Some more price gouging

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ALSO - the gas station had to pay higher prices too... Don't forget that. The prices at the gun shops have gone up because they are having to pay more for the material.
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That's true in some cases but doesn't really apply to this case. Ammo prices have gone up quite a bit over the last year or so. Dealers are paying a higher price for it and charging us more. I understand that. It happens.

This is not the case with CTD and many other shops as well. Magpul is not charging more for their magazines. There are places still buying and selling new pmags for the same price they were a year ago. .223 didn't suddenly cost 4 times as much to manufacture when BHO got elected. That beat up old SKS sitting in the corner for 3 years didn't suddenly cost the shop owner an extra $300.

They became worth more because people will pay more for it. Heck, look at the real estate market. This is more of a supply and demand issue. The demand is up and the supply is down. That's all. If people refused to pay stupid prices for things, they wouldn't be charging stupid prices. As they say...there's a sucker born every minute.
 
Hey guys, how'se about a box of WOLF brand .40 ammo for $27.49?
Thus saith CTD!!!

Cannonball, I about bust a gasket when I saw your post above. :)
Hilarious!
 
Wish I did, I miss being able to shoot. Some of us did not have the choice to stockpile between the sunset of the ban and the paranoia.
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Yes, you did have the choice. You just chose to go to school. Probably the better choice, but you DID have the choice.

If you don't like CTD, then don't buy from them. I don't buy anything from them as I have found they are more expensive than dirt, by far. I also stocked up like a crazy animal before the election. But, I had the opportunity to. So, if I was to sell my stockpile, should I sell it for what I paid for it? Or, should I sell for what the market will bear to people who were not so far sighted.

Tough choice.....not really.
 
Even if you decide NOT to choose, you still have made a choice. lol

Seriously, it really is a sellers market at the moment
and as stated. A supply and demand thing.

I guess I can't fault a shop who now feels dusty old SKSs
nifty ARs or ammo supplies are now worth more.

Imagine how long they sat there before
the big panic buying began.

Capitalism at it's finest. :)
 
I can't wait until the people that keep buying just finally go broke. That way, demand drops like a rock, and stores and suppliers can lower prices to reflect that
 
They didn't get any of my business before, and they aren't likely to get any of it in the future.

They've never had the best prices on the stuff I buy.
 
You think you're the only one who's had it rough? It took me nine years to finish school, with sporadic employment in between. I don't have a "stockpile" of anything; I think the closest I have is a thousand rounds of .22LR, and that cost me damn near forty bucks.

But in my nine years of schooling, I took classes in economics and marketing. I learned all sorts of neat things about supply and demand, marginal utility, risk, marketing utility (place, time, financing, selection, transportation/logistics, etc.) and other such topics. All of it together says one thing: in times of high demand, high prices are a good thing. High prices mean higher profit, encouraging increased production. High prices also act as a natural rationing system, ensuring availability to those most in need: if a need (demand) is great, the price will be paid, while a lesser need (demand) will forgo the high price. To the poster who mentioned the $10 bottled water after Katrina, I'll bet you didn't buy two pallets "just in case," did you?

Yes, it sucks when you're the one having to write the cheques, but (in case your parents forgot to tell you) life isn't fair. The guy who bought extra before things went South is going to come out ahead of you. Get used to it, or get ready for a long and bumpy ride through life. And stock up before the world panics next time--it's not like there were no warning signs that prices would be rising.
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Why is it that everytime someone posts that they're unhappy with how things are, you all obviously assume they're either naive or stupid? Do not mistake regret or dismay for whining. I'm a damn bit better off than many other people. I understand that.
Just because I do not care for the way things are turning out does not mean that I do not understand basic economics (four terms of economics in college, for what its worth).
And thanks for the advise guys. I'll try to stock up before the next panic to end all panics.
As for the statement that its my fault because I chose to go to college? Since you all seem to enjoy pulling college classes into the discussion, lets go to sociology. You say it was a choice, the choice to go to college. I would argue that the choice is no longer an individual's to make. From the time we are old enough to understand, society tells us we have to go to college. Job are often allocated by one's education. We are given statistics saying an individual with a college degree will make millions more in his life than one without a degree (not always true, but probably pretty close). High school guidance counselors send us to college fairs. We no longer stress the need for skilled craftsmen or apprentice programs in our schools. We pity those with grades not good enough to go to colleges. We must improve ourselves. So I would argue that society makes the decision for most of us. Go to college, or deviate from the societal norm, and society will either have no place or no use for you.
I don't regret going to college. I learned a lot, just like you econ boys. It cost me opportunities, sure, but it opened many more.
Getting to the bottom line, I am not whining about not being able to stockpile like others seem to have. I am simply remembering with fondness the days of the 100$ per 1000 rounds of .223, the 12$ for 100 rounds of 9mm, the 50$ Mosin Nagant at Big5. Unfortunately, I think those days are gone for good now. Its sad. But remembrance is not to be mistaken for whining or weakness.
 
Posts by Elcid11rocks
But one inflated seller causes another seller to raise their prices...

I have... .223 for under $350 per k, at my own shop.
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Wait... why didn't the inflated sellers cause you to raise your prices?
 
MountainBear, it's not the "I miss the old price" that you took a beating for, it's the accusation that "suppliers, manufacturers, politicians, etc. are conspiring to create a panic, it stops being free market and crosses the line into gouging."

There's no conspiracy, and the market is behaving properly in reaction to a stimulus (the threat of reduced supply). In fact, the market's reaction has actually increased supply in the short run: some manufacturers are operating longer shifts (or even around the clock) to increase production. That's a good thing, and in no way is it "gouging."
 
I was simply agreeing with a previous post. And if you don't think its gouging, I've got 20 rounds of brass cased .223 I'll sell for $100, I'll even throw in the shipping.

Maybe everyone's right, It's okay as long as someone will pay it then its not gouging. Never been flamed so much for having an opinion.

You all can have this thread, I don't think I'm doing anything constructive here.
 
As for the statement that its my fault because I chose to go to college? Since you all seem to enjoy pulling college classes into the discussion, lets go to sociology. You say it was a choice, the choice to go to college. I would argue that the choice is no longer an individual's to make. From the time we are old enough to understand, society tells us we have to go to college. Job are often allocated by one's education. We are given statistics saying an individual with a college degree will make millions more in his life than one without a degree (not always true, but probably pretty close)
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You do understand what choice means? If someone does not have the choice to go to college that means they are forced to.... Im guessing no one held a gun to your head. Maybe they have some extra ammo for you. I went to college and grad school.. I paid for them myself. I didnt buy alot of guns in those periods, but I do what I can now.

I remember with fondness 90 cent a gallon gas... Doesn't change economics. If I was interested in selling my ammo and guns, I will try and get top buckages for them. If that is gouging, so be it, but my replacement cost would be similar, so why would I sell it for less?

Anyway, you did have a choice, you chose wisely, in my opinion.
 
I remember with fondness 90 cent a gallon gas
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Shoot, I remember .29 @ gallon. But then I was making $55 @ week. My apartment cost me 25% of my pay. My current house costs me about 25% of my pay. I'm making a whole lot more than $55 @ week too. It's all relative my friends. :D
 
If you can sell a widget for $1000 but want to keep selling them for $500 out of the goodness of your heart then right on, but it doesn't seem many people are doing that these days and the ones that do are (of course) sold out. After this is over I would like to see someone put out a list of sellers who didn't take advantage of the frenzy. They'll get my business and the others will not.
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There are business' out there that aren't taking advantage (the best term I can think of to describe what's going on). The place that I deal with most of the time has raised their prices on their AR's, but only to what MSRP is and no more. In the event that the supplier has raised prices, they have a fixed percentage of mark-up that they use as a guide for their prices. They haven't increased their profit margin of items that many other business' seem to have no problem jacking their customers over. They have been in business for a while now and they plan on continuing to do so for quite some time. They realize that this tactic of taking advantage of the current situation is leaving a bad taste in a lot of mouths and they don't want to be "that business". I think that they are giving up the quick buck for a long-term loyalty which will be better in the long rum. This is why they will have my business for as long as they are open and continue this practice.
 
What would be nice is a post that has an constant updated list of the companies that are taking advantage and the ones that aren't being so greedy
in these tough times or any time for that matter. This could be done in Ebay style with a store rating. Negative and positive feedbacks keep people in line.
Of course this list would not be used by the people who say "That's capitalism," about the gouging in here. They can drain their wallets and ignore the
list while those who don't care to put $$ in the pocket of greedy companies can use it to their advantage.

That wouldn't be how it went down though because as much as everybody likes to defend jacking prices up they still would rather not have to shop at
said stores. Capitalism is great and all but, so is the internet. Start advertising in here on these companies that are taking advantage and see how long
they last with the whole internet bad mouthing them. When you're held accountable for your business practices you shape up or ship out. It's only fair right?
 
I don't speak for anybody but myself, but my comment that "that's capitalism" doesn't preclude me choosing my suppliers with care. That, too, is the free market: I'm free to choose how I spend my money, and I can make that choice on whatever criteria I see fit.

I didn't say I was going to support the decision to dramatically increase prices, just that I supported their right to do so, that I understand why they've done so, and that I don't think it's "gouging" or otherwise wrong.
 
What would be nice is a post that has an constant updated list of the companies that are taking advantage and the ones that aren't being so greedy
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Maybe the mods could make a sticky of a thread with people updating their experiences.
 
Thats a great Idea--Hold there toes to the fire -!
As to gouging--Its a practice where By Demand or shortage a company takes advantage of the situation and OVER charges when there is No competition- forcing you to ether BUY the HI priced goods OR go without.. This is done By GREEDY Unethical persons using a situation to GOUGE you On price!! If an ammo dealer pays 10$ for a box of 45acp and sells it for 12$ thats a fair markup- IF a shortage comes along and he increases his profit to 30% thats still understandable and Fair marketing -- IF he Marks His 45acp to 35$ a box and everyone follows Thats GOUGING=LEGAL yes --Ethical== You be da judge !!
What would you say if every INSULIN Manufacture decided to stage a shortage and charge 100$ a shot for insulin--fair marketing--I dont think so!!!
 
Buy ammo for $10 and sell for $12 is a fair markup? Retail works on a much higher markup than that for the avg. small shop. The really big guys maybe with a huge turnover in product.

Course I only grew up in retail and worked in it till I retired at 65. Owned my own business the last 30 years, but what do I know.
 
What would be nice is a post that has an constant updated list of the companies that are taking advantage and the ones that aren't being so greedy
in these tough times or any time for that matter.
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If anyone is in the colorado springs area and is looking for a decent place, pm me and I'll give you the info on a small mom-and-pop place that treats people like they want to be treated. They also hold the pistol safety class for obtaining your cc permit, and they charge about half of what everyone else seems to be charging.
 
I think the word "gouging" is more properly applied to crucial items which are being sold for crazy high prices during some kind of hardship shortage situation, like charging a starving man $1000 for an egg. Real gouging can only happen when the goods in question are needed, not merely wanted.

This ammo thing is just a response to the shooting public's panic buying. Honestly, how many of us are in extreme hardship because we can't buy unlimited amounts of ammo? I have enough for my defense purposes and am surviving just as well without regularly burning up 500 rounds at the range. If folks would just mellow out a bit, this will pass.

Now, for those places charging $50-$60 for a box of $16-$17 handgun ammo, they can kiss my behind. Just as the public's excessive buying caused this shortage, so can the public cause a glut. Boycott the jerks who've raised those prices through the roof. Don't buy there. I'll personally never go to Cheaper Than Dirt again. They should be called "Treat You Like Dirt."
 
I have plenty of ARs and other black rifles, (including some SCARs), along with tons of .223 for under $350 per k, at my own shop. I own KAC in beaverton, oregon. Look it up if you're interested.
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not that you wouldn't know the name of your business or anything, but KAS maybe ?

And all those that pre payed you for SCARS over on the "other" forum must be delighted you have some in, as doubtless you have contacted them.....:barf:
 
Wait a minute:

Suppose you were going to sell your house. You bought it for $100K and you get an offer for $200K. Are you going to refuse the offer, and sell for 100K? If not, are you price gouging? Suppose that similar homes in you neighborhood are selling for $250K, so you turn down the offer, knowing someone will offer more. Now is it price gouging?

Why would you expect gun and ammo suppliers to be any different? It is not "price gouging" if someone is charging more than you want to pay.
 
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