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Thread: Fair distribution of shooting supplies

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Fair distribution of shooting supplies

    At this time; if you owned a shop selling shooting & reloading supplies, how would you set policy to give all a fair chance at the goods?

    Limit quantities? Lottery? Wait list?
    Silent auction? Loyalty program? High bid?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master



    M-Tecs's Avatar
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    Limit quantities is the only "fair" option and the only one that makes long term business sense.
    2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

    "Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
    – Amber Veal

    "The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
    - Wayne Dyer

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Where I shop they set limits then it is first come first serve seems fair to me. I buy reloading supplies in a different shops than I shoot .
    The range where I have a membership will sell you 1 box of ammo yesterday they had 22lR , 9mm, 45acp when you rent or visit with a membership . They sell the ammo based off what they have to pay for it 50 blazer 22lr is 4.85 now and the last time I checked 50 9mm was 22.00 , 45 ball I think 30.00. You can buy a box if you buy a gun also. They did have some 9mm for counter customers that was some kind of strange composite case and non lead bullet subsonic stuff that was 40.00 for 50. All thy had on the retail shelf.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master



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    Quote Originally Posted by onelight View Post
    They did have some 9mm for counter customers that was some kind of strange composite case and non lead bullet subsonic stuff that was 40.00 for 50. All thy had on the retail shelf.
    https://www.novxammo.com/cartridges/
    2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

    "Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
    – Amber Veal

    "The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
    - Wayne Dyer

  5. #5
    Boolit Master trails4u's Avatar
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    I guess I'm a capitalist purist type. mark it up at whatever my standard markup may be and sell it to whomever chooses to buy it. This is 'equal' opportunity. Everyone has an equal chance to buy, but some may not get to capitalize on that chance as someone may beat them to it. Not to be confused with 'equitable' opportunity.....where capitalism is metered in some fashion or another.

    Pay attention in the media. 'Equal' is not-so-subtly being replaced with 'Equitable' in many contexts, and they are not the same. Equitable outcomes are a dangerous game for all of us long term, as they inevitably deteriorate to the lowest common denominator. Slightly off-topic, I know....but the principles are the same.
    "Do not follow where the path might lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master



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    The limit is to prevent people from purchasing to resell at inflated prices.
    2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

    "Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
    – Amber Veal

    "The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
    - Wayne Dyer

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by M-Tecs View Post
    May be the same brand but this has a red case head a silver case body and a silver bullet that is nearly as long as the case (they had a pulled bullet at the counter)

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Yes, limit quantities and take care of my regular customers on a preferred list. I would also make it known that I will refuse to sell in the future to any that are caught scalping online.

  9. #9
    Boolit Man
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    I think first come first serve is perfectly fine. While there are some people who will buy up anything to try and flip it, most people will leave what they don't need. I've passed up stuff I could use, but I already have a stockpile so I'll leave it for the next guy. Not to mention I refuse to pay $100 for 20 rounds of 338 win mag.

    What really gets me is the places that sell memberships to purchase more. Camping world and gander mountain seemed to have merged into gander rv. It's been years since I have went into the store, because of the camping world ceo saying if you were ok with Trump he didn't want your money. So I stopped giving my money to them. the wife and I were out and about and she wanted to stop so I said fine and went in. To my surprise the camping section of the old store was now a sporting section and they had new/used guns and ammo on the shelf. There was a sign on the ammo limit 1 box per person. If you were a member you could buy 3 boxes, if you were an elite member you could buy 6 boxes of ammo. That's a sort of scummy way to make an extra buck in my opinion.

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I would limit quantity and I would not sell to anyone that was buying to resell. Folks from 50 miles north of here drive down and wait for the stores to open to buy some. I wouldn’t sell to those folks. Folks like me who stop by the store in town when I’m there should have a chance too. The exception is, I’ll make a special trip every day for my 2 boxes (and my wife’s 2 boxes) of 22s until they are gone. I suggested that they just let me buy a brick and be done for the week but they rather I come back daily. Sometimes mom comes too, so that equals more than 2 bricks a week when I find out it’s there.

    Capitalism works both ways. The seller has no obligation to sell “first come first serve”. Local shooters who are supporting their own and family needs should come before those that are doing it for profit.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Bear in mind that commercial distribution of goods and services in a free market economy isn't fair. It was never fair. It will never be fair. It is supply and demand. You can afford it or you can't afford it. I would love to have a brand new Ford F150 Extended Cab 4x4. Can't afford it. I would love to have a Purdy shotgun. Can't afford it. As supply drops and demand increases, so do prices at both the retail level and the distribution level. You can't afford to buy 2000 cases of .223? Midway USA can so that's where they go (at higher prices to drive demand down to production levels).

    Things will stabilize eventually and then learn from the incident. Keep a few boxes of shells on-hand so you can hunt throughout the year. If you need 2000 cases of .223, outbid MidwayUSA for them and you shall have them.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by M-Tecs View Post
    The limit is to prevent people from purchasing to resell at inflated prices.
    That's where I'm at, and-.
    Limited supplies are coming in. If your local guys sells all of it to one person when it first hits the freight dock-
    The regulars that also buy other stuff will quit coming in since he never has ammo or whatever at any price.

    When I go in to our local guy for powder--- I always come out with a arm load of other stuff I didn't even know I needed.
    If I knew he'd never have any powder or primers, there would be no reason to stop in at all.

    He's buying all the ammo he can scrounge now days, at about whatever price he can find it, from anybody.
    And the selling price on it is higher than giraffe lips compared to last year, and he has purchase limits on that.


    Its capitalism,,,,, but its also a rationing process so every body can get some of what is in shortage,
    and you don't lose your customer base to some one time purchaser that you'll never see again.

    Is it 'fair'? That depends on who you ask:
    He'd probably say--- Its fair to him, and helps keep his whole business going.
    The flippers, hoarders, and those that spend their entire life looking for something to complain about,
    and never think about anyone or anything beside their self---- probably not so much.
    Last edited by Winger Ed.; 04-06-2021 at 06:37 PM.
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  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    They loose nothing by setting limits they are going to sell all they get anyway .
    But it makes for better customer service to have something for the next guy. And makes it not worth the trouble for the the guys that want to resale it. And don't even come in when times are normal.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by onelight View Post
    They loose nothing by setting limits they are going to sell all they get anyway .
    But it makes for better customer service to have something for the next guy. And makes it not worth the trouble for the the guys that want to resale it. And don't even come in when times are normal.
    ding, ding, ding. They sell all they get and this way they get more foot traffic and make more people happy. Making the most you can off limited items is not the best what to run your business. Some places even deliberately sell some items at a loss to attract foot traffic that will buy other items.
    Words are weapons sharper than knives - INXS

    The pen is mightier than the sword - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

    The tongue is mightier than the blade - Euripides

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    prices are up everywhere , so that's a given
    but "fair distribution" sounds like some sort of socialist approach compared to bare knuckle capitalism,
    first come first served sell all you can get for fair market prices and I don't think your customers will have any disrespect for you.
    how many do you think will actually boycott online sellers such as the cheap dirt place because they jacked up the price of 22's to $25/box 50. I know I'll never send them another penny.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I see the limit as a way to offer more people a reason to come to the store . They have holsters range bags cleaning supplies and still have a good selection of guns + a range that offers another product to sell for a lot of people they won't buy range time if they can't buy ammo. Just good business when you have limited supplies of one product that makes everything else in the store sell.
    What good is a car if you can't get fuel.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master

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    My LGS allows one box per caliber you buy.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master trails4u's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tar Heel View Post
    Bear in mind that commercial distribution of goods and services in a free market economy isn't fair. It was never fair. It will never be fair. It is supply and demand. You can afford it or you can't afford it. I would love to have a brand new Ford F150 Extended Cab 4x4. Can't afford it. I would love to have a Purdy shotgun. Can't afford it. As supply drops and demand increases, so do prices at both the retail level and the distribution level. You can't afford to buy 2000 cases of .223? Midway USA can so that's where they go (at higher prices to drive demand down to production levels).

    Things will stabilize eventually and then learn from the incident. Keep a few boxes of shells on-hand so you can hunt throughout the year. If you need 2000 cases of .223, outbid MidwayUSA for them and you shall have them.
    I would argue that supply/demand is absolutely fair......but not equitable. That's my entire argument. When we start to believe that equitable is the right answer, I believe we're in trouble...

    Would it be a good business decision to sell all to anyone walking through the door? Maybe..Maybe not?....but the alternative is a modified, semi-controlled market that I can't support the idea of. Don't get me wrong... I hate a scalper as much as anyone, and never suggested I would sell at inflated prices, but when I see people lined up in the dark waiting for doors to open so they can get their 'two' of something it sends shivers down my spine....
    "Do not follow where the path might lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by trails4u View Post
    I would argue that supply/demand is absolutely fair......but not equitable. That's my entire argument. When we start to believe that equitable is the right answer, I believe we're in trouble...

    Would it be a good business decision to sell all to anyone walking through the door? Maybe..Maybe not?....but the alternative is a modified, semi-controlled market that I can't support the idea of. Don't get me wrong... I hate a scalper as much as anyone, and never suggested I would sell at inflated prices, but when I see people lined up in the dark waiting for doors to open so they can get their 'two' of something it sends shivers down my spine....
    Imagine it was bread and the first guy in line buys all the days bread. Sometimes rationing is the right answer.
    Words are weapons sharper than knives - INXS

    The pen is mightier than the sword - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

    The tongue is mightier than the blade - Euripides

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by dtknowles View Post
    Imagine it was bread and the first guy in line buys all the days bread. Sometimes rationing is the right answer.
    Hence the WWII rationing program of ESSENTIAL goods. Even that however was victim to the black market. It was however the best we could do to establish even distribution of essential goods to those disgusting greedy, unfair, godless humans.
    - Zeus

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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
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