Gouging....... the concept with no definition other than "charging more than I think I should have to pay" and its corollary "I'm mad at the other guy who actually paid that". (And maybe a little bit of "I'm irritated with myself for not having a plan")
When there is a shortage prices go up. When there is an increase in demand prices go up.
Econ 101 folks.
So back to this gouging thing......
- If I sell my truck that was worth $12K last year for $18K this year to a willing buyer is that gouging? Just like our reloading stuff, trucks are in short supply. Does it matter what I paid for the truck or what I owe on the truck or what it was worth last year? Do I owe anything to the guy who was interested last year at $12K (but didn't buy) and is now willing to pay $14K when I have a buyer at $18K?
- How about my house?
- My AR15?
- A Glock?
Why are ammo and reloading components any different? Reality is the market clearing price is higher than you or I may be willing to pay, so we take a pass. That's part of the correction mechanism of prices.
Gun prices have fallen relative to a year ago. Why? Rise in supply and falloff of demand. Prices used to be above retail
because enough people were willing to pay it, and now they are drifting below retail. High prices cured the problem. Was that gouging? I surely wasn't a buyer at those prices. Likely most of you weren't either. But obviously there were a bunch of folks who were willing to pay it at that time.
Commodity ammo prices are coming down - why? Fall off in demand at least in part due to high prices. 9mm ball was $550 a case or so just a few months back - if it was in stock. Now I can buy it for just over $300 a case and it's in stock. High prices cured the problem. Hasn't happened with 6.5 PRC yet but it will.
High prices are what ration a scarce product to the people who need it most. The rest of us say no thanks and wait.