Tariffs trip up the all-American RV industry

[Community Alumni]

Tariffs trip up the all-American RV industry

[sgfrye]

aftermath wrote:
Americans are a very interesting and quite complicated group. We wave the flag and chant, Buy American, but we turn out by the millions to support stores like Walmart who import the majority of their products from other nations, China being one of them. We are driven by low costs and will do anything to save a buck but, many of us will support the tariffs because somehow, magically, it will drive these wicked countries to their knees. At the same time the tariffs will increase costs to the consumers.

Keep in mind that a tariff is a self imposed tax on the consumer. How much will a 25% tariff cost you. The debate goes on and you have heard some of that here. I am not an economist but to say that a 25% tariff will only raise costs 2.5% is a bit of a stretch in my mind. The extent of this impact is yet to be felt because of available inventory but when that is gone, the new costs for the new goods will start to rise. The question is how much are you willing to pay?

Take a look at the soy bean farmers. A huge tariff placed by our country has dramatically hurt these people. The answer was for our government to come up with something like $12 billion for a bailout. A self imposed tax that will hurt all of us, farmers and tax payers alike.

well said, it is a complex problem, no clear cut right or wrong. trickle down effect everywhere

[Charlie_D_]

free radical wrote:

Charlie D. wrote:

free radical wrote:
https://youtu.be/0JDoll8OEFE

Btw coruption is punishable by death penalty in China
So is illegal drug pushers

Why China has the best high speed railways
Enjoy
https://youtu.be/hs392e7z99Y

China and drugs

https://youtu.be/Yoqj-gmDgkM

You and I can trade posts supporting our positions all day long but to suggest that China does not export illegal drugs to the U. S. is disingenuous as is saying China's new train system is not riddled with issues, poor construction and improper materials and corruption.

www.newsweek.com/forget-mexico-us-being-flooded-illegal-drugs-china-652494

One can order illegal drugs via internet and have them shipped to the U.S. and delivered in as little as 10 days.
https://www.statnews.com/2018/01/24/china-fentanyl-usps/

https://www.fastcompany.com/1749952/problem-chinas-high-speed-rail

Note that none of these links are from Fox News.:)

I am guilty of helping to get the OP's post off track so I will not make any further comments unless they are tariff related.:)

Ive never said China doesnt export drugs to US so dont put words in my mouth,anyhow

Question is WHY people here use it?
Imo if someone is dum enough to use deadly drugs they can drop dead as far as Im concerned.
less drag on our health care and economy.

China had drug problems too but learned how to deal with it,send people to rehab and cure them.and execute drug dealers.

Works good since there are 1.5 bilion of chinese now

China has been around for 5000 years so they just maybe bit more evolved smarter then we are.

I predict we will lose the tarrif war,Tramp bankrupted 10 busineses after all and dont listen to smart advisors just fires everyone who disagree w him.

No, you did not say China does not export drugs to the U.S. but you insinuated they didn't with your You Tube video along with several other videos that insinuated everything is peachie keen in China and led me to believe they are superior to America.

[Charlie_D_]

tomman58 wrote:
Stats are stats:
Americans in their 20s: $16,000
Americans in their 30s: $45,000
Americans in their 40s: $63,000
Americans in their 50s: $117,000
Americans in their 60s: $172,000

I don't care what you did or are doing these numbers represent America and they suck add to it the game of tariffs and other economic nightmares and younger types are pretty much screwed as a whole.

Younger types? I don't see that. what I do see is younger people, not all, with the "I want it and I want it now and must have the latest and greatest gadget and expensive vehicles and homes they can't afford." Little regard for savings and the future and a paycheck or two away from disaster. Heck, I see people using EBT, CHIP and other government programs with Apple IPhones. The budget deficit and government debt is unsustainable as is personal debt for millions of our citizens.

[troubledwaters]

tomman58 wrote:
Stats are stats:
Americans in their 20s: $16,000
Americans in their 30s: $45,000
Americans in their 40s: $63,000
Americans in their 50s: $117,000
Americans in their 60s: $172,000

I don't care what you did or are doing these numbers represent America and they suck add to it the game of tariffs and other economic nightmares and younger types are pretty much screwed as a whole.

People young and old alike get to make their own choices in life. They can choose to save for retirement or choose to spend their money on whatever they want. So if they have to work until they die then I guess they learn their lesson the hard way. Their Choice, Their Life.

[tomman58]

Stats are stats:
Americans in their 20s: $16,000
Americans in their 30s: $45,000
Americans in their 40s: $63,000
Americans in their 50s: $117,000
Americans in their 60s: $172,000

I don't care what you did or are doing these numbers represent America and they suck add to it the game of tariffs and other economic nightmares and younger types are pretty much screwed as a whole.

[troubledwaters]

Lynnmor wrote:
Seems like the majority on this forum have some kind of govt income beyond the mandatory Social Security and Medicare. Those that don't have incomes that come from the creation of wealth would be opposed to tariffs that reduce their guaranteed income buying power.

What is "incomes that come from the creation of wealth"?
What is "guaranteed income buying power"?
:h

[TomG2]

Lynnmor wrote:

TomG2 wrote:

That is the secret ingredient. If we all could get govt jobs with govt pensions, we could all buy RV's.

Seems like the majority on this forum have some kind of govt income beyond the mandatory Social Security and Medicare. Those that don't have incomes that come from the creation of wealth would be opposed to tariffs that reduce their guaranteed income buying power power.

A fellow in our breakfast group complained yesterday about government checking deposits that were not clearly identified. He has a farm and didn't even know what some payments were for.

I "worked" for the govt fifteen years over my career. I saw plenty of abuses. Pay for unused sick leave can amount to over $50k. Employees close to retirement were allowed to work almost unlimited overtime to boost their final pay which determined their pension. Some were given huge raises in their final years to accomplish the same. Others, whose positions were never filled after they retired, were kept on until retirement age because of the "good old boy" system. The joke was that a fellow when asked when he quit working for the state replied, "Four years before I retired".

[Lynnmor]

TomG2 wrote:

That is the secret ingredient. If we all could get govt jobs with govt pensions, we could all buy RV's.

Seems like the majority on this forum have some kind of govt income beyond the mandatory Social Security and Medicare. Those that don't have incomes that come from the creation of wealth would be opposed to tariffs that reduce their guaranteed income buying power.

[rk911]

TomG2 wrote:

rk911 wrote:
...snip...... we worked blue collar govt jobs both rising to mgmt and administrative positions. ....snip........

That is the secret ingredient. If we all could get govt jobs with govt pensions, we could all buy RV's. I left a govt job in the 70's because I believed in free enterprise and the American way. My friends who stuck with the government, like you did, are doing well. I had more fun and excitement.

disagree, tom. our govt pension is but a fraction of our last salary. we're living a comfortable life because we shed and avoided debt, lived way beneath our means on a budget and invested, invested and invested. you made a choice to have more fun and excitement. just because i had a career in govt doesn't mean i didn't have fun and excitement.

The American Way. Free Enterprise. a buddy started his own computer consulting company in the mid 70's from scratch...a 1-man operation. he managed it well, the biz grew, he hired more people, took on a couple of partners, more jobs, more hiring, more growth. he sold it 20-yrs later to a larger firm and part of the deal were guaranteed 2-yr jobs for any of his employees and partners who wanted them. he retired a few years back and is living a comfortable life as well.

he believed in The American Way which allows everyone who wants one a chance but no guarantees of success. that's the greatness of America.

[TomG2]

rk911 wrote:
...snip...... we worked blue collar govt jobs both rising to mgmt and administrative positions. ....snip........

That is the secret ingredient. If we all could get govt jobs with govt pensions, we could all buy RV's. I left a govt job in the 70's because I believed in free enterprise and the American way. My friends who stuck with the government, like you did, are doing well. I had more fun and excitement.

[rk911]

maybe i missed something in this thread. don't recall anyone indicating that an RV is a necessity. but then neither are dinners out, trips abroad or in the USA, new cars or pretty much anything beyond a roof, clothing and food. what has this to do with anything? this thread is complex and has wandered so if i missed something then point it out.

[Walaby]

Im sorry, but even at retirement, being able to own an RV is a luxury item, or a hobby not a necessity.

Measuring one's ability to retire, and live in reasonable comfort in retirement, really isn't measured by whether or not they can afford to buy an RV.

Mike

[rk911]

tomman58 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:

tomman58 wrote:

bid_time wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
"But if we get an agreement,it will be to our benefit. You would think the tax cuts and cuts in regulations, they would offset the cost of the tarrifs. With the economy roaring along like it is, these industries will get through it."

"if" we get an agreement. Nothing says we will or that it would benefit us at all. Tax cuts and reg cuts have not and will not help. The economy is going in trillion dollar debt and is up to 8 1/2 T.
The premise of this page was RV's and of course none of the current mess is going to help us. Peoples wages are barely moving up while the cost for us to have fun is rising fast as are our PU trucks. People work hard to get to retirement (ME) and with our very fixed incomes the price for RVing keeps going up. Someone needs to come up with a great unit at 20% less not more!

You got a diesel, a 2018 33' trailer, two high end bicycles and a Honda genny and you're pontificating about being on a fixed income - give me a break.

Actually it is about 40' trailer with my added rack on the back. First I am on a fixed income. Secondly why should it matter to you what I have? Thirdly You go through life4 and you make your own choices on how to live, what to eat, where to live and so on. You are also responsible for you income, savings and SS deposits. Those choices are your business and no one else. Bottom line I see thousands of folks like me on the road all years long. I hope to see more young people have the same wonderful experiences like me and my family.
Currently I don't see people being able to afford RVing like so many of us have because incomes are shrinking not expanding and world events are costing us trillions by poor choices.

According to the US census bureau, average US income has increased above the inflation rate for the past three years. Adjusted for inflation, Average income is at a record high. Unemployment is at or near all time record lows. RV sales have also had multiple years of record sales. Apparently more, not less, people are able to afford RVing.

Interesting but there are many problems, with the "who" can afford RV's at retirement, currently: the median retirement savings by age in the U.S. is:

Americans in their 20s: $16,000
Americans in their 30s: $45,000
Americans in their 40s: $63,000
Americans in their 50s: $117,000
Americans in their 60s: $172,000
This is terrible to say the least. The only ones with a true retirement are those who had a very good 401K or belonged to a union that had complete benefits and pensions. Sorry I've seen to many young people moving back to home and to many seniors eking by.

we did everything wrong. we married at 19 and 18. i didn't finish college, my wife did but never really used her degree. we worked blue collar govt jobs both rising to mgmt and administrative positions. i had no plan for a future beyond the immediate. my wife's brother talked her into opening a mutual fund account with 20th Century without my knowledge. i was nervous when i learned about it but hung on. glad i did. glad she did what she did.

we both retired at 55, no 401k, no union jobs. we did have deferred compensation accounts and we both contributed to traditional and, later, Roth IRAs. what we did do was to shed all debt including mortgage, invested monthly in taxable mutual funds with a buy-and-hold strategy, established a budget and lived comfortably but considerably beneath our means. i acknowledge a bit of luck in selecting good mutual funds since we didn't use a FA.

i'm not comfortable in disclosing our net worth online but lets just say we're way, way ahead of those averages. if we can do this i suspect that most anyone can. grasshoppers vs ants. my only regret is that we didn't start earlier.

[tomman58]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

tomman58 wrote:

bid_time wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
"But if we get an agreement,it will be to our benefit. You would think the tax cuts and cuts in regulations, they would offset the cost of the tarrifs. With the economy roaring along like it is, these industries will get through it."

"if" we get an agreement. Nothing says we will or that it would benefit us at all. Tax cuts and reg cuts have not and will not help. The economy is going in trillion dollar debt and is up to 8 1/2 T.
The premise of this page was RV's and of course none of the current mess is going to help us. Peoples wages are barely moving up while the cost for us to have fun is rising fast as are our PU trucks. People work hard to get to retirement (ME) and with our very fixed incomes the price for RVing keeps going up. Someone needs to come up with a great unit at 20% less not more!

You got a diesel, a 2018 33' trailer, two high end bicycles and a Honda genny and you're pontificating about being on a fixed income - give me a break.

Actually it is about 40' trailer with my added rack on the back. First I am on a fixed income. Secondly why should it matter to you what I have? Thirdly You go through life4 and you make your own choices on how to live, what to eat, where to live and so on. You are also responsible for you income, savings and SS deposits. Those choices are your business and no one else. Bottom line I see thousands of folks like me on the road all years long. I hope to see more young people have the same wonderful experiences like me and my family.
Currently I don't see people being able to afford RVing like so many of us have because incomes are shrinking not expanding and world events are costing us trillions by poor choices.

According to the US census bureau, average US income has increased above the inflation rate for the past three years. Adjusted for inflation, Average income is at a record high. Unemployment is at or near all time record lows. RV sales have also had multiple years of record sales. Apparently more, not less, people are able to afford RVing.

Interesting but there are many problems, with the "who" can afford RV's at retirement, currently: the median retirement savings by age in the U.S. is:

Americans in their 20s: $16,000
Americans in their 30s: $45,000
Americans in their 40s: $63,000
Americans in their 50s: $117,000
Americans in their 60s: $172,000
This is terrible to say the least. The only ones with a true retirement are those who had a very good 401K or belonged to a union that had complete benefits and pensions. Sorry I've seen to many young people moving back to home and to many seniors eking by.

[westernrvparkow]

tomman58 wrote:

bid_time wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
"But if we get an agreement,it will be to our benefit. You would think the tax cuts and cuts in regulations, they would offset the cost of the tarrifs. With the economy roaring along like it is, these industries will get through it."

"if" we get an agreement. Nothing says we will or that it would benefit us at all. Tax cuts and reg cuts have not and will not help. The economy is going in trillion dollar debt and is up to 8 1/2 T.
The premise of this page was RV's and of course none of the current mess is going to help us. Peoples wages are barely moving up while the cost for us to have fun is rising fast as are our PU trucks. People work hard to get to retirement (ME) and with our very fixed incomes the price for RVing keeps going up. Someone needs to come up with a great unit at 20% less not more!

You got a diesel, a 2018 33' trailer, two high end bicycles and a Honda genny and you're pontificating about being on a fixed income - give me a break.

Actually it is about 40' trailer with my added rack on the back. First I am on a fixed income. Secondly why should it matter to you what I have? Thirdly You go through life4 and you make your own choices on how to live, what to eat, where to live and so on. You are also responsible for you income, savings and SS deposits. Those choices are your business and no one else. Bottom line I see thousands of folks like me on the road all years long. I hope to see more young people have the same wonderful experiences like me and my family.
Currently I don't see people being able to afford RVing like so many of us have because incomes are shrinking not expanding and world events are costing us trillions by poor choices.

According to the US census bureau, average US income has increased above the inflation rate for the past three years. Adjusted for inflation, Average income is at a record high. Unemployment is at or near all time record lows. RV sales have also had multiple years of record sales. Apparently more, not less, people are able to afford RVing.