$40 for a Case of Bottled Water?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Yard Dart, May 23, 2013.


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  1. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    $40 for a Case of Bottled Water? 'Preying' on Oklahoma Tornado Victims - Yahoo! News

    In the event of a SHTF event such as this tornado there are always going to be scam's, profiteer's and over charging for common goods/services. Now these types of things we are seeing after every disaster, is just a taste of what will happen after the economy crashes, there is a major EMP or any number of other events that could hit us nationally!! Imagine not having shelter, food, water or the basics for three days and then imagine three months...and so on. Are you ready for disaster to visit your neighborhood, to come to your house?
     
    Yard Dart, May 23, 2013
    #1
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  2. Pax Mentis

    Pax Mentis Philosopher King |RIP 11-4-2017

    Sorry, as much disdain as I have for those who would prey on victims, I have trouble with a law that says a person owning an object/product cannot set the price for which he will sell it...or take into account demand when setting/resetting that price.

    This is why I carry a water filter in my car.
     
    Pax Mentis, May 23, 2013
    #2
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  3. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    The article jumped out at me about the fact that consumer protection investigators and police where trying to stop the price gauging.... and what if they were not around- how bad can it get and so on.

    And that is my point of my question. Are you thinking thru the various scenarios and preparing to be self sufficient and not a victim in time of need. In a national SHTF scenario, there may not be the ability to enforce laws, police unavailable, FEMA, Red Cross or other organizations absent- and on your own within your community. Are you ready and if not- get busy...
     
    Yard Dart, May 23, 2013
    #3
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  4. JABECmfg

    JABECmfg multi-useless

    I agree that it's pretty low to take advantage of disaster victims, but can you really make douchebaggery illegal?

    In fact, I think one could argue that by not allowing supply and demand to drive the market, you could actually cause more harm than good for many innocents. For example -
    "Crap, there isn't going to be any water for a while... here's a few hundred bucks, go to every store and gas station, and buy all the water they have. They can't raise prices after a disaster, so this cash oughta cover it."
    "Every bottle? But what about everyone else who's without water?"
    "Sucks to be them."
     
    JABECmfg, May 23, 2013
    #4
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  5. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    This is nothing more than a Liberal Mind, at work..... Trying to make everything "Equal" for everyone..... Taken to extremes, this leads to the .GOV confiscating goods, from those who HAVE, and giving to those who do NOT Have..... "In the interest of being FAIR"..... Taking from those that prepared, for such foreseeable Incidents, and giving to those who choose to blow all their Assets on Booze, Cigarettes, Dope, and Video Games.... If you live in Tornado country, a Wise Person will have a shelter, designed to keep themselves and their MAJOR Assets, protected from such incidents. If you live in a Flood Plain, you have a Row Boat tied up to the Front Porch, and your Ground Floor, has nothing of value in it, and all your valuable things, reside on the Upper Floors. This is the Prep'er Mindset... Always thinking ahead, and planning for self-preservation, no matter the incident.
     
    BTPost, May 24, 2013
    #5
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  6. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    It is the classic story of the Ant and the Grasshopper.
     
    kellory, May 24, 2013
    #6
  7. Mechwolf

    Mechwolf Monkey+

    To be honest the people selling the water for $40 a case is idiotic. The other communities already donated enough free water that anyone affected should have no problem getting free water,as well as food cloths lodging etc etc.... every business in Tulsa is supporting the recovery effort and I mean every business. So I am sure the communities even closer to Moore are really rallying around them.
     
    Mechwolf, May 24, 2013
    #7
  8. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Yes, it is low to charge that much for water. Will the same person give water away to a child in need? Who's to say? Charging a few rich, unprepared yuppies ten times the normal market value of water might teach them a valuable lesson, too. There can always be balance in the world if we look hard enough. ;)
     
    Brokor, May 24, 2013
    #8
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  9. BushcrafterAnthony

    BushcrafterAnthony Monkey

    Price gouging is not "fraud." Legal professionals should know better.
     
    BushcrafterAnthony, May 24, 2013
    #9
    JABECmfg likes this.
  10. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    The moral of the story is:
    Don't sell it as a business owner. Pimp out the kids with gas cans and their lil' red flyer. It's like a lemonade stand but way more profitable. Maybe have someone on overwatch might be a good idea too if things go sideways and the kids can't get to their carry piece in time.
     
    VisuTrac, May 24, 2013
    #10
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  11. JABECmfg

    JABECmfg multi-useless

    You've been hanging out in Detroit, havn't you... ;)
     
    JABECmfg, May 24, 2013
    #11
  12. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    Hell to the yeah!

    EDIT:
    should have been.
    Yo Dawg, I was chillin' in my crib an wudint even der. Just axe my ol' lady.
     
    VisuTrac, May 24, 2013
    #12
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  13. BushcrafterAnthony

    BushcrafterAnthony Monkey

    Funny that it's never price gouging when it's sold by the bottle every single day for $1.50 in places like the gas station, the deli, 7-11, or similar stores. And if you go to an amusement or ballpark, they often jack it up to $2.00 - $2.50 a bottle which works out to between $36 - $60 per case of 24 (for the range of prices given).
     
    BushcrafterAnthony, May 25, 2013
    #13
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  14. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Or if it behind the TSA Secure Area at the Airport....
     
    BTPost, May 25, 2013
    #14
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  15. Airtime

    Airtime Monkey+++

    These anti-price gouging laws generally accomplish little more than create shortages. When disaster hits someone wanting to bring say plywood and blue tarps into the area may have to pay close to retail to load up a truck in 6 hours and then drive it to the hard hit area. But if he can't charge double pre-event retail then he can't make any money so doesn't bother. If he doesn't bother then there is a shortage. Liberal feel good BS at work again.
    AT
     
    Airtime, May 25, 2013
    #15
  16. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    I agree that post-shtf, there most likely will not be any type of controls on bartering or market value of your prep's that you may be willing to sell, nor should there be. I respect everyone's opinion in that regards as we all have to: number 1 make the decision to trade with others (good or bad); and number 2 set some form of price vs risk of the sale... and so on.

    I do think that when we are dealing with a localized emergency that is not going to spread into a national event, that we need to come together and help thy fellow neighbor as best we can under the circumstances. My intent of the thread was to contemplate how you were preparing for natural disasters such as a tornado, flood, hurricane ECT. And what you were doing to keep from being the victim of over priced services and goods. And in further developing the original question, how (if you are) and what are you willing to do in assistance with shelter, food and water....
     
    Yard Dart, May 25, 2013
    #16
  17. tulianr

    tulianr Don Quixote de la Monkey

    I'm all for helping others, particularly in the case of unforeseen disasters; to the extent that it doesn't endanger or deprive my family. It is such a situationally-dependent question though, that I have trouble giving an "across the board" answer. Each situation would require an on the spot judgement call.
     
    tulianr, May 25, 2013
    #17
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  18. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Agreed, just thought we were focusing to much on the limits of what you were allowed to charge your neighbor vs what you could or would be willing to do in assistance to help. Guess that is the nature of using a news article to launch a conversation about an issue, without being stuck in the confines of the situation the article dictates.
     
    Yard Dart, May 25, 2013
    #18
    tulianr likes this.
  19. BushcrafterAnthony

    BushcrafterAnthony Monkey

    Speaking of helping thy' neighbor, I think all these people that have thousands (or tens of thousands) of rounds of ammunition (and who keep on buying more, and more and more, despite that) ought to consider the peril of the times and throw everyone else a bone so people can get a few boxes. Your neighbor is going to need it if you want him to ever be able to cover your back, should that be needed.
     
    BushcrafterAnthony, May 26, 2013
    #19
  20. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    Ahh community building for sure BCA!! Getting to know your neighbors now and creating co-op relationships in advance of any disaster or true shtf is essential in my book. If you live out in the country with 40 plus acres you may be able to hunker down without much assistance but if you live in the suburbs or cities, you need to work and plan some community based defensive plan. Even if it is just you and a few neighbors..... there are strength in numbers.....as long as everyone is on the same page.
     
    Yard Dart, May 26, 2013
    #20
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