stumper1300
New member
Funny they didn't raise prices on any of their AR 'S OR hi cap Mag's. How dare they not do what every one else is doing.
Cabelas price gouging
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People sure like to throw terms around without knowing what they mean.
In the US, at least in the legal sense of the phrase, "price gouging" refers to high markups on prices of essential goods during a declared state of emergency.
That is what it means.
You don't have to like Cabela's pricing structure, but calling it price gouging makes one sound like that blustering old guy at the bar - you know, kind of like Biden....
In the US, at least in the legal sense of the phrase, "price gouging" refers to high markups on prices of essential goods during a declared state of emergency.
That is what it means.
You don't have to like Cabela's pricing structure, but calling it price gouging makes one sound like that blustering old guy at the bar - you know, kind of like Biden....
Cheapshooter
New member
The way I buy guns at Cabela's, or Bass Pro is with gift cards, and points gained by using their credit cards. Won't work too well if you carry a balance because of the interest, but I pay it off each month. That usually means a couple hundred dollars off the price. The best so far was a Remington 870 Express Synthetic 18". With a couple $50 gift cards from birthday, and fathers day coupled with my points it cost me exactly NOTHING'. Zero, zilch, nada!,
NoSecondBest
New member
You're out of line getting on here and trash talking Cabela's. If you don't like their prices go some where else. No one's holding a gun to your head to buy there.
Dragline45
New member
Price gouging can be used when referring to any type of good, whether they be an essential commodity or not. In the legal sense the Government can only intervene on price gouging when it involves essential goods and commodities.
There is some truth to this statement in that buyers set the prices, but to say say sellers have absolutely no ability to set pricing is crazy. Sellers have to sell at a certain price to at least break even on an item, anything after that is profit. How much they want to charge and how much profit they need/want to earn is up to them, and of course it is up to how much the buyer is willing to spend on their item. Consumers certainly help set the prices, but ultimately it's up to the sellers to set their pricing point.
Lets give a round of applause and a pat on the back for the scumbags marking up their guns and ammo double the price, even though they paid the same they always have, and selling them to the struggling people of this country. What great Americans they are taking advantage of this crisis to screw over other Americans and squeeze every penny they can out of them. Ain't that the American way.
Now there's raising prices due to scarcity which I am totally OK with, then there is marking up prices to a ridiculous amount like some sellers are doing. They are taking advantage of the situation to screw as many people as possible and fill their pockets before the frenzy dies out. Sure there are some people willing to pay those prices, but that doesn't make it right, nor does it justify selling at those prices. Operating on a free market has it's perks, but with freedom comes responsibility, and as far as I see it, the sellers who are marking up their prices to ridiculous amounts are people I do not want to do business with.
The gun shop where I buy 90% of my guns hasn't raised their prices one dime. I predict a slight rise in prices on a few things here and there over the next few months and I am willing to pay that due to the circumstances. They have an extremely loyal customer base who they try to take care of, knowing that treating their customers fairly means it will keep them coming back. A quick sell at 200% markup may fill your pockets in the short run, but the chances of repeat business after that transaction is slim.
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Tom Matiska
New member
Hour ago at the neighborhood tavern I got an ear full about the lines at the local Cabelas. Friend told me they had extra tables set up for gun sales and the wait was an hour and a half long. Panic buyers are in the drivers seat. Friend opined many buyers were unfamiliar, and were just buying whatever they could. Yes a new crop of panic buyers are screwing up our normal happy world, but the silver lining is the current climate is causing many neutrals to swing to "our side". That is not a bad thing.
That is what balances the equation. I am headed to my local guy's place later this morning to pick up a few things with a friend, including a new LCP that he is selling for $5 more than 3 months ago (still well below MSRP). The other side of that is he has a small place, and though he maintains a fairly large inventory, the wait for some guns at this time is long. I will not pay a nickle more today for ammo than I did a month ago; next month he may not have what I want. There is nothing unfair or unreasonable about Cabela's selling what they have in stock for a higher price than I, or you think is acceptable. There is also nothing wrong with me paying an inflated price for an item I want and can't find elsewhere. If that offends, then so be it. The alternative to letting the market decide the price is government doing it for us...
spacecoast
New member
When I bought my used 686 in 2009 I remember comparing it to a new GP100, which was $475. At the same shop a few weeks ago new GP100s are going for $699.
Actually, yes. It IS the American way. And it has nothing to do with, nor is anybody getting, "screwed".
Businesses have the right to make whatever profit they want to make.
Business is about PROFIT. It's not about being sure that I can afford to practice my hobby.
Sgt Lumpy - n0eq
Hhmmm....One subscribes to capitalism or one does not. I have the right to ask any price I choose for my wares. My patrons have the right to pay my price or not. Fair weather friends of capitalism compromise our freedoms, and lead us further onto the slippery slope leading to socialism...or worse.--Patrice
Hhmmm....One subscribes to capitalism or one does not. I have the right to ask any price I choose for my wares. My patrons have the right to pay my price or not. Fair weather friends of capitalism compromise our freedoms, and lead us further onto the slippery slope leading to socialism...or worse. But to answer the quetion, NO; I would perhaps pay up to that amount for a new GP-100.--Patrice
And in the same vein, if YOU had a gun, that you paid 300 dollars for, then someone approached you as you were leaving the store, and offered you 600 dollars for it, would you refuse it? (legal issues/background checks aside.. this is just about the "profit principle")
I imagine any/all of us would gladly take the 600 dollars, then go back in and buy another one at 300 dollars (if available) and pocket the profit. Perhaps some would say "hey, you can go in the store and buy one for half that", but if the buyer was willing to pay you double the price for it, would you refuse?
The OP is free to shop around and find a GP100 at a lower price... IF they are available. If not, then that is a "good" price. Whether he can afford it, is moot.
Capitalism.... supply/demand... MUCH better than socialism.
I imagine any/all of us would gladly take the 600 dollars, then go back in and buy another one at 300 dollars (if available) and pocket the profit. Perhaps some would say "hey, you can go in the store and buy one for half that", but if the buyer was willing to pay you double the price for it, would you refuse?
The OP is free to shop around and find a GP100 at a lower price... IF they are available. If not, then that is a "good" price. Whether he can afford it, is moot.
Capitalism.... supply/demand... MUCH better than socialism.
I agree with this one. Its the nature of capitalism. Let them know you dont like there prices by not spending your money. If enough people do the same the prices will go down. If not then you need to accept that you might be the problem because other are saying "with there money" that they are ok with the prices.
If it was a necessity like Flour, sugar or Milk I would have more of a problem because that is a need.
Dragline45
New member
I don't know why people are getting into Capitalism/Socialism. No one mentioned the Government should intervene and force them to lower their prices. Saying I think some of these dealers are slimy and overcharging to take advantage of the situation in no way implies I have socialist views, it is simply a disagreement in their business practices. Sure they can charge what they want, and some people are willing to pay it. Does that mean I have to like it? Absolutely not, which is why I choose to do business with fairer dealers with fairer prices.
Business may be about profit but if you are not concerned whether your customers can afford or are willing to pay your prices then you wont be in business very long. It's like some restaurants that jack up their prices and cut portions because when they run the numbers it equals more profit, but in reality it leads to losing customers and profit dropping dramatically.
Honestly I would tell the guy he can walk right inside and pay $300 for one rather than making a buck off him. Anyways, that is completely different. I did not buy the gun with the intention of selling it, nor would I have gone out advertising the $600 price to try and double my money.
Business may be about profit but if you are not concerned whether your customers can afford or are willing to pay your prices then you wont be in business very long. It's like some restaurants that jack up their prices and cut portions because when they run the numbers it equals more profit, but in reality it leads to losing customers and profit dropping dramatically.
Honestly I would tell the guy he can walk right inside and pay $300 for one rather than making a buck off him. Anyways, that is completely different. I did not buy the gun with the intention of selling it, nor would I have gone out advertising the $600 price to try and double my money.
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Well the point is that to associate morality with pricing is what justifies the socialist approach.
There is no morality involved in pricing goods in a free market. There's no such thing as slimy pricing or taking advantage of a situation, absent actual deception or coercion.
I advertise goods for sale at a price I think reflects the scarcity. Buyers make purchasing decisions based on how valuable those resources are to them. Things sell, or they don't. No morality involved.
All you can say when something is priced higher than you think it's worth is that the seller perceives the item is scarce, and that the value of that item to you is less than the asking price. No sale happens in this situation.
Pointing out differences in prices is also meaningless since information flow is not perfectly efficient or 100% correct.
For me, I think the logical fallacy and the "socialist" point of view is when folks depart from saying "That's more than I would be willing to pay" and start saying things like "That seller is cheating/slimy/taking advantage or whatever."
You don't have to advocate government involvement immediately to be heading down a socialist path. The very first step is to confound free market pricing with morals or some sort of duty to your fellow man (or woman)
The guns are obviously selling at those prices, so their pricing is not unreasonable.
Supply and demand is not a difficult concept. Demand exceeds supply due to panic buyers and hoarders, so prices climb. Basic stuff.
As to the cost they paid for guns on their shelves, they are also concerned with being able to replace inventory - and prices are up. Of course, they don't need to justify their prices in any case. If they are that overpriced for the current market, people will buy elsewhere, just like the OP could.
Trashing Cabela's, or any other vendor, for pricing according to market conditions is asinine. Now, if they suddenly broke purchase contracts, or stopped backing the products they sell, that would be another matter.
Supply and demand is not a difficult concept. Demand exceeds supply due to panic buyers and hoarders, so prices climb. Basic stuff.
As to the cost they paid for guns on their shelves, they are also concerned with being able to replace inventory - and prices are up. Of course, they don't need to justify their prices in any case. If they are that overpriced for the current market, people will buy elsewhere, just like the OP could.
Trashing Cabela's, or any other vendor, for pricing according to market conditions is asinine. Now, if they suddenly broke purchase contracts, or stopped backing the products they sell, that would be another matter.
I have always felt Cabela's was way overpriced even before the latest frenzy. The vast majority of firearms I buy are over the Internet. Dealers are within their rights to set prices as high as they like, it is the American way. The downside is that when prices return to normal, customers will buy from the dealers that didn't gouge and shy away from the dealers that did. That is the American way also. In the long run the gougers will lose money in my opinion.