Gun Show Gouging

[jimbob_texas]

A friend and I stood in line almost 25 minutes to get inside the Market Hall Gun Show in Dallas this Saturday, in a winding line that traversed the parking lot.

My first treat was that the cost of the show had increased. It's now $8/person.

We made our way back to the left side of the hall, to a table that appeared to have a fair amount of ammo. The dealer's name is Gerry C. Haight, and I think he's out of Arlington, TX.

When I asked the pretty blonde girl the price on the box of .40 American Eagle, she looked on her sheet, then told me, "47.50." I just blinked. I asked her to check again, because that couldn't possibly be right for 50 rounds (a single box). She looked again, then consulted the guy who (presumably) was the dealer - Gerry C. Haight. He looked me straight in the eye, and said that was correct. I asked if he realized that was almost ONE DOLLAR PER ROUND. He affirmed that he did.

I'm pretty sure my face got red at that point, and I stuck my finger in his face. I told him that was gouging, and that it was "f*cking wrong." I told him that I'd personally make sure that every shooter on every forum knew his name, and that they all remember him as the so-called "shooter" who was taking advantage of other shooters.

I don't mind someone turning an honest buck, and I certainly don't begrudge the occasional price hike to help offset costs. But when I could literally turn around and buy the exact same ammo for $20/box (still too high, btw) at another table, it's just a little too much for me to take. He had CASES of this stuff, and he was out to squeeze as much out of you and me as he possibly could.

Remember this guy's name, and the others who are taking advantage of you and me.

And the first one of you that tries to chastise me for dogging on other "shooters," let's be perfectly clear: I DIDN'T START IT. I'm not trying to steal money from you and keep you from enjoying your sport.

I'm pissed off, and I'm not going to stand around idly while predators try to take advantage of me. If you're buying ammo or components at prices that you know are ridiculous, you're just enabling these peole.  Don't do it.

[twyacht]

Hey jimbob, welcome to the forum. I frequent gunshows and too have been "surprised/shocked" by what some dealers will try to get by with in pricing ammo. Especially since last October, or last summer.

Were other ammo dealers pricing "close" cheaper, same? Or was this flagrant gouging?

I know ammo is tight, I was just curious as to the other prices at the show,. Did you find something somewhere else?

My area has another big show next month, and I keep up with dealer pricing,.. I was just curious.

Thank you for the post.

[jimbob_texas]

You could literally walk to the next aisle and see the same ammo for $20/box.  What was distressing was that the dealers with the MOST ammo were charging the most.  There were also several individuals with a single case of .223, asking ridiculous prices.  A guy in the parking lot was hawking .223 at $50/100, which I thought was outrageous, until I saw the .40 gouger.  Others wanted on the order of $750 for a case of .223 or 7.62x39. 

It's shameful, and people were still buying.  As long as that happens, it'll just continue.  Shades of the old AWB...

[TAB]

in capitolism you can't gouge...

[Texas_Bryan]

in capitolism you can't gouge...

Well, if you screw me during the rough times, I'll remember that during the good times.

[Sponsor]

[jimbob_texas]

in capitolism you can't gouge...

It's capitalism, to be exact, and I'm certainly not opposed to free enterprise and the fundamentals of supply/demand economics.  Of course, there might be a lesson to be learned from our current economic situation, which is the result of speculation and greed.  You can drive prices up artificially, but someone's going to be left holding the bag.  Ponzi.

[TAB]

Well, if you screw me during the rough times, I'll remember that during the good times.

exactly.

same with gun shops that used "obama" to make a sale.  end of the year, I was in there to buy some 22 shells.  I heard one of the clerks say ",,,, obama is going to ban all guns, buy it now"  Put the shells down. walk right out.  I've been shoping at that store for 6-7 years, spent something like 15k there.  They will never see another dime of my money.

[twyacht]

Thanks TAB, but entrepreneurial endeavors can also lead to flat out greedy bastards taking advantage of a situation.

I remember after Hurricane Hugo, the Circle K's were (some) selling ice at $5.00 a bag. This led to anti gouging laws in times of state emergencies, passed by the NC Legislature.

This will never happen with ammo sales, but we as consumers can draw the line somewhere. I'm not that desperate for ammo, granted some will be and pay, but they should at least know as jimbob pointed out that they frankly SUCK as an ammo dealer if I can get the same ammo two tables over for a better price, I will.

If their mindset is: the little guy will sell out and then they have to come to me,... that may be a double edged blade that cuts both ways. You TAB, should know that word of mouth can kill a business.

That is what is great about capitalism, if you charge too much, someone else will get my money.  

Being flippant about ammo prices to play to the masses may lead to a short bubble.

Cheaperthan dirt has 5.56 Federal for $14.97 per 20 rds, better than some, and I am a true fan of capitalism, If you price your goods like a schmuck, word will get around, and your bubble is over.


I love profit and adhere to the principles of supply and demand, but there is still l

[Luv2Shoot]

The funny part is I'm sure people are still purchasing ammo from guys like this. The only people that are currently purchasing ammo at that price are the ones that just purchased their weapons or people that were caught with their pants down and didn't stock up. Thanks for the heads up on this "Joker". I've being seen more and more ammo showing up at stores like Cabela's, Academy and Wal-mart so hope thing are calming down.

[Thanos]

Okay, since we are on the topic of ammo, where do you get 1000 .223 rounds of soemthing that isn't Wolf? I want to buy 1000 round of Remington but don't want to buy 50 boxes individually. I want a bulk discount. And maybe 1000 rounds of .45 ACP.


Not right now, I am not in the "GOT TO BUY IT NOW!" mode, but I will want it, becaue I will use it.