No political comments lest the hosts throw up a big red signal.
How have the tariffs changed your model railroading plans?
In my case, I ended up cancelling preorders I had for two boxcars. Even before the tariffs, they were getting close to my price limit. (No, this thread is not intended as a cost of modeling in the distant past to now grumble either.) I decided I could live without them and with around 280 cars already, I really don’t need more rolling stock. (However, that doesn’t stop me if i find a good enough deal.)
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No political comments?
I’m afraid the Bear has more chance of walking on water!
I’d seriously think about deleting the thread.
Just my 2 cents +25%. 
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No changes here. Still planning to but 30 switch machines made in Europe, two more cases of Atlas flex track, and a few other things.
Sheldon
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Gotta agree, Bear.
What’s the point?
Dump it!
Rich
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My plan is to deal with it the same way I did for the 2016-17 tariffs. Decide what I want — then decide what I’m willing to pay. I remember all the major model railroad importers sending out notifications that they really didn’t know what the future held (back then) and, as usual, Jason Shron from Rapido was quite open and upfront from a business owner’s perspective.
It’s a hobby. I use ‘discretionary’ income for what I buy.
Cheers, Ed
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I work in used equipment, so in that regard it doesn’t directly change my plans a lot. That said, sometimes I like to buy inexpensive materials that ship from China to make repairs to things I have, and presumably those are going to cost more now. Hopefully it doesn’t become prohibitively expensive.
I do periodically think about investing in new tools for this, that, or the other thing. Most tools are made in china, expensive enough to make me think about how badly I need them, or both. I suspect that tariffs are going to raise prices on tools, so that may put me off buying any.
There is also the chance that increased prices for new, overseas-manufactured trains are going to make more people turn to the secondhand market. Maybe a big hypothetical, but theoretically if this did happen, and there was now increased demand for things I like, that might limit my ability to continue acquiring trains.
-El
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Well, I haven’t seen any price increases yet, so why would I change my plans? If they go up, I’ll revisit my plans then.
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Recent Email I received from Athearn:
Important Notice Regarding Upcoming Price Adjustments
At Athearn, we value transparency and open communication with our customers. We’d like to inform you of an important update regarding our pricing structure. For over 20 years, Athearn has produced our Roundhouse, Athearn, and Genesis HO and N scale models at factories in China. During that time, we’ve faced increased costs from raw materials and shipping but have largely been able to absorb those expenses without significant changes to pricing. However, recent tariffs imposed on all imports from China have created new challenges. Unlike previous increases, these tariffs have had a substantial impact, and unfortunately, we are no longer able to absorb the added costs.
Effective Monday, March 24th we will implement a price increase to help offset the effects of these tariffs. This adjustment will apply to:
- All current open pre-orders
- Items in the April 2025 pre-order packet and beyond
- In-stock items shipping from Horizon Hobby
We understand this may come as disappointing news, and this was not an easy decision. Our hope is that this is a temporary measure. Athearn and Horizon Hobby will continue to closely monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.
We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding.
-The Athearn Team
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Please note product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this email was sent; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit HorizonHobby.com.
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Is there anybody on these forums who is surprised by this?
Isn’t that what tariffs are all about?
Foolishly trying to punish other countries by, in fact, punishing American consumers on whom the tariffs are actually imposed.
Tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries of which we have none because nothing is produced domestically because once-upon-a-time domestic industries moved all production overseas.
Rich
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may not be the increase in price for modeling products, but the increase in price for more essentail goods such as food that leave you less money to support your hobby
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Yes, in most cases it is rather short sighted. But it may have been equally short sighted to move production overseas in the first place? Just as excessive regulation of industry can be short sighted as well.
Adam Smith suggested that Capitalism works best with the minimum amount of government interference that provides the necessary protections.
And an intrusive government cost more money to run - Smith (and others in history) suggested it should only cost 10% of the GDP to run the government.
Sheldon
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ABSOLUTELY!!!
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i’m curious what people perceptions are
how much more are you willing to pay for modeling components if they are manufactured in the US at US pay scales?
what regulations do you think are increasing the cost of manufacturing in the US? OSHA? minimum wage?
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True, but we have already done that with excessive taxation. Yes, this will be another deterioration of purchasing power - at least in the short term.
If you study prices, adjusted for inflation most things cost the same as the did in the past - EXCEPT - taxes and debt service consume a larger percentage of the average person’s income than ever before.
In 1900 people paid no federal income tax, bought houses with 50% deposits, and financed the balance with an 8 year mortgage…
Is all this being handled the best way - probably not - but it has not been handled well by the last 20 versions of the government.
Sheldon
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That’s the age-old argument.
Send it overseas and pay some poor guy or gal 10 cents an hour.
That way we can destroy the middle class and the working class.
Rich
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doesn’t everyone, especially those making less income, benefit from inexpensive goods: electronics, food from mexico and south america?
still haven’t heard an answer to my original question?
25% more?
how much more do you think the price of a model RR product would be in the worker wages went from $10 - $25 (250%)
I don’t think minimum wage directly is the biggest factor. Other components of labor costs have a bigger impact. Unemployment insurance, health care, etc.
Regulations about safety, paint and chemicals have a big impact. No matter how safe you are being - proving it to the government costs extra money.
It is hard to say what I would pay until someone floats those numbers.
But keep this in mind - Briggs and Stratton returned much of their small engine manufacturing to the US. Kohler never left the US and is undergoing a major expansion of their small engine and generator business.
Five years ago I did pay a bit more for a new engine for my 30 year old garden tractor to have the best - Kohler - Made in USA. About 25% more, for something expected to last as long as the previous Kohler engine that lasted nearly 30 years.
Sheldon
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Not once you put tariffs on everything they buy.