More on ammo "scalpers". While I understand the folks
that despise these guys, my question has always been... what about the guy that refuses to raise his prices to current market value? He just becomes a good source for the scalpers, that's what.
Here's my recent experience. Last spring, a friend's nephew (early 20s) had purchased his first gun - a Ruger 10/22. But 22lr ammo was nowhere to be found, of course. So he asked if I would be willing to part with some of mine for a new shooter, and offered some lead in trade. "Of course, in this situation, I would be glad to help a new shooter." So I gave him three bricks of CCI mini-mag for about 30lbs of lead. (good cause)
Fast forward to yesterday. Friend contacts me and asks if I have any more 22lr ammo for his nephew. "LOL! Did he shoot it all up? I warned you it wasn't readily available at this time."
Friend: "No, he's been selling it and making a KILLING!"
"No, that was a one shot deal, sorry."
That was the problem at our shop. Limiting sales
by Hobie 
, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Saturday, July 20, 2013, 20:20 (4088 days ago) @ John K.
to two boxes and raising prices slightly killed the motivation for "profiteering" at our expense BUT, in fact, we are the point now that all ammo is saved back for purchasers of firearms. IOW, we don't have ammo for both types of customers. Can't sell guns if you don't have ammo for them!
Related, our Walmart had ammo Friday morning (about 9 am), full shelves, NOTHING by noon.
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Sincerely,
Hobie
Have to wonder how much of a "killing" someone could make
by brionic , Saturday, July 20, 2013, 23:27 (4088 days ago) @ John K.
on 1500 rounds. Maybe a few hundred bucks seems like big money to guys who eat at Taco Bell.
Some people think $40 is a "killing"...
by Hobie , Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Sunday, July 21, 2013, 09:31 (4087 days ago) @ brionic
Those aren't necessarily "poor" people either.
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Sincerely,
Hobie
A guy I know had been trying to talk me out of my Makarov
Cheap for several years. He finally bought one and contacted me about wanting to sell it at a big profit. Tells me that is what he would have done with mine. I think it's kind of funny that he is now stuck with it because nobody is going to pay $400 for one now when there are much better alternatives in full blown 9mm now. I bought mine in 2001 for $150 when it was a decent deal and the options weren't there. I won't sell this one but I sure wouldn't buy another one.
Isn't it funny how "friends" will try to buy something
by Hobie , Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Sunday, July 21, 2013, 12:18 (4087 days ago) @ stonewalrus
from you, their "friend" on the cheap when they think that they can make a big profit, rather than tell you so YOU can make the money but think nothing of it? Ammo, guns, cars, FARMS, whatever...
As to the Makarov. I got mine because it cost me $153. I bought 500 rounds of HPs from Dan the Ammo Man for $60 (shoulda bought more I suppose). I actually shot a ground hog with it. I could get my money back on the ammo if I'd sell just 3-4 boxes but why? I've got dies, bullets and brass as well.
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Sincerely,
Hobie
More on ammo "scalpers". While I understand the folks
by Sarge , Central Misery, Sunday, July 21, 2013, 23:02 (4087 days ago) @ John K.
There is a group of old retired farts who haunt the local WalMart, waiting for trucks to come in so they can ring up their friends to get around the 1 box limit; they simply line up and buy every 550 pack of .22 ammo that comes in. They'll hang out until 11 PM or later, however long it takes to get it all. You can find these same buzzards at local open-air markets trying to get $60-80 per bulk pack.
The local store has installed three benches for them at the sporting goods counter.