Lee
Established Member
Please read the whole post before you jump on me. I'll put this up front so y'all don't miss it by not reading the whole post. I have ammo, but I'm not selling. If I'm not selling, I'm not gouging. Get it?
It's called "supply and demand" and "market price". In the good times, you can buy 9mm at 10-20c/rd. In the good times for the buyer, supply and demand are roughly equal or supply is greater; and 10-20c/rd is market price. The market price is never more than a buyer is willing to pay. I can ask $20/rd, but I'd be a moron and never sell it.
But we're not in good times, are we? One consequence of our current situation is demand is higher than supply. Therefore, the market price is higher. I'm not condoning the gouger behavior, but neither am I condemning it. I'm simply calling it a marketplace. On the other hand, if you're hoarding N95 masks and charging $300 each when local hospitals are short in an emergency situation, that's legally gouging and you will go to jail. I will be the first to condemn that. But we're not talking masks, gloves, or Lysol wipes; we're talking ammo.
If you and your family are hungry, come to my house and I will feed you. If you are in danger, come to my house and I will protect you. I'll even give you a gun and ammo and fight side by side with you. That said, I'm not (nor is anyone else) under any legal, moral, or ethical obligation to sell ammo right now at "good times" prices. If you failed to prepare for times such as this, that's on you, not me. If those who failed to prepare are forced to pay higher than "good times" prices now, perhaps they'll be better prepared next time. And there will be a next time. If we coddle them, they learn nothing.
All that said, if you want to be "noble" and "take the high road", nothing is stopping you. However, before you help a neighbor in need, think about how you're "helping." Are they better off now with a box of 9mm at "good times" prices, or are they better off later knowing how important being prepared is. A box of 9mm at 300% good time prices is a cheap lesson.
It's called "supply and demand" and "market price". In the good times, you can buy 9mm at 10-20c/rd. In the good times for the buyer, supply and demand are roughly equal or supply is greater; and 10-20c/rd is market price. The market price is never more than a buyer is willing to pay. I can ask $20/rd, but I'd be a moron and never sell it.
But we're not in good times, are we? One consequence of our current situation is demand is higher than supply. Therefore, the market price is higher. I'm not condoning the gouger behavior, but neither am I condemning it. I'm simply calling it a marketplace. On the other hand, if you're hoarding N95 masks and charging $300 each when local hospitals are short in an emergency situation, that's legally gouging and you will go to jail. I will be the first to condemn that. But we're not talking masks, gloves, or Lysol wipes; we're talking ammo.
If you and your family are hungry, come to my house and I will feed you. If you are in danger, come to my house and I will protect you. I'll even give you a gun and ammo and fight side by side with you. That said, I'm not (nor is anyone else) under any legal, moral, or ethical obligation to sell ammo right now at "good times" prices. If you failed to prepare for times such as this, that's on you, not me. If those who failed to prepare are forced to pay higher than "good times" prices now, perhaps they'll be better prepared next time. And there will be a next time. If we coddle them, they learn nothing.
All that said, if you want to be "noble" and "take the high road", nothing is stopping you. However, before you help a neighbor in need, think about how you're "helping." Are they better off now with a box of 9mm at "good times" prices, or are they better off later knowing how important being prepared is. A box of 9mm at 300% good time prices is a cheap lesson.