A change in Walmart's 22 ammo?

[BC38]

As of today Walmart seems to have removed all bulk 22 ammo listings from their website. So...

Is this confirmation of the "rumor" posted by the OP? Has Walmart decided that the profits from 22 ammo isn't worth the hassle of dealing with all of us calling, asking, and looking for it?

 

[nesser]

Was at Walmart about 10:30 tonight checking for 22lr ammo picked up 2 box 1000 rds, of Winchester M22. Wife also got 2 box and they still had some under the counter.

 

[BC38]

Was at Walmart about 10:30 tonight checking for 22lr ammo picked up 2 box 1000 rds, of Winchester M22. Wife also got 2 box and they still had some under the counter.

Yeah, I picked up three of the 333 round boxes last night - after checking stock using the Walmart Android App. BUT as of today the App and even the website don't even list bulk packs as an item they carry. That has to mean something...

 

[shakyshoot]

As of today Walmart seems to have removed all bulk 22 ammo listings from their website. So...

Is this confirmation of the "rumor" posted by the OP? Has Walmart decided that the profits from 22 ammo isn't worth the hassle of dealing with all of us calling, asking, and looking for it?

They also have no .223 bulk packs on their website, but I can't walk into a WW these days without seeing a 1000 rd pk of .223. What they have or don't have on the website is almost irrelevant, since they don't sell ammo through the website. And it's obvious they don't want shoppers to be able to check stock availability of ammo, since they blocked that, unless you know the workaround. Walmart carries bulk .22 ammo. The fact that it's not there daily is no different from any other retailer. Quite a few stores around here have 225's of Golden Bullets right now. Small as bulk packs go, but still bulk packs. (and not on their website)

 

[BC38]

They also have no .223 bulk packs on their website, but I can't walk into a WW these days without seeing a 1000 rd pk of .223. What they have or don't have on the website is almost irrelevant, since they don't sell ammo through the website. And it's obvious they don't want shoppers to be able to check stock availability of ammo, since they blocked that, unless you know the workaround. Walmart carries bulk .22 ammo. The fact that it's not there daily is no different from any other retailer. Quite a few stores around here have 225's of Golden Bullets right now. Small as bulk packs go, but still bulk packs. (and not on their website)

I'm not sure you're really understanding what I'm saying. Last night, using the Walmart Android App, searching for "22 ammo" brought up multiple brands and sizes of bulk packs - every size and brand they sell. Bricks of 225, 333, 500, 525, 555, plus half a dozen different 100 round packs, and another half a dozen 50 round boxes. You could then check stock on each of them at your "selected" store and every other store in a 50 mile radius. The same search on their main web page brought up all the same items, and though it was much more difficult to actually check stock on them, they at least showed up and you COULD check stock on them.

As of this morning, doing a search for "22 ammo" brings up TWO items - both are 50 round boxes (CCI and Remington as I recall). Same thing on their web site. It is as if they have purged nearly ALL info about 22 ammo from their inventory system. THIS IS A BIG CHANGE.

My question is this: IF they are still going to carry 22 ammo, why would they make it impossible to check stock? It brings people into the store, and I know that just about every time I'm there I buy something else in addition to ammo - and I'll bet most other people do too.

A LOT of people aren't going to just keep "dropping in" to check for 22 ammo on the off chance that 1 time out of 10 it will be in stock. Or at least not as often or as many of them as people who WILL go to the store if they know it is in stock. As a major retailer you'd think they would continue doing whatever generates the most traffic to the store. Hiding their inventory doesn't so that. Unless they are going to quit carrying that particular item how does it make sense to make it HARDER for people to check stock on such a popular item?

 

[shakyshoot]

I do understand what you're saying. It would not surprise me if they've deliberately tried to louse up the Android app. If I ran the company, I wouldn't try to cut out my regular customers. However they've already shown months ago that they want to keep their ammo stock a mystery by putting a block on stock lookup on the regular site. Could be that they're now trying to mess up the stock on Android. Hard saying why they do what they do, but they might be trying to eliminate some of the bad blood about "the same 5 guys getting all the ammo." I've never gone and lined up early to get ammo, but I have no complaint with anyone who does. If they're first they should get the ammo. Not sure how this would affect ammo-can, but I would imagine it has to.

 

[smokindog]

GOOD! After reading all these threads AND observing the behavior of the app carrying drop ins, I'd do the same thing (although I don't believe this is deliberate)!

Think of all the people who DON'T go to the store BECAUSE of the app!!!!

The "drop ins" you describe disrupt re-stocking, have been known to be rude, rarely are there to buy anything else, and create mis-information to tarnish reputations. I'm not saying there aren't shenanigans going on here and there but let's face it, all the product they receive will sell regardless of the app having the data. If I could eliminate a headache and not change my bottom line, I'd do the exact same thing.

A LOT of people aren't going to just keep "dropping in" to check for 22 ammo on the off chance that 1 time out of 10 it will be in stock. Or at least not as often or as many of them as people who WILL go to the store if they know it is in stock. As a major retailer you'd think they would continue doing whatever generates the most traffic to the store. Hiding their inventory doesn't so that. Unless they are going to quit carrying that particular item how does it make sense to make it HARDER for people to check stock on such a popular item?

 

[Rick_A]

I've been buying subsonics at the LGS lately for back yard shooting, when I can. Our local Walmarts have gotten secretive all of a sudden about ammo deliveries, and have varied the times they put it out, so I just don't deal with them anymore.

For anything else I want to shoot I still have plenty left, plenty of components to reload with, or other places I can get it.

 

[smokindog]

Just got back from a tour of my 3 local Walmarts. Scored my 3 bulk boxes at each. I'm sure it's coincidence but if not, I'm loving that the information has been pulled.

 

[BC38]

Oh yeah, this is a great development for all the flippers who do a loop of all the local Walmarts, pick up lots of bulk packs for $25 a box and sell it for $50 a box - instead of getting a real job. As I see it this helps these guys prolong the shortage, while they make a living reselling it at a 100% markup to the rest of us who have to go to work every day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you guys who are buying for your own use, but there are guys doing the same thing you are doing to get 6, or 9, or 12 bulk boxes per day to resell to those who can't hit all the Walmarts in their area every day because they have to work for a living...

 

[smokindog]

I got off my rear end and used my lunch hour to buy ammo instead of sitting on it.

I was taught to work for what I wanted.

Oh yeah, this is a great development for all the flippers who do a loop of all the local Walmarts, pick up lots of bulk packs for $25 a box and sell it for $50 a box - instead of getting a real job. As I see it this helps these guys prolong the shortage, while they make a living reselling it at a 100% markup to the rest of us who have to go to work every day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you guys who are buying for your own use, but there are guys doing the same thing you are doing to get 6, or 9, or 12 bulk boxes per day to resell to those who can't hit all the Walmarts in their area every day because they have to work for a living...

 

[shakyshoot]

Oh yeah, this is a great development for all the flippers who do a loop of all the local Walmarts, pick up lots of bulk packs for $25 a box and sell it for $50 a box - instead of getting a real job. As I see it this helps these guys prolong the shortage, while they make a living reselling it at a 100% markup to the rest of us who have to go to work every day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you guys who are buying for your own use, but there are guys doing the same thing you are doing to get 6, or 9, or 12 bulk boxes per day to resell to those who can't hit all the Walmarts in their area every day because they have to work for a living...

Wow, so the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers" and now the lack of the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers." Interesting.

 

[smokindog]

I was preparing to post the same message but was waiting for the second bourbon to disappear! I'm sure I would NOT have been as eloquent....

Wow, so the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers" and now the lack of the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers." Interesting.

 

[CC83]

If people didn't buy it, they wouldn't do it. Same goes for ticket scalping.

 

[Ronbo]

Buy these for my own use, bought some 225 count boxes of Remington (new improved) hollow point this week at Walmart limit 3 boxes at $11 something per box. A month ago they had 325 count of target Federal 22's bought 3 and wife along bought 3 went to the other Walmart across town had them also, bought 6 more about $20 per box. Don't think they get 500 or 550 count in if at all.

 

[LeeVance]

We have had a winter storm, so waiting for things to thaw a little before work went on a State shooting forum and read where a couple of guys found bulk 22 this AM for first time in years (they said). Guess the "regulars" couldn't get out.

I went by a different store around 11:00AM and no .22 but saw a bulk container/can of 5.56 for $497 still in the cabinet, where the scopes are kept.

 

[Gregg12y]

I no longer bother to swing by sporting goods to check on ammo when I go to Walmart. All I usually see are a few boxes of shotgun shells and a few other calibers. For 22 ammo, I rely on the Ammo In Stock page on the S&W Forum M&P 15-22 page, and Natchez. Yes, I have to pay shipping, but I'm not paying $75 for a brick.

 

[Stephanie B]

Market forces are a bitch. Bricks are now shrinking to about 350 instead of 500 or 550. Prices are way, way up. My guess is that the suppliers are shipping smaller boxes because they get a better profit.

A version of the Grocery Shrink-Ray, which has reduced a pound of coffee to 12oz and a half-gallon of ice cream to 1.5 quarts.

 

[BC38]

I got off my rear end and used my lunch hour to buy ammo instead of sitting on it.

I was taught to work for what I wanted.

LOL! Nice! That works - if your job allows such luxuries as an hour for lunch. Workloads at my place of employment (in this wonderful age of "downsizing" and "do more with less") are such that I don't get even a half hour - much less an hour - to eat lunch.

Most days I don't even try to take real a break for lunch. I usually eat my sack lunch at my desk while I continue to work. I've tried going to our break room for a 15 or 20 minute lunch, but have found that it is pointless. Whenever I try to take a lunch break I find that about 4 times out of 5 someone will interrupt even this short break. They track me down either in person or via telephone, because they have something "urgent" they need my help with. And if they can't reach me, the first thing they do is call my boss - and then I have to answer for why I'm not "serving my internal customer".

Even then I still rarely get out of the plant in under 10 hours. Taking an hour long break in the middle of the day and going ammo shopping just ain't in the cards. So I think its pretty safe to say I also work for what I get.

 

[BC38]

Wow, so the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers" and now the lack of the Android app is an unfair advantage to the "flippers." Interesting.

I never said it was an unfair advantage to the flippers, and would like to hear a logical argument for that. Where the flippers gain an advantage is having the time to cruise the stores IMO.Time that regular working folks don't have.

Equal access to the info about what's in stock levels the playing field as far as I can see.

 

[BC38]

If people didn't buy it, they wouldn't do it. Same goes for ticket scalping.

Yeah, I agree. I set my "limit" of what I'll pay at 7 cents per round. If its higher than that I don't buy it.

BUT there are people who will - just like there are people who will spend $10,000 a ticket (or whatever) to go to the Stupor Bowl.

 

[wild_weasel]

I check the ammo case every time I go to Wal-Mart, yesterday they had boxes of bulk Winchester 333 for $17 and I picked up 3. Today they had CCI Stinger and I picked up three of those too.

 

[smokindog]

Can you tell me PLEASE where I check that "I'm not a regular working folk" box as I do my taxes? I don't seem to find it.........

And BTW, if you think about it, LESS info levels the playing field for you (as the only self proclaimed regular working folk) as MORE effort has to be applied by those "so called" flippers to find the product.

Sounds like someone is feeling like a victim......

I never said it was an unfair advantage to the flippers, and would like to hear a logical argument for that. Where the flippers gain an advantage is having the time to cruise the stores IMO.Time that regular working folks don't have.

Equal access to the info about what's in stock levels the playing field as far as I can see.

 

[smokindog]

It was available down here last week but $12ish a box!!!!

I check the ammo case every time I go to Wal-Mart, yesterday they had boxes of bulk Winchester 333 for $17 and I picked up 3. Today they had CCI Stinger and I picked up three of those too.

 

[shakyshoot]

Oh yeah, this is a great development for all the flippers who do a loop of all the local Walmarts

I guess I'm not clear why it's a "great development" for them if it levels their playing field with everyone else. If that statement doesn't claim it's giving them an unfair advantage then I'm completely misunderstanding it.
It's always easy to assume that someone else is getting the ammo because they're unemployed. There's nothing preventing most people that have a 9 to 5 job from being at Walmart at 7 AM to buy ammo. The bottom line is that if you want ammo you have to go to the store and buy ammo. Complaining on the internet won't get you the ammo.

 

[BC38]

...It's always easy to assume that someone else is getting the ammo because they're unemployed.

I'm saying this makes it easier for the folks whose current "job" is to be a flipper. They spend their time cruising the gun shops, Walmarts, Cabelas, etc. picking up ammo that is in short supply to resell at 100% markup to those who can't spend the time doing that.

There's nothing preventing most people that have a 9 to 5 job from being at Walmart at 7 AM to buy ammo. The bottom line is that if you want ammo you have to go to the store and buy ammo. Complaining on the internet won't get you the ammo.

Maybe - if you work Banker's hours. I don't I work from 6 or 7 am until 4 or 5 pm most days. As I recently discovered my local Walmart is a 24 hour store, so I can stop by on my way to work - and believe me, I will start doing so pretty regularly. However, if my store opened at say 7am, it would be nearly impossible for me to get there check for ammo, and still get to work on time. Of course going after work is pointless - the flippers have bought it all up long before then.

 

[smokindog]

I'm retreating after this but you really need to recalibrate.

Since you started this "discussion" about how much harder you work than the rest of us, I've ordered 4 bulk boxes from the Cabelas website, picked up 9 bulk boxes at Walmart mid-day (including some M22), and another 6 of Winchester X in the evening.

I'll bet most of us here put in 50-60 hours a week and regardless of our job, have the same pressures of downsizing and "productivity". You seem to think that you are unique and in some ways I'll agree. Bless your heart.

Maybe - if you work Banker's hours. I don't I work from 6 or 7 am until 4 or 5 pm most days. As I recently discovered my local Walmart is a 24 hour store, so I can stop by on my way to work - and believe me, I will start doing so pretty regularly. However, if my store opened at say 7am, it would be nearly impossible for me to get there check for ammo, and still get to work on time. Of course going after work is pointless - the flippers have bought it all up long before then.

 

[BC38]

I'm retreating after this but you really need to recalibrate.

Since you started this "discussion" about how much harder you work than the rest of us, I've ordered 4 bulk boxes from the Cabelas website, picked up 9 bulk boxes at Walmart mid-day (including some M22), and another 6 of Winchester X in the evening.

I'll bet most of us here put in 50-60 hours a week and regardless of our job, have the same pressures of downsizing and "productivity". You seem to think that you are unique and in some ways I'll agree. Bless your heart.

Nothing could be further from the truth - and that is my point actually.

A lot of people work log hard hours every day making it difficult to get any of the limited supply. As evidenced by this thread and others like it I am one of the many, not the few. It was actually you who started us down this track by chiding me with how you "work for what you want" - implying that others (me) don't.

My original posts in this thread questioned whether the deletion of ammo from their online inventory could be an indication of a change in what they carry in the store and whether it made business sense to restrict the information about their stock. I did add the OPINION that I felt it favored the flippers, and even went so far as to say I WAS NOT talking about folks buying for their own use.

Unless you are a flipper I can't see why you got offended and felt the need to turn it onto a urinating contest. Bless your heart...

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

22LR still exists? I don't believe you guys.

The only thing I've found lately is unicorn poop in my front yard.

I just quit going to Walmart altogether. I can't even get bulk 12g multipurpose loads so I don't have to crank out so many on a single stage MEC for a monthly club shoot.

Not worth the hassle of fighting some rude, inconsiderate, subhuman over a box of ammo. Sad part is these guys are 1-2 decades older than me and look ready to shank me if I get "their" box of ammo. I'll reload and shoot my centerfires in the meantime.

I'm on the freeway at 5am... If I'm not I'm late for an 8am start. Not that I'd sit around Walmart at 7am anyway if I could. I've got better things to do with my day.

 

[mopar92]

My local walmarts now set it out at random times. The hoarders and gypsy resellers are very upset. Which is a good thing