What is "fair"?

[SDS]

First let me say that I enjoy this site but it's not "home" for me. I come and go periodically and check on things but also tend to get preoccupied with other things and don't check here for awhile. I find that I have a lot in common with most people here and was just wondering what the general thoughts are.

What is "fair" when it comes to pricing things for sale? We have all seen things priced way above what they were just a month or so ago and I would say most of us have been shocked by them. That said, they are selling for those prices! I have seen people get irate about the "price gouging" to other OSA members but it's members who are paying the prices and buying.

I find it hard to fault a guy for having a set of values or standards and sticking with them (not buying or selling at inflated prices) but I also find it hard to fault anyone for taking advantage of a market that allows them to make a profit on things they have. Isn't that what a free market system is about?

I have a few things that I've thought about selling but to be honest I feel guilty asking the prices that people are paying. I'd also feel like a fool to sell at a lower price just so someone else can make a profit off of me.

Typically I'm pretty opinionated about things but this one has me riding the fence. I'm having a hard time being mad at someone for selling what they have. I do feel a bit different towards people who are buying everything in sight with the sole intent of making a profit.

Like I said, I'm just curious about what the consensus is and really don't want to start a war or argument about it.

SDS

 

[OliverKlohzoff]

What's fair ? Dunno anymore, been watching this go insane for the past hour................

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=324753009

People are getting so pissed off, it looks like are resorting to guerilla tactics against sellers.

 

[SDS]

!!! I don't even know what to say in response to that!!

SDS

 

[peanut]

So now who's the idiots.

Unprepared Buyers for buying at what some OSA members think are prematurely inflated prices or sellers for not waiting another couple weeks to get the true potential reward for being prepared.

 

[OliverKlohzoff]

Here's a scary thought. If it's this bad now............... just how bad is it going to get when the Senate passes an AWB and it goes to the House for debate ? Seriously, if you want to sell, that would be the time to sell. I've thought about selling some stuff but know better to wait it out a little longer.

 

[SDS]

I took a few pmags to the gun show yesterday but was too embarassed to ask even less than the dealers there were. I ended up bringing them home with me. I just can't figure out my own balance point on all of this.

SDS

 

[jakeman]

!!! I don't even know what to say in response to that!!

SDS

I can't believe anyone bidding on that rifle, at that price, has any intention of actually paying for it. If they do, we are lost. Hopelessly lost, and have begun to consume our own.

Reminds me of Lord of the Flies. We've splintered, and begun to prey on each other. What will become of the gun community? If this is the unity people really have toward other gun owners, we won't stand a chance in the political battle for our 2nd amendment rights.

 

[OliverKlohzoff]

Well, here's another ending in 15 minutes.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=324991506

I suspect guerilla tactics on the 1st auction.

 

[SDS]

I talked to a guy yesterday who was offered $3700 for a rifle he was shooting (can't remember which one it was but not worth anywhere near that). He thought the guy was joking at first but he got his number. He was asking me what I'd do. I told him that I honestly didn't know. That's a lot of money to me and I could do a lot with it.

SDS

 

[loudshirt]

There are many threads on here dealing with a "free market system" with little or no government interference. Now that a free market system is starting to affect some people here it is called price gouging. I am in the dont buy it now camp mainly because I can not afford to spend that much money. Also even if there is an assault weapons ban it will start as a ban all assault/military style weapons and morph into something a lot less restrictive. Everybody just needs to take a deep breath wait it out.