Ammo Price Gouging

[Bako]

The day I received my CheaperThanDirt catalog I called to place an order. I was interested in the loose 1,000 round case of Eagle .223 for $399.95.

The sales rep answers with a price of $999.95. I let her know I'm looking at the catalog with the price of $399.95. With a very snooty and unsympathetic voice, she refers me to the right margin of page 57 which says they can change the price based on "market."

If a hardware store charges $100 for a sheet of plywood in advance of a storm, they can be fined and/or jailed. Why is there not something to stop price gouging on ammo?

***Update - there has been some good dialog in this thread about economics and the difference in price protection for safety goods that are needed vs. items just wanted. A point I wanted to make about CTD is they advertise one price, but charge you another when you ask to buy it. I did not buy it and will just wait for things to settle down.***

[3006]

Its up to us to stop buying it. 1$ around for 223 just say no!

[a1c]

CheaperThanDirt is a crappy company with lousy customer service and a crappy policy towards California customers.

Why some people in this state still do business with them - I don't know.

[CALI-gula]

I actually found a great deal right here on Calguns for some hard-to-find 9mm Steyr and I believe the seller has some left! And his price is commensurate with prices from more than a year ago! Get it while you can!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=651505

.

[Colt562]

1st mistake-shopping at CTD
2nd Mistake-calling CTD
3rd Mistake-thinking CTD would honor the lower price


I believe cabelas had some 223, just keep your eye open.

[Bako]

I agree with all. If I can't find what I want locally, I will go to Calguns, Midway or Brownell's.

[paul0660]

If a hardware store charges $100 for a sheet of plywood in advance of a storm, they can be fined and/or jailed. Why is there not something to stop price gouging on ammo?

That is a perfect analogy, one I have made before. Answer is, you need the plywood, you want the ammo. You can wait on one, suffer no damage, not the other. That is the idea behind "anti gouging" laws

No one gets to the next part. You get the pre hurricane plywood at $30 a sheet (semi normal price). You have one left over, hurricane is on the way and it will be a doozy. Some one sees the plywood and says they want it...........what is your price? Some one sees it and says they need it..........what is your price? You have no other knowledge of your customer, or their "needs or wants".

What is your price? Should be the same, no?

[Vlad 11]

Now you know to put - Return to Sender - the next time you receive a CheapDirtyGougers catalog

[neouser]

Just toss the catalog as soon as I get it. They won't ship a thing to CA anyways, so why bother.

[Agent 0range]

Have never, will never give them my business. I use them as a price point for comparison to other companies, but I feel "cheaper than dirt" just going on their website. Cabela's, Midway USA, and Brownell's are much better companies to deal with.

[ja308]

IMHO raising prices when shortages occur is better titled supply and demand . Gouging is a high sales tax .

Kick this around in your minds for a while and ask yourselves how much you would charge for a gallon of gas when you have no chance to replace it ?

[Bako]

IMHO raising prices when shortages occur is better titled supply and demand . Gouging is a high sales tax .

Kick this around in your minds for a while and ask yourselves how much you would charge for a gallon of gas when you have no chance to replace it ?

This is where I was hoping this post would go...

Prices on ammo and other "AR" associated items are through the roof right now because of fear, not necessarily lack of supply. However, your gas example (to me) is more closely associated with AR Lowers which may be illegal to purchase after the AWB. Case in point...Mega Arms decision to cancel their expansion. This would create from the economic perspective...lack of supply.

My question and disgust is with CTD's gouging on the ammo prices due to the current and immediate fear of the unknown. I have not found anything mentioned on the web that relates any pending AWB legislation curtailing ammo production, thus no long term "lack of supply", for ammo at least.

[NorCalXJ]

That's crazy. Almost a dollar a round for 223, LOL. Don't shop with CTD.

[Rob454]

If a hardware store charges $100 for a sheet of plywood in advance of a storm, they can be fined and/or jailed. Why is there not something to stop price gouging on ammo?

Because one example falls under laws that prevent people from profiteering in a time of natural disaster and the other doesn't.

If there was no natural disaster anyone charging $100 for a sheet of plywood would be a idiot. At that point the market sets the price. Nobody would buy because there are cheaper options. When everyone charged $100 for a sheet of plywood then that means the market priced the sheet at that price due to demand.

As for the demand and supply in the current AR market the demand right now outpaces the supply line. It's that simple. there is no magic voodoo here. The shortage is created simply because the manufacturer cannot supply the distributors with as much material as fast as they are selling them. Demand outpaces supply which in turn drives up prices. Just because one person is not willing to pay a high price doesn't necessarily mean the 20 guys behind ou are unwilling to also. Bro one company sold 3.5 YEARS worth of AR mags in less than three weeks. Think about that for a second.

[BrokerB]

A Whine has Been Recorded