Oneounceload; did you see me once mention free enterprise and complain about it? Do you know what you're talking about? I simply mentioned that Sports Authority is a PRICE GOUGING organization, and I won't shop there anymore. Your RATIONALIZING about your Sports Authority not even carrying ammo; and then whining how MOST folks can't even find ammo at any price; is actually part of the problem. First off; don't say that Most people can't find ammo. Ammo is there; and worst case scenario, you can order it online. EVEN 380 auto. I order at least once a month. But the way you say it, "At Any Price"; means that some people; possibly yourself; are the ones who are willing to pay $50 for a box of 380 or 45acp. THAT is the problem. I am all for free enterprise. And the reason for the prices being so high isn't because retailers decided to jack up the price. It's because there are certain "Types" of consumers that are willing to pay the price. Manufacturers haven't cranked up the prices. If they had; Walmart, Dicks, Academy, and many others would have had to jack up their prices. And they haven't.
When I see a Mom&Pop store crank up their prices; I know that they don't have the buying power. But I ALWAYS turn them onto some better suppliers. (If I can buy ammo at $13 for 9mm and $20 for 45acp; then the Mom&Pop can too). So, if the retailer sells their $13 a box for $18 a box; I have no problem. They are in the business of making money. When I know for a fact that the $20 a box is being sold for $38, then I know it's Gouging. Especially from a larger retailer like Sports Authority. Maybe I happen to come from a more common sense town. Except for Sports Authority; no other place has major price hikes. And EVERY caliber is available somewhere in town. And customers AREN'T hoarding thousands of round. And if a retailer does crank up the price of a particular ammo; such as 380acp; customers are not shy to tell the other customers there in the store of the numerous online sites or other stores in town where they can get for half the price. And the retailer usually gets the message and brings the price back down. But a store like Sports Authority is simply gouging prices because they can. And that's fine. It is indeed free enterprise. But I'm also free to tell people they shouldn't pay those prices. And they don't HAVE TO. That there is plenty of ammo available. So, the problem isn't really Sports Authority; it's the PEOPLE that you mention who are willing to pay for ammo "AT ANY PRICE".