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Midway USA CEO Larry Potterfield blames 'anxiety' for current ammo hoarding

1.6K views 21 replies 15 participants last post by  BoppaBear  
#1 ·
http://news.yahoo.com/does-popular-shooting-sports-outfitter-larry-potterfield-think-133042316.html
If you're at all interested in hunting, you likely know the name Larry Potterfield. Or you at least know his catch phrase: "Thanks for your business."

That's how the founder and CEO of Midway USA -- one of the largest one-stop websites for hunting, reloading, and guns -- signs off at the end of his commercials. And it's one of the things that has endeared him to hunting and gun enthusiasts across the country. So when he offers thoughts on the state and future of the gun industry, people listen.

TheBlaze caught up with Potterfield the day before the official start of the 2013 NRA convention to get his thoughts on how gun control is specifically affecting those who want to reload their own ammunition.

"All this anxiety if you would in America is causing an increase in demand for all things shooting sports related, which would be reloading stuff also. And that's been going on since 2008," he said, a reference to the angst many gun enthusiasts have felt since Obama was first elected.

"The United State has been a very anxious place and even since 2001 we've been a little bit agitated about what's going on," he added.

But what about the future? Ammunition shortages at gun stores has been rampant, and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg has even proposed background checks for sales of black powder.

"This is America. It's the greatest nation on earth," Potterfield assured. "Nobody's going to beat us. We're going to get over this."

Still, he said it won't be easy.

"But it's not going to happen tomorrow. We're going to live in a state of anxiety for some time -- I can't say how long. But it will get better. This is America."

Potterfield is an ardent supporter of the NRA. He's donated hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time to the group and his company has even helped contribute millions to the organization. Midway USA is sponsoring several events at this years convention.
 
#3 ·
alot of people diss Midway but I like the fact they have a great inventory system, along with decent prices + free shipping on all knives
 
#7 ·
I like Midway, they seem to be a reputable company, have a good inventory and fair prices. Of course he is in it for the money, we would be too and I do not see why that would be a problem. With that said, I have had it with their shipping policies/prices, they are ridiculous. I am not a wealthy man, I work had for my money and I try to get a few things when I can and there is simply no justification for Midway shipping BS. However, I do not think that it is entirely intentional, I think their system is flawed. Sometimes its great, other times its obscene.

I have recently been leaning on Cabela's when they have what I need. Of course they do not have the same inventory but when they have what I need, the prices are similar to Midway and their shipping is fast, cheap and no BS.
 
#10 ·
Midway used to be better than what you see today. LP is an "okay" guy but he's in it for the money and that's about it....
He's a business owner. I hope he's in it for the money.

I do disagree with him on this, though. America will not get over it and things won't get better. We may slow things down a bit, but that's at best.
 
#13 ·
He's a business owner. I hope he's in it for the money.

I do disagree with him on this, though. America will not get over it and things won't get better. We may slow things down a bit, but that's at best.
We've had far bigger problems at other times in our history that we overcame.
 
#15 ·
I had a great time with Midway for about three years. I bought a couple of things, then I started getting the e-mail notifications for specials. Then they started sending me the birthday e-mail. On your birthday, they would open the website to purchases on many items at a reduced cost. That is when I would stock up on stuff, or just pick up things I had been thinking about getting.

Even now, some people complain because the shipping charges are high when you buy one or two small items. I simply buy enough to spread the shipping costs out and I have nothing to complain about. My last order was for some books, which were cheaper than any of the other places I found them, a chamber reamer, and some gas plugs for my Garands. Total was about $350 and shipping was something like $13.
 
#16 ·
I like Midway, they are on my short list of places to get my money... But I agree with John... WTF does this have to do with anything...

So the American people are "anxious" and hording, stockpiling, preparing.... Whatever you want to call it... Let's talk about the why.

Sent from this using that.....
 
#17 ·
I like Midway, they are on my short list of places to get my money... But I agree with John... WTF does this have to do with anything...

So the American people are "anxious" and hording, stockpiling, preparing.... Whatever you want to call it... Let's talk about the why.

Sent from this using that.....
He just told you the why. I don't think he wanted to use terms like stupidity for fear of pissing off customers.
 
#19 ·
I think "stupidity" is a small percentage. People have been stacking ammo high and deep for years, but most got caught with their pants down this time around. I believe a lot of people learned their lesson from this mess, and just want to be prepared should it happen again. May as well get it now before the prices shoot up again.
 
#21 ·
I had a great time with Midway for about three years. I bought a couple of things, then I started getting the e-mail notifications for specials. Then they started sending me the birthday e-mail. On your birthday, they would open the website to purchases on many items at a reduced cost. That is when I would stock up on stuff, or just pick up things I had been thinking about getting.

Even now, some people complain because the shipping charges are high when you buy one or two small items. I simply buy enough to spread the shipping costs out and I have nothing to complain about. My last order was for some books, which were cheaper than any of the other places I found them, a chamber reamer, and some gas plugs for my Garands. Total was about $350 and shipping was something like $13.
i rarely sign up on sites like this - but your post led me to their site and i did
thanks. hope for some deals in about 3 months...
 
#22 ·
I'm in the "WTF camp" on this. Doesn't really do anything for me.

As for him being "interested in the money", I don't recall seeing "Not For Profit" anywhere on their site. We need more companies that do good business (as far as I've experienced) while making good profits.