Businesses price gouging ammo right now

[oremike]

One thing that has been happening with the marking up of my ammo due to market demand is that I get a lot of calls saying something like "I bought a box of ammo from (fill in the blank) and I really like it , can I buy direct from you?" When they see what my prices are I get a large order. So that marking up my ammo is one of my best salesmen and I end up with a long term customer.

 

[Dinglenutz]

I'm probably going to take this opportunity to clear out a few firearms, and hold the cash until the panic ends. I'm a wannabe price gouger I guess, but my Tavor x95 has only been fired a bit over 100 times and I've had it for over 3 years - why not let somebody who would really love it have it now? Mulling ...

 

[Jonnyuma]

Wow, some flawed logic here....so this mythical individual who lives in a bad neighborhood, because he is poor to begin with, should be obliged to pay exceedingly high ammo prices? How is this poor individual suppose to afford the ammo? Either way, empty shelf or outrageously priced ammo, the poor guy ain't getting any ammo.....wait, i know, you will probably just say, "Well, he should get a better paying job," HA! in a country that has damn near 20% of the public unemployed?

Still can't comprehend how people cannot simply admit that price gouging is now fair business practice here in the good ol'USA.....

And the "fix" is... ?

Feel free to donate all the money, ammo, food, and toilet paper to whomever you wish, including that "mythical individual" you used as an example. That would make you a generous and charitable individual... much rarer the the poor, broke-azz one you cited as "mythical"... lots of those around (myself included).

Mandating that others do it for you is not generosity, it's authoritarian.

There are plenty of places is the world were totalitarian price-fixing is the norm. The USA is not one of them.

A free market ebbs and flows at the will of the consumer and supply/demand.. surely you learned that in Econ 101. We are not a 100% free market as tariffs, kickbacks, and other international economic chicanery is the rule rather than the exception but efforts are in place to right the ship.

This was not a political thread but it does remind me of a joke:
A lesbian, a socialist, and a vegan walk into a bar...
How do we know?
Because none of em could make it past 30 seconds without TELLING us.

You seem very angry.

 

[Camelfilter]

And the "fix" is... ?

Feel free to donate all the money, ammo, food, and toilet paper to whomever you wish. That makes you a generous and charitable individual.

Mandating that others do it for you is not generosity, it's authoritarian.

There are plenty of places is the world were totalitarian price-fixing is the norm. The USA is not one of them.

A free market ebbs and flows at the will of the consumer and supply/demand.. surely you learned that in Econ 101. We are not a 100% free market as tariffs, kickbacks, and other international economic chicanery is the rule rather than the exception but efforts are in place to right the ship.

This was not a political thread but it reminds me of a joke:
A lesbian, a socialist, and a vegan walk into a bar...
How do we know?
Because none of em could make it past 30 seconds without TELLING us.

Yup.

Sold some 9mm to an acquaintance for $60.

They had been considering a 9mm handgun for quite a while, finally pulled the trigger on what would be a good fit for the wife to handle.

After a weeks BGC wait they picked it up & the gunshop had a limit on 2 boxes of ammunition set aside for folks whom purchased firearms. Not enough, IMO.

I "sold" them a 600rd case of range blasters along with a box of defensive stuff...

 

[pdxgti8v]

And the "fix" is... ?

Feel free to donate all the money, ammo, food, and toilet paper to whomever you wish. That makes you a generous and charitable individual.

Mandating that others do it for you is not generosity, it's authoritarian.

There are plenty of places is the world were totalitarian price-fixing is the norm. The USA is not one of them.

A free market ebbs and flows at the will of the consumer and supply/demand.. surely you learned that in Econ 101. We are not a 100% free market as tariffs, kickbacks, and other international economic chicanery is the rule rather than the exception but efforts are in place to right the ship.

This was not a political thread but it does remind me of a joke:
A lesbian, a socialist, and a vegan walk into a bar...
How do we know?
Because none of em could make it past 30 seconds without TELLING us.

You seem very angry.

Nothing in my replies is related at all to politics...why do you assume it is? Because you are programmed to respond that way to anyone who criticizes our "supposed" free market? You think anyone who finds flaws in our current capitalist society is immediately an authoritarian or totalitarian? Oh wait, someone these days who wants a better, fairer market system is now called a "Socialist", I forgot...lol! Why is it you cannot admit there are flaws in our current form of capitalism? I am all about capitalism when it isn't abused...you okay with monopolies as well? Don't see a problem with those? Why didn't you just use the standard response of anyone who questions the almighty corporations, "It's America, if ya don't like it, why don't you leave?"...we can do better, people....is all I am saying....

If you're not angry, your eyes are closed...

Anyway, the guy above with the Tavor...message me the price you'd be selling it for....I'd be interested if the price is right.....

 

[Camelfilter]

Nothing in my replies is related at all to politics...why do you assume it is? Because you are programmed to respond that way to anyone who criticizes our "supposed" free market? You think anyone who finds flaws in our current capitalist society is immediately an authoritarian or totalitarian? Oh wait, someone these days who wants a better, fairer market system is now called a "Socialist", I forgot...lol! Why is it you cannot admit there are flaws in our current form of capitalism? I am all about capitalism when it isn't abused...you okay with monopolies as well? Don't see a problem with those? Why didn't you just use the standard response of anyone who questions the almighty corporations, "It's America, if ya don't like it, why don't you leave?"...we can do better, people....is all I am saying....

If you're not angry, your eyes are closed...

Anyway, the guy above with the Tavor...message me the price you'd be selling it for....I'd be interested if the price is right.....

Interesting.

Looks like you've joined here in 2015.

No idea on your personal experiences, wether or not you personally have lived thru prior firearms market fluctuations or not.

If you have, and considering you joined the forum in 2015, you must have at least seen the market fluctuation during the lead up to the 2016 election. Even if you weren't shooting much at that time.

So an honest question:

What made YOU decide NOT to stock up when the market tanked following the election?

 

[Jonnyuma]

Yup.

Sold some 9mm to an acquaintance for $60.

They had been considering a 9mm handgun for quite a while, finally pulled the trigger on what would be a good fit for the wife to handle.

After a weeks BGC wait they picked it up & the gunshop had a limit on 2 boxes of ammunition set aside for folks whom purchased firearms. Not enough, IMO.

I "sold" them a 600rd case of range blasters along with a box of defensive stuff...

That's the incredibly unique nature of American "gun culture".

Antis love to decry and denounce it, but American gun culture is a brotherhood, it encompasses a vibrant shooting sports community, as well as hunting, defense, hobbyists, tinkerers, and just plain old enthusiasts who just.. like... guns. It's as diverse as anyone could possibly dream of in disciplines, demographics, and levels of enthisiasm.

Other countries have a "gun culture" too, it consists of criminals, war lords, gangsters, and drug dealers.

Pick one.

It doesn't need to be a closed club, it's a freedom and a responsibility uniquely rooted in our heritage that is equally unique in its protection from governmental infringement.

Some people just don't get it.

 

[pdxgti8v]

Interesting.

Looks like you've joined here in 2015.

No idea on your personal experiences, wether or not you personally have lived thru prior firearms market fluctuations or not.

If you have, and considering you joined the forum in 2015, you must have at least seen the market fluctuation during the lead up to the 2016 election. Even if you weren't shooting much at that time.

So an honest question:

What made YOU decide NOT to stock up when the market tanked following the election?

I bought the HK p30s on a whim, not because of the economy, the elections, the pandemic, nothing, just a normal consumer decision....didn't even know there was a "run" on guns and ammo...i don't shoot much, maybe once a year, and when I was a regular shooter, back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there wasn't any BS runs on guns and ammo because of a stupid election, or because of a pandemic....so yeah, I was shocked when, after making a normal gun purchase, that I had problems finding ammo...sorry, my "gun nut" days were my younger years, now I am a casual owner/shooter...so yeah, sorry if I didn't realize that an election and pandemic would make people unnecessarily lose their minds and buy up all the guns and ammo.....Ive got plenty of 9mm ammo now, at a fair (non price gouged) price, so no worries from me now....

 

[Camelfilter]

I bought the HK p30s on a whim, not because of the economy, the elections, the pandemic, nothing, just a normal consumer decision....didn't even know there was a "run" on guns and ammo...i don't shoot much, maybe once a year, and when I was a regular shooter, back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there wasn't any BS runs on guns and ammo because of a stupid election, or because of a pandemic....so yeah, I was shocked when, after making a normal gun purchase, that I had problems finding ammo...sorry, my "gun nut" days were my younger years, now I am a casual owner/shooter...so yeah, sorry if I didn't realize that an election and pandemic would make people unnecessarily lose their minds and buy up all the guns and ammo.....Ive got plenty of 9mm ammo now, at a fair (non price gouged) price, so no worries from me now....

So, there were no firearms nor ammunition market fluctuations during the lead into the federal assault weapons ban & following?

 

[Jonnyuma]

Nothing in my replies is related at all to politics...why do you assume it is? Because you are programmed to respond that way to anyone who criticizes our "supposed" free market? You think anyone who finds flaws in our current capitalist society is immediately an authoritarian or totalitarian? Oh wait, someone these days who wants a better, fairer market system is now called a "Socialist", I forgot...lol! Why is it you cannot admit there are flaws in our current form of capitalism? I am all about capitalism when it isn't abused...you okay with monopolies as well? Don't see a problem with those? Why didn't you just use the standard response of anyone who questions the almighty corporations, "It's America, if ya don't like it, why don't you leave?"...we can do better, people....is all I am saying....

If you're not angry, your eyes are closed...

Anyway, the guy above with the Tavor...message me the price you'd be selling it for....I'd be interested if the price is right.....

A lot of suppositions and awkward extrapolations in your response, but I'll do my best to answer without belaboring the point(s).

You characterized an upward fluctuation in the market as gouging or, at least, a flaw in the system. I asked what the fix is. You didn't say.

Throwing the "How is the poor folk gonna buy ammo?" question into the mix made it unquestionably political. I never said you were a socialist or totalitarian, l said that the "solutions" to free market inequity are.

Predatory capitalism is a problem for a lot (LOT) of people who can't afford certain things, but it is one of the "consequences" (I use that word advisedly) of our consumer-based economy and is very rare. Payday loans, EZ Credit (Buy Here/Pay Here) interest percentages, and confiscatory property taxes, are all examples of predatory "lending"... two are voluntary, one carries deep legal consequences in the event of nonpayment. Who do you trust to keep prices artificially low?

I also remarked on the unfair trade agreements that mar our supposedly free market system by voluntarily tipping the scales out of our favor. No one ever said the system is perfect, but it's the one we have.

As for being in favor of monopolies? Why would you assume that? Shoot, man... I even named my youngest son after Theodore Roosevelt (or maybe Ted Nugent, l ain't sayin'). I'm not in favor of monopolies, but I recognize one when I see it, where regulation can have a say, and where intervention is needed... this isn't that.

Dude, you went straight to martyrdom, acting like you've been insulted in the highest order because someone had the audacity to ask a simple question: How do you propose to fix ammo inequity within the constraints of the Constitution?

A simple question without recrimination or innuendo. Get off your cross and tell us all.

 

[Dinglenutz]

I paid a king's ransom, relatively speaking, for a box of stripped AR lowers when the 1994 ban was up for vote. This is nothing new. The market is what it is, a large number of individuals engaging in voluntary transactions.

 

[z16chevelleguy]

***sigh*** passed econ 101 with flying colors gentlemen.....

here's another current example of price gouging.....my roommate needed the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump replaced on her Kia...I've done mechanic work in the past, i know it's a 4 hour job, current auto mechanic labor charge is $100 an hour, cost for the timing belt, tensioner and water pump is $100....so $100 parts, 4 hours labor at $100 an hour is $400, for a grand total of $500...3 different brick and mortar auto mechanic shops here in Portland wanted $1000 for the job...I asked every one how $100 in parts and 4 hours labor equals $1000...every single moron said, "It's a flat rate job"...i said, yeah, i know that "flat rate" means "overcharging customers for work, which also means price gouging"...found a local mechanic who works out of his van, a mechanic with over 20 years experience and ASE certified, to do the work at our home for $550.......so you all can "justify" or "deny" price gouging doesn't exist in this screwed up world we live in, but it does, and THAT is also taught in Econ 101....

A guy working out of his van equals no overhead and I doubt if he is paying taxes on money earned. Oh and did he giver her a warranty? Wondering why you didn't do the job yourself and help her out.

 

[titsonritz]

I bought the HK p30s on a whim, not because of the economy, the elections, the pandemic, nothing, just a normal consumer decision....didn't even know there was a "run" on guns and ammo...i don't shoot much, maybe once a year, and when I was a regular shooter, back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there wasn't any BS runs on guns and ammo because of a stupid election, or because of a pandemic....so yeah, I was shocked when, after making a normal gun purchase, that I had problems finding ammo...sorry, my "gun nut" days were my younger years, now I am a casual owner/shooter...so yeah, sorry if I didn't realize that an election and pandemic would make people unnecessarily lose their minds and buy up all the guns and ammo.....Ive got plenty of 9mm ammo now, at a fair (non price gouged) price, so no worries from me now....

That simply is not true, I recall Patrick Purdy walked into Stockton, California school yard and murdered children back in 1989 and as a direct result came Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act that same year, the ATF issued a rule citing the lack of "sporting purpose" to ban importation of assault weapons. In July 1989, the Bush Administration made the import ban permanent. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban was enacted in 1994. President Bill Clinton signed another executive order in 1994 which banned importation of most firearms and ammunition from China. There was panic buying and prices skyrocketing along the way. Personally I learn my lesson back then, it is no ones fault but your own if you did not. The exact same happened with TP just a short time ago which also spawned about a dozen similar threads.

 

[Jonnyuma]

so yeah, sorry if I didn't realize that an election and pandemic would make people unnecessarily lose their minds and buy up all the guns and ammo.....

So yeah, sorry that all the stoopids bought up all the guns and ammo.

Yeah, sorry that that history and trends are so elusive to the casual observer.

You're not the one who administers my 401k, are you? It would explain a lot.

 

[titsonritz]

I'll put it another way...During a time of massive demand and limited supply, why should gun and ammo sellers maintain their usual prices only so other jerk wads can buy it up by the pallets then turn around and sell at so call "price gouging" prices? Don't want to pay those prices? Simple, don't and go without.

 

[nammac]

Need to pay attention to the times O'plenty, just back in Janauary, February and March, when shelves were stocked and prices were reasonable...

Buy it cheap, stack it deep. Prices don't matter much then...

 

[Helocat]

Is this price gouging?
Someone earning say $22hr, sees some company advertising $28hr for new hires, goes and gets job offer at the new $28hr gig. They then tell their current $22hr boss they have a new job offer and will they match it? THIS Must be price gouging too? OR IS IT FREE MARKET?

(Same message but in Ammo speak)

Someone passed on stocking up on $7.99 per box of 9mm Blazer Brass last time Bi-Mart had it on sale w/ NO case restrictions, does not make the fact the current market demand has driven it to $19.99 for the same box. That is not price gouging. FREE MARKET. Don't like it don't buy it.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-===-=-=-=-=-=
Sheesh, this is like me complaining Gold closed yesterday at $1798 an oz and I did not buy 100 oz in 2006 when it was under $600 an oz. WHERE IS MY $110k! Price gouging! Let's make a list of all gold dealers and tell others they are bad people.

Real price gouging is withholding goods or services required to sustain life or property during an unusual event. For example, Johnson and Johnson suddenly jacks baby formula up 1200% right after a hurricane, or Home Depot does the same for in-stock plywood in the areas hit by a hurricane.

Yes we all need ammo and anyone who would go to the range and shoot every single round they own during a time its hard to get ammo, probably should not own a gun in the first place.

 

[Jonnyuma]

... up 1200% right after a hurricane, or Home Depot does the same for in-stock plywood in the areas hit by a hurricane.

And isn't it the slightest bit illuminating that the MAIN need for plywood and other similar materials are due to the universal truth of crap-can humans who will victimize victims.

I'd LOVE to believe that people are mostly good and honest... and I do. Most.
But the reason for securing your property is because humans can be vultures. Maybe it's just nature, but I tend to believe that they're just sociopaths.

 

[Helocat]

***sigh*** passed econ 101 with flying colors gentlemen.....

here's another current example of price gouging.....my roommate needed the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump replaced on her Kia...I've done mechanic work in the past, i know it's a 4 hour job, current auto mechanic labor charge is $100 an hour, cost for the timing belt, tensioner and water pump is $100....so $100 parts, 4 hours labor at $100 an hour is $400, for a grand total of $500...3 different brick and mortar auto mechanic shops here in Portland wanted $1000 for the job...I asked every one how $100 in parts and 4 hours labor equals $1000...every single moron said, "It's a flat rate job"...i said, yeah, i know that "flat rate" means "overcharging customers for work, which also means price gouging"...found a local mechanic who works out of his van, a mechanic with over 20 years experience and ASE certified, to do the work at our home for $550.......so you all can "justify" or "deny" price gouging doesn't exist in this screwed up world we live in, but it does, and THAT is also taught in Econ 101....

Not price gouging. IF all 3 shops quoted $1000, then its a $1k job in Portland. Period.

If you disagree set up your own shop and start doing them for half the price and smile at all the work you have. If you don't want to do that, then the local professionals that do want to do the work have established what the free market price in Portland. Its very simple and very Econ 101.

 

[MannyGlocks]

communism will cure all these dang ole gougers...yep.

Now, hand me my hammer and sickle...