My Review of Gerry McMullen of gerrysdetectors.com, by David Nelson
   _ _ _ _ * (1 Star) – Here’s Why:
You need to read this review before you waste one more dollar and minute.   I’ve given Gerry’s Detectors a 1 Star rating because I know people like you reading online reviews generally read the first 5 star rating or two, look at the number of 5 star ratings and then immediately go to the 1 star ratings to find “the truth”.   Welcome, I lied.   In reality – Gerry and his team deserve the Five Star rating I didn’t give them.  I was not paid to write this review.  I’m honored to be able to write a review like this because I am often so disappointed as a consumer today in America.   I’m doing you a favor to help you realize you’ve “found gold”.  It’s up to you to take it.
I know you want the facts, reality and truth so here it is:
After spending 3 days with Gerry & his team personally I’m certain anyone giving Gerry anything less than a 5 star rating hasn’t brought whatever issue they are having to Gerry’s attention because Gerry will take care of “it” whatever “it” is.  Gerry’s team is 1st Class and experienced – and each teaches you something different.  (Thank you Mark & Spencer, I learned a lot from each of you!)
Gerry could have sold me what I wanted to buy.  He didn’t.  Gerry “advised” me and “coached” me on what detector was best for me and my interests and skill level.
I found Gerry by accident slumming through detector listings on eBay.  Gerry specializes in finding “gold”.   People from around the country and the world come to his training and to do business with him.   I purchased a less expensive detector that I had not considered.   It turns out that the more I learn about my purchase  it is the best detector for gold in my price range & skillset that exists.  I thought I knew a little bit about detectors after spending months researching and reviewing information online (both free and paid for); I discovered I didn’t know much of anything until after my first day in the field with Gerry and his team.
If Gerry were to charge you a $50 or $100 consulting fee for his recommendations t that would be money well spent.   I suspect Gerry should charge you at least $50 for his recommendation with a $50 coupon towards your purchase so his time isn’t wasted with bottom feeder inquires.
I’d advise you “please don’t buy from Gerry, and defiantly stay away from his training.”  Why?  Because I don’t want other people knowing this information, doubly so if you’re seeking gold. 
Without Gerry the odds of you buying the wrong detector, and the wrong tools and wasting years of trial and error and wading through 100’s of man(or woman) hours of material will wear you out; you’ll quit, and you’ll leave more gold out in the gold fields for graduates of Gerry’s training to find.  So – please – do all of Gerry’s Graduates a favor;  don’t buy from him, and whatever you do – even if you bought a detector anywhere else – please, please, help keep the gold fields full of gold for future generations and DON’T take his training.  It’s expensive, you cannot afford it; go have a weekend out on the town or something.   Stay away from his training…unless you want to get the hands on knowledge and experience to be productive in your gold nugget hunting.
“Semper Fi” to Gerry – the man is honorable, has integrity, and will look out for you even if your ignorant (like I was); and open to being “sold” a bunch of expensive “stuff”.  
After day 1 of training; I knew more about which detectors to use for what kind of detecting (and why) than after probably over 3 months of serious research.   My guess is Gerry and his team saved me a good 2 to 3 years of learning curve and frustration.  
That context is confirmed because some of my fellow students had been detecting for years and they set aside their ego’s to come learn from the best.   Gerry is perhaps 1 of 3 people in the world that can and is willing teach you what you need to know at this level;  you’d probably have to call Gerry to find the other two.   The other people that could teach you are Gerry’s team, but – there again – you’re doing business with Gerry’s.
Gerry love’s this business, sport and hobby and that really shows on day 2 – when you get out into the field.  For one thing – you’ll learn what a gold field really looks like and what it is to work it and how to get to it.  You’ll learn what to bring and not to bring; what your vehicles capabilities need to be.  You’ll learn more than just about how to use your detector.  (Gerry really has used them all; it makes sense why manufactures have him test their equipment and give feedback.) 
Me?  I do computer consulting; I’ve been working with computers since I was  10 years old (TRS-80 Model 1); mainframes, mini’s, pc’s the works.  Gerry is the metal detector expert’s version of my skill level in computers and he’s willing to share decades of knowledge and experience for a reasonable fee.   He knows you don’t know what you don’t know and he treats you with respect and he also makes sure you’re taken care of even when you don’t  know what that looks like.
I got a lot of 1:1 time with this expert in the field where it counts; and a lot of 1:1 time with each of the training team.  Gerry and his team won’t “mother” you either, he knows how to conduct “hands on” training.   His style is rather playful, sometimes subtle; but in my view brilliant.  He and his staff ensured I was learning the foundations from “hands on experience”; our class found some gold out here in “training” areas that have been scoured by others.
On day 2 training I found a “flake” which is very hard to do.   Better stated, Gerry helped me find that gold flake, then he proceeded to teach everyone with that flake, finally ending up losing that flake for me to “find by myself”.   Anyone with Gerry plugged in can find gold.  When I was done with the training I felt very confident I could find gold all by myself.   I’m not as good as Gerry is…yet but I know how to get there.  Gerry’s training was the best investment I made in the last 7 months.  I’ve wasted a lot of time and money this year.  I wish I would of discovered Gerry in January, instead of June.
My only criticism I guess is Gerry should put together a “buy this” package of accessories; and supplemental training materials.  The problem is – you wouldn’t buy what you need until after you’ve learned Gerry is the “real deal”.   With so many “sales” people b.s.ing to make a buck, Gerry is an anomaly of integrity.  It’s not that he couldn’t b.s.  you; he simply has the honor and integrity to look out for what’s best for you.  He could of “loaded me up”; but he didn’t.  My point is – if Gerry “recommends” something – it’s in your own best interest to listen and take action.
I bought my detector without ever talking to Gerry on the phone.  Gerry put up with my e-mails.  I won’t do business with someone who can’t do e-mail and a lot of the gold prospecting industry folks either are morons, rude, or I just don’t know what their problems are.   Gerry’s an honest professional.
A variety of vendors have lost my business.  I’m still trying to buy from one place some unique tools they have; I don’t know how else I can say ‘I want to buy this, there is no buy button on your website, send me a total and I’ll send you a check, or send me a paypal invoice; and these idiots can’t close a sale when a customer wants to buy.   
Gerry was a breath of fresh air.  He “consulted” with me for free on what was best for me; he treated me like a friend who at first wasn’t sure if Gerry was the real deal or not.  There is a metal detector place near me.  Their “advice” was inconsistent; they seemed annoyed with my questions and happy to sell me anything I’d open my wallet to buy (they didn’t get much.) 
They treated me like a “greenhorn”; I already knew I was ignorant in their world.  They are good for other things, but not detector sales.  I just didn’t sense they cared about my success.  I did get from Gerry he wanted me to be succeed.  Maybe that is a little thing, but it was important to me.
I didn’t write this review right away after training.  I waited a couple of weeks to really consider the experience I had.  I made some new friends too.  It was a very rewarding experience, lots of exercise, fun and above all – took me to a productive understanding and proficiency with my new tools.
I didn’t turn on my metal detector when I got it.  I didn’t want to develop any bad habits.  I wanted to learn from the best, the “master”, the “guru”, of metal detecting.   I learned about coin shooting and relic recovery and hunting too.   I learned so many little things that are important it’s hard to describe.
BTW - that voice in the back of your head laughing at you for not taking Gerry’s training or buying from him – that’s me and the other graduates saying “thank you” for leaving more gold out there for us.  You don’t know what you don’t know; even in buying a used detector.  Be smart; contact Gerry.
I’m looking forward to buying my other “detectors” from Gerry in the future.  He and his team are fun down to earth people to be around; their love of life and hunting gold comes out in the field.  It’s been an honor and true privilege to do business with Gerry and his team.  I’m glad I didn’t “haggle” price with Gerry because he’s a rare breed; a truly honest businessman - he deserves every success.   I seldom have had the honor of saying that.  No; he’s not the lowest price, he’s the best deal you’ll ever find.  He’s saved me both time and money.  Until you’ve taken his training – you don’t know what you don’t know.
If I ever “strike it rich” with my metal detector, Gerry’s getting an unasked for bonus from me because he didn’t take advantage of me.  I feel he gave me his best; he was honest and patient with me.  He was a friend, coach and mentor, even before he made a dime.   Yes, after 3 days, he can totally mess up all the settings on your detector and you’ll know how to adjust it to optimal in less than a minute with confidence.  You’ll also know how to properly recover targets; and you’ll learn some insiders insights into the values of your finds that are way beyond whatever the current price of gold is.
What I learned from Gerry was “pure gold”; and it is my hope that you are foolish enough not to believe a word I’ve written so you’ll leave more gold out there for me, my family and the rest of Gerry’s graduates.
Semper Fi J

• David Nelson, Gresham Oregon of CSC or David Nelson Consultant & Senior Certified TSFL Healthy Coach of www.myhealthvirus.com, unsolicited written recommendation and personal testimonial - July 30, 2011
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• If anyone has a question about this review or wants to verify this isn’t bullshit, I’d be happy to answer any inquires and give a personal reference to Gerry and his business.  Feel free to e-mail me at cscnospam@cscinter.net; don’t spam me though, if my filters don’t get you, I’m an expert at hitting “delete”.  Gery can give out my phone number if you’d like to talk to me personally, not a problem.

P.S.  – If you do decide to take his training and do business with him you’ll be empowered.  You’re smart – you’ll gain 2 to 5 years of knowledge & experience in gold detecting in 3 days.  You’ll discover follow up training materials – you won’t find anywhere else.  (No, I’m not telling, but when Gerry makes an emphasis on something you should get – you are wise to get it.)  My hope is you think this review is b.s and go buy a detector from somewhere else, buy a book or video on detecting and stay far, far away from Gerry and his team, training and detectors.   If you’ve read this far; I’m pretty certain you’ll soon be a fellow student and graduate and I wish you the very best of luck, fun, safety and success.   Let’s go get some gold J  - Best Regards.