PRICED OUTTA SIGHT...

[ultrarunner]

This is why I find some of the media reporting wrong…

A local reporter ran a story saying if the 100% tariff goes into effect the cost to the consumer will double.

It seems the reporter failed to account that in normal transactions there is also a markup above the product cost and this is after tariff

If tariffs lower my income and or property tax I am for tariffs.

I have a lot of disgression on what I buy but not so much when it come to say property tax other than foregoing ownership…

Taxes of all shades and variety are my biggest expense.

Some of the wait staff at the local sports bar are very happy about the change to tip income.

Maybe I fix up that old car or tractor or look for second hand instead of buying new imported?

 

[garry1p]

No matter how you slice it, tariffs are a hidden tax on the consumer.

 

[JTKub]

I could tell you based on my recent experience with shopping SCUTs, any stock a dealer received after July 1st will cost you about 10% more than units purchased prior. What you could get for around ~$18K, will now basically cost your $20K.

 

[scootr]

$18k going to $20 is basically 10-12%. So much for 100% tariffs ?
If 10% is the cost of securing the American production industry so be it. I'm okay with that.

 

[ultrarunner]

No matter how you slice it, tariffs are a hidden tax on the consumer.

Yes but the tax in many cases is optional…

I furnished my entire home with quality American made goods and nothing bought new except mattresses…

I own 50 assorted vehicles and only one bought new…

Most of my cherished hand and power tools also bought used like my Bridgeport Tape Mill and Southbend Lathe.

Maybe higher import costs will lead to more green living and move us a step away from being a throw away society?

Managing apartments for decades I would often see all the children’s Christmas gifts at the dumpster a few months after Christmas… most made in China plastic with little lasting value.

I lived for a short time in Austria with 100% duty on American cars and very high VAT taxes. The GM dealer still sold Corvettes and Chrysler sold Jeep.

Never heard families speak of decluttering or spending weeks or months clearing out a home after someone passed away…

The quality of life is high… the standard of living good but no where as materialistic as the United States where it’s often cheaper to toss instead of repair…

Several families there would share a modest weekly garbage can yet a 60 gallon weekly garbage service for a renting family of 3 in Oakland wouldn’t be enough?

 

[scootr]

True dat. Americans are spoiled and wasteful.
I always said the problem with society is food clothing and shelter is too easy to get.
Back when people had to spend 12 hrs a day procuring the basic necessities there was no time for most of the BS going on today.

 

[ultrarunner]

We do have enormous leisure as a society and for some it is made possible through government programs that often begin with a teen pregnancy…

I don’t have a clue how this trade experiment will pan out…

I do believe the existing status quo was bleeding us dry being dependent on foreign sources and declining domestic production…

Seems the only growth industries here are tied to Federal, State and Local government.