One for all and all for none?

Eltonfan59

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Every time we go through this cyclical ammo shortage, it amazes me how all of a sudden people are willing to double/triple their money by charging exorbitant prices for the ammo they bought cheap. What is even more amazing are the people willing to pay those prices when we all know prices will fall and stabilize. I know, some of you will say FREE MARKET and if you dont want it, dont buy it. I get that. It is just a little disappointing that a forum full of members who, on the surface, rally around each other in bad times (sickness, people who need financial help and so on) and we do have some generous people here and God bless you all for that, that benevolence fails to extend into times like we are facing.

I'm not begrudging making a profit by any means but some of this is ridiculous.
 
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Every time we go through this cyclical ammo shortage, it amazes me how all of a sudden people are willing to double/triple their money by charging exorbitant prices for the ammo they bought cheap. What is even more amazing are the people willing to pay those prices when we all know prices will fall and stabilize. I know, some of you will say FREE MARKET and if you dont want it, dont buy it. I get that. It is just a little disappointing that a forum full of members who, on the surface, rally around each other in bad times (sickness, people who need financial help and so on) and we do have some generous people here and God bless you all for that, that benevolence fails to extend into times like we are facing.

I'm not begrudging making a profit by any means but some of this shit is ridiculous.
Shhhh. You're gonna get shouted down. ;)
 
I don't think (meaning I have no facts to say I know) that none of our long-standing core members do this. Newer, less involved members, yes, but not the original crowd.

I've stated it before, but when I "gouge," and I use that term loosely, I take it to Armslist.
 
I don't think (meaning I have no facts to say I know) that none of our long-standing core members do this. Newer, less involved members, yes, but not the original crowd.

I've stated it before, but when I "gouge," and I use that term loosely, I take it to Armslist.
Turns out (I've just learned) that there aren't nearly as many "long-standing core members" here as I thought. :(

I agree with the OP, but I agree with your point also.
 
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I would normally be in the "Free Market" camp and dismiss the "all for one" groupthink. I say that because - before now - these ammo/gun shortages were obviously knee-jerk reactions without a real risk of long term issues. 2016 election, Sandy Hook, etc. were bumps along the road that didn't really put 2A at risk.

With the convergence of pandemic, riots, election, rise of Marxism, etc. I see today as a different situation entirely. So, for me, I'll continue to use free market pricing anything I want to sell to someone outside my tribe. But if I know you, if you're a friend/family that may be caught short, I'll take care of you if I can.
 
Every time we go through this cyclical ammo shortage, it amazes me how all of a sudden people are willing to double/triple their money by charging exorbitant prices for the ammo they bought cheap. What is even more amazing are the people willing to pay those prices when we all know prices will fall and stabilize. I know, some of you will say FREE MARKET and if you dont want it, dont buy it. I get that. It is just a little disappointing that a forum full of members who, on the surface, rally around each other in bad times (sickness, people who need financial help and so on) and we do have some generous people here and God bless you all for that, that benevolence fails to extend into times like we are facing.

I'm not begrudging making a profit by any means but some of this is ridiculous.
Even more amazing is that people have gotten themselves into the situation that they need to buy ammo now. Ammo has been plentiful and pretty inexpensive for 3 years. Shortages have happened before, they will happen again.

If you had bought a box of 9mm for $9 each payday and put it back into a reserve, you wouldn't have to pay $15 a box now...and, complain about people "gouging".
 
Personally I don’t care what people sell things for, it’s their business. If the market happens to go up on an item I own and I decide to take advantage of that market then good for me(or you).
I feel no obligation to help some “gun guy” on the internet because we both share an interest in firearms.
If we have some history here on the forum, if we’re friends or family then I’m going to help you out. I’ve had those people help me out and I try to pass that along when/where I can.


If you let a guy post a thread that he’s trying to find a box of XYZ ammo so he can take his kid hunting or because he just can’t find any and he needs to protect his family, I doubt an hour would go by before he had a message from someone here willing to sell him a box or just give him a box.


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Personally I don’t care what people sell things for, it’s their business. If the market happens to go up on an item I own and I decide to take advantage of that market then good for me(or you).
I feel no obligation to help some “gun guy” on the internet because we both share an interest in firearms.
If we have some history here on the forum, if we’re friends or family then I’m going to help you out. I’ve had those people help me out and I try to pass that along when/where I can.


If you let a guy post a thread that he’s trying to find a box of XYZ ammo so he can take his kid hunting or because he just can’t find any and he needs to protect his family, I doubt an hour would go by before he had a message from someone here willing to sell him a box or just give him a box.


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I actually gave away a sizeable quantity of 22 LR back during the 22 shortage. It was for teaching kids to shoot.
 
I actually gave away a sizeable quantity of 22 LR back during the 22 shortage. It was for teaching kids to shoot.
I extended-loaned an A1 pattern AR, a few hundred rds of 5.56, and another thousand or so of 22lr with a bolt conversion kit - because a friend was about to send his son off to the Marines.
I'll generally help a woman or women learn to shoot at my own cost.
But you generally won't see me jacking prices up high to take advantage of a shortage - because shortages remind me of why i stock up during times of plenty.

As others have said, this is very cyclical. Even if you only buy 1box of ammo a month. in the last 3 years you would have accumulated 1800rds. That's enough to practice a bit, take somebody else, and still have a bunch left over for you and another to home-defend. I buy less than that of any one caliber per month... but when I see a deal I go ahead and buy a few boxes at a time.
And yes, i've been shooting a lot more 22lr than normal... because when we were buying at 3c per shot - that was worth buying a couple thousand at a time.
 
Every time we go through this cyclical ammo shortage, it amazes me how all of a sudden people are willing to double/triple their money by charging exorbitant prices for the ammo they bought cheap. What is even more amazing are the people willing to pay those prices when we all know prices will fall and stabilize. I know, some of you will say FREE MARKET and if you dont want it, dont buy it. I get that. It is just a little disappointing that a forum full of members who, on the surface, rally around each other in bad times (sickness, people who need financial help and so on) and we do have some generous people here and God bless you all for that, that benevolence fails to extend into times like we are facing.

I'm not begrudging making a profit by any means but some of this is ridiculous.

This inevitably comes out every time an ammo shortage occurs. Or a shortage of nearly anything else, for that matter. And predictably, we're going to see a range of responses that mirror what's been posted every time before.

So I might as well get started and put my response up.

Personally, I don't care what anybody else thinks about what I may do with MY property.

It's mine. If I want to give it away, I'll give it away. If I want to trade it, I'll trade it. If I want to sell it, I'll put it up for sale. And I'll do that however I see fit.

Because it's MINE.

And if, in times of plenty, I've stocked up in order to take advantage of lean times? Well, I invested the time, effort, and money to do so.

SO...If I want to sell 100 round boxes of Winchester White Box 9mm for three times what I paid for it, what right does ANYBODY out there have to question me about this? Who out there has the RIGHT to tell me that's "unfair" or "scalping"?

The going retail rate for this is what...about $30 a box, maybe a little less? So if I have a box I paid $30 for and I want to sell it for $90, that's UNFAIR?

What if I sold that box for $30? Is that fair? How many people here would think this?

Because if you DO, then the jokes on you, because I have a few thousand rounds I took the time to buy up years ago when it was commonly sold for $9.95 a box. So if I sold it today at $30 a box, I'm turning it around for three times what I paid for it. Is that UNFAIR?

SCREW. THAT.

Because if I feel like selling those same boxes for $90 a box and make nine times what I paid for it, THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

And people who don't like it can have a nice, piping hot cuppa STFU with a side order of plan-ahead-next-time. And for dessert, they can have some go-find-what-you-want-somewhere-else, while they're at it.

If people have no right to my private property because it's not theirs in the first place, what gives them the idea that they have the right to my property at any price THEY dictate?

What those high prices do is make people think about what they REALLY need and how much they REALLY need to get to get them by. Because let's face it...if they didn't NEED a box of ammo just before it suddenly became scarce, what are the odds they REALLY NEED IT RIGHT THEN? If they reeeeeally do...pony up for a box and STFU.

Just like I have to do when the market goes South and I'm short on things. I change my habits to meet the conditions I must deal with. And then, after everything settles down, I take the lessons learned and look ahead a bit more and plan a bit better.
 
I used to think if I could buy in quantity and add a small amount to cover my delivery costs, I would do it and help some of the guys on here out.
But when I commented on how I priced things, everybody went nuts. Free market, costs don’t matter, get all you can, sell, cell, sail, sale it !!!
I used to think people in a community tried to help each other out. But I saw the light and now I’m a screw every one free market believer.
Nah, not really, I’ll just hold onto it, the boo will be here soon enough.

ps
I use gunbroker for the collectable stuff because it pulls from a larger demographic.
 
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I would normally be in the "Free Market" camp and dismiss the "all for one" groupthink. I say that because - before now - these ammo/gun shortages were obviously knee-jerk reactions without a real risk of long term issues. 2016 election, Sandy Hook, etc. were bumps along the road that didn't really put 2A at risk.

With the convergence of pandemic, riots, election, rise of Marxism, etc. I see today as a different situation entirely. So, for me, I'll continue to use free market pricing anything I want to sell to someone outside my tribe. But if I know you, if you're a friend/family that may be caught short, I'll take care of you if I can.

Agree completely...this shortage is driven by an avalanche of events that continues to grow as the year progresses, and the shortages (ammo, parts, firearms, etc...) continue to steepen. There is risk in assuming it will "level out"...that time may have already come and gone.

A significant difference....this time, folks from all sides are buying it all up, not just us bitter clinging deplorable gun nuts.
 
Eltonfan,
Please let me know when you are ready to sell your house, gold or silver for the exact price you paid for it 10-20 years ago.... Any more then that would be gouging.
Rob
 
My price is buyer dependent ... if I sell any at all. Like Geezer I donated about 10 bulk packs of Federal AutoMatch to the Boy Scouts twice back in the Odumba scare years because they couldn’t find enough for their rifle merit badge qualification. I also gave a couple packs to a friend for he and his kid to go to Appleseed (he repaid me with a bushel of the best Freestone peaches). Now my wife’s idiot BIL ... $20 for a box of 115gr 9mm FMJ because I told him more times than I can count and he would spend money in everything but so screw him.
 
I bought 5,000 shit Cheaper than Dirt 22 LR just for this cause. Paid .02 each and have them for sale for.10 each. The line forms at the GA/SC boarder. Damn, I knew I should have bought 5 cases. You will live and learn.:)
 
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Capitalism is a good thing, that has brought us a level of prosperity and innovation, quality of life, that previous generations could not comprehend.

Thing is, capitalism needs to be grounded in morality, ethics. Charging a fair rate, not what the market can bear. Not being a blue Falcon. It's not a capitalism problem, it's a character, morality problem. If you can live with yourself, more power to whoever does it. I won't, because I have to live with me.
 
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Every time we go through this cyclical ammo shortage, it amazes me how all of a sudden people are willing to double/triple their money by charging exorbitant prices for the ammo they bought cheap. What is even more amazing are the people willing to pay those prices when we all know prices will fall and stabilize. I know, some of you will say FREE MARKET and if you dont want it, dont buy it. I get that. It is just a little disappointing that a forum full of members who, on the surface, rally around each other in bad times (sickness, people who need financial help and so on) and we do have some generous people here and God bless you all for that, that benevolence fails to extend into times like we are facing.

I'm not begrudging making a profit by any means but some of this is ridiculous.

Take your socialism and BEAT IT commie!

Everyone of these events are only "new" to you youngsters.

I been riding this crap wave since Rodney King
 
Take your socialism and BEAT IT commie!

Everyone of these events are only "new" to you youngsters.

I been riding this crap wave since Rodney King
Yep....in 1965 a box of WW 230 Ball was $13. Check that against today's dollar value. I didn't have many $13 dollar Bills laying around in '65. I'm certain it's cheaper at today's prices.
 
Capitalism is a good thing, that has brought us a level of prosperity and innovation, quality of life, that previous generations could not comprehend.

Thing is, capitalism needs to be grounded in morality, ethics. Charging a fair rate, not what the market can bear. Not being a blue Falcon. It's not a capitalism problem, it's a character, morality problem. If you can live with yourself, more power to whoever does it. I won't, because I have to live with me.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the character/morality of the individual selling the merchandise simply because of the asking price. I can make a counter offer and/or go elsewhere.

Private sale between private individuals.

"Fair" is what the buyer/seller agree on. Don't like it, haggle if you can, move on if you can't.

All those boxes of WWB 9mm I bought at $9.95/box? How much is my storage and handling worth for all that time? The money I invested then is worth less now due to inflation, which is why it's now $30/box. Most of the ammo I bought at that price was in the early to mid 90s. Call it 25 years ago. Even if I sell it at $60 over the current asking price, that's only earning me $2.40 a year storage and handling over that time.

Why would I be upset at someone else trying to sell their own private property for whatever they can get for it under the same philosophy?
 
If it applies to guns and ammo then it should apply to every item in America. If you build a house in 1979 then sell it for $18,000.00 instead of $180,000.00. Same with stock, and the cattle you raised, the car you flipped for a profit. You get the point. The same purchasing opportunity was given to everyone when supply was abundant and the price was lower than normal. It will take years for prices to stabilize and stabilize might be more than double 2019.
 
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Even more amazing is that people have gotten themselves into the situation that they need to buy ammo now. Ammo has been plentiful and pretty inexpensive for 3 years. Shortages have happened before, they will happen again.

If you had bought a box of 9mm for $9 each payday and put it back into a reserve, you wouldn't have to pay $15 a box now...and, complain about people "gouging".

This!!! I've been doing exactly this for over 4 + years. If I think the price is too high I just keep scrolling if online or walking if at gun show, etc. Just like I do with what looks like the Walmart clearanced rifles listed for $100 or more over clearance price. If I'm wrong my apologies. If they can get asking price more power to them. I'm not paying it though. I'll wait until the next clearance.
 
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Ah. The airing of the grievances.

I’m surprised any individual would sell any ammo right now, at any price.

I’ve given a little bit away to family. Just so someone could have some loaded mags “in case”. I think I gave away a little 9mm here when we were just getting into this fiasco a couple of months ago. Maybe 300 rounds all told.

But I honestly find the complaining about high prices when there is short, or no supply tiresome. I know the OP means well

Carry one. Ignore the old fart in the corner.
 
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@fieldgrade

I'm with you. I have no plans to part with any of the ammo I have currently. If I have a gun that shoots it, it's staying with me.


Agree but will go one step farther, I have ammo that I do not have a gun for it yet.
 
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Agree but will go one step farther, I have ammo that I do not have a gun for it yet.
Yep. I have ammo (7.62x51/.308) that I’ve never owned a gun that uses it. And I have some (115gr 9mm) that isn’t anything I normally shoot, but bought it at a price I couldn’t pass up (when Walmart was blowing it all out). And I still ain’t selling it.
 
And I have some (115gr 9mm) that isn’t anything I normally shoot, but bought it at a price I couldn’t pass up (when Walmart was blowing it all out). And I still ain’t selling it.

This is the definition of hoarding.
Assuage your guilt. Sell it to one of us.
But if you charge $.48 a round we WILL talk about you.
In this thread, anwway.
 
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Getting angry for lack of preparation is fine.....just learn from it this time. Lashing out at others is silly and childish.

If ammunition every becomes available again ( which might not happen this time) use that opportunity to stash some away. Until then get yourself an air pistol and practice with that. Save your ammo for emergencies.
 
All those boxes of WWB 9mm I bought at $9.95/box? How much is my storage and handling worth for all that time? The money I invested then is worth less now due to inflation, which is why it's now $30/box.
This is a very good point too
As many of us know, storing good amounts of ammo is not easy to do. You have to invest in airtight storage. You have to find a spot of floor that can handle a stack of cans that can be pretty heavy. a 30cal ammo can full of 9mm is going to weigh almost 30lbs and have a footprint of under 40sq inches.
You can't store much ammo on normal shelves - so you have to buy reinforced shelves and keep it on your strongest bit of floor.
Storing ammo is very much a pain in the butt.
 
This is a very good point too
As many of us know, storing good amounts of ammo is not easy to do. You have to invest in airtight storage. You have to find a spot of floor that can handle a stack of cans that can be pretty heavy. a 30cal ammo can full of 9mm is going to weigh almost 30lbs and have a footprint of under 40sq inches.
You can't store much ammo on normal shelves - so you have to buy reinforced shelves and keep it on your strongest bit of floor.
Storing ammo is very much a pain in the butt.

??????? Just keep it dry and inside your house. Garage storage might cause problems. I have never had duds from ammo sitting on shelves in over 35 years of shooting. Rotate your stash if your worried. I dont know what kind of floor you have but any load bearing wall will work. You dont have to keep it all in one place either.

I guess if you have literally multiple pallets of ammo it could become an issue.
 
Sunk-cost bias is real and it's messing with your head.
What someone paid for something yesterday has zero to do with what it's worth today.

Yep. I consider it no different than buying and selling shares of stock.

Imagine, for example, if you had bought 100 shares of Amazon for $18 a share when they went public in 1997. At today's price of $3,225 a share, you'd now be sitting on $322,500 just for the shares that initial $1,800 investment bought. Almost a 180 fold increase in value in 23 years. And your portfolio would be worth significantly more than $322,500 if all you did was let your capital gains/dividends reinvest themselves during that time. I haven't bothered to do the number crunching, but the earnings would probably easily top $1,000,000.
 
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Bottom line is, if after all the BS that's gone on in this country over the past 10-15 years and you have not prepared yourself by purchasing ammo and firearms when they were readily and inexpensively (relatively speaking) available....you have no one to blame but yourself.
 
I keep thinking about going capitalist with my stash, but it’s too much work to sell ammo and components to strangers.
 
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