What should retailers do during ammo buying frenzy

[bushmaster1313]

This past week ammo retailers were able to see the developing buying frenzy leading to the current ammo shortage.

What do you think the right thing is for retailers to do in such a situation.

First, I see no problem with the retailer raising prices to make a larger profit. As long as there is an open market I do not consider it immoral to sell at the price the market will bear.

Second, if the retailers is going to keep prices low enough so that the shelves and warehouse will get cleared out then I think the retailer should limit per person sales so that many people will be able to make a purchase.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I think that if there is an ammo buying frenzy then that's exactly what retailers should do, limit any sales to X boxes of whatever caliber per customer. If a customer buys one box of ten different calibers that doesn't bother me much but if there is a frenzy then X number per caliber is fair.

Why there is a frenzy is beyond me, but the folks are buying up toilet paper, too, and the Wuhan virus is a respiratory infection, no intestinal issues reported that I am aware of.

Same with water - hello? I have all the water I need by turning the faucet. Maybe where good water is hard to get, e.g., Flint, MI, bottled water is critical. Otherwise, I don't see the big deal.

As far as ammunition is concerned, if you're a serious shooter you should have a sufficient supply of ammunition already. Certainly for your defensive weapons. But what is anyone going to do with a sudden closet-full of 9mm,. .22 LR, .45 ACP, etc.? It boggles my mind but I'm just an old fashioned fuddy-duddy I reckon....... and there is plenty of ammunition on line, still, anyway.

Sigh......I guess I just don't get it................

 

[robertrwalsh]

If there is a buying frenzy the retailers should sell all they can get before the commie ******* make it illegal.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

Is there something the CDC isn't telling me? Is Corona Virus the start of the Zombie Apocalypse?

Seriously, I've never been without a healthy supply and never had to buy at outrageous prices, especially during the last presidential years.

But if I just had to acquire a few boxes of, say, .357 mag rounds, I'd just swap a roll, or two, of toilet paper.

All is well.

 

[coachray]

My gun range has all of a sudden seen a huge increase in gun and ammo sales. It's so bad that they have temporarily suspended the shooting range so that all personnel can be on the sales floor. I'm not sure why this is happening unless that many more people are worried about stealing, looting, etc. increasing.

 

[coachray]

As a follow-up to my post above, I checked my gun range website and all 9mm ammo is out of stock! They carried a ton of ammo. Unbelievable.

 

[brucev]

Went out looking yesterday. Saw and gloomed onto a very nice Martin guitar. Also a Ovation guitar. Saw several plebian semi-autos. No revolvers worth more than a glance. Plenty of good to very nice long guns. Plenty of ammo ... except 9mm and 5.56mm/.223 Remington. Prices of .40 S&W and .45 ACP were abut normal. Learned from last go around. Got plenty of what is needed on hand. Including toilet tissue! Sincerely. bruce.

 

[RGNewell]

I'm keeping 2000 rds .223 for my full auto M4, 400 rds 9MM, 100 rds 44 special and 1000 rds .357. I'm going to sell the rest to pay my student loan.
Wait a minute, I don't have any student loans. Better keep all my ammo.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I have 1-2 boxes each of .300 Savage and .257 Roberts

Yeah Baby!

 

[diyj98]

I've been advertising to trade ammo for dates with attractive young women. So far no luck though. I guess nobody really needs a box of 22LR

 

[ColbyBruce]

Price gouging should be a crime. 5.56x45mm, 9mm, .45 a.c.p. are mostly gone here. Limits of three boxes per customer have been imposed, even if you want oddball stuff that is covered in dust.

 

[Smoke]

How about the retailers run their business the way they see fit.

 

[Johnnu2]

Retailers of all genres have always relied on "the MARKET" to drive their businesses; I see no reason to ever change that principal. I think it's called CAPITALISM; it's made America great. If I don't like the price, I don't buy!!!
IMHO of course,
J.

 

[Echo40]

What they do best, flip-flop!

Honestly, they only stopped carrying ammo because they thought that it would help their business by appealing towards anti-gunners, and if the man-bun-sporting, leggings-wearing soyboys I see prancing around my local Wal-Mart are any indication, they were most-likely correct.

So as soon as there's a significant demand for ammo, they'll start carrying it again, complete with advertisements proclaiming that "AMMO IS BACK!" without any acknowledgement whatsoever regarding why they stopped carrying it in the first place, and maybe the Star-Spangled Banner and an Eagle in flight thrown in for good measure.

You know, your typical two-faced business practices. Personally, I'll continue to support my LGS because I'd rather support an honest business, and I'll consider the extra cost of ammo a sort of convenience charge for not having to deal with the insipid panic-buying crowds at big box stores.

 

[BAM-BAM]

How many "Runs on Guns" can we have.....................

1993/94 (AWB),1999 (Y2K), 2001 (9/11), 2008,2012, 2013/14(Sandy Hook), 2016 and now 2020


it's not like I see anyone wearing them out!!!!!!!

 

[jmace57]

They could do like Cheaper Than Dirt did last time, post-Sandy Hook...cancel the existing orders...and put it back in stock and for sale for 3 times the amount.

(I will NEVER do business with them again)

 

[typetwelve]

Freedom takes all kinds. Sadly, freedom of speech doesn't protect the people I agree with, it protects the people I'd rather punch in the face than listen to.

I think private businesses should be free to do whatever they like, sell whatever they like, to whomever they like, at whatever price they like.

Now, there are a few exceptions to that...like with life saving or essential items that we need to live our lives, but besides that, they should do what they want.

...with that said, it is completely despicable and there are plenty of businesses that I now refuse to do business with because of their actions during panic times (looking at you, cheaper than dirt).

 

[RonPagan]

Sometimes it takes a panic for people to show their true colors. Makes it easier to know who not to do business with. Luckily I didn't notice any price gouging on hi tek powder when I got some Sunday. It's almost as if not everyone makes and coats their own bullets

 

[bushmaster1313]

Price gouging should be a crime. 5.56x45mm, 9mm, .45 a.c.p. are mostly gone here. Limits of three boxes per customer have been imposed, even if you want oddball stuff that is covered in dust.

IMHO “price gouging” by a retailer will have the effect of increasing availability through regular channels

If the price of a 20 round box of 5.56 is upped to $20 retail at the start of the panic, the shelves will be full and anyone who really needs for self protection or hunting will be able to buy a box or two. Then, the retailer can start lowering the price and sell more.

Unless agreed to up front (seller reserves right to cancel until item is received by customer) it is wrong as a matter of contract and honor to cancel a low price sale to sell it at a higher price.

The flip side is the customer cancelling an order or returning an item when they find a lower price. Again, it all depends on what was agreed to up front.

 

[muddocktor]

They could do like Cheaper Than Dirt did last time, post-Sandy Hook...cancel the existing orders...and put it back in stock and for sale for 3 times the amount.

(I will NEVER do business with them again)

I just was thinking the same thing and went to check them out. And yes, they are gouging just like you figured they would. I only checked a bit of ammo, 5.56x45 and .223 Rem and they are priced almost double what Midway had the same ammo priced at.

I think before I would buy anything from those jerks again, I would swap toilet paper first for the ammo I need.