This happens every 4 years. Every 4 years people say it is the worst, ever, cry a lot. Every 4 years I agree with that assessment.
In between those 4 years, it is always an insanely plentiful buyer's season. Even when prices dont die back down to pre-election pricing, they have been very reasonable, even accounting for inflation.
Before the shortage hit this past time, it was one of the best. Factory quality 9mm for $10 a box to your door. 223 was under $300 shipped per 1k to your door.
We told everyone to stock up on componentsand ammo. Many didn't listen. Many said money was an issue, then bought brand new expensive cars, guns, etc. Then the same thing happened every 4 years. It wasn't money. It was priorities.
I'm a poor ex college kid, so instead buying a nice car, I continued to drive my $2000 Toyota and bought enough 223 and 9mm to last at least a year of drought, which was typical of what we saw every 4 years, no matter how long they always said it'd be a shortage for.
I'm not here to condescend; on the contrary, because I stocked up, I was able to equip earnest local new shooters with 9mm supplies when they couldn't and lined up at Academy for 4hrs every week.
We always hear, "well some us don't...etc". Maybe. But I think the real answer is priorities. The rest are excuses.
Reminds me of the parable of the grasshopper and the ants.