Re: surplus ammo &arms
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: plong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Broker:
I think you've highlighted our primary difference: I believe honorable business ethics <span style="font-style: italic">are</span> good business sense; and no, I don't believe sound ethical behavior is "...open to interpretation".
You may want to check yourself when calling someone a Socialist or lecturing on business sense. As a staunch capitalist I've operated and owned highly successful businesses for nearly 30 years (<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>..?). We've had years when our net operating margins were 95th percentile (nationally) or better. We accomplished those results by providing our customers with quality product at reasonable prices while treating our employees and vendors fairly and respectfully. In my opinion that's not only the right way to do business, it's the only way for a business to survive long-term. Oh, and we've never defaulted on an obligation - mortgage, account-payable, employee payroll, or otherwise.
As for your accusations of Socialism... <span style="font-style: italic">really</span>? I have not, nor has anyone else here, said they shouldn't be <span style="font-style: italic">allowed</span> to do what they're doing. The ability to run one's businesses as each business leader sees fit is just one of the many great things about living in this country. That said it’s my sincere opinion that businesses that choose to engage in the kind of opportunistic price-gouging we've been seeing lately from some elements of the firearms industry are the very ones who put the welfare of their employees, vendors, and lenders at risk. I've seen those types of businesses come and go many times during my time in business. It's never pretty for those who've trusted them when they do go.
We're all free to experiment with whatever business model we think best for us and ours. I encourage you to try it your way; that's certainly your right! I'd be willing to learn from your experience if it turns out you have the better way...I'll check back with you in about 30 years
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First off... Your opinions of business and regulating prices, mark ups, etc is Socialism. If you don't like the fact I'm calling an apple an apple then that's your issue, not mine. Second, your experience in running businesses does not make you an expert on Capitalism, nor allow you to define it with your own interpretation. And trying to dictate mark ups whether through an "ethics" argument or any other man is in FACT stating that what someone else is doing shouldn't be allowed, whether you frame it as an opinion or not. Last, and this is the most important... Learn to read and actually listen to whats being said. I didn't say that was my business model. I said they were operating on the assumption that should their current business model become obsolete due to legislation that they'd have to completely restructure their model in order to survive or possibly close shop all together. And unless you have the same business model and know of a solution to the pending threats your model and methods are of ZERO consequence or relevance.
Now take your own advice and "check yourself" because your own ethics are piss poor when you try to win an argument with your accolades and trying to question other peoples or their length of.
Add: People who feel the need to tout their moral righteousness while condemning others... they have a word for that... Hypocrite.