Tariffs
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 1,153
From: Keswick, Virginia
Oh, I completely understand that and do not fundamentally disagree with you. I merely said that it makes it simpler when you buy something - regardless of which EU country or 'state' within it where you buy something. Here in the USA, every state has a different sales tax rate and some places (such as Virginia) have extra restaurant sales taxes added onto the price. If I go out to eat at one local establishment, there is the state sales tax, a county meals tax and a TOWN meals tax (!) - adding eleven percent to the tab. It makes you feel as if you are being made love to without being kissed first.
A new irritant is that some businesses are charging you extra if you pay by credit/debit card vs cash. Yeah - I get it that they're trying to "recoup" the merchant fees that the banks charge them.......but it still seems like a rip-off, especially if you have been a loyal customer and their prices are a tad on the high side already. One clever Italian restaurant now offers a five percent discount for paying with cash. Needless to say, that idea was more warmly welcomed than tacking five percent onto the tab for paying with plastic. Some other restauranteurs have just added a tiny bit to everything on the menu across the board, which enabled them to absorb the cost without irritating their patrons. Sometimes, how you market things is the key! Perception is often reality, isn't it?
P.S. Something often left out of the discussion is the trillions of dollars of "printed" money - which causes a debauchery of our currency. When the US Dollar is essentially devalued, we have more dollars chasing fewer goods and each of those dollars is 'worth' slightly less. The inflation becomes systemic and affects all parts of the economy - but that's another subject for a different day. Be well, sir!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 910
Likes: 430
From: MN
I recently read a paper comparing US and EU taxes, with the goal of understanding how the EU manages to pay for their more generous welfare programs (health and pensions in particular).
With the exception of VAT, all the rest of our taxes (income, corporate, etc) work out to be roughly the same. But it's the VAT which allows them to fund their welfare programs.
I wish I could find that paper.
I'd be ok with a federal VAT if 1) the gov't was not allowed to run a deficit and 2) the proceeds of the VAT went to paying down our national debt.
I think I saw the moderators finger over the "send to politics" button twitch a little ...
Sorry, back to the case at hand. Yes, tires are more expensive for a number of reasons, not just the tariff's. The services to get them installed are also more expensive.
With the exception of VAT, all the rest of our taxes (income, corporate, etc) work out to be roughly the same. But it's the VAT which allows them to fund their welfare programs.
I wish I could find that paper.
I'd be ok with a federal VAT if 1) the gov't was not allowed to run a deficit and 2) the proceeds of the VAT went to paying down our national debt.
I think I saw the moderators finger over the "send to politics" button twitch a little ...
Sorry, back to the case at hand. Yes, tires are more expensive for a number of reasons, not just the tariff's. The services to get them installed are also more expensive.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 902
From: near philly
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 347
From: Iowa
I opted for Costco because they had the best deal by far. First they were $100 cheaper than Discount Tire as the additional fees they charge were not being charged by Costco. I don't recall which fees but it may have been tire disposal and some other things. Secondly, Costco was running $60 off a set of Michelins. This was a straight discount, not the stupid $60 pre-paid card you get from the tire shops. Third, they fill the tires w/Nitrogen and they have a free filling station w/Nitrogen that Costco members can use.
The only downside is that if you have a flat or need work done you'll need to schedule an appointment and if you are traveling you may not be close to a Costco. I choose Costco because it was $100 cheaper than anywhere else.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,360
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Not sure what price you saw last year; however, prices jumped before Tariffs were even mentioned. I was looking last fall and I believe I saw the Michelins All Season 4's were $1200/set. This Spring they jumped up to $1400/set, again, pre-tariff discussion.
I opted for Costco because they had the best deal by far. First they were $100 cheaper than Discount Tire as the additional fees they charge were not being charged by Costco. I don't recall which fees but it may have been tire disposal and some other things. Secondly, Costco was running $60 off a set of Michelins. This was a straight discount, not the stupid $60 pre-paid card you get from the tire shops. Third, they fill the tires w/Nitrogen and they have a free filling station w/Nitrogen that Costco members can use.
The only downside is that if you have a flat or need work done you'll need to schedule an appointment and if you are traveling you may not be close to a Costco. I choose Costco because it was $100 cheaper than anywhere else.
I opted for Costco because they had the best deal by far. First they were $100 cheaper than Discount Tire as the additional fees they charge were not being charged by Costco. I don't recall which fees but it may have been tire disposal and some other things. Secondly, Costco was running $60 off a set of Michelins. This was a straight discount, not the stupid $60 pre-paid card you get from the tire shops. Third, they fill the tires w/Nitrogen and they have a free filling station w/Nitrogen that Costco members can use.
The only downside is that if you have a flat or need work done you'll need to schedule an appointment and if you are traveling you may not be close to a Costco. I choose Costco because it was $100 cheaper than anywhere else.
Why didn't DT price match? They could have.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 347
From: Iowa
As far as price matching I didn't bother asking. I just ordered them online for convenience and didn't want to dick around with negotiating and whatnot.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,360
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
That is true and I did kind of wonder that. Then again everything is going up in price so I just assumed it was par the course. lol
As far as price matching I didn't bother asking. I just ordered them online for convenience and didn't want to dick around with negotiating and whatnot.
As far as price matching I didn't bother asking. I just ordered them online for convenience and didn't want to dick around with negotiating and whatnot.
No, I just tell them and the deal is done. No argument. I prefer the speed at which they're able to get it.
Stick Shift Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,467
Likes: 2,656
From: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
I already have less discretionary funds next year. Not only will our bonuses be garbage by my "RSUs" finally all vested this year. Not for their original awarded value, mind you but for a value greater than $0. So next year I'll be making a 5 figure sum that begins with a 2 less of gross income. So I need things to becomes less expensive, lol.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 773
Likes: 465
Bottom line is this. If it costs me more to do business, I pass it onto the customer. There is only so much I can absorb till it doesn't make sense for me to keep the lights on. Maybe you had nothing to do with it but if someone else makes it more expensive for one of my suppliers to keep me supplied, I have to raise the price of the finished product to compensate for the increase in cost.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,360
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
I already have less discretionary funds next year. Not only will our bonuses be garbage by my "RSUs" finally all vested this year. Not for their original awarded value, mind you but for a value greater than $0. So next year I'll be making a 5 figure sum that begins with a 2 less of gross income. So I need things to becomes less expensive, lol.
Way I see it, getting a raise often means just getting you up to par. I mean, if I get 5% more money but everything costs 5% more, I'm just treading water.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,360
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 773
Likes: 465
having moved production lines before, yes it is rather easy. Getting the supply chain in place takes more effort. Look at how much was moved from the US to China over the last few decades. It can be moved back…not rocket science.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,360
Likes: 3,253
From: Hartford WI
So, in your experience, how long does it take to set up a line here all the way from "Should we?" to the first day of work. Assuming it helps the manufacturer AND the purchaser of the product, how long does it take? It may not be rocket science but it's definitely not a process we can get done in 2 weeks. I've seen a distribution hub discussed and it took a couple of years before it was ready to start.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 773
Likes: 465
depends on the products involved, scale of operations, supply chain options, supply base etc. point is stuff was moved and it can be done again.
also you need to think that some items never get outsourced due to national security.
continuing to get hosed w/o tariffs in place increases debt, devalues the dollar (same impact or worse than a tariff!) and increases supply chain risk etc. if a war occurred between US and China or India good luck getting any medications.
need to think bigger than just a tariff. I recall GM recently announcing the impact of tariffs on it wasn't a net zero. They absorbed . Lot of costs.
also you need to think that some items never get outsourced due to national security.
continuing to get hosed w/o tariffs in place increases debt, devalues the dollar (same impact or worse than a tariff!) and increases supply chain risk etc. if a war occurred between US and China or India good luck getting any medications.
need to think bigger than just a tariff. I recall GM recently announcing the impact of tariffs on it wasn't a net zero. They absorbed . Lot of costs.
Last edited by Misty C8 Z06; Jul 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 1,643
From: North Texas
I try not to purchase pharmaceuticals made in India anymore. Apparently their inspection regimes are pretty lax. There were some folks (not sure how many) that ended up blind because the over the counter eye drops they purchased that were produced in India were seriously contaminated. Some of it was private label drug store chain brand.
Costs on tires have been escalating pretty regularly. Last time I looked MPSS for Z06 were about 15% more than they had been 4 years ago, but that price increase was pretty much already in place last fall.
Costs on tires have been escalating pretty regularly. Last time I looked MPSS for Z06 were about 15% more than they had been 4 years ago, but that price increase was pretty much already in place last fall.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 469
From: NY
Guys, the OP'S question was whether the tariffs are potentially affecting tire prices in c7 sizes.
Let's not get into general discussions on tariffs, right or wrong, etc., as this is an enthusiast section.
Let's not get into general discussions on tariffs, right or wrong, etc., as this is an enthusiast section.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 1,643
From: North Texas
Hard to know. It will probably vary depending on the individual tire. Some may be made here others overseas. After you figure that out, then it's a question of what the tariff agreement looks like and how the manufacturer is handling it. It's going to take some sleuthing to figure it out. In the end, if you really want the tire, you'll end up paying what they want, whether there is a tariff component or not.