Cheaper than dirt?

[TexGun]

I've ordered from their website and bought directly from their retail store in Ft. Worth.  Good guys, always friendly.

[Pathfinder]

Never had a problem til recently. One thing that honked me off was I had re-upped for their member discount program. A few months later, the catalogs came with only regular prices. I had to call and talk with a couple of people who could not tell me when my membership was up, but if I ordered, they would apply the discounts. No letter, no email, no notice at all - just took the money for the membership and ended the program. I'm guessing maybe new owners?

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered 5 bags of brass. Got a quick email with a tracking number saying the order was shipped. Later, I got an email saying only part of the order was shipped, as the "drop ship site" had run out of the brass I ordered.

Lots of folks complained to Survivalblog - who pushes CTD hard - because the day after the election CTD jumped their prices for gun stuff, especially magazines, in some cases 100%.

Probably won't do much with them in the future - too many other reputable dealers to work with.

[Big Frank]

Same, ol', same ol' here. Been there, done that, no problems. Have their catalog in the john. Need to order some stuff.

[CurrieS103]

I just received the new catalog and the black rifle/AK anything seems to have jumped...a lot.  Ammo too.  Of course that was expected.  Order quick.  I'm keep it handy to do a comparison with the next issue.

[atmiller]

CTD had this posted on 11/7/08
 
Mag Springfield XD Factory .40 S&W Subcompact 12 Round
 
Our Low Price: $59.97
List Price: $89.96
Your Savings: $29.99(33.33%)

 


This is just one example of the outrageous prices they had on magazines after the election.  They appear to have brought prices back down now.  Better prices can be found, though. 

[Sponsor]

[atmiller]

From survivalblog.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full Capacity Magazine Price Increases are Already Here


Regarding my recommendation to stock up on full capacity magazines, reader David B. noted this in an e-mail yesterday morning: "[The discount mail order dealer] Cheaper Than Dirt [is] already gouging us based on our fear of Obama being elected. Overnight, their price for Mag-Pul [brand AR-15/M16] magazines went from $15.97 each to $29.97 each. Wow. They just lost my business forever." David's note intrigued, me, so I just spent some time at the Cheaper Than Dirt (CTD) web site and compared their new prices with their latest hard copy catalog (dated November, 200. Here is a brief sampling:
Glock Model 20, 21, 22, 31, and 32 full capacity factory magazines were all $19.97. Now some are $29.97 and others $39.97 Ouch!
Glock 33 rd. 9mm magazines were $44.97. Now $49.97 (Note: I bought a pile of these for $26 each, about a year ago, and I'm glad that I did!)

Ruger factory 20 rd. Mini-14 magazines were $59.97. Now $69.97
Beta CMAG 100 rd. double snail drum for Mini-14 were $299.97. Now $399.97

LR .308 19 Round Blued Steel mags made by DPMS (for their flavor of AR-10 rifles) were $39.97. Now $49.97 (But out of stock)
M14 and M1A .308 20 Round Parkerized "Military Style" [commercial copy] were $11.97. Now $29.97 (But out of stock)

AR-15 .223 30 Round, Bushmaster factory mags were $29.97. Now $49.97
FN P90/PS90 5.7x28mm 50 rd. magazines dropped from $69.97 to $59.81 (At least a some good news!)

All in all, I have doubts that the aforementioned price increases were all triggered by CTD's suppliers. But I wouldn't go so far as to call the increases "gouging". Pricing is a function of supply and demand. In a free market, prices eventually reach equilibrium. And I'm sure that the current demand is skyrocketing. I certainly know that my personal demand is! For example, I just placed a "top off the inventory" order with one of my favorite suppliers, CDNN Sports. I was pleased to see that as of yesterday, none of their prices had increased. I did notice however, that they are now sold out of many magazines, including quite a few SIG, HK, and Springfield Armory XD pistol magazines. My advice: Stock up now, while magazines are still available at fairly reasonable prices. I anticipate that there will be some significant shortages for the next few months. But after BHO's inauguration in early 2009 all bets are off. If, (as I've predicted), an executive order banning importation of so-called "assault weapons" and "high capacity" magazines is enacted, there could be some huge price increases!

[TexGun]

BTW, since my earlier post I figured out that the reatail store in TX is not affiliated with the CTD web store  (i'm a slow learner). 

Also, the DMPS mags are listed both on the DPMS web site and the Brownell's site for 44.95.  But, neither store has them in stock.

I agree with the supply and demand as it stands today, but the speed with which prices increased were a little suspect, kinda like gas prices last year. 

[dgray64]

I've  used them several times.  They are really fast. 

Dave                 

[SigShooter]

My first and only order with CTD was perfect. Although the wanted a $1 more for some Lancer L5 mags than Midway, they actually had them in stock. They also wanted Sig mags for more than Midway, but again had them in stock whereas Midway did not at the time.

I like to find suppliers online that have what I want for the best price. It's pretty easy to scam someone, but I've never had that happen to me. When you're new to supplier and you've got differing opinions, just place a small order and see how they handle it. Then you can place a larger order in confidence.