Tariffs Explained - Pyramyd AIR Insyder

[JaceSpace1369]

Before my time, and before the income tax, government was paid for by tariffs. Basically, it was a sales tax. Being from Washington, I don't mind a sales tax. It means that my taxes are barely noticeable on most things, unless I buy a car.

I would like to see more American made airguns. Most of mine are from England.

There was also a lot less trade reliance back then.

There have been some American airgun companies and airgun part manufacturers but where are they now? The only one really in business like that is Air Force.

I'm not an expert, but I'm dead set on. If we could have done it ourselves, we would have already.Instead of relying on markets outside the US.

 

[Sawney Bean]

And what do you think would be the result?

Restoring infrastructure to replace China would take a decade.

Manufacturing would not return, just move to Vietnam or some other country developing a manufacturing economy.

That sounds about right. The whole point of it should be to stop enriching a hostile power.

There's a whole lot of manufacturing that just doesn't make economic sense for America. Who wants to work in a sweatshop making hoodies or barbie dolls? We should stick to manufacturing high end products.

 

[markhooper]

There was also a lot less trade reliance back then.

There have been some American airgun companies and airgun part manufacturers but where are they now? The only one really in business like that is Air Force.

I'm not an expert, but I'm dead set on. If we could have done it ourselves, we would have already.Instead of relying on markets outside the US.

it's all political.. but I totally disagree with you, we used to do it,we still could.. those of us who like to tinker with airguns would fit right in manufacturing them especially those of us with machine tools.
just for example thammer, he's a great member and he does stuff.. it's just companies look at the dollar to profit and while that's necessary, some of them need to follow Henry ,as in the Henry Golden boy lever action company, motto made in the USA or not at all..
Mark

 

[Vetmx]

I Know it has been touched on, but the absolute bottom line questions remain the same...

1) Is it fair business practice to charge the "new" tariff pricing on existing (old) inventory?
2) Do you think for 1 second the Pricing will EVER go back down, tariff or no tariff?

The resounding answer is HELL NO !!!

The theory/practice has been put to the test back in the Covid Ideocracy of price gouging... this tariff BS is no different I don't care how you spin it.

I will also chime in on this. Once our favorite airgun store raises its prices, they will not come back down. They could eliminate tariffs a year after the increase and they still won’t lower their prices. My tire shop didn’t lower the price of my tires when their fuel price excuse returned to normal. And the Hydraulic shop I work for didn’t drop prices when the “supply chain” excuse no longer held water.

Once they jack up the prices, get ready for the new norm guys. It’s a reset. Is it on purpose or is it just a fallout benefit? I don’t know. But when the prices don’t fall back in relation to whatever crisis caused them, it’s just greed.

We can easily combat this in this hobby because nothing is a necessity. Just stop buying airgun stuff if their prices don’t follow what’s happening tariff wise.

 

[JaceSpace1369]

it's all political.. but I totally disagree with you, we used to do it,we still could.. those of us who like to tinker with airguns would fit right in manufacturing them especially those of us with machine tools.
just for example thammer, he's a great member and he does stuff.. it's just companies look at the dollar to profit and while that's necessary, some of them need to follow Henry ,as in the Henry Golden boy lever action company, motto made in the USA or not at all..
Mark

You said it, we used to. But now for the vast majority, we don't. We also rely on parts from china, like different kinds of metals to make products. So if in all this time, we haven't been doing these kinds of things because of profit margins. Now it's going to be ten times harder.

Don't get me wrong. I understand that there are plenty of members and individuals that can do things like this and that enjoy doing so. But look at troy, he does impeccable work, no doubt! But he is one man, solving all of FX issue guns and making guns, as well as taking care of members on this site. He is overworked, and a lot of members on here who used to do tons of work simply don't because it's a hassle and people won't pay the money reflecting their skills.

Anything made in the united states is several times the cost of anything you buy made elsewhere as it is, can you imagine what that will look like with what's what's going on now?

Look at AAA, where are they? Saber Tactical? These are companies making american made products in the last several years, and their services have turned to crap, or they are ghost companies. This is what I mean by, if we have the means, then why isn't it being done, why aren't there more companies being successful and thriving long term?

 

[markhooper]

yes plus another aspect.. it's hard to find good workers and most don't care to work, they just want to show up for a paycheck..I used to farm hay.. and I was very happy to higher my hay screws, they stacked the hay on the trailer and then in the barn.. we had moisture and always chance of rain being on the coast so the bales had to be put away every night.. one guy can't do 20 acres.. I paid back then good money $10 hour from their house back to their house, and usually provide the ride.. fast forward a few years and I call hay crew, I had two but the best one was out of town and the other one said they were going swimming.. so my youngest daughter drove the diesel truck, she couldn't reach the peddle and I dropped it in 4 low granny and told her to steer and just don't hit anything.. shut off the key of needed.. eldest daughter stacked on the trailer and I threw them on.. stopped now and then to help her stack.. they took a break while I unloaded in the barn and then back at it.. I don't remember how many tons.. probably 40+ last load I backed into the barn and was exhausted.. next day it was raining..hay would have been ruined..hay crew called wanting work.. yes in the rain.. told them there's never going to be work again and I switched to all mechanical for the next season.. yes mechanical was less money over just 3 years but I didn't feel as good as giving them work..
one final year a new neighbor baled hay just before a rain and his neighbor well known in town called everyone desperate to help the new person and offered $20 cash.. not one person.. we all had a tractor rodeo since our mechanical system would leave hay in blocks and some of us just pushed with the tractor loader the bales near each other and others stacked.. not one laborer.. all of us farmers.. 3 semi in the field and 2 hay squeezes and we finished at midnight just before rain..
mind you that was cash paid every day.. including breaks, and transportation time.. literally from their door back to their door.. so they even got paid to ride to work and back.. and yet that's back when $20 was worth something.
Mark

 

[Vetmx]

I’m back for one more rant. I’m 56 years old. I know what wealthy people had versus what middle class people had versus what low income people had back in the day pre China. Right now a guy who works a middle of the road job can have a tool box, airgun collection and off road vehicle collection that rivals a rich man back then. Yes, it’s sub par products, but he’s still loving it. We can’t let our desire for material nonsense items drive us to hate things or worry ourselves to death.

My approach with this airgun stuff is no different than the powder burner stuff. When American idiots screwed all that up, I walked away. I still have everything. But I only use it to sight in and hunt. If PA returns to only selling guns from Europe and non China optics, I’m fine with it. Why? Because that’s how it used to be. When a normal working Joe bought a quality airgun and optics pre China days, it hurt. But I was happier with what little I had back then because it was appreciated. Now I have excess china stuff everywhere.

 

[Vetmx]

You said it, we used to. But now for the vast majority, we don't. We also rely on parts from china, like different kinds of metals to make products. So if in all this time, we haven't been doing these kinds of things because of profit margins. Now it's going to be ten times harder.

Don't get me wrong. I understand that there are plenty of members and individuals that can do things like this and that enjoy doing so. But look at troy, he does impeccable work, no doubt! But he is one man, solving all of FX issue guns and making guns, as well as taking care of members on this site. He is overworked, and a lot of members on here who used to do tons of work simply don't because it's a hassle and people won't pay the money reflecting their skills.

Anything made in the united states is several times the cost of anything you buy made elsewhere as it is, can you imagine what that will look like with what's what's going on now?

Look at AAA, where are they? Saber Tactical? These are companies making american made products in the last several years, and their services have turned to crap, or they are ghost companies. This is what I mean by, if we have the means, then why isn't it being done, why aren't there more companies being successful and thriving long term?

They will when Americans are forced to work. Right now there are too many ways to get a handout from the government. But like manufacturing returning, that might take a generation. We let it happen because everyone loves the path of least resistance. Now maybe we will reap what we’ve sewn.

 

[markhooper]

All you old-timers make more sense than anyone.. guess it's why most of my friends are passed away.. they all had so much knowledge and I miss them greatly.. I only have a couple neighbors and they are good friends.. so I greatly appreciate this forum where I can hear good old time stories and opinions..
I'm sorry if I offended anyone, mentioning old timers, I'm old and disabled myself.. and honestly you all are the best.. if you're not sure just check the likes and the new button I found..I think it is up voting.
Mark

 

[JaceSpace1369]

yes plus another aspect.. it's hard to find good workers and most don't care to work, they just want to show up for a paycheck..I used to farm hay.. and I was very happy to higher my hay screws, they stacked the hay on the trailer and then in the barn.. we had moisture and always chance of rain being on the coast so the bales had to be put away every night.. one guy can't do 20 acres.. I paid back then good money $10 hour from their house back to their house, and usually provide the ride.. fast forward a few years and I call hay crew, I had two but the best one was out of town and the other one said they were going swimming.. so my youngest daughter drove the diesel truck, she couldn't reach the peddle and I dropped it in 4 low granny and told her to steer and just don't hit anything.. shut off the key of needed.. eldest daughter stacked on the trailer and I threw them on.. stopped now and then to help her stack.. they took a break while I unloaded in the barn and then back at it.. I don't remember how many tons.. probably 40+ last load I backed into the barn and was exhausted.. next day it was raining..hay would have been ruined..hay crew called wanting work.. yes in the rain.. told them there's never going to be work again and I switched to all mechanical for the next season.. yes mechanical was less money over just 3 years but I didn't feel as good as giving them work..
one final year a new neighbor baled hay just before a rain and his neighbor well known in town called everyone desperate to help the new person and offered $20 cash.. not one person.. we all had a tractor rodeo since our mechanical system would leave hay in blocks and some of us just pushed with the tractor loader the bales near each other and others stacked.. not one laborer.. all of us farmers.. 3 semi in the field and 2 hay squeezes and we finished at midnight just before rain..
mind you that was cash paid every day.. including breaks, and transportation time.. literally from their door back to their door.. so they even got paid to ride to work and back.. and yet that's back when $20 was worth something.
Mark

Times have changed, I could understand way back when, people not wanting to do the work, while you providing all that and calling them lazy, to an extent.

But now? Here south florida to provide for a family of four while paying rent, car loan, insurance, food, and gas. You need to make atleast $70k. Most places don't even consider your rent application unless you make 2.5-3.5x rent. My rent is one if the cheapest at $2k with water and trash included. I needed to provide 7k just to move in. Most people can't afford that, he'll, I work 7 days a week just to make sure I can afford it and have my fun. Because if I work just to survive, what's the point?

That's the mentality a lot of people have, why am I gonna bust my ass to barely make ends meet, working for a company that doesn't care or exploits it's workers.

I can understand that you may be different, but so is everyone, and times have changed. Hell, I was born in the mid 90s, and although I have been very privileged, and considered a golden boy. I've always liked to earn my keep. But if it weren't for the fact that I had connections, and support. I'd likely be in the same boat as many others.

 

[JaceSpace1369]

They will when Americans are forced to work. Right now there are too many ways to get a handout from the government. But like manufacturing returning, that might take a generation. We let it happen because everyone loves the path of least resistance. Now maybe we will reap what we’ve sewn.

Idk where these government hands out are, I likely am not looking hard enough to encounter them. But who wants to be forced to work to barely make ends meet? Minimum wage needs a serious adjustment. Most people over the age of 50 has a home because they were able to buy one way back when it was affordable. Or they were able to sell their nearly paid off home for a newer one.

I will agree that some people have gotten soft and simply don't want to work, but that's nature. As the saying goes, "hard times create strong men" is true. The issue is there doesn't seem to be a balance. I will also agree that we don't need to live in excess, but that discussion leads to another topic

 

[Vetmx]

Idk where these government hands out are, I likely am not looking hard enough to encounter them. But who wants to be forced to work to barely make ends meet? Minimum wage needs a serious adjustment. Most people over the age of 50 has a home because they were able to buy one way back when it was affordable. Or they were able to sell their nearly paid off home for a newer one.

I will agree that some people have gotten soft and simply don't want to work, but that's nature. As the saying goes, "hard times create strong men" is true. The issue is there doesn't seem to be a balance. I will also agree that we don't need to live in excess, but that discussion leads to another topic

Houses weren’t necessarily more affordable because our wages were much lower also. How I bought two different houses back then was I didn’t live in excess. Cable tv was cheap back then compared to now. My wife and I lived without it until it fit our budget. Not in all cases but people can’t afford things because they refuse to live without certain luxuries because society has made them the norm.

If I ditch my tv, internet and cell phone right now, I’ll put $500 a month back in my pocket. And if that 500 was a game changer in my monthly budget, I’d do it in a second. People now won’t.

 

[Vetmx]

Times have changed, I could understand way back when, people not wanting to do the work, while you providing all that and calling them lazy, to an extent.

But now? Here south florida to provide for a family of four while paying rent, car loan, insurance, food, and gas. You need to make atleast $70k. Most places don't even consider your rent application unless you make 2.5-3.5x rent. My rent is one if the cheapest at $2k with water and trash included. I needed to provide 7k just to move in. Most people can't afford that, he'll, I work 7 days a week just to make sure I can afford it and have my fun. Because if I work just to survive, what's the point?

That's the mentality a lot of people have, why am I gonna bust my ass to barely make ends meet, working for a company that doesn't care or exploits it's workers.

I can understand that you may be different, but so is everyone, and times have changed. Hell, I was born in the mid 90s, and although I have been very privileged, and considered a golden boy. I've always liked to earn my keep. But if it weren't for the fact that I had connections, and support. I'd likely be in the same boat as many others.

The mentality that you speak of is why I have almost zero empathy for people. 95% of us +50 dudes busted our asses in “what’s the point” jobs to barely scratch by. But that’s what’s lost on the generations that followed. I’m sitting here watching a power line for groundhogs right now and living comfortably. Tariffs or no tariffs because busting my ass when I was young was the key to opening new doors. That’s actually the first ingredient in the recipe for success unless you hope to luck into something that let’s you live like a king being a lazy dumb ass.

You seem to be mostly how we used to be. If you want it, you have to go out and get it.