The tariffs are baked into the shipping cost, which is paid on the merchant’s end. It may not have appeared to you as a separate line item.I just got a package from China about 2 weeks ago. Not UPS, FedEx, USPS or DHL. No tariff
Tariffs & Model Airliner Prices
- Thread starter CalAviator
- Start date
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
Well if you believe him or not, and I think personally they will stick as they have been playing this game all year and now he is done with the game playing with China. It could potentially kill the hobby in North America. This is not good for anyone in the US right before the holiday shopping season kicks off. We have Gemini, JC, and NG inbound but I think that will be the last of new release for awhile. It's kinda like dogpiling with the govt. shutdown right now. Good thing we have plenty of stock in the store to weather this storm, again.... The online new release folks may be looking at lights out if it has any staying power.
Bulgogi77
Well-known member
Very well said. If this new 100% tariff really goes into effect and isn't backed down (at least not for a month or two), this hobby is in grave danger imho (at least in the US, but it would still be disastrous for the hobby worldwide). Prices for new models would basically be double the amount they are now, and no retailer or brand will want to eat that cost. I think there's a real risk of online retailers shutting down (after old stock is sold) and some or most model brands going away all together, especially if the tariff lasts more than a month or two. Gemini is arguably in the worst position of the current model brands in this situation since their primary focus is the US market.
These are scary times.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
It’s been fragile all year since the tariff game has been toyed around with since February/March. But if this has any staying power the hobby is unfortunately doomed. There is only so much distributors and retailers can absorb. Those of us who get direct from the manufacturers have been getting tariff bills weeks after a delivery has been made. We have to suck it up so to speak, as we have no idea what that bill is going to be ahead of time. Knowing that, we may be getting the last new release deliveries this month for quite some time. That of course is if the administration goes through with this latest announcement. We have a ton of residual stock in our inventory, which will keep us going. But for those new release only retailers, I see a mass exodus. Some companies have already folded. Hornby, who is the parent company for a lot of hobbies, to include Corgi, for you military colllectors, has now folded up. Their US distribution center was literally 5 minutes from our retail store. They have sent their remaining stock to other distributors as a final farewell and closing their doors in the US. Most companies, Daron(Gemini) won’t be able to weather that for too long either(my opinion). So if Trump digs in, and nothing tends to stop him, then worse case I believe could be on the horizon. I truly hope not, but am not holding my breath either.
My understanding is that Hornby and Corgi have switched to a new distributor in the US, so the brands will still be available just through the new distributor.
Starz10p Aviation
Well-known member
As a US consumer, I definitely agree that tariffs are destroying the hobby. I really can’t justify paying them either, especially with my limited budget. Heck, I might soon have to start buying models via family in Canada.
MIAv8Diecast
Well-known member
If 100% Tarrifs stick model airplanes will be the least of our worries. Talk about virtually everything else we buy to function in our day to day lives… What a disaster. Even if the administration doesn’t go through with them the simple threats are enough to put small business into a tailspin.
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MIAv8Diecast
Well-known member
It’s absolutely insane.. living in Detroit it would be cheaper for me to get in a car and drive to Toronto and buy my models there than order them and have to pay a $20 duty tax (Not including shipping) on an imported model airplane. It’s not like our public services are improving from this tax revenue.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
My rep told me different when I asked???
Starz10p Aviation
Well-known member
Couldn’t agree more. I’m in Oregon, but it’s still cheaper to drive TEN hours to Canada to get my models there.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
Hey now, we aren’t that far from you
JJ Skippy
Well-known member
I'm holding my breath on this one.
At this point we're only a few weeks away from the tariffs taking effect, assuming he holds himself to his word, and like others mentioned this would be a disaster for U.S. collectors. At minimum I expect GJ to have another price increase, and at most I can't even fathom what's going to happen. While some people in this hobby have very divisive (to put it mildly) opinions on GJ, they would be a massive loss to the hobby if they go out of business.
Again I'm holding my breath here and hoping for a better outcome, but if these 100% tariffs go into effect, my firm belief is this hobby is going to enter a portal that it won't be able to escape. Almost like going into the Nether and having a ghast destroy your exit as soon as you enter.
At this point we're only a few weeks away from the tariffs taking effect, assuming he holds himself to his word, and like others mentioned this would be a disaster for U.S. collectors. At minimum I expect GJ to have another price increase, and at most I can't even fathom what's going to happen. While some people in this hobby have very divisive (to put it mildly) opinions on GJ, they would be a massive loss to the hobby if they go out of business.
Again I'm holding my breath here and hoping for a better outcome, but if these 100% tariffs go into effect, my firm belief is this hobby is going to enter a portal that it won't be able to escape. Almost like going into the Nether and having a ghast destroy your exit as soon as you enter.
Starz10p Aviation
Well-known member
I know I know! You guys are still my #1 pick for getting models. But for new releases, I might have to look further northward.Hey now, we aren’t that far from you
Starz10p Aviation
Well-known member
That would be a true shame. GJ going out would leave a large void in the US collectors market, and I don’t think any manufacturer would dare fill it with the tariffs going on.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
Very much so. Also if you have a local shop that has an actual brick and mortar store you might want to support and shop local. These shops, us included, have higher operating costs, and typically already struggle to keep prices lower in bearing the extra costs. So going into the holiday season maybe folks shop local, doesn’t have to be diecast, just local in general, to help support small businesses.
JJ Skippy
Well-known member
This is when I'd wish there was a physical model airplane shop in my hometown. The closest to me is four hours away. I'm definitely going to stores like yours (albeit virtually) this holiday season.
MIAv8Diecast
Well-known member
Wish I was closer!Hey now, we aren’t that far from you
MIAv8Diecast
Well-known member
MIAv8Diecast
Well-known member
Trying not to get too political but it’s virtually impossible when discussing trade policy. The Supreme Court will be ruling on these Tariffs in November regarding their legality in which there is a large case to be made that they are in fact illegal since it’s up to Congress to legislate trade policy NOT the executive branch. We could very well see these all wiped away in the coming months regardless of what the administration wants to do. We shall see but hope for the best and plan for the worst.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
Exactly right, there is no predicting what will actually take place. If it happens, it will be a wild ride in not a good way. If calmer heads prevail it's business as usual. But the shock and awe of just the thought of the impending tariff puts retailers and small businesses into a panic mode. We have notified all of our suppliers in China that they need to send whatever they have ready now to not get caught.
