Cheaper than dirt is selling guns online again

[igofast]

Am I the only one that thinks CTD's new banner is...inappropriate?



Maybe it's just me, but my mind doesn't usually go there.

[TommyMN]

Shippy said this isn't price gouging folks. Move along.

[mnmike59]

Maybe it's just me, but my mind doesn't usually go there.

Go where?

[igofast]

Maybe it's just me, but my mind doesn't usually go there.

Go where?

It looks like CTD is giving a handy.

[xd ED]

Maybe it's just me, but my mind doesn't usually go there.

Go where?

It looks like CTD is giving a handy.

[tweener]

actually raising prices when things are likely to be in short supply is the proper reaction of a free market...it keeps folks from buying MORE than they need....keeping the scarce product in stock, so people who truly need the product, have access to them. If they were to keep the price at $13 a mag, someone would buy them all up, and proceed to hoard, or resell them at higher price...

Also, the decision to go to $60 was likely an over reaction, but until the market (just like a stock market bubble or bust) has to take some time to settle in to the proper price to balance supply and demand.....

I hold no ill will against CTD.

[xd ED]

actually raising prices when things are likely to be in short supply is the proper reaction of a free market...it keeps folks from buying MORE than they need....keeping the scarce product in stock, so people who truly need the product, have access to them. If they were to keep the price at $13 a mag, someone would buy them all up, and proceed to hoard, or resell them at higher price...

Also, the decision to go to $60 was likely an over reaction, but until the market (just like a stock market bubble or bust) has to take some time to settle in to the proper price to balance supply and demand.....

I hold no ill will against CTD.

Did they not cave in to the tide of hysteria against 'assault rifles' and 'too may guns on the street' when they shut down their online operation?

While I accept their right to ask whatever they choose to for the merchandise they offer, the price increases didn't occur for the reasons you suggest; they sold magazines for 5x the previous price for he same reasons dogs lick themselves- because they can. The price one pays for almost anything is the result of an agreement between buyer and seller. As a disinterested 3rd party, I don't have to approve of either parties actions.

That they apparently caved to anti-gun hysteria, and likely helped create the buying panic by shutting down before it was in effect, and that there are retailers (many local) who take a long view of their business operations is what cost them thousands of customers (myself included), and the resultant probable millions in sales in the near future.

[tweener]

everyone is entitled to their own opinion....

But just like in hurricanes and other national disasters, raising prices on gasoline and staples, that will be in short supply, is a good thing....it keeps vultures from buying it all up, only to hoard or resell at super high prices....keeping less fortunate folks from getting the staples they need....if prices rise in about the correct fashion, then the hoarders and vultures see little oppurtunity, and dont buy mass quantities....leaving more for everyone....albeit at higher prices.....at least there things available to buy.

The real dilemma, is what is the correct price to charge...no one knows, because supply and demand is a HINDSIGHT type of thing, constantly in correction.....adjusting for over correcting...and then adjusting again...

I will attempt to find the pod cast of Jason Lewis going in depth in this subject in regard to the Hurricane this fall on the east coast....if you really understand how free markets work, and want them to work correctly, you must allow things like this to happen....if they overshot the price, then they will pay for it in lost sales.....if they undershot it, they will sell out to early, and supply will be NONE. If they hit the price correctly, the items will continue to sell, but will also remain in STOCK! which is a good thing.....give it time for prices to adjust.

Part of the free market, is alos your ability to NOT BUY from them....which is again a GOOD thing, because it is a market signal, that they over priced their product.

I think the reason they shut down online gun sales is becasue their system became overloaded, and they couldnt handle the demand....

[xd ED]

everyone is entitled to their own opinion....

But just like in hurricanes and other national disasters, raising prices on gasoline and staples, that will be in short supply, is a good thing....it keeps vultures from buying it all up, only to hoard or resell at super high prices....keeping less fortunate folks from getting the staples they need....if prices rise in about the correct fashion, then the hoarders and vultures see little oppurtunity, and dont buy mass quantities....leaving more for everyone....albeit at higher prices.....at least there things available to buy.

The real dilemma, is what is the correct price to charge...no one knows, because supply and demand is a HINDSIGHT type of thing, constantly in correction.....adjusting for over correcting...and then adjusting again...

I will attempt to find the pod cast of Jason Lewis going in depth in this subject in regard to the Hurricane this fall on the east coast....if you really understand how free markets work, and want them to work correctly, you must allow things like this to happen....if they overshot the price, then they will pay for it in lost sales.....if they undershot it, they will sell out to early, and supply will be NONE. If they hit the price correctly, the items will continue to sell, but will also remain in STOCK! which is a good thing.....give it time for prices to adjust.

Part of the free market, is alos your ability to NOT BUY from them....which is again a GOOD thing, because it is a market signal, that they over priced their product.

I think the reason they shut down online gun sales is becasue their system became overloaded, and they couldnt handle the demand....

That wasn't the reason originally stated, I don't recall the exact message- which soon disappeared; it made no mention of technical difficulties, and eluded to a permanent reassessment of conducting online gun sales.

As to your assessment of market dynamics, which Jason and others have oft repeated, I don't for a moment believe cdt or anyone else raised prices to ensure fair and equitable distribution of their wares(andI'll allow you may not be suggesting that) That may have been the effect, but certainly not the cause, nor is it an issue with me.Their enterprise is theirs to operate as they see fit.

If you read the Facebook response to the Newtown tragedy posted by Mill's Fleet Farm, there is something of a response to ctd's folding early in the aftermath:

The thoughts and prayers of every Mills Fleet Farm team member go out to the Sandy Hook Elementary families that lost their precious children and to the families of the heroic educators that gave their lives attempting to defend them.

The string of unfortunate events and circumstances that led this individual to murder innocent children and adults is complex. Factors including the permeation of hyper-violent imagery via movies and video games, access to weapons by mentally unstable individuals, lack of armed security in schools and the ability of law enforcement to profile, detect and prevent these senseless acts all need to be discussed as part of a reasonable solution. Surely, as a nation we can and must do better to protect our children.

Mills Fleet Farm is a proud supporter of the United States of America and our Constitution, including the 2nd amendment right to firearm ownership and self-defense. Shooting sports and hunting have been part of America since before our country was founded. Mills Fleet Farm transacts all firearms business in full accordance with Federal and State regulations and will continue to do so. We hope our elected officials choose to address the safety and security of our children and our freedom, instead of a short sighted political agenda that will leave us less free and our children even more vulnerable.

[Dakotared]

I just went to there website to look and NO they are not selling guns yet. I think they just said they were to quite down those that were being vocal about there bad business decisions.

[Snakeman721]

I checked out their website months ago before the SHTF and I wasn't aware that the price of dirt was so high! I wasn't impressed then, even less so now!

[tjburns1]

I've done a large bit of shopping for firearms related gear lately, and at no point in time was CTD the best or only option. I didn't shop there then, because they provided neither exclusive goods or great pricing, and I won't shop there now, for the same reasons. Whatever spin was put on it, and whatever their excuse, I put my money on their inability to handle the surge in sales for the real reason for all this.

[grousemaster]

Shippy said this isn't price gouging folks. Move along.

No response from shipyard?

[mahnster]

They will have all their customers back in no time with deals like this. They are used but hard to beat the price. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/MAG-068