List price gougers here

[talltex]

I guess we'll know the end is near when we see wheel weight gouging.

now that's funny...

As for the price gouging and free market capitalism...it all depends on your perception of who's getting gouged. Back in 2006 when gas prices were first approaching $4.00/gln, I was on a golfing trip with some friends and one of them who has been very successful in real estate ventures was bemoaning the "price gouging" by the "big oil companies" and demanding that the government ought to step in and "do something about it". I asked him what exactly did he think they should do, and he responded they should be limited to a "reasonable" profit. I asked him if he bought a piece of property for $100K and 6 months later, due to some new, unforeseen development, he could then sell it for $400k, how would he feel if the government stepped in and said that's too much profit....you can't sell it for more than $200k? He said "well that's just ridiculous...it's not the same thing at all...that's just between me and the buyer!" I looked at him and grinned and said "oh really? Better think about that a minute...I believe it's exactly the same". After about 30 seconds, he shook his head and said, "OK, OK...but I still don't have to like it".

[kragluver]

That's a great comparison and one I intend to file away for future use!

[A-R]

I've enjoyed reading the spirited defense of free enterprise. Understand I never said these sellers should in any way be prevented from asking whatever price they want. My point was merely to list who was doing to let the free market decide for itself (and hopefully get a few laughs from the ridiculousness of it).

Anyway, got this from GT Distributors via FB and email:

GT Distributors will stand firm and honor current pricing on all our products.

There will be no price increases or gouging due to the current increased activity in the public safety market. Any price increases are solely due to increases from manufacturers. Our customers are the most important asset to our success and we appreciate the business today and in the future.

Over the past couple of days we have experienced increased activity in our Retail Stores, Online, and Inbound phone calls. Please be aware GT Distributors is currently in a backorder situation for all AR & AK rifles. We are also backordered for most magazine manufacturers and Glock magazines are running very low. At this time we are still in a good position for ammunition, however, there will be a shortage of .223 ammunition by January 2013. Inventory on all Glock Law Enforcement and Commercial models are also still in a good supply.

Regardless of GT Distributors' backorder situation we will be receiving product for firearms and ammunition that have been placed prior to November 2012. Please be conscious that although GT Distributors has standing orders with manufacturers, ETA's have been extended and cannot confirm firm delivery dates. Firearm and Ammunition manufacturers have increased their production volume to meet demand and GT Distributors is actively engaging all of our resources to obtain needed firearms and ammunition. At this time ETA's for standing purchase orders are still to be determined.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and thank all our customers who have understood of our situation. We apologize for the long waiting periods and are doing the best we can to assist each customer.

Sincerely,
The Orr family and the Management Team of GT Distributors

[AngryBill]

I sold 17 pmags (all I had in stock) at normal "best in the show" prices tuesday. some people may call me stupid, some people may be thankful. I see the prices people are asking for these things and I want to slap em. That and AR's too. I've been flagging overpriced junk on TGT all morning lol.

I don't know what to do with my next batch that's en route (after I take my cut). I definitely want to limit the quantity so that people don't buy 5 or 10 then turn around and flip them. But at the same time, I don't want to meet 20 people and limit to 2 mags. I think I'm going to take names and numbers then meet them at the next Austin Gun Show where they can redeem their 'two mags' reservation.

Backorders? yaright. My distrigutor seems like he's an up and up guy but I wonder if they ain't taking bribes. Hopefully my backorder arrives mid january or so.

People are hording everything again. AR's, pistols even non-high cap ones, primers. it's 2008/2009 all over again and I personally hate it.

[OldCannon]

Well, supply chain increases, due to ramping up manufacturing to meet demand, have hit me -- the New Frontier Armory lowers have been raised to $149 according to recent info from New Frontier. They've also correspondingly raised dealer prices.

Sigh.

They're still a good deal at $149, but it certainly diminishes the ability to influence buyers on price alone.

Worse: It looks like I might have to pay MORE for the order I placed early last month, which hasn't been fulfilled yet.

[PBR]

Well, supply chain increases, due to ramping up manufacturing to meet demand, have hit me -- the New Frontier Armory lowers have been raised to $149 according to recent info from New Frontier. They've also correspondingly raised dealer prices.

Sigh.

They're still a good deal at $149, but it certainly diminishes the ability to influence buyers on price alone.

Worse: It looks like I might have to pay MORE for the order I placed early last month, which hasn't been fulfilled yet.

yea seen that on NFA's site they 149 now -- oh well its happening all over -- im still needing one if anyone has one or when you get some in -- thats b/s though if you end up having to pay more for the order already placed

[DocV]

Well, supply chain increases, due to ramping up manufacturing to meet demand, have hit me -- the New Frontier Armory lowers have been raised to $149 according to recent info from New Frontier. They've also correspondingly raised dealer prices.

Sigh.

They're still a good deal at $149, but it certainly diminishes the ability to influence buyers on price alone.

Worse: It looks like I might have to pay MORE for the order I placed early last month, which hasn't been fulfilled yet.

The one I got from you is great. Nice tight fit on my upper. The entire rifle weighs about 5 and a half pounds. $149 is still a great deal considering it is a complete lower.

[OldCannon]

Well, supply chain increases, due to ramping up manufacturing to meet demand, have hit me -- the New Frontier Armory lowers have been raised to $149 according to recent info from New Frontier. They've also correspondingly raised dealer prices.

Sigh.

They're still a good deal at $149, but it certainly diminishes the ability to influence buyers on price alone.

Worse: It looks like I might have to pay MORE for the order I placed early last month, which hasn't been fulfilled yet.

yea seen that on NFA's site they 149 now -- oh well its happening all over -- im still needing one if anyone has one or when you get some in

They're not gouging either. The problem is that they ramped up to meet demand (they tripled their output). Because of this, they had to reach out to other suppliers for parts, who are also under pressure to make lots of parts for manufacturers. All this capacity pressure means more hours, more equipment, and less negotiation room for buyers. That means everything gets passed down to dealers and buyers. Remember that supply and demand is NOT "Oh, 5 people want two things I have, so I'll mark my price high enough to sell to only two people." That's part of the equation, but only in a strategic sense.

[jmra]

Well, supply chain increases, due to ramping up manufacturing to meet demand, have hit me -- the New Frontier Armory lowers have been raised to $149 according to recent info from New Frontier. They've also correspondingly raised dealer prices.

Sigh.

They're still a good deal at $149, but it certainly diminishes the ability to influence buyers on price alone.

Worse: It looks like I might have to pay MORE for the order I placed early last month, which hasn't been fulfilled yet.

Hate hearing that. My FFL has 25 on order of which my friend and I had reserved a total of 5. Was quoted $109. Guess that's not going to happen.

[AngryBill]

Buds Guns. While not CTD Gougers, They raised the price on a bolt action rifle I was interested in buying from $710, then to $763, then again to $793, all in a one or two day period. I found an alternate vendor, who accepted a credit card price of $750 for the same rifle. I suppose one could call the Buds Guns price raising and me not buying pure capatilism, which is fine and which worked against them. However. To those who condone the free market (and trust me, I'm with you when we're talking walmart vs mom-/pop hardware). In a way you are right but what we have here is a hybrid free market with things like mags and rifles. We have opportunistic who have no skills other than being able to find items on the interwebz 1/2 second faster than others, buy them even thought they don't need the items...sometimes or a lot if the times, in violation of Federal Firearms Laws for the sole intention of doubling their money. It's not a supply/demand argument to me, it's an abuse of the normal system in some ways. This time around, I plan on limiting sales to keep my inventory levels steady so I won't get cought up in the "got to charge what xyz" is charging. I'll continue to maintain my margins, work the shows, make some long term customers and friends.

[C-dub]

Not only will pricing be what the market can bear, but there's also the whole supply/demand thing going on. Right not demand is really high and supply is really low. Up up up goes the price. Then CTD found the market would not stand for $60 pmags and reduced the price to $30. We'll see how long that lasts.

[OldCannon]

Not only will pricing be what the market can bear, but there's also the whole supply/demand thing going on. Right not demand is really high and supply is really low. Up up up goes the price. Then CTD found the market would not stand for $60 pmags and reduced the price to $30. We'll see how long that lasts.

The natural type of supply-and-demand situations are driven by forces up and down the supply chain. The unnatural type (unethical, if you want to label it that way), are driven by end-point sale markup based on scarcity. I'm looking forward to the day CTD needs a plumber and there's only one in town

[OldCannon]

...annnd now the New Frontier lowers are $169. Up $20 from yesterday.

The world has gone insane.

[AngryBill]

...annnd now the New Frontier lowers are $169. Up $20 from yesterday.

Dave, Ouch !

[Panzer Possum]

Is this for guns only or does Randall's count? I went into one last night and the prices were 30% higher than HEB.
Just trying to lighten the mood.

I'm sorry to hear about New Frontier. It's understandable if they're raising prices on new orders, but retroactively raising prices on product that was already ordered and confirmed is a really slimy business practice.