Model Train Journal

I went online to buy a DCS tether cord, better known as a telephone handset cord. The cord I wanted was $3.81. When I went to check out, a $0.57 "tariff surcharge" fee was added (about 15%). However, the company had some other cords it was closing out (not my first choice for color or length) at about 1/10 their regular price and no tariff surcharge. I can live with a different color and length so I went for the better deal but this is the first time I have seen a "tariff surcharge."

I thought I saw a notification by MTH that they were going to up prices to deal with the tariff war. On the plus side, I expect the situation will be temporary. This is the first time in 30 years that the US has pushed back against some of the unfair trade practices of the Chinese. A lot of industries and manufacturing jobs have been lost over that time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKv6RcXa2UI

It's time to right the ship.

George

To clarify, I was not buying from MTH. I don't think they sell tether cords - they just advise to use a telephone handset cord.

In several areas the tariffs don't actually exist presently. So the surcharge is a scam to raise the prices.

HONDO74 wrote:In several areas the tariffs don't actually exist presently. So the surcharge is a scam to raise the prices.

Do you know that this item is not covered by one of the tariff areas?

I bought a new grate for one of my fireplaces today - only about 150% more expensive over the last one I bought while I listened to the salesman tout it being made in the USA. I wonder if it will last any longer than the past ones did.........

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

HONDO74 wrote:In several areas the tariffs don't actually exist presently. So the surcharge is a scam to raise the prices.

Do you know that this item is not covered by one of the tariff areas?

I bought a new grate for one of my fireplaces today - only about 150% more expensive over the last one I bought while I listened to the salesman tout it being made in the USA. I wonder if it will last any longer than the past ones did.........

If the item is toy or toy train related, those tariff's were pushed back to the end on Dec.

Your new grate will probably last until the New Green Deal kicks in when you have to convert to all electric. No more burning wood. It produces too much carbon and contributes to climate change.

HONDO74 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

HONDO74 wrote:In several areas the tariffs don't actually exist presently. So the surcharge is a scam to raise the prices.

Do you know that this item is not covered by one of the tariff areas?

I bought a new grate for one of my fireplaces today - only about 150% more expensive over the last one I bought while I listened to the salesman tout it being made in the USA. I wonder if it will last any longer than the past ones did.........

If the item is toy or toy train related, those tariff's were pushed back to the end on Dec.

Maybe - but if it came in as a telephone handset cord, then it might under telecommunications and IT parts.

Your new grate will probably last until the New Green Deal kicks in when you have to convert to all electric. No more burning wood. It produces too much carbon and contributes to climate change.

Right........and I'll have converted to all solar by then anyway since the cost of being on the grid is already too expensive.

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
Right........and I'll have converted to all solar by then anyway since the cost of being on the grid is already too expensive.

Will you be connected to the grid at all or will you have some form of backup storage for when the sun is not shinning and for night time. ?

HONDO74 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
Right........and I'll have converted to all solar by then anyway since the cost of being on the grid is already too expensive.

Will you be connected to the grid at all or will you have some form of backup storage for when the sun is not shinning and for night time. ?

I have a near full basement space for backup storage available; considering also going to propane for hot water as well.

HONDO74 wrote:

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

HONDO74 wrote:In several areas the tariffs don't actually exist presently. So the surcharge is a scam to raise the prices.

Do you know that this item is not covered by one of the tariff areas?

I bought a new grate for one of my fireplaces today - only about 150% more expensive over the last one I bought while I listened to the salesman tout it being made in the USA. I wonder if it will last any longer than the past ones did.........

If the item is toy or toy train related, those tariff's were pushed back to the end on Dec.

Your new grate will probably last until the New Green Deal kicks in when you have to convert to all electric. No more burning wood. It produces too much carbon and contributes to climate change.

I doubt that a telephone handset cord's very incidental use as a tether for a DCS remote is going to qualify it as a toy or toy train related.

Wayne German wrote:
I doubt that a telephone handset cord's very incidental use as a tether for a DCS remote is going to qualify it as a toy or toy train related.

The one you wanted had a surcharge because it had a tariff. But the others did not.? Are they all the same except the color ? What is the difference between them.? Just trying to comprehend what the difference is.

Was the $0.57 a deal breaker. ?

A deal breaker for me is when I try to buy a $10 item and the shipping is $12. That's just an example.

I recently bought 2 items that were $6.37 each The total came to $24 with shipping. The only reason I bought them is because they had been discontinued several years ago and this was the only place I could find them. The 2 items were shipped in a regular mail envelope. Actual shipping was $1.50

HONDO74 wrote:

Wayne German wrote:
I doubt that a telephone handset cord's very incidental use as a tether for a DCS remote is going to qualify it as a toy or toy train related.

The one you wanted had a surcharge because it had a tariff. But the others did not.? Are they all the same except the color ? What is the difference between them.? Just trying to comprehend what the difference is.

Was the $0.57 a deal breaker. ?

A deal breaker for me is when I try to buy a $10 item and the shipping is $12. That's just an example.

I recently bought 2 items that were $6.37 each The total came to $24 with shipping. The only reason I bought them is because they had been discontinued several years ago and this was the only place I could find them. The 2 items were shipped in a regular mail envelope. Actual shipping was $1.50

No, the others did not. Closeout = existing stock that will not be replenished. Fifty-seven cents is not a deal breaker but it is an increased cost. Different length in addition to color but the length was not critical. Original prices would have been $2.53 vs. $3.81. But a price of twenty-six cents is so much better than either of the previous two prices and not that big a difference between the two products in convenience, functionality, and appearance. And, yes, the shipping ended up being the biggest part of the total cost.

I just thought this was interesting as it was the first time I'd seen something like this from an online retail site; not a major issue or deal breaker.

Wayne German wrote:
I just thought this was interesting as it was the first time I'd seen something like this from an online retail site; not a major issue or deal breaker.

Okay I see what you are saying. The emphasis is on (this is the first time I have seen a "tariff surcharge.")

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:I have a near full basement space for backup storage available; considering also going to propane for hot water as well.

Too bad you can't harness some of the hot air from this forum!