Tariffs

[Fooj]

Seems pretty obvious that deck prices will shoot up with these new tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Does anyone have any thoughts/insight about how high prices might go, or how board companies are planning to deal with this? Seems like a tough situation.

[Coastal Fever]

My strategy is pretty simple.  I’m not gonna think about prices until I actually go to buy said thing.  If the price has increased dramatically, I’ll look for cheaper options.  If said product is now unaffordable across the board, I’ll adapt. 

I’m Canadian and tariffs are all anyone can talk/post about right now, but I’m not boycotting or changing my spending habits until I see a need or benefit to.

[LA Native]

From knowing numbers and calculations from working in the industry for years (I don't anymore) I made a really basic calculation. Asked a friend what an average BBS board costs wholesale and I was told 45, which sounds insane to my ears but makes sense. My familiarity ends about 2 years ago and we know it has been a roller-coaster since. Ok, so 45 dollars and we will now have 25% added to the bottom line, giving us 56.25 for the shop. I also asked what a BBS board is out the door (including tax) and they said 87. Using a rough calculation I get 110, and this is with the assumption labor costs do not go up as well.

[thehogsniper]

smartest thing to do is have someone connect with a US shop, bring the boards over the border. I highly doubt border guards are going to give a shit about it unless you're bringing a truck full.

[BeachChicken]

There's no way to know. Canadian Maple goes to factories in Mexico, it doesn't come into the U.S. directly like normal lumber. AFAIK there won't be a tariff on a company moving its own production of skateboard decks from Mexico to the U.S. similar tariffs already existed in the recent past and didn't drive the price higher. A skateboard deck is not lumber or construction material it's a finished consumer good and from what I've read so far I don't think it will necessarily impact skateboard decks.

Also the wholesale price is cheaper than $45. BBS sells their blanks for cheaper on SkateSamples.

[Too Frank To Fred]

There's no way to know. Canadian Maple goes to factories in Mexico, it doesn't come into the U.S. directly like normal lumber. AFAIK there won't be a tariff on a company moving its own production of skateboard decks from Mexico to the U.S. similar tariffs already existed in the recent past and didn't drive the price higher. A skateboard deck is not lumber or construction material it's a finished consumer good and from what I've read so far I don't think it will necessarily impact skateboard decks.

Also the wholesale price is cheaper than $45. BBS sells their blanks for cheaper on SkateSamples.

Those are no frills, stocks shapes with no graphics. And board prices did jump last time around.

[Top-Heavy Hookjaw]

Brands under the HLC manufacturing umbrella should gain in popularity if these tariffs become a reality.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Brands under the HLC manufacturing umbrella should gain in popularity if these tariffs become a reality.

Where's the wood coming from?

[BeachChicken]

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There's no way to know. Canadian Maple goes to factories in Mexico, it doesn't come into the U.S. directly like normal lumber. AFAIK there won't be a tariff on a company moving its own production of skateboard decks from Mexico to the U.S. similar tariffs already existed in the recent past and didn't drive the price higher. A skateboard deck is not lumber or construction material it's a finished consumer good and from what I've read so far I don't think it will necessarily impact skateboard decks.

Also the wholesale price is cheaper than $45. BBS sells their blanks for cheaper on SkateSamples.

[close]

Those are no frills, stocks shapes with no graphics. And board prices did jump last time around.

They also rose because of inflation and Covid supply issues so it's kinda hard to separate.

BBS mostly sells those generic shapes. DLX, Baker, and a few others have their own shapes and molds but not many companies do and most shop decks are the generics. I know graphics cost money to apply, but there are quite a few screen printers that do a big load of shop decks here.

[Plan9Customs]

Everyone is worried about board prices but don’t forget, these tariffs will also 100% affect trucks. Aluminum is going up because of these and being produced/imported from China so get ready for some expensive ass trucks as well.

[Too Frank To Fred]

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There's no way to know. Canadian Maple goes to factories in Mexico, it doesn't come into the U.S. directly like normal lumber. AFAIK there won't be a tariff on a company moving its own production of skateboard decks from Mexico to the U.S. similar tariffs already existed in the recent past and didn't drive the price higher. A skateboard deck is not lumber or construction material it's a finished consumer good and from what I've read so far I don't think it will necessarily impact skateboard decks.

Also the wholesale price is cheaper than $45. BBS sells their blanks for cheaper on SkateSamples.

[close]

Those are no frills, stocks shapes with no graphics. And board prices did jump last time around.

[close]

They also rose because of inflation and Covid supply issues so it's kinda hard to separate.

BBS mostly sells those generic shapes. DLX, Baker, and a few others have their own shapes and molds but not many companies do and most shop decks are the generics. I know graphics cost money to apply, but there are quite a few screen printers that do a big load of shop decks here.

It will be about a lot more than just the decks though. If other tings go up from machine parts, to labor, to fuel, transportation ands on, there's a knock on effect.

I doubt that skate decks, made form Canadian maple in TJ won't be impacted if this goes through....

Everyone is worried about board prices but don’t forget, these tariffs will also 100% affect trucks. Aluminum is going up because of these and being produced/imported from China so get ready for some expensive ass trucks as well.

Wheels. Everything.

[pantyhero]

Wheels. Everything.

AFAIK both Spitfire and Bones wheels are made in the US.

But I just went ahead and bought $150 worth of decks from the Polar sale as a hedge against the tariffs.

[Plan9Customs]

Can’t speak on Bones since I don’t ride them, but I’m 99.9% sure Spits have been made in Mexico for a few years now.

[Too Frank To Fred]

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Wheels. Everything.

[close]

AFAIK both Spitfire and Bones wheels are made in the US.

But I just went ahead and bought $150 worth of decks from the Polar sale as a hedge against the tariffs.

Spitfire are made in TJ, Mexico.

I believe the top range  powell / bones are made in Ventura.

Creative Urethane is still state side also, I think...

[Dan Gerous]

So I'm in Canada... let's say I buy a DLX or Baker/Deathwish board... Wood is canadian, gets sent to Mexico, but if what canadian skateshops sell is sent to them straight from Mexico, maybe via a canadian distributor I guess but completely skipping sitting or going through the US.... no added tariff even if the company is based in the US? The same would go for Venture/Thunder/Spitfire...

Canada has sporting equipement in the list of tariffed things to fight against the US tariffs, adding 25%.

I guess we're about to find out.

[pantyhero]

Ok, thanks for the correction.

[BeachChicken]

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There's no way to know. Canadian Maple goes to factories in Mexico, it doesn't come into the U.S. directly like normal lumber. AFAIK there won't be a tariff on a company moving its own production of skateboard decks from Mexico to the U.S. similar tariffs already existed in the recent past and didn't drive the price higher. A skateboard deck is not lumber or construction material it's a finished consumer good and from what I've read so far I don't think it will necessarily impact skateboard decks.

Also the wholesale price is cheaper than $45. BBS sells their blanks for cheaper on SkateSamples.

[close]

Those are no frills, stocks shapes with no graphics. And board prices did jump last time around.

[close]

They also rose because of inflation and Covid supply issues so it's kinda hard to separate.

BBS mostly sells those generic shapes. DLX, Baker, and a few others have their own shapes and molds but not many companies do and most shop decks are the generics. I know graphics cost money to apply, but there are quite a few screen printers that do a big load of shop decks here.

[close]

It will be about a lot more than just the decks though. If other tings go up from machine parts, to labor, to fuel, transportation ands on, there's a knock on effect.

I doubt that skate decks, made form Canadian maple in TJ won't be impacted if this goes through....

Expand Quote

Everyone is worried about board prices but don’t forget, these tariffs will also 100% affect trucks. Aluminum is going up because of these and being produced/imported from China so get ready for some expensive ass trucks as well.

[close]

Wheels. Everything.

Possibly, but again companies making shit in Mexico might be able to get all of their parts elsewhere. I doubt Mexican labor costs will increase since labor costs in Latin America aren't very sensitive. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I think we likely need to consider the actual supply line vs what's taxed. I'd expect to see the cost passed on mostly on the US end as shops and companies feel the broader inflation that's going to shit on us.

[GT]

Do you guys think you have boarders' problems with Canada and Mexico?? Asking g for real!
Do you guys think you have terrorism and or terrorism support in the US?

What matters more ? The cost of your hobbies or the safety of your family?

[Too Frank To Fred]

Do you guys think you have boarders' problems with Canada and Mexico?? Asking g for real!
Do you guys think you have terrorism and or terrorism support in the US?

What matters more ? The cost of your hobbies or the safety of your family?

No. I think my family is quite safe. I lost my brother-in-law to a fentanyl OD but I really don't think Trump gave a fuck...

[pantyhero]

Do you guys think you have boarders' problems with Canada and Mexico?? Asking g for real!
Do you guys think you have terrorism and or terrorism support in the US?

What matters more ? The cost of your hobbies or the safety of your family?

We don't really have terrorism in the US. You're literally 1000x more likely to be murdered by a police officer than a terrorist.

[Coastal Fever]

Most sane folk would consider mass murders of random people at schools, theatres, churches, concerts, grocery stores, clubs, parades, etc etc to be terrorism as well.  So yeah, ya kinda do.

[Dan Gerous]

Most sane folk would consider mass murders of random people at schools, theatres, churches, concerts, grocery stores, clubs, parades, etc etc to be terrorism as well.  So yeah, ya kinda do.

True, but I'd be curious to see the stats about how many of those are commited by illegal immigrants. From memory, they seem to mostly be commited by legal US citizens, often white dudes.

[Ok]

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Most sane folk would consider mass murders of random people at schools, theatres, churches, concerts, grocery stores, clubs, parades, etc etc to be terrorism as well.  So yeah, ya kinda do.

[close]

True, but I'd be curious to see the stats about how many of those are commited by illegal immigrants. From memory, they seem to mostly be commited by legal US citizens, often white dudes.

i believe it to be terrorism, but the call is coming from inside of the house. coworker used to cheerfully say ‘ww3 or cheaper groceries’, meanwhile i’ve never encountered a more assisted person, from the government.
interesting to see how it all works out….i mean that obviously a platitude and i am scared, but not sure what to do, so

[Obijuan91]

Looks like birch wood it is then….

[Meathook]

Expand Quote

Do you guys think you have boarders' problems with Canada and Mexico?? Asking g for real!
Do you guys think you have terrorism and or terrorism support in the US?

What matters more ? The cost of your hobbies or the safety of your family?

[close]

We don't really have terrorism in the US.  You're literally 1000x more likely to be murdered by a police officer than a terrorist.

Any child in a middle/high school would hard disagree.

[douchenozzle]

Now what would the increase be for USA wood shops that use Canadian maple?

[TwisT]

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Brands under the HLC manufacturing umbrella should gain in popularity if these tariffs become a reality.

[close]

Where's the wood coming from?

Ideally Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

[Obijuan91]

Now what would the increase be for USA wood shops that use Canadian maple?

Still using Canadian maple and that shit grows in Canada. Idk if I remember correctly but nhs did some birchwood stuff a while back but that shits weak

[rikki]

I suck at global economy theory. What would the currently planned tariffs do to the prices of, let's say, BBS boards in Europe? The EU hasn't planned to impose any taxes on goods imported from the US (at least as of yet).

[Ghost Face]

I suck at global economy theory. What would the currently planned tariffs do to the prices of, let's say, BBS boards in Europe? The EU hasn't planned to impose any taxes on good imported from the US (at least as of yet).

I mentioned this in the other thread but my take is that ALL pricing will increase to cover the duties imposed in the US. A distro or brand that does all hardgoods will increase all pricing to cover themselves.

USA Decks will go up to cover the import duties on Trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware etc. DLX won't keep BBS decks lower when they'll be imposed 25% on Thunder and Venture and their China decks. They'll have to increase everything to try even it out and not have such a huge shock to the system.

We'll see. I hope I'm wrong.