cheaper than dirt is selling guns again

[kahrnut1]

wonder what happened:confused:

[Tinman507]

Doesn't matter, not doing business with them anymore.
They also dropped their pmag prices back down from $60/ea after a huge amount of whining. They're prostitutes and got busted at it. They lost 10,000 likes on their Facebook page in 24 hours.

[johnh]

Agreed. Gun owners need to stick together on this one. They did the same thing when Obama was first elected and apparently have not changed a bit.

[JustinN]

I'm sure they reacted to their HUGE dip in support and people calling them out, but hopefully people will realize they aren't worthy of their money. Good lesson to other companies to not try stunts like that.

[Barth]

Cheaper Than Dirt! will Resume Online Firearm Sales Pending Policy Changes

Cheaper Than Dirt! recently announced that it was temporarily suspending online sales of firearms pending a review of its order processing and procedures. Well-known for its ability to process and ship orders within 24 hours, online sales have skyrocketed to a point where it may take up to 72 hours for firearms and other items to ship.

"In light of recent events, we believe it is prudent to review our policies and procedures to ensure we can continue to provide the products and firearms our customers demand," said Chief Operations Officer Roberta Wilson. "We will resume online sales once we update our process and continue as we have always done by shipping firearms only to FFL dealers."

Ms. Wilson closed with, "As a long-time supporter of the Second Amendment, we will continue to serve the needs of the firearms community while ensuring our unsurpassed level of quality and customer service."

[Bawanna]

I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

I just used the new flier I got today to get the wood stove going. Cold round these parts lately.

[Richardh]

For bulk ammo purchases I always use SGAmmo.com. Best prices I have found and quick.

[jocko]

best way also is to just let cheaper than dirt know UR OUTTA THERE WITH THEM..

fokk um

[MW surveyor]

Maybe back when they started they were "cheaper than dirt" but after the 2008 election and just recently, they have proved once again that they are not deserving of the name. I sure won't be buying from them or Gander Mountain (another price gouger).

[XD40SC]

I wrote to them to cancel my account (hadn't bought from them in years) as I wanted to spend my hard earned dollars with a company that supports the 2nd Amendment, "Every Day!".

[wyntrout]

I remember in 2009 when they were selling .380 for $80 to $90 a box... ammo... not pistols!

I was coming back from visiting the kids in IL and stopped at the Outpost Armory in TN... for the first time. They had a large cardboard sign saying .380 IN STOCK! I got FOUR boxes of Aguila .380 for just under $100 out the door. That was during my LONG wait for a night-sighted P380 and worried about getting the 200 rounds to break it in. In my 11 month-wait I had plenty of time to accumulate ammo!

Wynn:D

[itsthelaw]

As soon as I got the email that they were selling again, I sent a reply letting them know I would never buy from them. My second step was to unsubscribe. I had already become one of the 10000 on Facebook to unlike them.

Standing UP!

[RRP]

You can add CDNN (http://www.cdnninvestments.com/) to the list of online vendors that have temporarily suspended sales.

[JFootin]

I am not going to overreact. The lawyers (and possibly their insurance company) just wanted to take time to do a CYA review and now they are back to selling firearms. What's the big deal?

[Longitude Zero]

Once burned...twice cautious. I will not buy anything from them if I can get it somewhere else. They will get my businees if and only if they are the ONLY location I can get something.

[Scoundrel]

I think that JFootin is pretty close to the mark here. I think that has a lot to do with it, but I think it goes a little deeper than that.

If they were just CYA-ing, then you'd think they would say that up front, instead of saying that they were not going to sell guns anymore, at all. I think someone in their corporate office over-reacted, then was overruled or just changed their mind when they saw some numbers and how their customer base was reacting.

I do think that online retailers pausing to check their policies and have their lawyers look everything over is a very smart move.

Some other shops are temporarily closing down for other reasons, like ammoman.com (http://www.ammoman.com/StoreClosed.htm) who has been swamped with orders and is way behind.

"Ammoman will be shut down temporarily due to the holiday and extreme high volume of sales.
We are currently over 7 business days behind in shipping, please be patient with orders already placed"

and

"We cannot track or provide tracking numbers by phone at this time.Every person in the office is processing orders.Please feel free to e-mail any requests."

Me, I'll wait this out, and when the dust settles, if CTD continues to provide me what I want at better prices than I find elsewhere _even with their high shipping charges_, which has frequently been the case, I'll probably still buy stuff from them.

[kahrnut1]

i did not post they were selling guns again until i sent email telling them how i felt about their actions and marking their emails as spam on my server. they allways over charged on freight. i hope obama buys a lot from them

[Scoundrel]

i did not post they were selling guns again until i sent email telling them how i felt about their actions and marking their emails as spam on my server. they allways over charged on freight. i hope obama buys a lot from them

Their freight charges look high, and if you don't understand the "multiple warehouse" thing, you can get screwed on freight, and for that, I think they are shitheads - especially since they ignored my suggestion to modify their website to allow people to sort their search results by warehouse.

But, their prices are most often sufficiently low that if you buy everything in your order from the same warehouse, and buy a sufficient quantity of stuff, the freight charges shrink as a percentage of your overall purchase, and your per-unit price on stuff ends up being significantly lower than other online retailers.

As an example scenario:
If I order a box of 100 .22lr rounds from warehouse A, and another box from warehouse B, a third box from warehouse C, and a holster from warehouse D, I'm going to pay more for freight than for bullets, and it will be highway robbery.

But if I buy 25 boxes of 100 .22lr rounds from warehouse A, and a holster that also ships from warehouse A, the total freight charge is very reasonable - and the prices on the .22lr rounds and holster before shipping were so good, I get the stuff cheaper than I could have bought it anywhere else.

So as long as you understand their system, you're good.
But most people can't be bothered.

[Shark1007]

It's become such a pita to buy from them and the hose job on shipping and handling drove me away finally. Opportunists.

[jocko]

Their freight charges look high, and if you don't understand the "multiple warehouse" thing, you can get screwed on freight, and for that, I think they are shitheads - especially since they ignored my suggestion to modify their website to allow people to sort their search results by warehouse.

But, their prices are most often sufficiently low that if you buy everything in your order from the same warehouse, and buy a sufficient quantity of stuff, the freight charges shrink as a percentage of your overall purchase, and your per-unit price on stuff ends up being significantly lower than other online retailers.

As an example scenario:
If I order a box of 100 .22lr rounds from warehouse A, and another box from warehouse B, a third box from warehouse C, and a holster from warehouse D, I'm going to pay more for freight than for bullets, and it will be highway robbery.

But if I buy 25 boxes of 100 .22lr rounds from warehouse A, and a holster that also ships from warehouse A, the total freight charge is very reasonable - and the prices on the .22lr rounds and holster before shipping were so good, I get the stuff cheaper than I could have bought it anywhere else.

So as long as you understand their system, you're good.
But most people can't be bothered.

their system sounds totally unfair to the cosumer. I can understand how postage wouldeat u up to. Maybe not completly their fault but certainly not urs and they surely can consolidate much better. I would not buy from them under those codtions, and if I gotta read the fine print to get it all, then maybe my fault but again. fokk me once your fault, fokk me twice my fault. ain't gonna happen.

[chrish]

I've never seen anything there THAT good of a deal, usually not a good deal at all, NEVER truly cheaper than dirt as the saying goes/implies.

I try and keep my business w/ the LGS when I can. Sometimes they just don't seem interested in searching for what I want and getting it in, so then I revert to online. Bulk ammo is the only other thing I do online. I'd be broke if I bought that locally in bulk.

[les strat]

I have never bought anything from them. I put something in my cart their one time. The shipping was barely cheaper than gold. I zeroed it and don't give them much thought.

[Scoundrel]

Not defending them, but their system's not that hard to figure out, and as I mentioned before, their prices, even including shipping, worked out better than other online retailers for the same product. I have also seen cases where it wasn't, so I didn't buy it there.

Usually I buy online when my LGS can't get something, or their price would be WAY higher than online price.

I try to support local businesses, but when that's ridiculous because the local businesses are clearly overcharging, or just plain can't get what I want, I buy it where it makes the most financial and/or logistical sense. Emotional responses aren't really a factor.

[RRP]

I'm guessing all of this will be forgotten. The current animosity towards CTD, Dicks, and other companies that temporarily halted orders when their systems were overwhelmed, will fade quickly.

Gun buyers are frugal shoppers. There are countless threads across all forums about deals and sources of best prices, to support this contention. Many of us are cheap SOBs, and will overlook the events of the past week, to get the best deal. You may not admit it now. It's fun to talk tough. But when it's time to pull out your wallet, most will buy where they can get the best price. And that could be Dicks or CTD.

[muggsy]

Geez it feels good to have everything I need. I expected the liberals to overreact to this shooting, but not my conservative friends.

[downtownv]

That's the Knee Jerk reaction that spreads like a brush fire! F' em, hypocrites... Don't support them!

[AJBert]

I am not going to overreact. The lawyers (and possibly their insurance company) just wanted to take time to do a CYA review and now they are back to selling firearms. What's the big deal?
Exactly what were they doing previously that would require the "CYA" defense? They were selling legal firearms and legal ammo. Did they not realize that?


I'm guessing all of this will be forgotten. The current animosity towards CTD, Dicks, and other companies that temporarily halted orders when their systems were overwhelmed, will fade quickly.

Gun buyers are frugal shoppers. There are countless threads across all forums about deals and sources of best prices, to support this contention. Many of us are cheap SOBs, and will overlook the events of the past week, to get the best deal. You may not admit it now. It's fun to talk tough. But when it's time to pull out your wallet, most will buy where they can get the best price. And that could be Dicks or CTD.
I disagree. I am very loyal from where I buy. I'll be happy to spend $2 more for a box of ammo for great service, or even a few dollars more to help support a LGS with great service. My guess, most folks are the same. They like to deal with the same folks they've been dealing with for years.

No, they won't spend $$$ at the LGS if they can get the same thing from another source for much, much less, but there is nothing like going to your LGS, looking over the stock and doing a little haggling with friends.

I truly see these companies that had a knee jerk reaction, not to CT but to what the gov't "might" do losing business from their regulars.

There is a difference between a regular and an avid bargain shopper. A regular keeps your business running. A bargain shopper provides some income now and then when you have something at a great sale.

As a business owner, what kind of customer would you want?

[AJBert]

I screwed up the first time trying to post on this topic and will paraphrase.

CTD was selling legal firearms and ammo prior, why did the feel the need for the "CYA defense"? They caved into the media, nothing more, nothing less.

They, and the other businesses that did the same, will feel long term effects from legal, lawful, loyal gun owners for the brash decisions they have made. No laws are on the books that prevent them from selling what they have been selling.

I guess they are scared of losing the soccer mom dollars. Bad decision IMHO.

[MC1911]

Business is business. Is it better to have a customer buy them at normal retail and resell them for an exorbitant amount?

They do not have any good mags left so what is the difference?

[outerlimit]

They always sucked anyways. Bunch of ripoff junk and anytime they had anything decent it was in such small stock that it sold out right away. They sell junk. They're like the dollar store of firearms retailers.

[Scoundrel]

BTW, their website is now back to saying "CheaperThanDirt.com does not sell firearms."

To THAT, I say "Wimps."

But I have been happy with the quality of items I have purchased from them in the past.

I don't know why CCI, Remington, or Federal ammunition would be "dollar store" "junk" when purchased at CTD, but high quality when purchased at my LGS for twice the price.

Or the same with a set of Walther brand magazines. Junk when purchased at CTD, but not otherwise?

How about Butler Creek mag loaders for the 10/22? Junk as well? Those seem to be held in high esteem by the shooting community, and I paid less at CTD even with shipping than other online retailers, much less my local ripoff store before they went out of business because they pissed too many people off by overcharging.

Oh, and I bought my Ruger Charger pistol there too, for less than anyone else had it. I guess that's junk too.

[muggsy]

Well, I for one will not buy a gun from any company that does not sell guns. I've found that nobody's perfect. I thought that I had made a mistake once, but I was wrong.

[downtownv]

F them. They're not any great deal o anything any way.

[outerlimit]

BTW, their website is now back to saying "CheaperThanDirt.com does not sell firearms."

To THAT, I say "Wimps."

I don't know why CCI, Remington, or Federal ammunition would be "dollar store" "junk" when purchased at CTD, but high quality when purchased at my LGS for twice the price.

Or the same with a set of Walther brand magazines. Junk when purchased at CTD, but not otherwise?

How about Butler Creek mag loaders for the 10/22? Junk as well? Those seem to be held in high esteem by the shooting community, and I paid less at CTD even with shipping than other online retailers, much less my local ripoff store before they went out of business because they pissed too many people off by overcharging.

Oh, and I bought my Ruger Charger pistol there too, for less than anyone else had it. I guess that's junk too.

No. Simply said they sell dollar store junk. Didn't say all that was junk. :eek:

[jocko]

At that price CTD is certainly very proud of their 33 rd mags. They would rott in their rack before I would pay anything like that. Its a noveltly magazine at best, probalby up to now those magazines set in dealer shelves to at regular prices.

I know a nice little gun shop about 20 miles north of me that had a couple dozen of them for years until this happened. there gone now.

I did read where the first session of congress they will introduce the 10 round mag limit, which we figured would be coming, what u have is grandfathered in but supposably u can't sell um, now, just how is that gona work in a private sale, Certainly we won't see um in gun shows under that ruling,. But once again our good contressmen , cannow go back home and say see" we have now saved the world" REELECT ME!!!

[Rotorflyr]

For the vast majority of their item's CTD hasn't been "cheaper than" in a long time.

Not defending them but as I understand it, they do sell firearms, you just can't order them from their .com like you used to, you have to pick up the phone and call to place the order. Same with the previous post about CDNN suspending sales, it was the online ordering that was suspended (and as far as I know you could never order firearms online from them, just accessories and such)

I realize the whole phone thing is a foreign concept for a lot of people, but it's not that complicated...LOL

Really the biggest issue I have with CTD is the price gouging that they engage in when things get tight...to be fair though, they aren't the only .com, or firearm shop to do that (and I do my best to avoid buying from any company who engages in such practices)

[downtownv]

Never found them to be such a great deal anyhow....

[Dirty J]

I'm fine with a company making sure all their legal "I's" are dotted and "T's" crossed. Maybe they have not complied in the past with selling requirements. Or shipping a standard capacity mag to a 10rd state... of maybe they sold a gun to the CT dudes mom. I don't know.

What I do know, is that selling a pmag for $59.99 and 1,000rds of basic .223 ammo for $900 is about as shady as it gets.

I've purchase a few things in the past from them. As pointed out, there were some small deals to be had.

But I have removed myself from their mailing list and will not buy from them again.

[Rotorflyr]

I'll stay on their list, I like to use the catalog for kindling! :p

[nmkahrshooter]

Did buy a few firearms from them in the past...they were cheaper than local but have not bought ammo from them in years. After paying for shipping it wasn't a great deal.

[Barth]

CTD has sold out of their $150 Glock mags.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/MAG-242
Please Note
Unfortunately your selection is on Back Order.
Please Click Here be notified by email when the item is back in stock.

The Crazy Continues...

Update:
Please Note
We're sorry, but this product is no longer available

[Barth]

http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=35788
Consumer reaction to the political rhetoric after the shooting in CT caused a rush of online orders at Cheaper Than Dirt! which led to the largest backlog in the company’s history.
Cheaper Than Dirt! management had no choice but to suspend firearm sales while examining ways to meet customer demand and maintain the careful and lawful processes established.
Firearm sales require a significant amount of individual attention compared to the automated system for non-firearm products. Firearm orders were being placed faster than the inventory system could update, potentially leading to an overselling situation and cancellation of orders on a very large-scale.
Ammunition and shooting accessories orders more than tripled, resulting in week-long shipping delays. Since firearms sales are a much smaller portion of its sales and require more resources, the decision was made to utilize personnel in areas that would make the most impact servicing customers.
The past three weeks have been spent catching up on the tremendous backlog of orders, training additional staff and increasing inventory back to acceptable levels.
Firearm sales will resume on a limited basis beginning Tuesday, January 8, based on available inventory. The selection will increase as more firearms become available. Specifically, firearms that are in high demand are not currently available from manufacturers due to the lack of inventory. This includes most modern sporting rifles.
Cheaper Than Dirt!’s goal is to maintain the level of service customers have come to expect.

[Planedude]

Several Online gun sellers had the exact same issue. CTD could have saved some rhetoric in the online community if they had posted this up far, large and wide to begin with. Sometimes the right business does not sit well with the customers...

[JFootin]

So, I hope everyone is at peace with CTD now. Right after this story hit, I went shopping for some more ammo figuring that it was going to become scarce and more expensive. I looked around online, and found out of stock conditions everywhere. But then I went to CTD and I found availability of a very wide selection of ammo and no price gouging. Knowing the multiple warehouse situation, I purposely selected everything from one warehouse (D, I think) so that it would all be in one shipment. The price on 1 or 2 of the items was a tiny bit higher than at another of the warehouses, but I knew it would be cheaper to consolidate my purchase. My order was shipped to me quickly, the shipping charge was reasonable, as was the prices I paid for the ammo. I am a happy camper. :)

[Scoundrel]

You've probably seen my earlier posts supporting CTD, so you know I am not a basher.

But, as of this moment, I have these observations:
1. Nearly everything in .22lr that is not subsonic or shot is out of stock. Only the really expensive stuff remains.
2. Anything in 9mm luger that is less than $19/box of 50 is out of stock, and most stuff up to $25/box is out of stock.
3. I can't find a single gun on their site. Not one. I don't even see a category in the menu where one would be. I ran searches for some popular models that I have seen there before, and nothing came up.

So if they're selling guns again, where are they? Or, did they just release that statement to appease folks?
It seems to me that if their statement were true, why didn't they say "CTD is suspending firearm sales until we can keep up with demand." instead of "CTD does not sell firearms."
It sounds to me like some hasty and foolish decisions were made, there was some waffling, and now there is damage control going on. Actions speak louder, and right now I see no guns on their website.

I'll still happily buy ammo and gear from them when prices and stock levels return to "normal", but I'll believe they're not a pile of stinky diapers when I see guns on sale (and not "backordered") there again.
Maybe I just need to wait until the 8th, and then I'll have to eat my words. I certainly hope so.

[Scoundrel]

I just read through the comment thread on that blog post.

It was kind of amusing, actually. I disregarded the predictable unreasonable haters/bashers, and what was left was a series of people asking hard questions, one or two CTD staffers making a foolish and weak attempt to explain, and getting taken to task for their answer.

It was a bit like watching the tsunami hit the Japan coastline.

There are accusations of critical comments getting deleted (have to take people's word on that), and 8 hours after the first comment, the comment thread is now closed because they don't want a repeat of their Facebook page. My guess is that they wanted to have SOME comments in there so that casual readers would see that there were comments and think them reasonable for allowing the discussion - but they only wanted a few, and picked the few that were not as bad as a lot of others they deleted.

Don't get me wrong, I run some blogs myself, and they are MY websites, and ultimately I decide what comments stay and go, just as I do on my Facebook wall, and that is my right. So I am not faulting them for doing this. I'm just saying it's amusing, and tells people a lot about them as a company.

[JFootin]

Now, this is the way to do it! :)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Misc/44537d1357497160-then-there-s-dawso.jpg