> rs to come, they may not be the latest and greates
> t but they still find good stuff and some of them
> are very good. I am happy to have my V3i and I wil
> l probably grab myself an MXT before long. Whites
> build quality is top notch and I don't mind buying
> them used because of that.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer but what about repairs?
I was wanting a MXT-PRO as love the Tone I.D. and always a fan of the metal box Whites construction but am now a little gun shy? But then again I have a Tesoro Golden uMax that has been rock solid so maybe worrying for not?

MXT SNIPER Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think Whites is still a very viable company and
> will be soon bought by someone willing to put in t
> he hard work the old owner obviously didn't want
> to do. They have the latest surface mount circuitb
> oard technology machine, they have a lot of good t
> ech assemblers, and the in house tech ability is s
> econd to none, they have or had machinists on hand
> for building jigs etc for individual detectors lin
> e production needs. Complete coil building includi
> ng housings, they seemed to lack in Engineering de
> pt, and in Marketing dept, since they were not sel
> ling low to mid grade detectors at big box stores
> like Fisher and Minelab and Garrett do, that was a
> big mistake, that could be easily corrected. I hop
> e to see the company bought out soon.

They were approached. If memory servers me right probably a bit before Carl Moreland came on board. There was a time period of shall we say, intense familial turmoil in the company. During a phone call with a very reputable source I was told that Minelab executives were headed North from Las Vegas to have a conversation. Minelab recognized that the turmoil created an opportunity that could be fleeting. But I never heard anything after that.

Harold,ILL. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> coinspader Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Well even though the Whites company is gone ther
> e
> > are enough Whites detectors floating around that
> y
> > ou will still be able to get a hold of one for y
> ea
> > rs to come, they may not be the latest and great
> es
> > t but they still find good stuff and some of the
> m
> > are very good. I am happy to have my V3i and I w
> il
> > l probably grab myself an MXT before long. White
> s
> > build quality is top notch and I don't mind buyi
> ng
> > them used because of that.
>
> I hate to be a Debbie Downer but what about repair
> s?
> I was wanting a MXT-PRO as love the Tone I.D. and
> always a fan of the metal box Whites construction
> but am now a little gun shy? But then again I have
> a Tesoro Golden uMax that has been rock solid so m
> aybe worrying for not?

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/12942-whites-detector-repairs/