Noticing Tariff Problems Yet?

[Mike_Danielson]

I have noticed that hair at Bowworks is all sold out.  Hair at Michael Vann's has gone up about 40% in the last year.  Hair comes from China.  I wonder if people have started hoarding and buying up far in advance of their needs?  

These tariffs are going to really increase the prices on everything in the string instrument business.

[LCF]

I don't know if it's seasonal or due to tarriffs but I have noticed that Chinese sites like AliExpress are currently giving massive discounts to those of us who live in the R.O.W.  Bad for US is good for us. We have not been sucked into the tariff vortex. It's been so expensive to get things posted out of the US and now perhaps just as expensive to get them into it, trade in that direction may grind to a standstill. 

[Ganymede Piggot]

‎  

[martin swan]

3 hours ago, Ganymede Piggot said:

 

Could we perhaps stick to the OP's question?

[Shelbow]

MOD HAT ON

Just a reminder to everyone to stick to the topic and not drift off to any political / social issues. There are plenty of other forums you can join to discuss those points.

Please keep this discussion focused on the impact of tariffs on the cost of musical instruments and musical instrument related accessories only.

Regards,

Shelbow

 

 

 

[Blank face]

Darth Vader is back 

[nathan slobodkin]

One of my primary suppliers is no longer answering their phone. If anyone out there can make a violin in under 40 hours and is willing to work for $10/hour please let me know. I may be hirimg.

[IBK]

I think that this situation is in flux as applies to the U.S.  The  policies which govern the tariffs are subject to change on a daily basis.  If they remain in place it will devastate the musical instrument industry. We are seeing a number of law suits against the tariff policies due to the fact that they need to be approved by U.S. Congress. The use of tariffs as they are being used at present and claimed as an emergency, is not legitimate and can be used only on a temporary basis.  Considering what it will do to the U.S. economy, you can be sure that there will be legal challenges.  Hopefully all of our colleagues in the string instrument business have enough material and supplies to last until this situation is resolved here in the U.S.

[IBK]

8 hours ago, Mike_Danielson said:

I have noticed that hair at Bowworks is all sold out.  Hair at Michael Vann's has gone up about 40% in the last year.  Hair comes from China.  I wonder if people have started hoarding and buying up far in advance of their needs?  

These tariffs are going to really increase the prices on everything in the string instrument business.

The day after Trump was elected to his second term as U.S. President, I ordered enough bow hair and packaging materials for the next 4 years.  I saw this situation coming when he said he would raise tariffs on China during his campaign.

[deans]

3 minutes ago, IBK said:

The day after Trump was elected to his second term as U.S. President, I ordered enough bow hair and packaging materials for the next 4 years.  I saw this situation coming when he said he would raise tariffs on China during his campaign.

Bow hair is the one thing that could hit me. I have 3-4 that are due for a rehair that I have been putting off. 

[Jeffrey Holmes]

3 hours ago, martin swan said:

Could we perhaps stick to the OP's question?

Agreed!  I edited the post that prompted your reply.

[Brad Dorsey]

49 minutes ago, IBK said:

…I ordered enough bow hair…for the next 4 years….

I did this, too.

I’m worried about Dominant strings, but I have so many already that I didn’t get any more.  And Pro-Artes seem pretty similar, and they”re made in the USA.

I also decided to buy a lot of rice.  But when I went to the south Asian market where I get it, I saw that they have a lot that’s grown in the United States.  So I didn’t see any need to stock up.

[jacobsaunders]

1 hour ago, IBK said:

The day after Trump was elected to his second term as U.S. President, I ordered enough bow hair and packaging materials for the next 4 years.  I saw this situation coming when he said he would raise tariffs on China during his campaign.

If all your colleagues put their bow rehairing price up by 245% and you don’t, you will never do anything else for the rest of your life

[IBK]

13 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

If all your colleagues put their bow rehairing price up by 245% and you don’t, you will never do anything else for the rest of your life

It sure looks that way

[Brian in Texas]

All the young players that have relied on decent quality, reasonably priced Chinese made instruments are likely to be priced out of buying if this keeps up. Thinking about all the kids that play rental instruments when they begin, and then progressing to the point of needing a better instrument without their parents being able to afford one just makes me sad.

[Strad O Various Jr.]

I realized the "brazilwood" bow I buy from Howard Core are made in China, they're still well stocked at $17 wholesale, I use them to throw in free with a student violin, or for people that don't want to pay more for a rehair

But as I only sell antique violins, this China tariff thing could be a godsend for my business, my antiques are already a better deal than Chinese pre tariff violins and all my competitors rely heavily on new Chinese violin sales

[IBK]

6 minutes ago, Strad O Various Jr. said:

I realized the "brazilwood" bow I buy from Howard Core are made in China, they're still well stocked at $17 wholesale, I use them to throw in free with a student violin, or for people that don't want to pay more for a rehair

But as I only sell antique violins, this China tariff thing could be a godsend for my business, my antiques are already a better deal than Chinese pre tariff violins and all my competitors rely heavily on new Chinese violin sales

Yes, inexpensive VSOs become expensive VSOs

[Ganymede Piggot]

5 hours ago, martin swan said:

Could we perhaps stick to the OP's question?

I considered it going immediately to the actual topic, instead of waiting two or three pages for it to happen, but yeah

[Shunyata]

If the tariffs are significant enough to affect luthier costs, it seems to me the bigger problem will be top line sales.

Consumers will be pinched on all fronts, and their hobbies will be the first to go.  

[CantPlayChaconne]

16 minutes ago, Shunyata said:

If the tariffs are significant enough to affect luthier costs, it seems to me the bigger problem will be top line sales.

Consumers will be pinched on all fronts, and their hobbies will be the first to go.  

On the other side of this, using a non-negligible amount of my tax sheltered investments account to purchase a violin in January before everything went bananas is now something I can portray to my wife as a Buffet-level financial strategy, which will surely be successful a second time as I would like a new commissioned bow

[David Burgess]

I bought a couple of these (which I use and recommend for instrument humidity control) a few days ago in case the price goes up.

https://www.amazon.com/WILLHI-Controller-WH1436HUM-PRO-Humidistat-Dehumidifier/dp/B09TB6D4GZ

I also bought a new set of Ariat cowboy boots (US company but manufactured in China), in case the price goes up.
(Moderators, the cowboy boots are violin related since I have worn this brand for about 30 years when I am making violins)

Remember, kids, the Boy Scouts of America motto is "be prepared".

[jacobsaunders]

44 minutes ago, David Burgess said:

I also bought a new set of Ariat cowboy boots (US company but manufactured in China), in case the price goes up.

Wearing American made cowboy boots would be beneath your dignity

[David Burgess]

6 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said:

Wearing American made cowboy boots would be beneath your dignity

Do you really think that anything is beneath my dignity?

[Ganymede Piggot]

No footwear has been made in America since the great Florsheim fire and explosion of 1965 that wiped out most of Brooklyn.  Everybody has been afraid.  I recommend Toro brand, made in Mex.  Cannot fathom cowboy kicks made in Chy-na.  Worst ever image.

[martin swan]

30 minutes ago, Ganymede Piggot said:

No footwear has been made in America since the great Florsheim fire and explosion of 1965 that wiped out most of Brooklyn.  

Factcheck ...