primer price gouging

As always, buyer beware, right?!?

Artg56 said:

One of the benefits of buying at gun shows used to be saving on the shipping, handling and hazmat fees. The way they price now it seems they add in any incidental costs incurred or not

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It does make me wonder.

Way back around 1990 or so, I stumbled across a guy that had a big pile of .22 WMR on his table. A couple dozen boxes or more. I told him if he'd come down on his price a dollar a box, I'd buy his entire lot.

Nope, wouldn't budge. Said "that's the going price".

I told him I could buy it at a brick and mortar store for about what I was asking him to come down to, but he wouldn't budge. And I'm sure he knew what the average price in town was, too.

At the end of the gun show, he still had that same pile, not one box less. Still wouldn't budge.

I just shrugged and spent my $200 on ammunition out in town.

I don't ask for a steal, just what I think would be a fair/reasonable deal. I'm all about a guy making a profit, but it's also gotta be equitable for me as well.

RetiredUSNChief said:

It does make me wonder.

Way back around 1990 or so, I stumbled across a guy that had a big pile of .22 WMR on his table. A couple dozen boxes or more. I told him if he'd come down on his price a dollar a box, I'd buy his entire lot.

Nope, wouldn't budge. Said "that's the going price".

I told him I could buy it at a brick and mortar store for about what I was asking him to come down to, but he wouldn't budge. And I'm sure he knew what the average price in town was, too.

At the end of the gun show, he still had that same pile, not one box less. Still wouldn't budge.

I just shrugged and spent my $200 on ammunition out in town.

I don't ask for a steal, just what I think would be a fair/reasonable deal. I'm all about a guy making a profit, but it's also gotta be equitable for me as well.

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Yep! I never get a good deal
on anything really. But I don’t over pay for what I’m fulmiller with

9mmepiphany said:

The father responded, "I'm not carrying that out to the truck again"

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Yeah...merchandise that isn't moving isn't making any money at all!

I remember one guy trying to tell me he had to cover overhead for "stocking". I told him he wouldn't have to cover so much overhead if he priced his products to actually sell.

I’d guess a lot of the primers being sold at shows today are also the ones people hoarded in 2020 at panic prices. They sunk a lot into it to profit and now they’re behind where the new stock is priced online.

I didn’t go to the local northern Virginia “Nation’s Gun Show” this past weekend although I could use some targets and other things and I just enjoy walking around looking at and handling firearms I’ll never see again in my life.

It’s a big show but even still I doubt there was any reloading stuff. I’ve bought several semi custom 1911s at the show because I could see, touch, and feel them which cannot be done anywhere else in these parts.

I couldn’t care less about prices including what they used to be just after the glaciers receded. If I want something, I buy it. Availability is the only thing important to me. If living on the cheap were my goal, I’d leave the DC suburbs and quit shooting and reloading.

But I’m glad I didn’t go for a different reason.

On Friday a guy shot himself in the foot. Loaded firearms are strictly prohibited in the show and he apparently removed his magazine but left a round in the chamber.

But he’s not the only one. Up at a mall in Maryland close to Baltimore, on Friday or Saturday a guy accidentally fired pistol. It sent people scrambling and freaking out. Carrying in Maryland is a new phenomenon since the SCOTUS decision on New York’s carry prohibition. Local politicians are already saying OMG we told you about those gun owners.

Anyway, few things tick me off more than dumb jerks with firearms. Not only are they dangerous, they fuel the anti gun fire.

I would say MOST gun shows are that way.

There is one here that happens once a year and it is worth while to go to. I can't however, just can't walk that much anymore.

gifbohane said:

Don't know about you guys but I have not found a CCI SPP in 2 1/2 years.

Won't be long (maybe a year?) before I need to pay these prices for them.

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In my area, they have been one of the more common primers I've found during the current shortage. Mostly at Bass Pro and Cabela's. But here is a picture I took at a Scheels store in MN a couple of months ago. Mostly SRP and SRPM, but some SPP on the top shelf.

Gun shows now days is like going to Wally World for entertainment. You can get a laugh or two. The ones around here are ARs and plastic semi autos. If you do see something of interest and ask if there is any wiggle room you get the evil eye and they point to the price tag. Days of camaraderie at the local gun show are long gone...

JDeere said:

Gun shows now days is like going to Wally World for entertainment. You can get a laugh or two. The ones around here are ARs and plastic semi autos. If you do see something of interest and ask if there is any wiggle room you get the evil eye and they point to the price tag. Days of camaraderie at the local gun show are long gone...

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So camaraderie is when the seller drops their price so you’re satisfied?

Just kidding, but why do you all presume the seller should drop their price?

CQB45ACP said:

So camaraderie is when the seller drops their price so you’re satisfied?

Just kidding, but why do you all presume the seller should drop their price?

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Half the fun of an open market is the haggling ‘

South Prairie Jim said:

Half the fun of an open market is the haggling ‘

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I guess. But the other half isn’t.

For me, I expect to get what I’m asking and not be insulted by some titewad (isn’t that a powder?) and will pay what the seller is asking if I really want it.

Last May I donated a car to the Salvation Army vs. “haggling”.

CQB45ACP said:

So camaraderie is when the seller drops their price so you’re satisfied?

Just kidding, but why do you all presume the seller should drop their price?

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Guess we are cut from a different cloth. Some sellers use to always set prices high and expect to do some haggling. My 2 lgs always entertain the idea. It really does not hurt to ask because you never know. If you are not budging just say so. Camaraderie is being able to socialize with folks and not act like a zombie when spoken to. Times are a changing...

JDeere said:

Guess we are cut from a different cloth. Some sellers use to always set prices high and expect to do some haggling. My 2 lgs always entertain the idea. It really does not hurt to ask because you never know. If you are not budging just say so. Camaraderie is being able to socialize with folks and not act like a zombie when spoken to. Times are a changing...

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I’m a camaraderie guy too. And talking to folks at the gun show was a great joy.

I have jerk millennial neighbors who’ll walk by and pretend they don’t see a wave or hear good morning. But they’re happy to leave their dog’s dropping in my yard.

But haggling isn’t fun for me on either side of the transaction. Don’t know why exactly.

JEBruns said:

In my area, they have been one of the more common primers I've found during the current shortage. Mostly at Bass Pro and Cabela's. But here is a picture I took at a Scheels store in MN a couple of months ago. Mostly SRP and SRPM, but some SPP on the top shelf.

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Maybe it varies by area but around here if you find any primers at all they will be SRP, or less likely SPP. The chances of finding LPP are slim and there is no chance of finding LRP.

I would not be upset if primers became readily available again but the price was $75 per brick or in that neighborhood. The price of everything is up and I think those who expect the price to eventually get back to $30 are dreaming.

Most of the people I would enjoy a little haggling with are dead. They were from "The Greatest Generation." They grew old and died. The people that replaced them have no souls. Have you ever looked in someone's eyes and could tell they have no soul to save? I have.

mmb617 said:

Maybe it varies by area but around here if you find any primers at all they will be SRP, or less likely SPP. The chances of finding LPP are slim and there is no chance of finding LRP.

I would not be upset if primers became readily available again but the price was $75 per brick or in that neighborhood. The price of everything is up and I think those who expect the price to eventually get back to $30 are dreaming.

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I think prices will drop but who knows how much but you’re right, everything is way up. And package sizes smaller. So maybe that’s the answer as to future primer prices…back down to $25/Brick but a brick will only be 500 primers

Beck said:

Most of the people I would enjoy a little haggling with are dead. They were from "The Greatest Generation." They grew old and died. The people that replaced them have no souls. Have you ever looked in someone's eyes and could tell they have no soul to save? I have.

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Now that’s a deep dark place. Everyone has a soul to save but the decision is binary, no haggling allowed.

The greatest generation are quickly dwindling and most are only haggling on the sell side because they’ve long since quit accumulating stuff.

just before I started reloading I stumbled across an old timer’s estate sale with a large room full of presses, dies, and components. Sure wish I’d find one like that today.

frogfurr said:

Gun shows aren't what they used to be. I don't even go anymore.

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Haven't gone in a few years. No deals. Nothing interesting or unique. Just a bunch of overpriced stuff.

I’m not sure I have seen a good deal at a gun show since 1992…

CQB45ACP said:

I guess. But the other half isn’t.

For me, I expect to get what I’m asking and not be insulted by some titewad (isn’t that a powder?) and will pay what the seller is asking if I really want it.

Last May I donated a car to the Salvation Army vs. “haggling”.

View attachment 1106727

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Little did you know, your old Caddy is now sitting on 32” spinner rims!

Tightwad is good stuff

kennedy said:

went to National gun day in Louisville ky today, Fed and cci primers were going for $150-$175, they were all priced that way, like they set the prices before the show opened, so screw them, I bought these 5000 Genex primers made in Bosnia for $80 per 1000. They seat a little hard, but doable, going to test them next week in my .40 Sig

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It's possible these may allow slightly enlarged primer pocket brass to get another load or two...if needed. At 4.5mm, these would be largest small primers available. While the standard is 4.4mm (0.175"), I'm measuring CCI at 4.44mm, while Rem, Fiocchi, and TulAmmo come in at 4.43mm even 4.42mm. I always wondered if the TulAmmo primers were a hair bigger, as they are generally harder seating for me than other brands.

Don't know about the local gun shows but I walked into Academy yesterday and low and behold they had a 1000ct box of CCI400 and about 6 100ct boxes. $6.99/100, $69.90/1000. I asked if there was a limit and they said no, so I walked out with the 1000ct brick. I had enough for a few years of reloading at my normal rate, but at $70/box, can't turn it down; that's trading currency!