anyone else buying up parts before tariffs hit?

[Sweet_Johnny]

Now the control arms are out of stock, and the carpet I've been wanting to buy has disappeared. Guess it's a good thing I went ahead and got the wrong color in fear that the correct one wouldn't be available in time.

 

[Ernest]

Tariffs..... covid effects part deux, lack of supply, more price increases, etc for us peasants.

To the rich...

 

[86 Salon]

I saw a show on TV that had African companies making stuff that clearly said 'Made in Japan' on the boxes. I think they were Panasonic items. So, were they knockoffs, or was Panasonic sub-contracting to an African low wage supplier? Either way, it was definitely NOT 'Made in Japan'.

I always look to see where stuff is made. Harbor Break made it's name with Chinese tools and hardware long before anyone cared. But I have seen their stuff come from all over the world. Russia, Poland, India, Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Italy, the list is extensive. It just shows that they are taking their stuff from wherever it is cheapest to produce, yet have decent enough quality for repeat customers.

Sears did the same thing for many years. The first three digits of a Sears part number are the code for the actual manufacturer. Sears did not make anything. They found the lowest cost, yet decent quality items, and put their name on it. It was always an American company that made it, usually from a small town or city, that employed local people. When I was younger, and needed extra money, you could always find a factory that was glad to hire you for part time work. When your financial situation improved, and you quit, someone else took the job. In those days, cheap labor was found in small towns across America. The higher cost of living in large cities demanded higher wages, so small towns and cities were the 'offshore' work force of those times. I am sure everyone here knows of a local industry or company that employed lots of local folks who thrived and became part of the middle class. I still blame shameless American businessmen for packing up and leaving towns destitute just to make a shitload of money overseas.

After I became fed up with GM cutting the flat rate times lower and lower, I got a job at the Post Office as a mechanic. The PO buys American products when ever possible. We used Ford rotors for our FFV's which are RHD Explorers. For a few years, the Ford rotors that came in Ford boxes had black epoxy around the inside of the rotor. One day we dug some of it out. The rotors, which came from China had made in USA cast into them. Now when I see a crappy part that says made in USA on it, I just assume it's another bootleg part.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I got a job at the Post Office as a mechanic.

I passed that test. When I went for the hands on part, I noticed the 'dungeon' they worked in. There was a single crappy speaker up on the wall that someone probably found in the trash. It was so cheap it was only capable of screechy noise. I asked if they ever changed the channel. The tester gave me a tired look and said 'NO'. I told him I did not want the job. I went back to being a carrier, outdoors where I was happy. Worse, the Shop Steward, who was standing around with his thumb up his azz, told me not to talk to 'that guy'. I of course went over to 'that guy' and talked to him. He was standing in the engine compartment of a tractor trailer surrounded with parts. He said he was the only guy that did any work around there. I was GLAD to get out of there. That 'steward' later became a boss, and turned into an even bigger dick.