The prices people pay

[vintage hunter]

Was in a local hardware store this a.m. for a few supplies and noticed they had a good supply of .22's on the shelf. The prices were unbelievable, $12 for a 50rd box and $125 for a 550rd brick. I've known the salesman there all my life so I made the comment that it probably wouldn't sell at that price but was surprised to hear him say that it moving pretty fast and what was on the shelf is what's left of a shipment that come in on Monday. As usual I thought of something else I needed after making it back to the truck, made it back in the store just in time to see a guy going out the front way with a brick in hand. Salesman said the guy was from a town 2 counties away and had been all over in search of .22lr ammo and was happy to have finally found some.

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[Amatikulu]

Last week I bought a brick of 525 .22Lr rounds made by Winchester for $25.50 from a hardware store in Georgia!

[enfield303t]

It is unfortunate that some people are gouging at a time when we should be helping each other. Where I live in Canada I deal with a local gun shop that presently has a abundance of .22LR but knows resupply is going to be difficult at best. His prices are up a dollar so no bid deal and if you purchase by ther 5,000 rounds he gives you a better price.

I would never spend another nickel with someone who was gouging like you mention this store is doing.

[jmoore]

It is unfortunate that some people are gouging at a time when we should be helping each other.

This fellow did help. He made the price high enough that the customer was able to get SOME ammo. Everybody's happy.

A friend swapped for a new FN 17s SCAR and had sold it for US$5000 almost before he laid hands on the box. Used the money to get more cool stuff. Including a Remington Hepburn which was moved along to me at cost. Could have doubled his money or better there, too. Again, everybody's happy.

Who is more helpful? A fellow making a bit of windfall on a discretionary commodity, or me, who won't "share" (or profit) even though I reckon the "crisis" will be well over before I need to replenish stocks?

[enfield303t]

This fellow did help. He made the price high enough that the customer was able to get SOME ammo. Everybody's happy.

A friend swapped for a new FN 17s SCAR and had sold it for US$5000 almost before he laid hands on the box. Used the money to get more cool stuff. Including a Remington Hepburn which was moved along to me at cost. Could have doubled his money or better there, too. Again, everybody's happy.

Who is more helpful? A fellow making a bit of windfall on a discretionary commodity, or me, who won't "share" (or profit) even though I reckon the "crisis" will be well over before I need to replenish stocks?

Help..to give assistance or support...

I guess we will disagree as a retailer sticking it to a customer is gouging where I think you believe it is a windfall??

I however do believe in KARMA.

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
What you all say is true. Price hikes like that for "wind fall profit" hurt the little guy. But it also established the "supply and demand" curve. If someone is willing to pay $$, then it raises the bar higher where other people can't afford. But it also prevents a guy walking in and buying up ALL the ammo at a low price, before anyone else can even see it.

I try to go to a gunshow once or twice each month....

Speaking with a dealer on this very matter was interesting. He stated that he had bills... taxes and employees to pay (and yes, he needs a profit so he could buy beans and bacon). His point, is that he raised his prices up to ALSO provide income for the future. When the ammo and black rifles started disappearing, and NO resupply was evident... and bans were being discussed... he pointed out that if he sold ALL his rifles and ammo at the low price, and didn't get stock for the next 4 months, he would be out of business. Simply put, if you have nothing to sell, you have NO income.... So the higher price also insured that he had money to make payroll, for the near future.... on the reduced sales, at the new prices.

Also to think on, is that the purchase of NEW stock following this run, could be higher for some time... so having some money set aside for future inventory purchase is important...

Just something to ponder....

[jmoore]

One of the local shops that I frequent discovered that one of their customers was buying from them and then putting his purchases immediately on auction. And clearing a LARGE profit. So it's OK for the individual to clean out the shelves and make money, but not the local proprietor? Seems a bit far-fetched to me! Stores that did not jack up prices have nothing to sell. Resupply has been spotty at best. The big box stores that did not jack up prices have also been cleaned out by the speculators who have learned the best times to show up. Even with quantity limitations, they have been using family, friends and associates to clear the shelves in short order. And then moving the ammo along at higher prices, in many cases.

Personally, I've seen it coming for some time, and have enough to do for a while. But the madness has inspired me to start casting bullets again. Not that lead has been easy to find, lately...

[WaltGrizzly]

I refuse to pay inflated prices for ammo. Ill die before I pay $50 for a brick of .22's.

[browningautorifle]

I've been silent about this for the most part but...I'm in Canada, as you can see. The prices here on ammo haven't changed at all. Supply is STILL happening. I'm quite certain we are at the bottom end of the food chain, that is US military first, US law enforcement second and US citizens third. WHATEVER remains can be divided up with the Canadian orders. It's not like there's some magic warehouse that we draw from. Everyone here is drawing from the current US suppliers just the same as US citizens...the prices on 555 and 333 packs at Walmart and the other major manufacturers have remained constant. Large caliber ammo is still available in the same quantities as before.

Are you guys reading what I'm saying? This whole thing isn't a physical shortage...it's created by the individuals behind the counter that are telling you there's a shortage. The very ones that are holding pallets behind closed doors. I'm not likely to run short, unless ammo and reloading supplies completely stop being sold for maybe ONE FULL YEAR. I keep that much on hand for a situation just like this, perceived shortage. We went through this a couple years ago and things were hard to get so I said never again.

Because people are knuckling to the prices, it's working for the money makers. If you all weren't screaming and clawing they would get back to business as usual. And as for getting in on it? I wouldn't sell one ball round. That's why I can sit back. And just watch...

[Patrick Chadwick]

Ill die before I pay $50 for a brick of .22's.

Negative attitude!
I hope I'll live so long that $50 for a brick of .22's is cheap