List price gougers here

[Rrash]

http://www.surplusammo.com/categories/A ... 9mm-Luger/
Makes CTD look like a bargain.

[VMI77]

Wow, didn't realize there were so many anti-capitalist anti-free market people in this forum. There is no such thing as "price gouging" in a free market. You have the choice not to buy something when you don't like the price. You can only be "gouged" when you don't have that choice. The price-gouging and exploitation talk comes right out of the socialist playbook. The reason there isn't much ammo on the shelves right now is because prices remain TOO LOW. When there is a sudden increase in demand and no commensurate increase in supply, price HAS TO RISE in order to establish a new equilibrium point between supply and demand. If it doesn't the excessive demand just clears the shelves and you have a persistent shortage like we do now. The reduction in demand that goes with a price hike not only allows manufacturers to replenish inventories, it also encourages new supplies to enter the market, both from previously withheld stock (people who have accumulated supply) and new or additional manufacturing. I'd rather pay twice the price and be able to find some ammo for a range trip, and shoot less, than not be able to shoot at all.

The left has conditioned people in this country to consider the normal, efficient, and beneficial operation of a free market to be some kind of evil exploitation of the working class. The same thing happened after hurricane Sandy. Gas prices should have risen to establish a new equilibrium point between supply and demand. There would have been no gas lines. People who really "needed" gas, in the sense that they perceived paying the higher price to be more in their interest than not having gas for their vehicle, would have had it available. The higher prices would have encouraged different behavior among those people who couldn't or wouldn't pay the higher price. When you start talking about what people "need" and suggest that "fairness" requires they be able to acquire what they need by preventing the efficient operation of the market, you're advocating socialism.

[VMI77]

How about the Texas government? They charge two or three times what some states do for a CHL. That's as bad as selling a basic AR for $2500.

That argument is getting old. If you don't qualify for any of the discounts it comes out to a little over 50 cents a week. If that is a problem for you good luck buying ammo.

You sound like some guy trying to justify the $2500 price tag on his DIY AR. I wonder why you're so fired up about other people trying to save some money in these tough economic times.

No one owes you an AR15 at the price you want to pay.

[Andrew]

Wow, didn't realize there were so many anti-capitalist anti-free market people in this forum. There is no such thing as "price gouging" in a free market. You have the choice not to buy something when you don't like the price. You can only be "gouged" when you don't have that choice. The price-gouging and exploitation talk comes right out of the socialist playbook. The reason there isn't much ammo on the shelves right now is because prices remain TOO LOW. When there is a sudden increase in demand and no commensurate increase in supply, price HAS TO RISE in order to establish a new equilibrium point between supply and demand. If it doesn't the excessive demand just clears the shelves and you have a persistent shortage like we do now. The reduction in demand that goes with a price hike not only allows manufacturers to replenish inventories, it also encourages new supplies to enter the market, both from previously withheld stock (people who have accumulated supply) and new or additional manufacturing. I'd rather pay twice the price and be able to find some ammo for a range trip, and shoot less, than not be able to shoot at all.

The left has conditioned people in this country to consider the normal, efficient, and beneficial operation of a free market to be some kind of evil exploitation of the working class. The same thing happened after hurricane Sandy. Gas prices should have risen to establish a new equilibrium point between supply and demand. There would have been no gas lines. People who really "needed" gas, in the sense that they perceived paying the higher price to be more in their interest than not having gas for their vehicle, would have had it available. The higher prices would have encouraged different behavior among those people who couldn't or wouldn't pay the higher price. When you start talking about what people "need" and suggest that "fairness" requires they be able to acquire what they need by preventing the efficient operation of the market, you're advocating socialism.

Well said!

[VMI77]

I think the difference for me lies in what costs/risks underlie the price.

In your house example, yes, I only paid $100k for the house. But I don't want to sell my house. It may take much more than the value to compensate me for the pain of moving, finding another house, paying a real estate lawyer, etc.

I wouldn't feel bad about selling one of my guns for much more than I paid for it. I don't want to sell it. There is a risk that I won't find another. I took the risk when I bought it that it may eventually be worth less than I paid for it.

Now let's look at roofers after a hurricane. Huge demand. Honest roofers charge a fair price. It may be higher than during normal times, but their costs for materials might be higher because of demand, the may be working crews outside the normal 40 hours and have higher costs due to overtime. All of this is perfectly legit. Roofers from out of state need to be compensated for being away from families, they need to put up in a motel, etc. Again legit.

Same hurricane. A gas station paid $2 a gallon for their gas. They have a contract for their next shipments for $2 a gallon. They charge $4 a gallon normally. There is a rush to the pumps as people fill up to get out of town. They jack the price up to $8 a gallon. That's gouging.

A gun shop selling something they paid $500 for and have orders for more at $500 and normally sell for $750 raising the price to $3,000 when their risks and costs stay the same: gouging.

Just because something is legal doesn't make it ethical.

No, it's not. There is no such thing as gouging in a free market. It's called charging what the traffic will bear. You don't have to buy it. If everyone is like you, then no one will pay $8 a gallon, and the seller will have to lower the price. What you're really complaining about is that someone else can and will pay $8 a gallon --or, to express it another way, that life is unfair. Price increases under the conditions you describe are merely the efficient operation of a free market. If the price is too high for you, don't buy it. No one owes you $4 gas or a $750 AR.

[liberty2014]

Guy on san antonio craislist had a 20 round box of .223 pmc ammo for 35 bucks, i emailed him (just for kicks) and the guy said it was sold. Guess its time to buy a 17 hmr

[steveincowtown]

Just walked out if Elks Castle Sporting Goods in Fort Worth for the last time. I can see trying to make a buck, but these guys are of the charts.

If anyone is interested they have plenty of the following in stock:

$399 No Name Stripped Lowers
$2500 Colt AR's
$27 boxes of .223 Range Ammo

Never, ever will they see a dollar of my money.

[Gameover]

Just walked out if Elks Castle Sporting Goods in Fort Worth for the last time. I can see trying to make a buck, but these guys are of the charts.

If anyone is interested they have plenty of the following in stock:

$399 No Name Stripped Lowers
$2500 Colt AR's
$27 boxes of .223 Range Ammo

Never, ever will they see a dollar of my money.

Maybe there teaming up with the people on guntrader
I went to the range last week and they had a glock 19 gen 3 for 699+tax! Now I havn't bought any glocks so im not to sure on what they go for but that just seemed way to much.

[Z0Tex]

No, it's not. There is no such thing as gouging in a free market. It's called charging what the traffic will bear. You don't have to buy it. If everyone is like you, then no one will pay $8 a gallon, and the seller will have to lower the price. What you're really complaining about is that someone else can and will pay $8 a gallon --or, to express it another way, that life is unfair. Price increases under the conditions you describe are merely the efficient operation of a free market. If the price is too high for you, don't buy it. No one owes you $4 gas or a $750 AR.

[Abraham]

I used to smoke pricey, hand rolled, premium cigars.

I frequented a web site devoted to a certain brand of these luxury items and some used the forum to complain about certain retailers 'price gouging' a particularly sought after cigar.

I laughed at the absurdity of calling the retailers gougers.

Honestly, complaining about the price of a luxury item...

That goes for guns too.

Yeah, one might argue that a gun isn't a luxury item, but no one has to have an AR, semi-auto pistol or shotgun. Or anything gun related, but you do have the option. What models you decide on and what price you pay is up to you. High dollar AR or lower cost bolt action cheapie? Semi-auto shotgun or single shot? Hey, they all shoot. (and I'm not suggesting anything about gun law, just economics)

Just be thankful we aren't living in one of the many countries where citizens aren't allowed anything gun.

And yes, boycotting a business is an option.

That's too is the free enterprise system.

[C-dub]

At the Lewisville show today, one of the vendors had the rifle I bought back in June for $1250 for $3500. The rifle my BIL bought a few days ago for $2150, that was probably also around $1250 in June, was $3500 today. I doubt he will sell them at those prices, but good for him if he does and sorry for the person that pays.

[Abraham]

What's does a Chinese SKS cost these days?

I know little about this rifle other than a family member owns one and could use the money it might bring in.

Given I know nothing about them, but knowing what was once inexpensive in the rifle world now commands high dollars, perhaps it could bring in a few shekels...?

[jmra]

At the Lewisville show today, one of the vendors had the rifle I bought back in June for $1250 for $3500. The rifle my BIL bought a few days ago for $2150, that was probably also around $1250 in June, was $3500 today. I doubt he will sell them at those prices, but good for him if he does and sorry for the person that pays.

I was at the show today. Longest line I have stood in for a gun show. When we left at 11:00 there was a decent line waiting to get in.
I picked up one of Model 1 Sales complete upper kits (everything you need for an AR minus the stripped lower) for $685 out the door. Last week I picked up a stripped lower for $95. So even in the crazy times I will have an AR for under $800.

[C-dub]

At the Lewisville show today, one of the vendors had the rifle I bought back in June for $1250 for $3500. The rifle my BIL bought a few days ago for $2150, that was probably also around $1250 in June, was $3500 today. I doubt he will sell them at those prices, but good for him if he does and sorry for the person that pays.

I was at the show today. Longest line I have stood in for a gun show. When we left at 11:00 there was a decent line waiting to get in.
I picked up one of Model 1 Sales complete upper kits (everything you need for an AR minus the stripped lower) for $685 out the door. Last week I picked up a stripped lower for $95. So even in the crazy times I will have an AR for under $800.

BIL and I got there at about 0945 and the line was around the back, but still only took about 10 minutes to get in. I didn't get anything today, but he found a soft double rifle case with good pockets.

[Andrew]

At the Lewisville show today, one of the vendors had the rifle I bought back in June for $1250 for $3500. The rifle my BIL bought a few days ago for $2150, that was probably also around $1250 in June, was $3500 today. I doubt he will sell them at those prices, but good for him if he does and sorry for the person that pays.

I was at the show today. Longest line I have stood in for a gun show. When we left at 11:00 there was a decent line waiting to get in.
I picked up one of Model 1 Sales complete upper kits (everything you need for an AR minus the stripped lower) for $685 out the door. Last week I picked up a stripped lower for $95. So even in the crazy times I will have an AR for under $800.

BIL and I got there at about 0945 and the line was around the back, but still only took about 10 minutes to get in. I didn't get anything today, but he found a soft double rifle case with good pockets.

your BIL has a Double Rifle! What type, caliber, etc? I've had a jones for one since the last of the chicks left the nest. My Bride insists that I'm not spending "enough money to buy me a new car!" on another rifle.