Getting S*****D by Big 5?

[smle-man]

I went to the Big 5 website to check out their latest sale items. It automatically showed me a store in Wichita Falls TX and the sale items there. Guess what, the ammo prices there are about $2/box less for 9mm ammo, $1/box less for Remington 12 ga shells, etc. So since we're in CA we get to pay more, plus the added sales tax on top of that? Gee thanks Big 5!

[chickenfried]

You were expecting it to be the same price?

[.22guy]

It's California. What else can you expect?

[aplinker]

I think the amount they have to pay their workers and the rent explains that. I don't know what you expected.

[chickenfried]

Forgot to add. If that got your dander up, for the sake of your blood pressure don't look at their gas prices.

[smle-man]

I think the amount they have to pay their workers and the rent explains that. I don't know what you expected.

For a local store based in TX, sure I would expect the local economic conditions to dictate pricing. For a chain that crosses multiple states I would've thought that pricing would be moderated by the averaging of expenses across the whole area thus giving a pricing advantage to the chain that has lower costs in some areas and higher costs in others - so it is averaged out and reflected in their pricing. I wouldn't be surprised that a box of 9mm is 5 to 10% more compared to a lower cost state , but 20% more for CA? Of course I don't have to give my business to Big 5, Wally world is just as happy to take my money and charge me less for the same ammo that Big 5 is selling.

[Kruzr]

You also have to consider where the ammo is made. Transportation costs have risen in the past few months. We've been getting a trucking surcharge on the projectiles we order from Rainier. It amounts to about $2.00 per 1000 bullets.

[aplinker]

For a local store based in TX, sure I would expect the local economic conditions to dictate pricing. For a chain that crosses multiple states I would've thought that pricing would be moderated by the averaging of expenses across the whole area thus giving a pricing advantage to the chain that has lower costs in some areas and higher costs in others - so it is averaged out and reflected in their pricing. Of course I don't have to give my business to Big 5, Wally world is just as happy to take my money and charge me less for the same ammo that Big 5 is selling.

Perhaps, but that's like saying the other stores in other places should subsidize us because the rent and salaries are higher. They have to make the margins necessary to keep in business.

[dfletcher]

Don't have to travel to TX for those much lower prices - hit Oregon for a reality check on how much extra it costs to live & buy in CA.

How do you think companies make ends meet when the idiots in charge require "living wages" and employer paid medical benefits and paid sick days and whatever else strikes their fancy.

When the company I work for in SF got hit with Prop F (paid sick time for everyone, no questions asked) we passed on an immediate 5% surcharge to everyone. I'm sure that was passed on to their customers.

Welcome to Moscow by The Bay.

[wilit]

For a local store based in TX, sure I would expect the local economic conditions to dictate pricing. For a chain that crosses multiple states I would've thought that pricing would be moderated by the averaging of expenses across the whole area thus giving a pricing advantage to the chain that has lower costs in some areas and higher costs in others - so it is averaged out and reflected in their pricing. I wouldn't be surprised that a box of 9mm is 5 to 10% more compared to a lower cost state , but 20% more for CA? Of course I don't have to give my business to Big 5, Wally world is just as happy to take my money and charge me less for the same ammo that Big 5 is selling.

Ever been to a Mickey-D's in Hawaii? Their prices are higher than ours (plus they have stuff on the menu we don't). And Mickey-D's is a MUCH larger company than Big 5. It's all about the cost of living. And if you think Hawaiians pay a premium for fast food, you should see what a Royale with cheese costs in Amsterdam. GOOD GOD.

[Fjold]

For a local store based in TX, sure I would expect the local economic conditions to dictate pricing. For a chain that crosses multiple states I would've thought that pricing would be moderated by the averaging of expenses across the whole area thus giving a pricing advantage to the chain that has lower costs in some areas and higher costs in others - so it is averaged out and reflected in their pricing. I wouldn't be surprised that a box of 9mm is 5 to 10% more compared to a lower cost state , but 20% more for CA? Of course I don't have to give my business to Big 5, Wally world is just as happy to take my money and charge me less for the same ammo that Big 5 is selling.

Most stores in chains are run on their individual performance. If you start averaging prices across the whole chain you are looking at losing money.

Walmarts in different areas have different prices on different items and even stock different items depending upon regions. Look at the the decision last year by Walmart to stop selling firearms in particular stores around the country. That was entirely based on the performance of each store. Those that made money selling guns got to keep them but the stores that didn't make money on them no longer sell them.

[Steyr_223]

I was in Amsterdam in the summer of 2006. Gas is like $6 a gallon, Micky D's burgers with a coke as about $10 and 9mm ammo was nowhere to be found..In fact I could not find a gunstore in the entire country??? Everyone took public transit, biked or walked..The cars they did have were very very tiny..Not an SUV or full size truck to be found..

Everything is relative..

[E Pluribus Unum]

For a local store based in TX, sure I would expect the local economic conditions to dictate pricing. For a chain that crosses multiple states I would've thought that pricing would be moderated by the averaging of expenses across the whole area thus giving a pricing advantage to the chain that has lower costs in some areas and higher costs in others - so it is averaged out and reflected in their pricing. I wouldn't be surprised that a box of 9mm is 5 to 10% more compared to a lower cost state , but 20% more for CA? Of course I don't have to give my business to Big 5, Wally world is just as happy to take my money and charge me less for the same ammo that Big 5 is selling.

Thats a socialist idea my friend...

EVERY store needs to make money. One cannot do business in cheaper states to pay for the California store. It is not like they are in business to provide a service to the community; they are in business to make money.

When a store starts losing money it has three options:

1) Cut Expenses
2) Raise Prices
3) When all else fails, close

It costs more to run in California, so the items cost more. You can thank workman's comp, affirmative action and all the other crap that goes on.