How many days do I have to return a metal detector?

Eligible hobby detectors and accessories may be returned within 14 days of the delivery date, in new, unused, resalable condition with original packaging and all accessories.

Is there a restocking fee?

Restocking fees are tiered by condition: 5% if returned unopened in factory packaging, 10% if opened but unused and complete, and 20% if unused but missing original packaging or accessories, or requiring repackaging to resell as new.

Can I return a used detector?

No. History Seekers only accepts returns in new, unused, resalable condition. Any item showing signs of use, including field use, dirt, moisture, scratches, or wear, is declined and returned to the customer at their expense.

Which detectors are final sale and not returnable?

Professional, specialty, and gold-prospecting detectors are sold as final sale in any condition, opened or unopened: all Minelab gold-prospecting detectors (Gold Monster 1000, Gold Monster 2000, SDC 2300, all GPX models, GPZ 7000, GPZ 8000), Garrett ATX and pulse-induction detectors, Fisher Impulse AQ and professional models, XP Xtreme Hunter, Nokta professional units such as the Magnetar 9000, and all used, open-box, refurbished, demo, or discontinued inventory.

What happens if my detector arrives defective?

Contact History Seekers Customer Service within 14 days of delivery with a photo or short video of the issue. History Seekers is the single point of contact for every brand: Minelab and XP units are coordinated through the manufacturer's authorized repair center at no cost to the customer, and all other brands are replaced or refunded directly.

How do I start a return?

Call History Seekers Customer Service at (256) 284-2247 to receive an RMA number and return address before shipping anything back.

Refund policy

Q: Do I have to pay for return shipping?

You are responsible for return shipping on standard returns. The exception is a unit that arrives defective, faulty through no fault of your own, or damaged in transit - History Seekers covers return shipping in full with a prepaid label in those cases.

Returns & Refunds

We want you to buy with confidence. Most hobby metal detectors and accessories are eligible for a refund within 14 days of the delivery date, subject to the requirements below. Our restocking fee starts as low as 5%, and we cover return shipping in full on any unit that arrives defective or damaged in transit. Professional, specialty, and gold-prospecting detectors, along with certain other items, are sold as final sale and are not eligible for return (see the list below). By placing an order, you agree to the terms of this Refund Policy.

14-Day Return Requirements

Eligible hobby detectors and accessories may be returned within 14 days of the delivery date.
Items must be in new, unused, resalable condition, in the original manufacturer packaging, with all manufacturer accessories, manuals, and any free or bundled items included.
We do not accept returns on used items. Any product showing signs of use, including field use, dirt, moisture, scratches, coil or shaft wear, or removed components, will be declined and returned to you at your expense. Opening the box to inspect a unit is fine; using it in the field is not.
You must contact Customer Service at (256) 284-2247 for an RMA number and return address before shipping anything back. Returns sent without a valid RMA may be refused or delayed.
All returns are inspected on arrival. We determine, in our reasonable discretion, whether a returned item meets the condition standard above.
Once received and inspected, please allow up to 7 business days for your refund to process.

Restocking Fee

Eligible returns are subject to a restocking fee based on the condition the item comes back in, plus any payment-processing fees incurred:

5% – returned unopened, in factory packaging, ready to resell as-is.
10% – opened but unused and complete, resalable as new after standard inspection.
20% – unused but missing original packaging, manuals, or accessories, or requiring repackaging to return to resalable condition.

Used items are not assessed a fee because they are not accepted for return. These tiers, and the 14-day return window above, apply only to items eligible for return. Final sale items (listed below) cannot be returned in any condition, opened or unopened.

Return Shipping

You are responsible for return shipping, and we recommend a tracked, insured shipment, as the item remains your responsibility until we receive and inspect it. The exception: if a unit arrives defective, faulty through no fault of your own, or damaged in transit (and not from use), we cover return shipping in full with a prepaid label and make it right at no cost to you.

Defective or Incorrect Items

If your item is defective, faulty through no fault of your own, arrived damaged in transit, or we shipped the wrong item, contact Customer Service at (256) 284-2247 within 14 days of delivery. You deal with us, not the manufacturer. We ask for a photo or short video showing the issue so we can resolve it quickly.

Transit damage (any brand): do not use the item. We file the claim and replace or refund at no cost to you.
Garrett, Nokta, Fisher, Teknetics, and Bounty Hunter hobby detectors: we handle a defective-on-arrival unit directly, with a prepaid return label, at no cost to you.
Minelab and XP detectors: these manufacturers require warranty service through their authorized repair center. We coordinate that process for you and cover the shipping to get your unit there, so you are not left dealing with the manufacturer on your own.
After 14 days, defective merchandise is handled under the manufacturer's warranty through their authorized repair center. Misuse, abuse, or accidental customer damage is not a defective-product return and must be repaired through a manufacturer-authorized center.

Final Sale Items (Not Eligible for Return)

The following are sold as final sale and are not eligible for return, refund, or exchange in any condition, whether opened or unopened, including units still in unopened factory packaging. The restocking tiers and 14-day return window above do not apply to these items. Warranty issues on these items are handled directly by the manufacturer through their authorized repair centers.

Minelab gold-prospecting detectors: Gold Monster 1000, Gold Monster 2000, SDC 2300, all GPX models (including GPX 6000), GPZ 7000, and GPZ 8000.
Garrett: ATX and all pulse-induction detectors.
Fisher Research Labs: Impulse AQ and all professional models.
XP: Xtreme Hunter.
Nokta professional units, such as the Magnetar 9000.
Used, open-box, refurbished, demo, or discontinued inventory of any kind.
Special-order items and items marked "final sale" or "all sales final" on the product page or at checkout.

This list is representative, not exhaustive. Other professional-grade or specialty detectors not named above are excluded from returns under the same terms.

Pre-Order Refund Policy

Pre-order products are items announced by the manufacturer but not yet released. When we allow pre-ordering, a customer may place a deposit or pay in full. Items ship as stock becomes available, in the order full payment was received.

A 6% deposit of the item total is required for any pre-order, and that 6% deposit is non-refundable, except where History Seekers is unable to fulfill the pre-order (for example, if the manufacturer cancels the product), in which case you are refunded in full.
If you pre-pay in full and request a refund before the item ships, we refund the amount paid minus the non-refundable 6% deposit.
After a refund, you may rejoin the pre-order queue with a new order but will not retain your prior place in line.
When your place in the queue comes due, you will receive an email and have 24 hours to complete final payment before we move to the next order. Keep a current phone number on your account so we can reach you.

Example: A customer pre-pays $1,599.00 for a pre-order detector, then cancels before it ships. The customer forfeits the $95.94 deposit and is refunded $1,503.06 to the original payment method. This Pre-Order policy takes precedence over the standard 14-day policy until the item ships; once shipped, the standard policy applies.

Questions

Call Customer Service at (256) 284-2247 to start a return or with any questions about this Refund Policy.