Community Chat

[NYCLatinaMe]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

A trade deal with China has been signed which will lower tariffs.  Can't use that as an excuse now.  

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@JeanLouiseFinch   There is no "deal".  The parties agreed to a 90 day rollback.  Even during the rollback tariffs on Chinese goods are still 30%, much higher than in January.

Would you pay 30% higher price?

Retail prices not yet higher because businesses are just selling the inventory on hand, which is about 90 days, and hoping for the best.

Businesses accelerated shipments to stay ahead of the tariffs.  People were expecting the impact of tariffs to be felt starting in July.

The 90 day rollback just allows China to ship goods it already manufactured.

Also, a 90 day rollback does not allow companies to plan.  I guess 90 days may be good for fast fashion to order, manufacture and ship.

QVC has always told us orders are placed a year in advance.  So can QVC place orders not knowing what the tariffs will be when the items are shipped?  Does not seem likely.

That is why businesses are predicting empty shelves.

United States retailers had cancelled their orders because of the uncertainty of pricing.  So the tariffs aren't even revenue producing because shipments are way down.

[Seminole2]

@Carolina925 and besides that the tariff issue really did not start until the very end IF at all of Q1.....really should have zero impact on their Q1 numbers.  Sorry not buying it (pun intended)

[tansy]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

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@tansy wrote:

Back to normal, @JeanLouiseFinch?

It will take time to get shipment schedules operating at capacity.  

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I'm looking forward to better than what we knew as "normal".  

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Good luck with that, @JeanLouiseFinch.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@NYCLatinaMe wrote:

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

A trade deal with China has been signed which will lower tariffs.  Can't use that as an excuse now.  

---

@JeanLouiseFinch   There is no "deal".  The parties agreed to a 90 day rollback.  Even during the rollback tariffs on Chinese goods are still 30%, much higher than in January.

Would you pay 30% higher price?

Retail prices not yet higher because businesses are just selling the inventory on hand, which is about 90 days, and hoping for the best.

Businesses accelerated shipments to stay ahead of the tariffs.  People were expecting the impact of tariffs to be felt starting in July.

The 90 day rollback just allows China to ship goods it already manufactured.

Also, a 90 day rollback does not allow companies to plan.  I guess 90 days may be good for fast fashion to order, manufacture and ship.

QVC has always told us orders are placed a year in advance.  So can QVC place orders not knowing what the tariffs will be when the items are shipped?  Does not seem likely.

That is why businesses are predicting empty shelves.

United States retailers had cancelled their orders because of the uncertainty of pricing.  So the tariffs aren't even revenue producing because shipments are way down.

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@NYCLatinaMe - this is what I read today, which seems to go beyond the 90 day pause.

From Reuters - 

By Reuters, May 12, 2025:

The United States and China said on Monday they have agreed to a deal to slash reciprocal tariffs for now as the world’s two biggest economies seek to end a trade war that has disrupted the global outlook and set financial markets on edge.

Speaking after talks with Chinese officials in Geneva, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters the two sides had agreed on a 90 day pause on measures and that tariffs would come down by over 100 percentage points to 10%.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hold a news conference in Geneve on May 12, 2024, to give details of “substantial progress” following a two-day closed-door meeting between US and China top officials aimed at ending a devastating tariff war. 3
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hold a news conference in Geneva on May 12, 2024, to give details of “substantial progress” following a two-day closed-door meeting between US and China’s top officials aimed at ending a devastating tariff war.

[Pecky]

I read something interesting.  A business owner tested to see if people would buy american made. 

•  wanted to see whether people would buy a Made-in-USA version of his specialty shower head.
• He found it would cost three times as much to produce — and raised the sale price by 85%.
• After several days of testing, zero customers bought the USA model.
• To move everything over to the US, he had to find four to six separate suppliers who would handle various aspects of the production process, he said. All told, he found it would cost three times as much to produce — more than the cost of simply paying the tariff.

[Rockycoast]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

A trade deal with China has been signed which will lower tariffs.  Can't use that as an excuse now.  

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I'll believe that when I actually see it happen.  Perhaps there is a concept of a deal.

[shoekitty]

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@Pecky wrote:

I read something interesting.  A business owner tested to see if people would buyamericann made. 

•  wanted to see whether people would buy a Made-in-USA version of his specialty shower head.
• He found it would cost three times as much to produce — and raised the sale price by 85%.
• After several days of testing, zero customers bought the USA model.
• To move everything over to the US, he had to find four to six separate suppliers who would handle various aspects of the production process, he said. All told, he found it would cost three times as much to produce — more than the cost of simply paying the tariff.

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Peckyy yes it will cost more.Definitely. I find the product 100% better, especially faucets, sinks. What a difference.   I buy almost everything USA, yes sometimes it costs more, but it is expected as USA manufacturers aren't paying 1.00@ hr wages.   For faucets I have used California Faucets, and a couple others. Even Toto toilets have models made in Georgia.  It's out there.  For clothes I have a long list. The problem is people don't want USA goods, they complain about it, but don't want to pay for it people have to decide, are they just talk,or will they make an effort.  I have been going this for almost 15 years.  You cannot go to Home Depot, or Lowe's, you have to go Online. I even buy my cake and baking pans, made right here in California.  

sometimes people say they can't afford it, but they spend their money elsewhere on things maybe they don't need. I buy USA because I support American small business, it puts food, housing and livelihood for people right here in states. BeforeWalmartt took over, and made anyone who did business with them go overseas, we did it. But remember, things were a little costlier then too.  Americans have gotten used to big box, discount , dollar store prices. 

the great thing is the businesses I do business with, haven't raised prices.  They aren't effected by any tariff, or threat of tariff. 

ETA. one thing, you cannot buy building. nails from the US.Loll

[shoekitty]

I wouldn't go to TIC TOK for anything, or social media.  Nothing against anyone who does, it's just not me

[shoekitty]

during Covid we noticed prices going up, that was also the effect from previous tariffs. It takes a while to get to us. SOMETIMES A YEAR OR SO.  Then I think when tarriffs  were reduced a bit,manufacturers just took advantage and kept prices high. So then retailers said, well customer is still buying, so keep prices high. I heard many businesses are raising prices now, rather than later, in preparation for tariff effect. Who knows.  Also, wages went up ,which effected menial labor. And much menial labor was lost, so less people doing more work, and higher wage in menial labor. This  drives up costs in the fast food and restaurant business. Loss of dishwashers,  temporary labor.  Then add all the bird flu, diseases in meat packing industry.  Every single failing of business failing to take care...comes down to one thing. Make up the loss by charging customer. Sigh. JMHO , NOTHING ELSE

[Parischic]

I'm stopped buying because their prices are ridiculous. Shipping times are taking 20 days or longer from the Ontario warehouse, refunds are not being processed in a timely manner, hosts acting silly, the age of possibility campaign, and the endless parade of celebrities selling their clothes, candles, skincare, books etc.