Off-roster profiteering?

[Champagne-N-Beer]

Hehhe that made me chuckle, ok - yes, it's a warped free market. I can agree with that .

[bountyhunter]

In social criticism and economic literature, robber baron became a derogatory term applied to wealthy and powerful 19th-century American businessmen that appeared in North American periodical literature as early as the August 1870 issue of The Atlantic Monthly[1] magazine. By the late 1800s, the term was typically applied to businessmen who used what were considered to be exploitative practices to amass their wealth.[2] These practices included exerting control over national resources, accruing high levels of government influence, paying extremely low wages, squashing competition by acquiring competitors in order to create monopolies and eventually raise prices, and schemes to sell stock at inflated prices.

On that subject, it's going on at this moment. The lower gas prices we had in recent months were a result of Saudi Arabia over producing oil to drive down the price of crude. Their objective is to destroy all the smaller suppliers who have arisen in recent years flourishing in the range of $65/barrel and up to make a profit. The sauds can make money at $10/barrel, so they just crash the price as long as it takes to crush their competition. Once they are gone, the price will come right back up.

There's your free market at it's finest.

[bountyhunter]

Hehhe that made me chuckle, ok - yes, it's a warped free market. I can agree with that .

Like all those wonderful electric cars everybody is claiming will save the environment... they have about $10/k government (taxpayer) subsidy on each one, and probably cost the makers about $100k each to produce. But mandates force them to make the cars. Governmental regulation again.

[Gryff]

Oh my God.. Not this again

I'm shocked at how many people hate or don't understand Capitalism and the free market

And anyone who complains about the complaints doesn't understand Capitalism and the free market. Public opinion is a market factor in Capitalism.

[Champagne-N-Beer]

Wait, what!?! Electric cars aren't going to save the environment??? Lol

Totally off subject - but, don't forget about how much oil is used in the production of those "electric" cars!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if most people didn't know that in order to make plastics, electronics and a whole host of other things oil is needed.

Wait until we start talking about water and production - yikes! Talk about a shocker to the sensibilities of an environmentalist.

[champu]

Of course, you're right, up to a point. The problem with this reasoning, however, is that it proves too much. Government regulation is so omnipresent that it affects the market for almost every good. Let's take eggs. You can buy eggs at the supermarket, the farmers market and the corner convenience store. All sorts of eggs, all at different prices. You're free to buy any of them or none. Is that a free market?
Applying your reasoning, it is not, because recent California law requires that egg-laying chickens be raised in certain minimum size enclosures. This law also applies to eggs imported from out-of-state. This increases the cost of production, which is reflected in the price of eggs. Have you noticed the price of eggs in California has increased by more than $1/dozen recently. Does this mean the market for eggs is not a "free market?" Perhaps, but if so, then there are precious few free markets using your strict definition, because the government regulates almost everything that is bought and sold in some way, shape or manner.

This is all correct. There are basically no free markets in this country (between minimum wage, the EPA, and maybe a couple others you essentially hit all trade.)

There are markets that are "mostly free" as they don't have particularly severe regulations. One could call those "free markets" and be close enough to correct that not even a pedant like myself would roll their eyes.

Handgun sales in California do not fit in that category.

[ACfixer]

I am sorry, but no - it is not a free market. It is a controlled market.

Your personal feelings on the matter don't change the definition of a free market. By your standards (which you would need to apply to all things) means there is virtually no free market anywhere in the USA.

The FDA controls what food may be sold to the masses.
The DEA controls what medications and drugs may be sold.
The DOT controls what cars I can sell for the highway.
The BLM controls what vehicles I can sell to go OFF the highway.
The EPA controls what air conditioners I can sell.
The CBP controls WHERE I can sell stuff.
The FAA controls what parts I can sell or buy for a certified aircraft.
The FCC controls what advertising I can sell and who I can sell it to.
And last but certainly not least, The IRS controls how much money I can make.

So it's all a controlled market by your reasoning, and the Kalifornian handgun roster dovetails nicely with the rest.

[umd]

Your personal feelings on the matter don't change the definition of a free market. By your standards (which you would need to apply to all things) means there is virtually no free market anywhere in the USA.

The FDA controls what food may be sold to the masses.
The DEA controls what medications and drugs may be sold.
The DOT controls what cars I can sell for the highway.
The BLM controls what vehicles I can sell to go OFF the highway.
The EPA controls what air conditioners I can sell.
The CBP controls WHERE I can sell stuff.
The FAA controls what parts I can sell or buy for a certified aircraft.
The FCC controls what advertising I can sell and who I can sell it to.
And last but certainly not least, The IRS controls how much money I can make.

So it's all a controlled market by your reasoning, and the Kalifornian handgun roster dovetails nicely with the rest.

What this list tells me is.... the government isn't very creative in the number of letters they use for their agencies. I mean, geez!

[ACfixer]

What this list tells me is.... the government isn't very creative in the number of letters they use for their agencies. I mean, geez!

This coming from a guy named "umd".

[RePete]

Look, if you can't afford the rent; move. Or likewise, take up a new hobby. It's your right to bear arms, but not to get one for a bargain.

That said, I pay whatever they're asking if it's something I want. I get what I want when I want it. Otherwise you may never get it. Is there another way? Shop around then, and wait. And wait. Clip the coupons and start a swear jar. However you like.

I enjoy paying a premium for quality and/or hard to find firearms/curio's. That's the only I could of come across some of the items I have. Stick with your charter arms and I'll polish my Colt. Just don't get jealous cause you weren't willing to drop the cash on one.

[Baboosh]

Look, if you can't afford the rent; move. Or likewise, take up a new hobby. It's your right to bear arms, but not to get one for a bargain.

That said, I pay whatever they're asking if it's something I want. I get what I want when I want it. Otherwise you may never get it. Is there another way? Shop around then, and wait. And wait. Clip the coupons and start a swear jar. However you like.

I enjoy paying a premium for quality and/or hard to find firearms/curio's. That's the only I could of come across some of the items I have. Stick with your charter arms and I'll polish my Colt. Just don't get jealous cause you weren't willing to drop the cash on one.

Dang, who peed in your Cheerios this morning?

[Steve_In_29]

Wow the pathetic entitlement syndrome at it's finest.

People complaining about profiteering/gouging for pistols that are no longer on the roster are just spouting sour grapes because they were too slow/lazy/cheap to buy the pistol when it was still available for sale new and now want others who were more proactive to subsidize their mistake. Socialist much?

There have been several things I missed the boat on over the course of my life but not once have I ever complained about what people started charging after said ship had sailed. If I still wanted the item, I ponied up the current market price, if price was too high I simply moved on.

For those who were kept from the opportunity due to age, well that's just too bad but still no need for complaining. Because by the same token just because you weren't born back when a Python was $350 and thus had no opportunity to purchase one THEN, is no reason to demand a current owner sell it to you for that price NOW.

[umd]

This coming from a guy named "umd".

lol I walked into that one

[spyde12]

Wow the pathetic entitlement syndrome at it's finest.

People complaining about profiteering/gouging for pistols that are no longer on the roster are just spouting sour grapes because they were too slow/lazy/cheap to buy the pistol when it was still available for sale new and now want others who were more proactive to subsidize their mistake. Socialist much?

There have been several things I missed the boat on over the course of my life but not once have I ever complained about what people started charging after said ship had sailed. If I still wanted the item, I ponied up the current market price, if price was too high I simply moved on.

For those who were kept from the opportunity due to age, well that's just too bad but still no need for complaining. Because by the same token just because you weren't born back when a Python was $350 and thus had no opportunity to purchase one THEN, is no reason to demand a current owner sell it to you for that price NOW.

+1 totally agreed.

In addition, the buyer(s)/customer(s) ultimately dictates the market price. If it's too high, no one will buy, if it's too low seller won't maximize their profits. It's all about finding the equilibrium. When I see an item in the FS section that's more than I'm willing to pay for, I just move on. Just my 2 cents.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[umd]

Probably the same people that would complain about uber surge pricing.