Rant - Disgusted with current guns & ammo frenzy...

[Shweboner]

Not what you think... am I disgusted at the environment that has created this nonsense? Of course, but we all are.

I am disgusted by the actions of my fellow shooters gouging eachother... and I dont want to hear any of this free market garbage either. This mainly stems from local sites, etc. THR doesnt seem too bad FWIW.

Im talking about guys selling boxes of primers for $50 that they paid $15 for a few years ago. Or the guys selling $300 Romanian AKs for $600-$800. Wolf ammo selling for almost $400 per case.

I know that stuff is hard to come by and I know that some guys actually paid higher prices from their retailer... I have been involved in online gun & ammo sales for almost 8 years now. I know what was on the market when and for how much. So when I see a guy (not a business mind you) selling 500 rounds of Barnaul 762x39 that is packed in those plain white paper boxes that have not been available for at least a couple of years... I know he paid less than $100 for it, incl. shipping. So when I see him taking advantage of his fellow shooters by selling it for $300 it pisses me off.

I know I have made a few bucks on some deals, but I was an FFL holder.

What I see going on today is utterly sickening. VEPRs for $1500 on GB. Beat to shat Mini 14 thats missing parts listed for $650.

Since I bought my first gun, I have been neck deep in shooting and 2A issues. Ive always heard how good and decent "gun people" were... But when the chips are down... they act like starving dogs fighting over a carcass.

Maybe I am a socialist? But when I put stuff up for sale I take a loss if it is used, if I make money on it, its because I have improved the weapon or have additional accessories... Im not saying that there is anything wrong with even making a few extra dollars because you cant just go buy this stuff anymore... but trying to make a 200% profit is a load of crap.

All that having been said... there are some good guys out there looking to make deals and trades in the interest of helping out fellow shooters.

 

[Husaberg Man]

A guy bought primers a few YEARS ago for $15 and you begrudge him a selling price of $50??

Given the time value of money, the performance of other investments available, and current demand, that $50 price is reason for anger. The SOB should charge $100 so that there is actually a supply out there for the people with the wherewithal to make a purchase.

 

[jard]

Your right. I just saw a guy in the paper trying to sell a 1932 Ford that had over 10,000 miles on it and then parked and has been sitting for over 60 years in a dirty barn!! I KNOW he paid no more than 2500 dollars for it new, but he wants over 32000 dollars for it now. I offered him 2000 because it was used, and he didn't take it. He said they are hard to come by now adays!! I told him I will never purchase a car from him because he is a filthy gouger.

 

[Dark Skies]

I think Glenda Jackson (the actress) said it best. "If people are stupid enough to pay me that kind of money I'm not so daft as to refuse it."

 

[American Finn]

I agree with much of what you say. I have never been in the "gun business" per say, but it seems to me there are a number of "weiners" who give everyone a bad name. Living here in Michigan, our local gun shows (which used to be very high class) have become a joke. The same overpriced ChiCom garbage for sale at each one; and Jack the Rippers for dealers plying their overpriced wares (come on, how many times do we have to see the same "PolyTech" pieces of poop on a table!). Many times I have noticed that many of the dealers, or gun shops, seem to have an attitude problem. Don't you love walking into a store to give them your business and the person behind the counter treats you like something left in an unflushed toilet? :banghead:

Now, having said that, there are many fair, honest and decent people involved in the gun business. I have had many positive experiences with this hobby, and I find that most of the time I am dealing with a family man who is just looking to make an honest living. I have absoloutely no problem with that; this is America after all! I just hope that in the end, all of us can find a happy medium and stick together on the key issues: protecting our 2nd Amendment rights!!

 

[feedthehogs]

and I dont want to hear any of this free market garbage either

Free market garbage?

Funny I bet you like your 2nd amendment rights unrestricted but when your a day late and dollar short its time to pull the socialist routine?

helping out fellow shooters

.

Gun welfare, now I've heard everything.

 

[kingpin008]

Is yet another thread on the ammo situation really necessary? Really?

We get it already - there's no ammo anywhere, even at the friendly local Wal-Mart. People are taking advantage of the shortage, and some are being less than fair with their pricing.

It's going to happen. There's not much to be done about it. If you don't think someone is asking a fair price, don't pay. If some sucker is stupid or desperate enough to pay whatever the (supposed) price gouger is asking, that's their fault.

 

[gego]

So the alternative to the market setting the price is government setting the price. How would you like Obama's crew in a position to dictate what prices you pay for ammo?

I bet you would not have much objection to buying some shares of stock for $15 and selling them for $50, so why begrudge a fellow who made a wise investment in ammo the profits for his risk and foresight.

Clearly people feel a great need for ammo, whether to take to the range, stockpile, or hold to see if they can make some money on selling it at a higher price later.

 

[KarenTOC]

I know I have made a few bucks on some deals, but I was an FFL holder.

So what does this mean? You have a license to gouge but ordinary folks don't? Allow me to rephrase... You have a license to make a profit but ordinary folks don't? Wait, still not right, let me restate. You have a license to break even but ordinary folks don't?

Why?

 

[rbernie]

We are done. We do NOT need yet another self-indulgent whinefest over things that are driven by normal market forces.

You don't like the price of things, then don't buy it. If you've lost faith in your fellow gunnies, well then I would suggest that you probably held them to an impossibly high standard. People are people, including those who buy and sell guns.

Market value is what people will pay. Doesn't matter if that's what YOU would pay.

Let it go.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I KNOW he paid no more than 2500 dollars for it new

I've got news for you. A 1932 Ford didn't cost $500 new, or even $400. Now they're worth $50,000 for the right body style.

But that's kind of beside the point. Things are worth what the market is paying, period. I can see selling a friend some components at a good price, but if the buying public is paying $50/thousand for primers, and I have some for sale, guess what I'm charging?

BTW, I DO have several thousand large pistol primers set back, but I won't be selling them, unless one of my close friends needs them.