Price Gouging? Lets help each other!

[rwb1971]

Hi, consider this my personal bitch session. I know, as we all know, that ammo/magazines are getting harder to find. Prices do increase in such times. But,.....after looking here and abroad at what my equipment "could" be worth in trade, I have become appalled at what I see. $17 mags going for $50-80!? Really?! I have been lucky enough to have been able to purchase many mags/ammo during the time when they were available, so I do not need any more. What upsets me is the fact that when one of us needs info, dozens give it for free, without prejudice. But...when some of us ask for things, others triple the value. And it's not just here. Almost every other site has the same thing going on. Personally, if I were to sell some equipment, the most I would charge is what I paid plus shipping. I have a job to make money. We need to help each other, not take advantage of one another. Help equip each other. Are we only helpful until I can "make a buck on you"? Really? Maybe this is my own rant, but I really think that we should help other gun owners out. They are our allies. I would not make money off family, nor would I make money off fellow law-abiding-citizens who I choose to do business with. Maybe we can/could use this post as a "sticky" to expose sites/individuals who exploit others. I'm sure that I can go on much longer than this, but I feel that I have said What needed to be said. I'm sure that I am not the only one who has had these thoughts.
Thanks for hearing me out. Russ Barbour

 

[diducmeb4]

Amen, Brother! I think most of us agree with you but there are a few who think it's OK to take advantage of others - calling it "supply and demand" to justify themselves.

 

[queenks]

yes, I agree. We have a local gun shop here in Marion, Ohio and they are selling 500 rounds of "cheap" rimfire .22 amo for $75. What a Joke. He also wants $48 for a 50 round box of .40 S&W.

 

[Maddmax]

Good thought and all. Problem is,the guy you might help out "could" turn right around and put the screws to the next guy and make a buck with-out any second thoughts about it what so ever.

 

[Oldherkpilot]

If any of these "exploiters" are holding a gun on the folks paying these "inflated" prices, I guess that would be a crime. Otherwise, I think we can call it a legal sale between consenting adults. Socialism isn't panning out anywhere else, so let's not try it here.

 

[jagular]

The gun community, the NRA and even vendors are all saying lets band together and stand up for the 2A. That's great and all because we are defending our rights. However, when it comes to guns, ammo and mags its every man for himself as we all bow to the all mighty dollar. I just see a contradiction in the "lets band together" when the vendors display blatant greed to the people they are supposedly supporting and defending. I've helped out board members here with mags for retail value trades. I'm not trying to make a buck off my comrades in arms.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I don't disagree with you at all. I have a real big problem with joe shmoe buying stuff and turning around and selling it at a substantial profit.

However, look at it from the mom and pop gun shop perspective.
If you had guns, ammo, and accessories on order but didn't know when they were to come in, wouldn't you raise your prices to make ends meet? Especially since you're not sure whether or not you're going to have anything to sell the next week or month? That's what smaller gun shops are faced with these days. BUT NOOOOOO! Everybody want to shop at Cabelas! And then complain when they don't have enough to go around!!

 

[Hillbilly77]

I had a kid at work offer to sell me his .22LR ammo. He mentioned that he was going to sell his .22 rifles and all his ammo.
I asked what he had for ammo and how much he wanted for it. Turned out he had 2 partial boxes from a couple years ago, approx. 700 loose rounds of Winchester & Federal. He had all of about $40 into it when he purchased it. I asked him what he wanted for it and he said "$60" without batting an eye.
I told him he was out of his mind and there was no way I would pay that kind of money for a couple half-boxes of ammo.
I offered him $45 for all of it and told him "That refunds your original purchase price, and several hundered rounds are missing. That's a nice profit for you, but $45 is my limit."

Turns out the kid is a "take advantage" type and figures he can sell it for way more than that.
I agreed with him that he probably could, and that it was his and he could do what he wanted, but I wasn't willing to pay centerfire prices for rimfire ammo. I'll quit shooting .22 altogether first.

I wish him the best of luck in his venture to screw the next guy - it ain't gonna be me.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I had a kid at work offer to sell me his .22LR ammo. He mentioned that he was going to sell his .22 rifles and all his ammo.
I asked what he had for ammo and how much he wanted for it. Turned out he had 2 partial boxes from a couple years ago, approx. 700 loose rounds of Winchester & Federal. He had all of about $40 into it when he purchased it. I asked him what he wanted for it and he said "$60" without batting an eye.
I told him he was out of his mind and there was no way I would pay that kind of money for a couple half-boxes of ammo.
I offered him $45 for all of it and told him "That refunds your original purchase price, and several hundered rounds are missing. That's a nice profit for you, but $45 is my limit."

Turns out the kid is a "take advantage" type and figures he can sell it for way more than that.
I agreed with him that he probably could, and that it was his and he could do what he wanted, but I wasn't willing to pay centerfire prices for rimfire ammo. I'll quit shooting .22 altogether first.

I wish him the best of luck in his venture to screw the next guy - it ain't gonna be me.

That's too bad. But don't be too hard on him. We were all young once and we all learned as we go. Some slower than others. When you're young and need money, sometimes nothing else matters.

 

[Hillbilly77]

That's too bad. But don't be too hard on him. We were all young once and we all learned as we go. Some slower than others. When you're young and need money, sometimes nothing else matters.

Nope, no hard feelings here. It's his ammo, he's entitled to do what he wants with it. I'm sure some fool will pay his price to him, just not this fool.

I don't think he's hurting for money too badly.
He is a casual shooter, and like many of his generation, places more value on money than much else. The dollar signs are more important to him that any type of charity or goodwill, etc.
God willing, he'll figure it out (along with many others his age).

 

[Kanewpadle]

Nope, no hard feelings here. It's his ammo, he's entitled to do what he wants with it. I'm sure some fool will pay his price to him, just not this fool.

I don't think he's hurting for money too badly.
He is a casual shooter, and like many of his generation, places more value on money than much else. The dollar signs are more important to him that any type of charity or goodwill, etc.
God willing, he'll figure it out (along with many others his age).

Hope you're right friend. Because there are too many dummies out there spending way too much!

 

[Fishslayer]

Around here the ammo is getting snagged by people with nothing better to do than wait at various Walmarts for the ammo shipments. They know the schedules and make the rounds with their family & friends to beat the 3 box limits. Then they flip it on gumbreaker or Calguns. And people buy it.

Between them and the Walmart employees most of us don't have much of a chance.

There is talk of a $.05/round "safety" tax on ammo AND bullets.

If it passes I see future road trips, semi-underground networks and a massive run on casting equipment.

I have no idea how they would collect taxes on private transactions of lumps of metal but pretty sure they will try.

 

[labworm]

Hope you're right friend. Because there are too many dummies out there spending way too much!

Humor in its finest form, they are ready to kill one another for a box of .22 rounds.

It definitely is not going to disappear anytime soon.

 

[Fishslayer]

Humor in its finest form, they are ready to kill one another for a box of .22 rounds.

It definitely is not going to disappear anytime soon.

I participate in the weekly "ammo line" at our local Big 5. We get there 3 hours before opening and pretty much have a BS session till the manager gets there and tells us how many of what he's got. Pretty decent group, but there's usually not enough ammo to attract the flippers. We're just trying to get some to add to our stash.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Humor in its finest form, they are ready to kill one another for a box of .22 rounds.

It definitely is not going to disappear anytime soon.

A good friend which owns a pawn shop is selling a Browning like this on Gunbroker.

The auction has two days to go and it's over $1500.00!!!!

The one he is selling is vintage made in Belgium Browning but it ain't worth anywhere near that kind of money. You can still buy these for around $700 new. Made in Japan the quality isn't bad at all.

People are crazy and it affects the rest of us.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

It is a free country, nobody has to buy and nobody has to sell. I have a lifetime supply of most of what I shoot acquired at what look like very low prices now. The gunshow last weekend, one of my premier ammo sources was offering 500 rounds of target 22lr ammo for $125. Shotguns and shotgun accessories and shells are still reasonable. For rifles, handguns and their ammo, I can wait for the return to sanity. Good luck finding what you need/want. Houston Rick

 

[Cdog]

I'm not selling anything for less than replacement cost, especially if I don't know when I'll be getting more.

Why would you expect anyone to sell you something for a price that they can't replace their inventory for?

Economics 101 folks. It's amazing how many folks don't understand this simple concept.

People have come to expect everything be delivered to them at a low price. That's great in times of plenty and simple economics is working in your favor, but let the tide turn a bit and these same people just can't understand free market competition is what drives price.

As for intelligence, I know I rate closer to Forrest Gump than Albert Einstein, but this all makes perfect sense to me?

 

[CajunBass]

I'll tell you what. When you got something you want to sell, you feel free to ask whatever you want for it.

I'll do the same.

Deal?

The one he is selling is vintage made in Belgium Browning but it ain't worth anywhere near that kind of money.

You might not think it's worth that, but someone else does, and is willing to pay it. That means it's worth that to that person at that moment. It doesn't mean it's carved in stone that the next one to come down the pike will sell for that, or anything close to it. On the other hand, it might sell for twice that.

Personally I say good for the seller, he's getting what he wants, and good for the buyer. He's getting something he wants. They're both happy.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I'm not selling anything for less than replacement cost, especially if I don't know when I'll be getting more.

Why would you expect anyone to sell you something for a price that they can't replace their inventory for?

Economics 101 folks. It's amazing how many folks don't understand this simple concept.

People have come to expect everything be delivered to them at a low price. That's great in times of plenty and simple economics is working in your favor, but let the tide turn a bit and these same people just can't understand free market competition is what drives price.

As for intelligence, I know I rate closer to Forrest Gump than Albert Einstein, but this all makes perfect sense to me?

...and that's all he's gonna' say about that.

 

[blujax01]

Okay Russ,

What did you fail to buy when it was available then that you want someone to give you now? Or to sell you at yesterday's price?

Did you ever stop to think that this is as good as it gets? That these so-called "gouger prices" are going to stay this way? If you don't like paying so much, do what the others are doing: Make scrounging ammunition a part time job. Buy enough to keep what you need and sell the rest at a price commensurate with the time and expense you put into finding it. Oh, you don't have time to drive all over and stand line? Or the up front money or gas money? The folks who do deserve to recoup their investment and make a decent wage don't you think? Remember their cost is what they pay for the ammo, plus what they pay for gas and what they pay in their time spent. Like - all day, day after day. And by the way they're providing a service by redistributing ammunition to places where it is not available locally. For a price...

Because the reality is that if you want to buy ammunition today OR IF I WANT TO BUY AMMUNITION TODAY we're both going to have to pay the going rate.

To sell you ammunition in 2013 at 2012 prices would be like selling you $20 bills for $5.

And that ain't gonna happen.

 

[Faulkner]

Through all this recent guns and ammo price instabilty I've not been gouged one single time. I'm using the no-purchase option.

 

[Hack]

I've got enough .22LR to last a long time, having put 10K rounds on the shelf a couple of years ago. At a price of $220 per 5K case (CCI BLazer and Federal). I'll wait until prices return to normal, probably this fall, before I buy any more. At the most, I shoot 100 rounds during my quarterly range sessions. It would take me over ten years to shoot what I've got. But I don't plan on selling any of it. Same for the 3K of 5.56/.223 that are on the shelf. The price of which has gotten as crazy as .22LR.

What my personal gripe is, the price of regular hunting ammo, has gone up. 30-06? I picked up a couple boxes of Remington Core-Lokt 165gr, and it was almost $30 per. When I got it home I stored it on top of several boxes that were priced from $7-$15. Priced go up, but dang, 100% plus?

Luckily not everyone out there is jumping on the high prices. Georgia Arms has filled two 500 round orders for .40 S&W for me. At their normal pricing.

 

[gunlovingirl]

As long as there are buyers willing to pay the gougers' overly inflated prices, we'll see empty shelves. It happened in '08, it's happening now, and it will happen again. Too many otherwise sane and sensible people have turned into "can't find it, gotta have it" addicts, and are willing to pay the ridiculous prices that the gougers are asking. Yes, I call them gougers. You can call them "opportunists" or "enterprising individuals" if it makes you feel better. Too many Joe Blows, who otherwise wouldn't even be in the sporting goods section of their local WalMart, are now there every day, buying up everything they can get their hands on, just so they can resell it for multiples of what they paid for it to people who have a need for it but can't get it, because Joe Blow bought all of it. I know a lot of people see nothing wrong with that. The Joe Blows are just trying to make a profit, recouping what they have into it (many times over), this is America, don't like the price don't buy it, etc etc. But I see it as taking advantage of people, screwing people, and yes, if you don't like the price, don't buy it. But if it weren't for the Joe Blow gougers, no one would have to. There'd be ammo on the shelves. Maybe not as much as there used to be, because there's still a greater demand, thanks to Obama. But take away the gougers, and maybe, just maybe, I could walk into Dick's or the lgs and pick up a box or two of 9mm. And the only way to take away the gougers, is to stop buying from them. Save the money you're going to pay the gouger for that box of ammo, and in a few months, take that money you saved and buy 5 boxes from your lgs.

 

[imjin138]

Yesterday I paid 29.00 for a box of remington 9mm HP it is about what I used to pay for it. I bought 357 for 25 a box of 50. I did see a boxf 25 for 28 dollars. I gave a couple of boxes of 380 to my buddy for his wife's gun so she could practice. I haven't bought much lately because I didn't need any. I have magazines and spare ammo I have seen gougers selling at shows and privately and if I recall the last time this happened afterwards the gougers ended up with the shaft.

 

[blujax01]

Misty I respect your opinion but I disagree.

If Joe Blow Gouger didn't stand in line to buy it he would be replaced by

Joe Blow Hoarder

or

Joe Blow Prepper.


Joe Blow Whiner will always have an excuse.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Misty I respect your opinion but I disagree.

If Joe Blow Gouger didn't stand in line to buy it he would be replaced by

Joe Blow Hoarder

or

Joe Blow Prepper.


Joe Blow Whiner will always have an excuse.

The hoarders and preppers were buying before this panic set in, and you could still find ammo on the shelf. Sorry if you think I'm whining. I'm not. I just don't have any particular fondness for people who take advantage of other people, no matter what the circumstances are.

 

[blujax01]

The hoarders and preppers were buying before this panic set in, and you could still find ammo on the shelf. Sorry if you think I'm whining. I'm not. I just don't have any particular fondness for people who take advantage of other people, no matter what the circumstances are.

Not you, Misty. I know you're not a whiner. I'm talking about those who would order ammo for cheap last year but cannot today. They now either have to go stand in line like the rest of us, or pay the going rate on the Internet like the rest of us. Are the so-called gougers taking advantage? Factor their up front cost including gas and their time going from store to store day after day. Considering the hours they put in, they're not making a lot of money. Leave it on the shelf? For whom exactly? For someone else who wants it more than I do? If I have some ammunition and want more, at what point does someone else step in and say "you have enough. Leave that for me?" yet the ones complaining the loudest would not be standing in line. They will not be satisfied until they can Internet order ammunition for 2012 prices, at will.

Let's be honest. It's primarily 22 plinkers we're talking about. The biggest users are Zombie Killers praying and spraying thousands of rounds a week as a hobby. Their cheap diversion just got a little more expensive.

Let me ask you this: if I pick up brass at the range and sell it for let's say, $40 a thousand, am I gouging? It cost me absolutely nothing but I would be making an infinite profit. Lots of folks doing just that. I see dozens of classifieds but not one complaint about them. Why? Although the principal is the exact same - cost to the seller versus price to the buyer - since the product is being sold for less than the competition, there are no complaints.

If this is to truly be a moral discussion, then the brass sellers should be damned as highly and condemned to the same fate as the ammo sellers.

 

[Stryker9580]

It is what is out there right now and I sure don't know when or if all the panic will subside. But I do know this...I'm taking notes right now of all the sellers that are price gouging and they'll never get my business again. In the long run they probably won't care if it's just a few folks but hopefully a lot of people will feel the same way and let these %^%$# know how they feel.
Thanks, I feel better now, lol.

 

[blujax01]

Stryker, at what point do you consider it gouging? Do you compare prices today to prices in November of 2012? Or price ammunition dealers used charge when they had any ammunition to sell?

Not kidding or being a smart-aleck, what is your criteria? All I have heard so far is "when they pay too little and charge me too much."

In my drinking days I regularly paid 4x or 5x what beer costs to the dealer (or 10x if there was a brass pole involved) and never hear a peep about that.

 

[durango]

I've been shopping for ammo at big box stores rather than LGS in my area because the LGS are charging $5-$10 for a box of 100 .22 rounds - they have lots but that is insane. Walmart and Bass Pro's prices are still extremely reasonable, you just have to get there at the right time. A box of 550 .22 at Walmart is ~$23. I want to support my LGS's but there is no way I'm going to give them my money if they're blatantly profiteering. I love capitalism but I also love not spending money needlessly. When the panic subsides, I'll see if the LGSs decide to become competitive. Until then -- it's their loss.