What Is Ammunition Worth?

[2A_Tom]

I have absolutely no problem with capitalism. If they charge more than I am willing to pay, it can sit on their shelf and they will not have to worry about replacement cost.

The manufacturers say that they are running at full tilt. Since their components most likely cost no more the only extra cost would be possible overtime. So from the manufacturer It should not be that much more, unless they are gouging.

 

[NHT3]

I'm not certain where the increase is coming in but my go source used to be Targetsports and 9mm for example has tripled there. I suspect that the increase is coming from distributors such as Targetsports. I saw an invoice for a pallet of 9 at one of the national chains in August and the price was still less than $10. SOMEBODY is making a killing but it is supply and demand and unlike the past where ever the big markups are coming in they are all in it together.

 

[DadSmith]

Just ran a quick goto to Ammoseek, and they had Winchester XP in 140gr available for $42.99/20 (10:28 Christmas morning), not sure what S&H would be

He was looking for 150gr Nosler ballistic tip ammunition. I should have specified. The cheapest I found was $72 for 20. Now I just checked its sold out at that price.

 

[Sigblaster]

Since their components most likely cost no more

I wouldn't bet on that. With all of the shutdowns and associated nonsense, component manufacturers may be suffering from reduced production capability, and need to raise prices on their per-piece prioduct to maintain a profit margin that keeps the doors open. I have no proof that this is happening, but it's definitely possible.

 

[Sigblaster]

I have absolutely no problem with capitalism. If they charge more than I am willing to pay, it can sit on their shelf and they will not have to worry about replacement cost.

The manufacturers say that they are running at full tilt. Since their components most likely cost no more the only extra cost would be possible overtime. So from the manufacturer It should not be that much more, unless they are gouging.

I wanted to give separate responses to two points in your post, because they are so distantly related.

Can you define "price gouging" for me? I have asked this of people before, and no one has been able to give me a hard, clear definition of it.

I'm going to offer up an analogy here, and I generally hate analogies, as I consider them a weak argument. However, they are sometimes necessary to illustrate a point.

Suppose I and another person, a stranger to me, have taken a flight on a small plane to travel to Mexico. In our conversation on the plane, I learn that he is going to a casino to gamble, and I am going to a resort to drink liquor and watch girls jiggling around in bikinis. The plane gets lost in a thunderstorm, and is way off course, and crashes in the desert. The pilot is killed, and the plane burns to ashes. While escaping the wreckage, we both manage to grab a piece of our luggage. The stranger has $10,000 in cash in his luggage, to gamble with, plus clothes and such. I have 20 bottles of water in my luggage, because I don't trust the tap water down there, plus clothes and such. We have no idea when or if there will be a rescue coming. My bottles of water could mean the difference between me living and dying while waiting for rescue or trying to walk out. Every bottle of water I sell to the stranger reduces my chance of survival, and my ability to restock my supply is slim to none.

At what price does selling a bottle of water to him switch from profiting to price gouging? $10 per bottle? $100? $1000? Do I have a responsibility to help a stranger at the risk of my own safety?

I'm not attacking you personally, just the concept of price gouging.

 

[Route 45]

I wanted to give separate responses to two points in your post, because they are so distantly related.

Can you define "price gouging" for me? I have asked this of people before, and no one has been able to give me a hard, clear definition of it.

I'm going to offer up an analogy here, and I generally hate analogies, as I consider them a weak argument. However, they are sometimes necessary to illustrate a point.

Suppose I and another person, a stranger to me, have taken a flight on a small plane to travel to Mexico. In our conversation on the plane, I learn that he is going to a casino to gamble, and I am going to a resort to drink liquor and watch girls jiggling around in bikinis. The plane gets lost in a thunderstorm, and is way off course, and crashes in the desert. The pilot is killed, and the plane burns to ashes. While escaping the wreckage, we both manage to grab a piece of our luggage. The stranger has $10,000 in cash in his luggage, to gamble with, plus clothes and such. I have 20 bottles of water in my luggage, because I don't trust the tap water down there, plus clothes and such. We have no idea when or if there will be a rescue coming. My bottles of water could mean the difference between me living and dying while waiting for rescue or trying to walk out. Every bottle of water I sell to the stranger reduces my chance of survival, and my ability to restock my supply is slim to none.

At what price does selling a bottle of water to him switch from profiting to price gouging? $10 per bottle? $100? $1000? Do I have a responsibility to help a stranger at the risk of my own safety?

I'm not attacking you personally, just the concept of price gouging.

There's good reason to consider your analogy a weak argument, because it is irrelevant and unrealistic. The scenario you used does not reflect a current open market, nor realistic market conditions. You are not in business to sell water, nor did you plan to be. Restock is available.

Texas has actually declared a disaster due to Covid-19, and has protections in place against price gouging.

§17.46(b) of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act provides that it is a false, misleading or deceptive act or practice to take advantage of a disaster declared by the Governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, or the President by:

Selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price;

or

Demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity.


https://www.texasattorneygeneral.go...gency-scams/how-spot-and-report-price-gouging

This is what they are using to go after Cheaper Than Dirtbags, which is headquartered in Texas.

Not agreeing or disagreeing with the concept of price gouging, just showing what the law thinks price gouging is. At least in Texas.

 

[Ingomike]

There's good reason to consider your analogy a weak argument, because it is irrelevant and unrealistic. The scenario you used does not reflect a current open market, nor realistic market conditions. You are not in business to sell water, nor did you plan to be. Restock is available.

Texas has actually declared a disaster due to Covid-19, and has protections in place against price gouging.

§17.46(b) of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act provides that it is a false, misleading or deceptive act or practice to take advantage of a disaster declared by the Governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, or the President by:

Selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price;

or

Demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, construction tools, or another necessity.


https://www.texasattorneygeneral.go...gency-scams/how-spot-and-report-price-gouging

This is what they are using to go after Cheaper Than Dirtbags, which is headquartered in Texas.

Not agreeing or disagreeing with the concept of price gouging, just showing what the law thinks price gouging is. At least in Texas.

Politicians always think they can create laws that supersede the laws of economics. Laws like this harm those in the greatest need...

 

[Mike Maddox]

Prices are out of site now, and supply very short. Seems to be going up every day. Hopefully people will learn, and be better prepared, on all fronts.

 

[1nderbeard]

lot's of "ifs" here, so I'll just answer for me.
I don't really care what my ammo is "worth" because I probably won't sell any unless we're back to trading and bartering (if cash has no value).
If I lost everything I had I'd try to replace the bare essentials. 12 gauge for home defense. 22lr for hunting. Maybe some cheap 7.62 x 39 ammo. I'd pay whatever the market prices were at the time.
Since my kids are all at home, I don't have to worry about them. All my friends are "grown ass men" and they shouldn't require my protection (a buddy used to tell me that all the time about how he'd fight if my kids were in trouble but not for me.)
If someone I was a friend with was in dire need, I'd share some of my stock. As it is, no one is asking.

 

[bsmithg19]

Same here save for a few very close and deserving friends.
Many requests. All refused. As they were warned this was coming but still bought only what they intended to shoot.
Now they are freaking. NMFP as I tried.

I spent the last 2 years spamming my friends deals Mrgunsngear posted on Facebook. Starting late last year they all came running to me asking me to sell them some $10 boxes of 9mm. I told them I didn't have any extra. They said you have thousands and I said yes because I prepared. I told them over and over and they didn't listen and I'm not cutting into my stash because they didn't. Most recently I've been getting texts from "family" asking about ammo. All I say is I'm looking too if you find a good deal let me know. Sorry, but I spent all my time and extra money avoiding being screwed and I'm not going to waste it on the lazy ones that now expect me to hand it to them. Am I being too harsh?

 

[1nderbeard]

Am I being too harsh?

nope

 

[El Conquistador]

nope

 

[Chance]

You tried to help them. They made their choices. Not to harsh.

 

[Willizm]

Can’t say you are being harsh at all. I’ve been buying ammo here and there over the past 6 years and have a setback amount I’m happy with. If I’m buying any ammo now it’s at a good price and something I’ll be shooting with regularity so I don’t have to touch what I set back. Yes, the prices are elevated but hey if I can find a box of 9mm for less than $20 I’ll I buy a box or two so I can go to the range.

 

[ditcherman]

I spent the last 2 years spamming my friends deals Mrgunsngear posted on Facebook. Starting late last year they all came running to me asking me to sell them some $10 boxes of 9mm. I told them I didn't have any extra. They said you have thousands and I said yes because I prepared. I told them over and over and they didn't listen and I'm not cutting into my stash because they didn't. Most recently I've been getting texts from "family" asking about ammo. All I say is I'm looking too if you find a good deal let me know. Sorry, but I spent all my time and extra money avoiding being screwed and I'm not going to waste it on the lazy ones that now expect me to hand it to them. Am I being too harsh?

Am I being too harsh if I don’t want to trade a brother what used to be a $45 lower for what used to be a $15 brick even though he tries to tell me I should? I honestly know nothing about current market prices, I just know I’m deep in both from way back. Everyone prepares differently.

 

[shadow64]

I have had coworkers from my last job text asking if I would sell them some ammo , No.. that’s what I get for having it delivered to work . They all made fun of me for stocking up now who’s laughing?

 

[bsmithg19]

Am I being too harsh if I don’t want to trade a brother what used to be a $45 lower for what used to be a $15 brick even though he tries to tell me I should? I honestly know nothing about current market prices, I just know I’m deep in both from way back. Everyone prepares differently.

I think someone might be offering a trade instead of telling you what you should do. I am well stocked in the complete AR area, I just happened to try and squeeze in 1 more build since I recently acquired an extra upper. If someone needed some ammo, it's a better trade than paying $200 for the ammo off gunbroker. If no one needed the ammo, then it looks like I've got an extra upper. I'm good either way.

 

[LarryC]

I was one of those that took advantage of those "web site deals". I really didn't "need" any ammo, but like many old timers here have learned my lessons well! Son and I have at least a "generations" of ammo, firearms and reloading components in stock.

Having been a shooter for many years, I have seen many shortages, high prices etc. Son and I bought ammo, primers, lead mostly in bulk when prices were really low, although bought quite a bit at gun shows when prices were right. We have a LOT of reloading equipment to reload over 35 calibers including molds, lubrisizer, dies etc.

I along, with several others here, warned people here to stock up, so don't feel too bad for the long time shooters who didn't!

Do feel sad for the newby shooters who now have to pay 4 to 10 times what I paid for the same items..

 

[COOPADUP]

Going to purchase some today I think just for the fun of it. Last purchase was roughly .57 per round so I'm curious what it's at today.

 

[COOPADUP]

Just checked prices. 30 bucks per 50 rounds plus shipping.