Subject: Impact of Tariffs on Auto Parts
Was at the mechanic's this week and got to witness the guy behind the counter struggling to buy parts at anything that resembles a historically reasonable price. We are long time customers and even though we are in a strongly Maga world here, I felt comfortable enough with him to reply to his rant on pricing with a shrug and "Welcome to Tariff Land." You could see the light go on in his brain and he admitted he had been trying to ignore that possibility, but went on to tell me about how the tariffs were really starting to impact their business, with bills coming in on parts breaking down the tariff increase which of course was passed directly on to them and on to us. "Even the Made in USA batteries come in with the tariff label," to which I pointed out that tariffs still hit on raw material imports. I got the feeling that he and his customers will be feeling much less MAGAnificent in coming days.

Those early Spring order gluts are running dry. He specifically mentioned a clear line in pricing pre/post tariffs, to the tune of about $100/part more. Could be a boon time for junkyards....and depression/anxiety meds. Poor guy was just about pulling his hair out.

IP