WalMart Using Anti-Government Scare Tactics?

Soon to be shredding targets

As I noted earlier in the week, there is a shortage of 9mm ammo these days.  Every morning I check the WalMart website to see if the closest store to me is back in stock or if any stores in the area have new stock.  Bingo!  This morning it showed my neighborhood store in stock on the Federal Champion ammo I want for practice shooting.

So I'm off to WalMart about 9:00 a.m. and sure enough they have about 30 boxes in the locked ammo case.  After I get the guy in the Auto Service department to call Customer Service to send someone to Sporting Goods (because a search by me found no visible employees), I go back and wait by the case.  Guy shows up in about 2 minutes; I'm impressed.  I notice he's carrying a piece of paper.  More about that later.  Here is the ensuing conversation:

Me:  I'd like 6 boxes of the Federal 9mm ammo please.

WalMart guy:  You can only purchase 3 boxes.  The government will only allow us to sell 3 boxes per customer.

Me:  I find that hard to believe.  You're telling me the government can set policy for WalMart?

WalMart guy:  Well, they only allow us to buy a certain amount from our supplier.  (Notice how he not only doesn't answer my question, but tells me something entirely different.

Me:  I also find it hard to believe that the government can tell WalMart how many of an item they can buy from a vendor.

WalMart guy:  Well, I can only sell you three boxes per day.  (Lays the paper on the counter to ring up my purchase.

***Note:  All salesmen develop the ability to read upside down.  Handy talent when sitting at a buyer's desk.

While he's ringing up the sale, I'm reading the paper he left on the counter.  Here is the copy, verbatim:

"During the current ammunition shortage WalMart, to be fair to all customers, is limiting handgun ammunition sales to 3 boxes per customer per day.  We're sorry for any inconvenience."

Me:  You know, I can go home and have my wife come back and buy 3 boxes, then my neighbor, then my step-son, then my daughter-in-law; by noon I can own all your stock anyway.

WalMart guy:  I guess you could.

Me:  Well, I won't.  See you tomorrow morning.

I should note that I don't have a problem with WalMart rationing sales of an item which is in short supply.  That's their right and I would rather have 3 boxes than none.  Stores often limit sales on popular electronic items or toys.  Plus it prevents small gun shop owners from buying all the stock to mark up in their stores.

My problem is with the employee lying and blaming the policy on the government.  I don't know if he was instructed to do so by management or he was interjecting his own political views.  Either way, somebody is lying.  I contacted WalMart headquarters and verified that this is company policy nationwide until the shortage is alleviated.


Also of interest:  WalMart has taken advantage of the shortage to raise the price by $1.00 per box.