Any thoughts on the 145% Chinese tariff on purchases?

[jonathanf2]

You're an idiot. No one is going to start manufacturing in the US. Even brands that started in the US and recently moved manufacturing to Asia said they are not coming back. This will only lead to higher prices and small brands closing.

That dude is a troll bot. Pay no attention. The only thing he’s making great again is his mom’s basement! 

[amacal1]

My package that was held up in customs for about 2 weeks finally cleared. Might even be delivered today. Unfortunately, literally the same day it cleared customs (I think 15 days being held) I had panicked and ordered the same package again thinking it wouldn't make it. That package shipped ultra fast and might be delivered tomorrow. Oh well. 2x items is fine, I guess.

[00Garza]

No one is going to start manufacturing in the US.

Most people don't understand the astronomical cost of moving manufacturing facilities/infrastructure and the absolute nightmare it would have on production. Its a pipe dream. Big corporations will find tariff loopholes or worst case scenario, find some other country with cheap labor to move to.

[jonathanf2]

i just received my very LAST AliExpress bike order, pre-tariff prices. At this point, I won't be buying anything bike related in the near future. I'm now going through some of my old equipment and seeing what I can rebuild and/or refurbish. I'm now thinking of using my older gravel frame for the more gnarly terrain (narrow single track, baby heads, trail ruts, etc.). All it takes is one bad wipe out and my newly build gravel frame and groupset is toast with no affordable replacement!

[Tijoe]

My last item just arrived!  I am free an clear of all my Aiexpress orders.    For me, it is the end of a great consumer era here in the USA.     One thing I am wondering about is warranty issues with everything I have recently purchased.   If my most recent Wheetop groupo purchases have issues, I doubt that Wheeltop will send replacements for free.   

Remember that the $800 De Minimus is gone may 1st!   Even if the Tariffs are removed, there will be other new fees and costs added in order to get packages processed through customs. 

Time will tell...

[courdacier]

I just found out that on AliExpress, many sellers have their items listed as "shipped from the US" now, albeit at a higher price than just a couple of weeks ago. But this way at least we don't need worry about the Trump tariffs. The cheap stuffs era are probably gone. Or I might just do some vacation in China and focus my buyings over there.

I don't think it's that dire imho - it's just that AE prices will be roughly equivalent to say Harbor Freight. AE and Temu just carry super-economy stuff that HF didn't before because they didn't think there was a market for it. Now they do.

[Tijoe]

Regarding Aliexpress items that "ships from USA"

I am 0 out of 5 for ever receiving any items I have ordered from Aliexpress where they state the item ships from the USA.

Every time I have placed a "ships from USA",  several weeks pass without the item being shipped,  Then, I ask why the item hasn't shipped and the seller states that the item is not available.  Then, I ask for a refund, and a week later, I get the refund.

For me, each of these orders were sale items, with coins and coupons.  I suspect that what I paid for the item is less than what the USA warehouse wants to sell the item for, so they wont ship the item to me.

[MrJag]

Regarding Aliexpress items that "ships from USA"

I am 0 out of 5 for ever receiving any items I have ordered from Aliexpress where they state the item ships from the USA.

Every time I have placed a "ships from USA",  several weeks pass without the item being shipped,  Then, I ask why the item hasn't shipped and the seller states that the item is not available.  Then, I ask for a refund, and a week later, I get the refund.

For me, each of these orders were sale items, with coins and coupons.  I suspect that what I paid for the item is less than what the USA warehouse wants to sell the item for, so they wont ship the item to me.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the product was never in a USA warehouse to begin with. This has happened to be twice on Ebay. I've ordered a part and paid more SPECIFICALLY because it was listed as shipping from the USA, only to wait multiple weeks and get a package shipped from China.

Now that De Minimis is gone, lying about shipping location to attract buyers is no longer a viable strategy.

[00Garza]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the product was never in a USA warehouse to begin with. This has happened to be twice on Ebay. I've ordered a part and paid more SPECIFICALLY because it was listed as shipping from the USA, only to wait multiple weeks and get a package shipped from China.

Now that De Minimis is gone, lying about shipping location to attract buyers is no longer a viable strategy.

Its a crap shoot for sure. I've gotten a few cheap bike parts shipped from US warehouses by chinese sellers. Most recently a shimano bb that just arrived today. Shipped from within my state, but seller was a chinese address.

[Chiyou]

Sad trombone:

Shipping update - Shipment canceled
Apr 30, 10:28 EST

The seller has shipped your package.
Apr 22, 10:29 EST

Your package is currently being prepared.
Apr 11, 19:34 EST

Your order has been successfully created
Apr 11, 19:34 EST

[JG4700]

Well dang it. I ordered an AWST carbon frame from Aliexpress on April 21. I was hoping it was going to ship after a few days like my Elite wheels did. Estimated shipping date is May 14. Thinking of cancelling if I'm going to get totally screwed on duty fees.

[lidation]

You are correct! I ordered a bunch of "ship from USA" items last week and they gave me USPS tracking number. However, after 4 days, the status still shows "waiting for item" at Los Angeles. That is where the port from Chinese cargo ship is!  I'm pretty sure they are still shipped from China. I am currently trying to contact customer service to cancel these orders. I'm not paying the hundreds of dollars in customs fees.

Don't fall for the "shipped from USA" trap!

Regarding Aliexpress items that "ships from USA"

I am 0 out of 5 for ever receiving any items I have ordered from Aliexpress where they state the item ships from the USA.

Every time I have placed a "ships from USA",  several weeks pass without the item being shipped,  Then, I ask why the item hasn't shipped and the seller states that the item is not available.  Then, I ask for a refund, and a week later, I get the refund.

For me, each of these orders were sale items, with coins and coupons.  I suspect that what I paid for the item is less than what the USA warehouse wants to sell the item for, so they wont ship the item to me.

[00Garza]

 

[Tijoe]

 

[jonathanf2]

I had a close call yesterday, losing traction and falling on my gravel bike. The first thing that went through my head, was hoping the bike was okay! I scraped my leg, but at least I'll heal! Not being able to replace a high tariff bike is far more important! Luckily I fell on my non-drive side and the blunt of the impact was mostly on my cheap nylon SPD pedals and thru axle release handle! In fact the thru axle saved my chain stays from potential damage!

So yeah, everyone should be a tad more careful on your Chinese bike frames, we can't easily replace them now!