On the Mexico and Canada Tariffs

[Skinny Tire AH]

I'd love to hear your story sometime....and I have plenty of time...because it's been nothing but kittens and moonbeams since I started. I don't sell anything that can't be bought elsewhere....but I use my brain to catalog things in a clear manner so they're easier to select and buy. In 5 years of doing business.....I've had fewer than 20 returns, for any reason. Interpret that how you will. There isn't a single business on the fucking planet that sells things that can make that claim I don't think.
.
I'm competing with companies that basically run the industry, but that's not important because you don't see it. I'm able to compete because I'm better than they are, and I'm better than everyone they have working for them. I get calls from the suppliers I still talk to on a daily basis asking for clarification and help on things they can't wrap their heads around....and I offer up whatever I can, because we're sort of partners in this. That's not to say I don't hold my good cards close to my chest....I most certainly do.

You are not unique, and I am not unique. I'm just a small fish trying to play in a pond with big fish and hoping they leave me the fuck alone in my little corner....which they seem to refuse to do, so I'll adapt.

....but don't come in here on your high fucking horse preaching when you did the exact same thing I'm doing and tell me I'm fucking up. If that's your objective....then fuck off. If you have something useful to add, then I'm all ears.

Wow. Gotcha.

 

[lbhsbz]

Without those holes he's drilling we wouldn't need your brakes . What you're gonna have and what he has is something I will never have so both of you quite your fuckin belly aching . I got an old 96 272 baja that I bought and fixed up . Anytime either one of you wants to swap let me know .

cool. Wanna trade for a 1983 Lavey craft 18' with a 2 stroke merc? I can throw in a 1991 Kawasaki TS to sweeten the deal if need be....depending on how fat your are, the TS will run somewhere been 23 and 26mph.....it's exciting.

Maybe instead of bitching that other people have what you'll never have....get off your ass and go get what you want. That's what I did.....took me 17 years to realize that was an option, but If my dumbass can do it, so can you. Just takes effort.

 

[lbhsbz]

Wow. Gotcha.

Would that have been your reply 20 years ago?...or would your reply have looked more like mine to you?

We've spoken before about SS brake lines....you referred me to one your people at a local AH store (lol...just realized AH also works for Alternative Hole...not just AssHole) , who basically told me to FO when I called him and explained what I needed. So I called my old supplier, who fucked everything up and took 2 months to do so. So I went to China....had good parts on my doorstep in 8 days. Price is not important...service is important.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Would that have been your reply 20 years ago?...or would your reply have looked more like mine to you?

Not sure what it would contain. But I’m 100% certain it would not contain “Fuck-Off”

 

[530RL]

Not sure what it would contain. But I’m 100% certain it would not contain “Fuck-Off”

I think Pat’s point is that he is now going through what we had to go through earlier in our careers. But he gets the added fight and complexity of these very high tariffs/taxes that are on, then off, then on, then off with no real path in sight.

I’m willing to admit to Pat that he has a much tougher road to travel than we did with this government BS.

He is just doing what we had to do, we got lucky. Think of all the Steve’, Dan’s and Pat’s that never made it work even though they tried just as hard as we did.

For anyone to now say, just suck it up, I did it, seems to ignore the obvious change in landscape that he, Uncle Dave and thousands of small businesses are having to overcome that we were lucky enough to either avoid via retirement, or have so much capital and market power that we can just work around it.

And it is all self inflicted with no clear strategy for success let alone a well defined objective.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I'd love to hear your story sometime....and I have plenty of time...because it's been nothing but kittens and moonbeams since I started. I don't sell anything that can't be bought elsewhere....but I use my brain to catalog things in a clear manner so they're easier to select and buy. In 5 years of doing business.....I've had fewer than 20 returns, for any reason. Interpret that how you will. There isn't a single business on the fucking planet that sells things that can make that claim I don't think.
.
I'm competing with companies that basically run the industry, but that's not important because you don't see it. I'm able to compete because I'm better than they are, and I'm better than everyone they have working for them. I get calls from the suppliers I still talk to on a daily basis asking for clarification and help on things they can't wrap their heads around....and I offer up whatever I can, because we're sort of partners in this. That's not to say I don't hold my good cards close to my chest....I most certainly do.

You are not unique, and I am not unique. I'm just a small fish trying to play in a pond with big fish and hoping they leave me the fuck alone in my little corner....which they seem to refuse to do, so I'll adapt.

....but don't come in here on your high fucking horse preaching when you did the exact same thing I'm doing and tell me I'm fucking up. If that's your objective....then fuck off. If you have something useful to add, then I'm all ears.

Like grandpa said - "If you want to make everyone happy, sell ice cream".

 

[530RL]

Like grandpa said - "If you want to make everyone happy, sell ice cream".

Regor’s probably lactose intolerant.

 

[lbhsbz]

Like grandpa said - "If you want to make everyone happy, sell ice cream".

Everyone would be sad because I'd eat it all

 

[lbhsbz]

Not sure what it would contain. But I’m 100% certain it would not contain “Fuck-Off”

Some of us are more blunt than others.

 

[Smitty7]

Some of us are more blunt than others.

I'm too old to start over now smart mouth . I'm not fat or sitting on my ass and I'd still work circles around your fuckin ass . Now go play with your caliper nice guy .

 

[lbhsbz]

I'm too old to start over now smart mouth . I'm not fat or sitting on my ass and I'd still work circles around your fuckin ass . Now go play with your caliper nice guy .

Nobody is too old to start over.

I've got a bad knee, bad shoulder, bad back, neck, etc.....so you might work circles around my fuckin ass....many people could. That was not a reply to you, it was to someone else. What I do have is a functioning brain and the ability to read and comprehend what's written.....which clearly, you don't....and why you're admittedly old and still working in circles instead of working smart.

 

[Smitty7]

Nobody is too old to start over.

I've got a bad knee, bad shoulder, bad back, neck, etc.....so you might work circles around my fuckin ass....many people could. That was not a reply to you, it was to someone else. What I do have is a functioning brain and the ability to read and comprehend what's written.....which clearly, you don't....and why you're admittedly old and still working in circles instead of working smart.

Words of wisdom from the smart business guy that's in rdp political section looking for sympathy over the economy and I'm the one that's fucked up huh ? O . K . Go lube your boots and cry in your coffee . Of coarse it's all Trump's fault .

 

[lbhsbz]

Words of wisdom from the smart business guy that's in rdp political section looking for sympathy over the economy and I'm the one that's fucked up huh ? O . K . Go lube your boots and cry in your coffee . Of coarse it's all Trump's fault .

Why so salty?

 

[Smitty7]

Why so salty?

You know nothing about me . Leave it that way .

 

[was thatguy]

What I do have is a functioning brain and the ability to read and comprehend what's written.....which clearly, you don't....and why you're admittedly old and still working in circles instead of working smart.

Damn
It’s beginning to come into focus where part (most?) of your troubles may lie.

This site is full of smart people who have faced similar challenges as you and found solutions.
From sourcing parts to shipping from Canada and all the other things you’ve complained and bitched about.
Ive seen them offer you suggestions on some of the specific examples you’ve posted.
You’ve called almost all of them stupid in some fashion, and a lot of other names, and rejected any notion of help as insults and bragging.
Even telling them to fuck off.

Good luck, you’re gonna need it.

There is an old saying.
“You’ll meet a lot of people on the way up…
Don’t ever fuck them because you’re going to meet them again on the way down”.

Just about everyone here who could have been some help to you would now probably not piss on you if you were on fire.
Good job.

I only know about your business by what youve posted.
So if that makes me ignorant it’s because you can’t explain yourself, or your business model (if you even have one), or do basic math, etc. not a single one of your examples makes any sense at all in your evershifting soliloquy.
From those god damned rubber boots to the overpriced repackaged caliper kit.

 

[Smitty7]

Damn
It’s beginning to come into focus where part (most?) of your troubles may lie.

This site is full of smart people who have faced similar challenges as you and found solutions.
From sourcing parts to shipping from Canada and all the other things you’ve complained and bitched about.
Ive seen them offer you suggestions on some of the specific examples you’ve posted.
You’ve called almost all of them stupid in some fashion, and a lot of other names, and rejected any notion of help as insults and bragging.
Even telling them to fuck off.

Good luck, you’re gonna need it.

There is an old saying.
“You’ll meet a lot of people on the way up…
Don’t ever fuck them because you’re going to meet them again on the way down”.

Just about everyone here who could have been some help to you would now probably not piss on you if you were on fire.
Good job.

I only know about your business by what youve posted.
So if that makes me ignorant it’s because you can’t explain yourself, or your business model (if you even have one), or do basic math, etc. not a single one of your examples makes any sense at all in your evershifting soliloquy.
From those god damned rubber boots to the overpriced repackaged caliper kit.

That's why I don't even try to help people anymore . I need that shit like I need three assholes . Had a face full of his kind . Good luck pilgrim . No skin off my ass .

 

[was thatguy]

That's why I don't even try to help people anymore . I need that shit like I need three assholes . Had a face full of his kind . Good luck pilgrim . No skin off my ass .

The whole attitude with Steve is bizarre.
In 10 years I’ve never heard Steve complain about his business or any challenges he may have faced (before he sold his stake)
I’ve never seen or heard him ever brag or be malicious to anyone.
He offered examples of his solutions to brake pad guy and got attacked for his troubles.

 

[regor]

I think Pat’s point is that he is now going through what we had to go through earlier in our careers. But he gets the added fight and complexity of these very high tariffs/taxes that are on, then off, then on, then off with no real path in sight.

I’m willing to admit to Pat that he has a much tougher road to travel than we did with this government BS.

He is just doing what we had to do, we got lucky. Think of all the Steve’, Dan’s and Pat’s that never made it work even though they tried just as hard as we did.

For anyone to now say, just suck it up, I did it, seems to ignore the obvious change in landscape that he, Uncle Dave and thousands of small businesses are having to overcome that we were lucky enough to either avoid via retirement, or have so much capital and market power that we can just work around it.

And it is all self inflicted with no clear strategy for success let alone a well defined objective.

The campaigns you donated to and politicians that you hosted at your house did that!

Save it lil two-face.

 

[t&y]

The campaigns you donated to and politicians that you hosted at your house did that!

Save it lil two-face.

He conveniently forgets why we needed a person like Trump in office shaking all this shit up.

 

[caribbean20]

A 145% tariff is tantamount to a full trade embargo, with a trading partner we’ve had for over 60 years. I don’t think anyone expected that based on campaign information. Lots of small businesses are impacted until they can resource critical components, or until sanity prevails. When stuff like that happens, usually someone here gets hurt, sorry to see it and good luck resourcing your parts lbhsbz.

 

[17 10 Flat]

A 145% tariff is tantamount to a full trade embargo, with a trading partner we’ve had for over 60 years. I don’t think anyone expected that based on campaign information. Lots of small businesses are impacted until they can resource critical components, or until sanity prevails. When stuff like that happens, usually someone here gets hurt, sorry to see it and good luck resourcing your parts lbhsbz.

IMO this is a way to ultimately get China to negotiate. No one really has any idea what actually happens in China, their media is more slanted than say MSNBC. I'm a Trump supporter and yet was a little surprised at the 145% number. Guess we will see at the finish line how it all turns out.

 

[530RL]

This is an interesting quote from Trump:

"We don't do much business with Canada, from our standpoint,"

Canada is the number one export market for American goods. Just think of all the American workers and American businesses that make a living exporting goods to Canada.

 

[Racey]

This is an interesting quote from Trump:

"We don't do much business with Canada, from our standpoint,"

Canada is the number one export market for American goods. Just think of all the American workers and American businesses that make a living exporting goods to Canada.

If only you shared the same concern for the millions and millions of manufacturing based jobs offshored to china over the last 30 years

 

[4Waters]

If only you shared the same concern for the millions and millions of manufacturing based jobs offshored to china over the last 30 years

He doesn't have any concern for America, the American citizens or the American flag, he's selfish just like all democrats and only has concern for himself.

 

[17 10 Flat]

If only you shared the same concern for the millions and millions of manufacturing based jobs offshored to china over the last 30 years

MS530 only understands one language...$$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$, let the chips fall where they may.

 

[t&y]

This is an interesting quote from Trump:

"We don't do much business with Canada, from our standpoint,"

Canada is the number one export market for American goods. Just think of all the American workers and American businesses that make a living exporting goods to Canada.

He was on a national stage getting ready to negotiate with a country over billions if not trillions of dollars worth of trade. I know you would prefer him kiss everyone's ass instead of starting from a strong position, but that is simply not his tactic. I thought it was hilarious watching Carney react. There was no doubt who the alpha male was in that setting.

 

[530RL]

He was on a national stage getting ready to negotiate with a country over billions if not trillions of dollars worth of trade. I know you would prefer him kiss everyone's ass instead of starting from a strong position, but that is simply not his tactic. I thought it was hilarious watching Carney react. There was no doubt who the alpha male was in that setting.

They had a trade deal that Trump personally negotiated and personally labeled the greatest trade deal in history.

Then Trump tore it up unilaterally. Why would any country believe a thing America says? No deal is worth the paper it is written on as long as he is President.

They all understand they just have to wait out this administration as best they can until a new one comes into place that will live up to the agreements they enter into. No deal with Trump is worth anything and everyone knows he will never honor it.

 

[regor]

They had a trade deal that Trump personally negotiated and personally labeled the greatest trade deal in history.

Then Trump tore it up unilaterally. Why would any country believe a thing America says? No deal is worth the paper it is written on as long as he is President.

They all understand they just have to wait out this administration as best they can until a new one comes into place that will live up to the agreements they enter into. No deal with Trump is worth anything and everyone knows he will never honor it.

Now you know how we feel when trading with CHYYYYYYYYYNA all these years and many others!!

 

[Smitty7]

They are not negotiating a deal with Trump . They are making a deal with the U . S . and when the fuck have we kept our word on anything ? P . S . Ask an Indian .

 

[530RL]

They are not negotiating a deal with Trump . They are making a deal with the U . S . and when the fuck have we kept our word on anything ? P . S . Ask an Indian .

LOL,

Well the U.S. didn't impose the massive tax increase on US taxpayers via these tariffs, Trump did.

 

[t&y]

They had a trade deal that Trump personally negotiated and personally labeled the greatest trade deal in history.

Then Trump tore it up unilaterally. Why would any country believe a thing America says? No deal is worth the paper it is written on as long as he is President.

They all understand they just have to wait out this administration as best they can until a new one comes into place that will live up to the agreements they enter into. No deal with Trump is worth anything and everyone knows he will never honor it.

And that has what to do with how much actual trade is occurring, and what tactics should be used when negotiating?

 

[t&y]

LOL,

Well the U.S. didn't impose the massive tax increase on US taxpayers via these tariffs, Trump did.

Sure, I'm willing accept that.

So now we are full circle back to the question you have continually side stepped.

You have to give someone 20 billion dollars to invest. You wanna go with Elon or Abrams? Or you could use Trump or Biden.

The choice is obvious unless you have extreme TDS, which we all know you do.

 

[17 10 Flat]

Sure, I'm willing accept that.

So now we are full circle back to the question you have continually side stepped.

You have to give someone 20 billion dollars to invest. You wanna go with Elon or Abrams? Or you could use Trump or Biden.

The choice is obvious unless you have extreme TDS, which we all know you do.

I'm going with Abrams all the hookups she has, just send it directly o the Cayman Islands.

 

[was thatguy]

They had a trade deal that Trump personally negotiated and personally labeled the greatest trade deal in history.

Then Trump tore it up unilaterally. Why would any country believe a thing America says? No deal is worth the paper it is written on as long as he is President.

They all understand they just have to wait out this administration as best they can until a new one comes into place that will live up to the agreements they enter into. No deal with Trump is worth anything and everyone knows he will never honor it.

 

[regor]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1920175756853862772

 

[JBS]

I'm not sure what you're replying to because you didn't quote anything....but for the 40th time....A fraction of what I sell is produced in China.

Here's an example:

The pistons are produced in NY. The thin seals are produced in Michigan. The assembly lube is produced somewhere in the USA and I bottle it here in 1/2oz, 1oz, and 8oz bottles. I was buying US made 1/2 oz bottles for while but they all leak and the china bottles don't, so I buy china bottles now.

The bleeders, copper washers, bleeder caps, and piston boots come from China....because nobody is tooled to make them here....and those that were tooled to make them here (TRW in this case) scrapped their tooling 10+ years ago. I can tool up to make this boot.....the mold will cost me $15-20K, and at the maybe 400 or so of this particular boot that I sell every year, they'll be $3-5 each. I sell this whole kit for $60....which is the only reason people buy it. If it were $100, nobody would buy it.

View attachment 1503950

I have really tried to stay out of commenting on this thread, but here goes.

I am a small MFG. China in the past has been less of an issue for me than Mexico. I do buy molds from China, Screws, Pins etc. These have had a tariff since Trumps 1st term that we have been paying. Nothing has changed. I still cannot source these components in the US. Molds I can source in the US but in most cases China is hard to beat. My Customers do not care about a mold being made in the US. Most don't. Even with the new tariffs the US mold building may not be competitive. The capacity is simply not there.

I would love to bring mold building in house. My banker says it would not be wise to invest a couple million dollars on equipment as the tariffs could go away before I am up and running. The tariffs simply are not bankable. There is NO plan.

I have/had a large Customer that moved away from ordering from me and now orders mostly from Mexico. I still have all the tooling and the customer is not leaving. They just don't order. Trump is honoring his agreement with Mexico on the maquiladora's. This allows my Customer to bring tooling into Mexico rather than the US and they beat the US tariffs. Not only do they do this but they ship components/product from China that they finish/package in Mexico and slip the stuff into the US with no Tariff. This started with the old Tariffs. Not now.

The reason I quoted Ibhsbz is to say that I would not be competitive with China on part price but I would be able to produce the bellows competitively. I make similar parts for Teleflex now Dometic. The issue will be the mold. Before the new tariffs I would of been able to have a mold built and shipped to the US for 8-10 grand. It would be more than double today. Next week who knows.

 

[rcmike]

I will just say one more time for the people in the back, if the goal is to build out China's infrastructure for them with our dollars and end our ability to build a military with our products, then we should end the tariffs today.

If the goal is to have a legitimate country in 20 years, we need to make serious changes in what we have been doing for the last 50 years.

 

[530RL]

I will just say one more time for the people in the back, if the goal is to build out China's infrastructure for them with our dollars and end our ability to build a military with our products, then we should end the tariffs today.

If the goal is to have a legitimate country in 20 years, we need to make serious changes in what we have been doing for the last 50 years.

I don't disagree with the premise of your second sentence, would just like some strategy and thought other than "I run the world".

 

[Smitty7]

I don't disagree with the premise of your second sentence, would just like some strategy and thought other than "I run the world".

What's Kamabla's and Tampon Tim's plan ? She would have been the second choice . C'mon ya sack licker , whip me up some bullshit .

 

[Racey]

What's Kamabla's and Tampon Tim's plan ? She would have been the second choice . C'mon ya sack licker , whip me up some bullshit .

His boy Jeff Flake's plan was to introduce a carbon tax for every American to pay.

 

[Smitty7]

These fuckers will tax you 101 percent and then bitch you don't have the one percent to give em . I got your carbon tax swinging .

 

[530RL]

His boy Jeff Flake's plan was to introduce a carbon tax for every American to pay.

Yep, not a good idea but a mere small fraction of the tax increases under Trump.

Buy hey, given you and MAGA love and fully support tax increases and believe they are the solution, I’m surprised you didn’t support that tax too.

 

[Smitty7]

" If I only had a brain " I see somebody's wish didn't come true .

 

[was thatguy]

" If I only had a brain " I see somebody's wish didn't come true .

 

[rcmike]

I don't disagree with the premise of your second sentence, would just like some strategy and thought other than "I run the world".

The reality is you have made it crystal clear you do not give a shit if there is a country here in 20 years. You will be dead or living in Monaco. So your opinion on what the plan is is irrelevant.

Let the people with skin in the game, you know, the people who will still be here, discuss this. Go enjoy your sunset margs with Carlos on the pool deck and check your portfolio on your phone.. (you probably had a pretty good day, even though Powell tried to fuck you)

 

[FROGMAN524]

This thread delivers!

 

[530RL]

The reality is you have made it crystal clear you do not give a shit if there is a country here in 20 years. You will be dead or living in Monaco. So your opinion on what the plan is is irrelevant.

Let the people with skin in the game, you know, the people who will still be here, discuss this. Go enjoy your sunset margs with Carlos on the pool deck and check your portfolio on your phone.. (you probably had a pretty good day, even though Powell tried to fuck you)

You and your friends in here have unequivocally stated you want to tear down the country now, not in twenty years. Tear up the constitution, cherish individuals who beat law enforcement, defund the federal police, encourage financial corruption at the highest levels, abolish checks and balances and throw the rule of law out.

As bad as you may think our country and its system may be, your plan is undeniably worse.

 

[regor]

You and your friends in here have unequivocally stated you want to tear down the country now, not in twenty years. Tear up the constitution, cherish individuals who beat law enforcement, defund the federal police, encourage financial corruption at the highest levels, abolish checks and balances and throw the rule of law out.

As bad as you may think our country and its system may be, your plan is undeniably worse.

Says the Lawfare scumbag who wanted his political opposition locked up…..

 

[was thatguy]

Remember back a few pages when you stated that "ignorant is the one thing I'm not"....yeah...you might revisit that.

400 different boots that generate 500K, but yeah....kinda.

Go keep drilling your holes. (See how when I oversimplify what it is you do it makes it look insignificant and makes me appear ignorant?)

Ummmm
That’s not what makes you look ignorant…


I like the way the rig looks at night.

The operator here (our client) recently had an influx of a reported $1.2 billion from an investment conglomerate rumored to be attached to the Hunt group. I couldn’t find anything online to confirm the source, but the amount is real, judging from the projected drilling schedule.

I’m just a dummy working for a hourly paycheck…but you know…not all paychecks are created equal…

I played the consultant game for almost 2 decades, but now it’s just better being a W2 employee with benifits.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ummmm
That’s not what makes you look ignorant…


I like the way the rig looks at night.

View attachment 1504314
The operator here (our client) recently had an influx of a reported $1.2 billion from an investment conglomerate rumored to be attached to the Hunt group. I couldn’t find anything online to confirm the source, but the amount is real, judging from the projected drilling schedule.

I’m just a dummy working for a hourly paycheck…but you know…not all paychecks are created equal…

I played the consultant game for almost 2 decades, but now it’s just better being a W2 employee with benifits.

What are the big potato guns in the foreground? They look like machined couplers maybe? They also look F'n heavy.