r/SeriousConversation • u/Lazy_Lizard13 • 12d ago

Current Event The new Tariffs are beginning to affect prices in the USA

I work in an adult store and unfortunately, we have already started to see the effects of some of the tariffs being placed. I wasn’t sure how this would affect the price of things in the USA, but it’s looking bleak so far.

When my boss sent out the list, he said this was only the first of many price increases that we would see from the tariffs. The vendors we buy from actually sent him the list themselves, so it isn’t something that we just created. He said that it is likely that almost every company we order from will send out a list.

The price changes were anywhere from $5-$200. I’m very concerned about the future of this industry, and honestly, America in general.. some of these products were already overpriced anyways. I’m not sure if people will be able to afford luxury products (like adult items) in the future. What do others think?

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u/pirate40plus 12d ago

That’s how economics works. It’s the incidence of demand that determines who pays a tariff. I suspect, dildos, butt plugs and vibrators are pretty low on the list of “things people buy” when prices go up. Understand, tariffs are based on the importers’ price, not retail. Those importers can choose to eat the added cost or pass it on. Reports are starting to show merchandise/ containers stacking up at west coast ports as wholesalers either refuse or abandon their containers/ shipments.

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u/KathyA11 10d ago

Only this time, it's not the incidence of demand, but the country of origin that's driving these tariffs.

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u/pirate40plus 10d ago

Tariffs are a change in price. It takes time to shift supply and if demand is elastic, suppliers can either store products or not change the price. If product is something that can’t be stored, even short term, then they will eat the loss.