I wish you well in your quest to bring common sense to Albuquerque!

I agree that it is silly to limit you to "two containers". It would make much more sense if they limited you to two one pounders or one eight pounder.

They could keep powder in stock by raising prices by 2x or 3x to discourage customers from buying more than they absolutely need. But then their customers would be pissed about being "gouged".

Allowing the purchase of two eight pound containers makes no sense if their goal is to limit hoarding.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:

I have a business and would be thrilled if I sold all my stock every day to where I couldn't keep up with demand; it's the object of the game Man!

I think you are missing the point. They would not be "selling out all their stock everyday", they would sell out and then be their shelves would be left bare, possibly for months, until they could resupply. Consumables such as powder keep customers coming in and help to move other products.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Anyone in business would classify this as anti-capitalist and anti-market oriented in its purpose.

I would again disagree. Their policy is very "customer oriented". Limiting customers to two pounds of powder will keep everyone shooting through this shortage. Once the shortage is over you should be able to buy as much as you please. If they allowed one person buy as much as they want "Bomb-shelter Billy" would have all their powder(stored in his underground vault next to the Y2K supplies he still has not used) and you would not have to worry about the limit because there would be no powder left to buy.

HAHAHAHA---Some funny stuff there Jason!

Please carry on.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
They have 8 pounders and 1 pounders. They pull the 8 pounder out for me. I figure I'll never use that much as it's just for 1 hunting rifle so I told them to just give me 4 - 1 pounders. The clerk tells me NO, that they have a 2 container limit. I ask why and he says "because people are hoarding".

This makes little sense. Going by what you said. 8 pounds is more than a lifetime supply, so you want to purchase 4 pounds, which would be more than half a lifetime supply, and you are pissed because you can't buy it all right now?

If you are trying to buy a enough powder to last for half a lifetime it sounds like you are hoarding.

Why not buy two pounds now and buy another 2 pounds once the run on reloading components is over?

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
I just finished submitting a letter to the website. Hopefully someone who matters will read it.

I went in today and bought the other 2 pounds. The same checker checked me out. He said he thought I'd be back for it. We had a good chuckle.

quote:

I would just come back in 20 minutes & hook up with another clerk. No need to argue, he's just following policy.

This is the point of the thread.

The policy is illogical. I can buy a limit of 2 containers, regardless of size. This means I can buy 2-8# containers (16#'s) or 2-1# containers (2#'s). The reason stated for the policy is to stop "Hoarding".

Therefore, buying 16#'s of powder is not hoarding, but buying 3#'s IS?....


The next point is that the policy doesn't stop a customer from buying 2#'s, going out to the car, then coming back in to buy 2 more....repeat.

I could buy all the powder they have with this method making the policy moot.

All the policy does is cause the customer an inconvenience, really F'ing pissing him off because to get what he wants he has to go through a whole bunch of F'ing Bullsh*t back and forth to the car or the next day to the SOB store to buy LESS Goddamn powder than the complete frigging idiot who made the stupid MutherF'ing rule allows!

Wheeew! There! I said it! How ya like them apples?!

Allowing you to buy 16lbs but not allowing 3 is silly. The limit should be 2 one pounders or one 8 pounder. Also, allowing you to leave then come back in to buy more is stupid. Basically they are allowing you to abuse their policy, which makes me agree that they are "flippin' idiots".

Also, I would not send my complaint via email. A posted letter is more likely to be taken seriously.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
I just finished submitting a letter to the website. Hopefully someone who matters will read it.

I went in today and bought the other 2 pounds. The same checker checked me out. He said he thought I'd be back for it. We had a good chuckle.

quote:

I would just come back in 20 minutes & hook up with another clerk. No need to argue, he's just following policy.

This is the point of the thread.

The policy is illogical. I can buy a limit of 2 containers, regardless of size. This means I can buy 2-8# containers (16#'s) or 2-1# containers (2#'s). The reason stated for the policy is to stop "Hoarding".

Therefore, buying 16#'s of powder is not hoarding, but buying 3#'s IS?....


The next point is that the policy doesn't stop a customer from buying 2#'s, going out to the car, then coming back in to buy 2 more....repeat.

I could buy all the powder they have with this method making the policy moot.

All the policy does is cause the customer an inconvenience, really F'ing pissing him off because to get what he wants he has to go through a whole bunch of F'ing Bullsh*t back and forth to the car or the next day to the SOB store to buy LESS Goddamn powder than the complete frigging idiot who made the stupid MutherF'ing rule allows!

Wheeew! There! I said it! How ya like them apples?!

Retail policies like that are designed to piss off as few customers as possible. Instituting purchase limits is good PR because it makes customers think the store is looking out for their best interests by theoretically allowing more patrons to be served during times of short supply. It is all perception. We all know that you can get around it by doing what you did. They would much rather piss you off than an unknown number of others who would think the store didn't care about their needs.

Retail stores manage inventory by individual units, not individual unit volume. If the 8# containers came packaged as 8 x 1 lb sub-containers that were merchantable(i.e. labeled for sale), you can bet they would be sold as 8# and 1# units. Just as they sell shotgun ammo by the box or case. Since the store is not in the propellant re-packaging business, they are not going to split up 8# bulk containers. To them the 8# container is only a unit of inventory that is managed by a policy, like everything else in the store. Would it make you feel better if they didn't carry the 8# jugs? They would be wise to recognize the weight issue and limit perhaps 1 x 8# jug per purchase.

Like everybody who has any reloading experience whatsoever knows, it's a pain to change lots of powder. That's why I didn't want to buy it by the thimbleful.

4 pounds isn't enough for even the life of the barrel and is no way "hoarding"

I guess I should have gone with the 8 # jug.

The object of being in business is to sell your product as quickly and in the highest quantity as possible. This maximizes gross sales and profit which is the sole purpose of any business' existence.

Rationing is for WWII and countries in the Third World.

An economics lesson for the Socialists.....

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:

The object of being in business is to sell your product as quickly and in the highest quantity as possible. This maximizes gross sales and profit which is the sole purpose of any business' existence.

Generally true, but not in this case. Due to a shortage of powder and high demand, the store is not concerned about if the inventory will quickly turn but how it turns. It is more desirable to be known as a store that has stuff in stock (even if it is rationed) rather than constantly out. That fosters repeat business which is the life blood of retail. That's Marketing 101.

You obviously haven't been in the store in question.

No shortage on any component.

Want pictures?

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
You obviously haven't been in the store in question.

No shortage on any component.

Want pictures?

Nah, I believe you if you say the shelves are stocked. I would be very surprised though if they have enough inventory to last through their normal selling cycle if they are rationing it. What we don't know is how often they are allowed to order, how much they can order, and what their projected volumes are. It also depends on the terms they have with their suppliers in terms of net due time frames. They may have 90-120 days to turn it before they have to pay for it. There hasn't been adequate quantities of anything in my geography for a year and a half.

Trust me, I understand your point about the limit during short supply times, serving more customers, etc..

It's aggravating to have to do stupid things like buying 2, going to the truck and coming back in to get more over and over. If they know you are gonna do that and let you, they should just sell you what you want in the first place.

I've got enough powder now for the hunting life of the rifle, I've calmed down, case and thread closed!

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:


Best gunshop I've EVER been inside (and I've been inside a LOT of 'em) was Ron Peterson's shop in Albuquerque on Central Avenue.


I kinda wish I lived in New Mexico, when compared to some other areas....
Regards, Joe

Joe, I have to agree with you on Ron Peteson's Guns Shop in Albaquerque. They had some collectors stuff in the back that was truly amazing!

P.S. Hey Rcumulia, just be thankful you still get the powder!

quote:

I resisted getting a Costco membership for the longest time because I only need to buy a small amount of Product X-- not twenty pounds of it. I did get the membership because I will need to buy tires soon. I got the membership in March and have yet to buy a single thing there...

Shop carefully HomeBrewer Costco is not always the best bargain or price !.

I've been a member since it's inception and shop there often , however selectively !.

My one regret is I didn't pony up $5-10K for an initial investment

About 10 years or so back I saw what that stock would be worth had a person dumped $5K back then .

$5- 11 Million OUCH !!!.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:

Rationing is for WWII and countries in the Third World.

And for nations that elect Kenyan socialists...

I would have bought 2, then sent my wife, son, or dog back in to get the other two-we must deal with idiots. gosh, I love my dog!

After reading through it all, I DO understand your issue, as well as the stupidity of making two trips. We used to do it all the time years ago on many sale items where quantities were limited.

For loading components however, like you, I had an overabundance of stuff sitting around that might make a nice bonfire if it went up. As such I finally decided enough was enough when I found several opened cans had gone south. I simply compromised and started weeding out the overflow. Once there I simply purchased the 8# which would cover the vast majority of loads. Will they work in cases for everything I want, probably not. But I have plenty of stuff on hand that I will be shooting the same lot for several years, and not have to be upset about getting a pound here or there, then having to rework the load due to differing lots.

I might still have the same amount, but now it is only a few jugs verses 15 - 20.

We have similar rationing at a local shop and they limit primers to 1000 per purchase. I just kept going back for a few days

I've had a couple of dealings with Sportsman's in Albuquerque:
A couple of years back I bought a Buck Hunter from them that had the blade break on first use & they wanted ME to send it back to Buck on MY dime despite an obvious flaw. I won that one.

January of this year I'm back over & go to buy a jug of Red Dot & need primers as I want ammunition for practice & for when I fly out again in May for a match.
I can have a 4lb jug of powder but only 200 primers with each powder purchase......

Went to the bike shop & bought a 4lb jug of powder & 2000 primers with no hassle & for the same price.

I like Albuquerque & NM in general so much I'm thinking of buying a vacation home out there.

I have 6.5 acres (no structures) right next to El Morro monument in New Mexico (south of Gallup).....that I (sadly) will never use. Why don't one of you guys buy it from me?????
Alex

You might also want to try www.planetfeedback.com.to lodge a complaint it works fairly well.

The problem has been fixed by the company and I have posted as such.

See "Sportsman's Warehouse...great customer service!" thread on this forum.

quote:

Originally posted by conifer:
I have 6.5 acres (no structures) right next to El Morro monument in New Mexico (south of Gallup).....that I (sadly) will never use. Why don't one of you guys buy it from me?????
Alex

do tell.....

I'd have just bought the 8 pounder. I would eventually use it all anyway.

I had a similar experience at Mountain View Sports in Anchorage when trying to buy primers. The store's policy was 500 primers per customer, per day. Since I only came into town every few months and I had plane to catch back to the bush I had to find a way to win the game while playing by their rules.

So after pleading my case to the employee and getting nowhere, I asked the guy behind me if he was buying primers. When told me he wasn't, I told him was buying 500 magnum primers and handed him the money. The employee capitulated and sold me as many primers as I needed. He knew I go around he store getting people to buy primers for me.

Me? I'd have bought the 8 pounder. How sure can you be that each of the one pound cans had the same lot number?
Long story mde short. I found that WMR powder by Winchester was superb in my .270 Win. and .300 Win. mag. Well the pound that I'd bought to try soon ran out so I wnet looking for more. Found a couple of one pounders and a 8 pounder so bought it all. Luckily, all lot numbers matched. I found out the day I bought it that Winchester had discontinued what was becoming one of my favorite powders so went on the search for some more before ir all disappeared. I finally foud three more 8 pounders in Southern California through a web pen pal. He said the guy had four 8 pound cans and if we took all of them we could have them for $100 a can which was almost $30 a can less. My pen pal wanted one and I took the other three. We arranged to meet at Quartzite Arizona which split the distance between his place and mine and I reimbursed him for my three cans and we had lunch and a nice gab session.
So the question comes up, will I ever use up all that powder? I dunno but at least I have it. The really fantastic thing about that deal is the three cans I bought have the same lot number as the powder I already have. I don't even have to do any extra load work up.
Paul B.

I had an experience at Sportsmans's Warehouse once. They were running a sale on Winchester Model 70 Shadows. I was going to buy one, I approached the guy at the gun rack asked to see the rifle which had a trigger lock on it. I asked him to remove the trigger lock so I could test the trigger, he said 'no' (with no explanation), I stood there looking at him waiting for a reason why but never came. I said, I will buy this rifle if I can test the trigger. he said you can test it as much as you want after you buy it but we can't take the trigger lock off. I said, would you buy a car without cranking the engine or test driving it? he said, 'this isn't a car'? i said the analogy is the same. He said, do you want it or not?...acted like he didn't want to be bothered. I said why won't you remove the trigger lock, because we want to ensure a safe enviroment. I laughed and said, so I could buy the rifle and a box of ammo, and come back in with a loaded firearm or pull a knife out of the case and become a slasher but the trigger lock ensures a 'safe enviroment'. I laughed and said the place was ran by obvious idiots and walked out. If those guys were paid on commission, things would be different.

They are trying to have on hand what the customers want. Not very many want 8#. All most all sales are 1#. Their selling you 2 8# kegs will hurt their "large" buyers as much as you buying 2 1# cans hurts their "small" buyers. As far as the store is concerned, each type of container is wholly distinct from the other. If you bought 4 1# cans, they would have to turn away at least 1 "small" buyer and they would miss out on 1 "large" buyer.
I do not see why this isn't clear at the time. They can't break down the 8# keg, so it is a completely different item.
They are trying to do what all their customers want, to have some powder on hand when you go in to buy. They are actually setting themselves up for smaller profits and longer inventory life, and you are complaining.
Just picture 8 "small" buyers and 2 "large" buyers and determine how they should spread out their inventory so everyone gets some.
If not, they should raise the price or simply sell all they can on a first come/first served basis since your not going to be happy no matter what they do...