Prices continue to rise

[TLS Guy]

When I talked to the reps from Epson, B&W, Marantz/Denon, they blamed it on the tariffs for the price increase.

Do you think that’s just an easy excuse (since everyone seems to be using it) and that it’s really caused by inflation and other causes?

A projector cost increase from $6,700 to $11,000 in a few months is ridiculous. And to think that Epson did this because they are just using the tariffs excuse?

It all depends on how leveraged those on the supply chain are. Sound United and Masimo are highly leveraged currently. So, if you buy a unit for $100.00 from a manufacturer on whom the tariff is 30% and it weighs 25 lb. Say it weighs 25 lb which is 11 kilos. Freight cost from Asia is $5.00 per kilo. So freight is $55.

Now as soon as it is offloaded it goes to a bonded warehouse and the tariff has to be paid before it is released. This is paid by the importer Sound United. So now the cost is $185.00. Now we add a fee for the customs broker, so lets make it a round $200.00.

Now Sound United will want at least a 40% markup, so we are now are at $360. The dealer will want at least a 40% markup and that is conservative. So we are now at $504.00 for a unit that was bought for $100 from the manufacturer. I think those margins are on the conservative side for what are considered luxury goods. So that 30% tariff to release the unit from the bonded warehouse really adds up.

 

[mono-bloc]

What can you expect with that lunatic Trump

This is the result of a non-compulsory voting system.

 

[Trell]

This is the result of a non-compulsory voting system.

You've claimed that before without evidence, so do you have any actual research showing that in a democracy compulsory voting will stop an authoritarian from being elected?

 

[Trell]

When I talked to the reps from Epson, B&W, Marantz/Denon, they blamed it on the tariffs for the price increase.

Do you think that’s just an easy excuse (since everyone seems to be using it) and that it’s really caused by inflation and other causes?

A projector cost increase from $6,700 to $11,000 in a few months is ridiculous. And to think that Epson did this because they are just using the tariffs excuse?

It would for sure not surprise me if they increased the price more than the tariffs increase, but the tariffs is likely the major portion of the price increase.

>>>Yesterday’s [July 16, 2025] CPI report looked fairly tame on the surface, but if you look at the details it showed clear signs that Trump’s tariffs are starting to drive up prices. And private surveys suggest that there’s a lot more inflation in the pipeline. For example, look at S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index for manufacturing, which shows the percentage of firms reporting higher prices. A higher number almost always points to higher official inflation ahead, and right now it’s definitely telling us that tariffs are about to hit hard:

Why aren’t we seeing the full effects of the tariffs in official statistics? For the record, I don’t believe Trump officials are cooking the books — yet.

That’s not to say that they won’t at some point, and there’s a good chance that they will. But so far what we’re probably seeing is a combination of ordinary lags and the temporary effects of the TACO (Trump always chickens out) narrative. Buyers get pissed off at sellers when prices rise, so sellers who don’t want to lose market share have an incentive to hold prices down despite higher costs if they think the Trump tariffs will come back down in a few weeks.

I, however, am a TACO skeptic. I think Trump really is a Tariff Man who will keep us at Smoot-Hawley-level tariffs indefinitely, and businesses will eventually realize that and raise prices accordingly. ...<<<

Hawks, Doves and Lapdogs

The next Fed chair will be an obedient partisan

paulkrugman.substack.com

 

[Mikado463]

When I talked to the reps from Epson, B&W, Marantz/Denon, they blamed it on the tariffs for the price increase.

Do you think that’s just an easy excuse (since everyone seems to be using it) and that it’s really caused by inflation and other causes?

A projector cost increase from $6,700 to $11,000 in a few months is ridiculous. And to think that Epson did this because they are just using the tariffs excuse?

'greedflation' , it masquerades about in times like this............

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

RBH have not increased their prices.

Just heard from one Yamaha rep that they are releasing new AVR models in the next 3 months.

Will see if or how much Yamaha will increase their prices.

 

[TLS Guy]

RBH have not increased their prices.

Just heard from one Yamaha rep that they are releasing new AVR models in the next 3 months.

Will see if or how much Yamaha will increase their prices.

RBH manufacture their products In Utah USA. So, that puts them in a better position.

Yamaha are a big corporation and I have no idea what their debt situation is. They make much more than speakers and receivers, and have a huge world wide base.

Sound United we know is highly leveraged. Their purchase by Harmon will not get approval for another six months at the earliest. They are also dependent on sellers like Crutchfield which is a private company and you can bet leveraged to some, and probably a significant extent.

So, what are they going to do with the tariffs? They will certainly pass them on plus markups. In addition these tariffs will be inflationary, no matter what nonsense Trump spouts. This will increase interest rates most likely because they are inflationary. If interest rates don't rise, then inflation could be catastrophic.

The other factor is going to be uncertainty about the economy, and these tariffs are likely going to cause a slow down, and so most businesses will be inclined to pad margins to reduce debt.

In other words a 30% tariff will likely increase prices a lot more than 30%.

 

[Mikado463]

Also noticed as of late more and more restaurants are imposing 3% surcharge when using a credit card. Everybody's getting in on the act !

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Also noticed as of late more and more restaurants are imposing 3% surcharge when using a credit card. Everybody's getting in on the act !

I have not noticed that. So how else do the restaurants want you to pay them? Cash?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Also noticed as of late more and more restaurants are imposing 3% surcharge when using a credit card. Everybody's getting in on the act !

Nothing to do with tariffs. 2-3% is what credit companies charge biz for the service of allowing customers to use CCs. In the past, it was forbidden to pass these charges to customers, but more recently the both laws and business-friendly (or anti-consumer) government emboldened businesses to pass these charges to customers. I see it very often now. Starting from even gas stations, listing different prices for CC or Cash.

 

[Mikado463]

Nothing to do with tariffs.

I never said it was, the title of this thread is 'Price Increases'

2-3% is what credit companies charge biz for the service of allowing customers to use CCs. In the past, it was forbidden to pass these charges to customers, but more recently the both laws and business-friendly (or anti-consumer) government emboldened businesses to pass these charges to customers. I see it very often now.

It was and is 'the cost of doing business', IMO. While I was with the family this past April in Seattle it took me 3 coffee shops to find one that would take cash, fly on plane, CC only.

Regardless, if a restaurant charges me 3% surcharge the tip will no longer go past 20%

Starting from even gas stations, listing different prices for CC or Cash.

I know, not in my area yet but saw quite a bit down South this past March

 

[j_garcia]

Also noticed as of late more and more restaurants are imposing 3% surcharge when using a credit card. Everybody's getting in on the act !

Many small, local restaurants here already did that, as the cost to them vs. a chain is out of their pocket. Plus, if you tip via ETF in Ca., it is taxed vs. cash.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have not noticed that. So how else do the restaurants want you to pay them? Cash?

If you use your bank card and not your credit card this will not happen. The businesses pay the credit card fee, so their bill is discounted. With a bank card they get the full reimbursement.

 

[mono-bloc]

In Australia debit cards are the way to go. At the moment I run three cards, One for direct deposit, One for internet sales and one for general use
Many retail business here won't except cash. The only time I use cash is for my fire wood supplier and the lady that clips my dog. And really it's
a pain, sorting out the correct amount. There are no charges for debit card use.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you use your bank card and not your credit card this will not happen. The businesses pay the credit card fee, so their bill is discounted. With a bank card they get the full reimbursement.

I haven’t seen a restaurant in OKC that charges fees for using any CC yet. Fingers crossed.

 

[Trell]

For consumer credit cards and debit cards an EU regulation since 2015 caps the interchange fees at, respectively, 0.3% and 0.2% of the transaction value. That was a great thing, in my opinion, as these high transaction fees are parasitic.

After that a credit card have much fever benefits given by the issuer. I still use a credit card for buying stuff on internet for protection as I live in Sweden having a Swedish issuer: Using the card is like taking a consumer loan and if I don't get what I bought I can then go to the issuer of the credit card. With a debit card I'm on my own.

 

[Mikado463]

Many small, local restaurants here already did that, as the cost to them vs. a chain is out of their pocket.

what?? Cali perhaps but nowhere else that I know of, the cost (percentage) on a CC is the same. Perhaps I'm missing something in your post ?

 

[j_garcia]

what?? Cali perhaps but nowhere else that I know of, the cost (percentage) on a CC is the same. Perhaps I'm missing something in your post ?

Yes, local, as in around here. In SF it is an actual approved surcharge allowed for health care costs for workers. A Cali law banned "junk" surcharges on your bill with no explanation. SF then added an ordinance to allow a health care cost surcharge because they were unable to retain workers.

The change started with a number of businesses who gave a better price for cash vs. card because they avoid the fees of the credit card services. At some point, that flipped to companies just passing that cost to the consumer.

*edit. Recently, we've noticed some new international chains, usually food spots, don't accept cash at all.

 

[Mikado463]

Yes, local, as in around here. In SF it is an actual approved surcharge allowed for health care costs for workers. A Cali law banned "junk" surcharges on your bill with no explanation. SF then added an ordinance to allow a health care cost surcharge because they were unable to retain workers.

The change started with a number of businesses who gave a better price for cash vs. card because they avoid the fees of the credit card services. At some point, that flipped to companies just passing that cost to the consumer.

*edit. Recently, we've noticed some new international chains, usually food spots, don't accept cash at all.

your last sentence reminds me of this past April with my experience in Seattle trying to buy a cup of 'pour-over' coffee. As I stated earlier, had to go to a third coffee shop to find one that would take cash !

 

[Trell]

your last sentence reminds me of this past April with my experience in Seattle trying to buy a cup of 'pour-over' coffee. As I stated earlier, had to go to a third coffee shop to find one that would take cash !

Using cash is getting harder in Sweden as well, but there are push-back from the Swedish Central Bank on this, among others. The core of the push-back is security and vulnerability of only online payments systems, with no fallback.