Saxophones How will Tariffs affect Sax Prices?

[Targa]

But really, who doesn't like a tariff? It gives spice to life.

They are quite tarrific.

 

[mizmar]

But really, who doesn't like a tariff? It gives spice to life.

Certainly, no end of spicy news and commentary; but the question was how do they affect prices, not are they good or bad policy

 

[Pete Thomas]

Can we say we like tariffs?

Yes you can say we like tariffs (ie implying tariffs in general). However if you elaborate on that phrase in a way that implies support or dislike of a particular tariff that has clear political implications or your phrasing gives that tariff political implications then obviously not.

It may not be clear cut so just use common sense and ask yourself whether what you say is taking the topic away from the original question and towards a political discussion that can involve specific politicians or a specific administration’s policy. I don’t think it needs to be a difficult decision to make.

 

[Woodpad]

The interesting part for me is that the lawsuits for repaying tariffs gives some insight how they have been absorbed previously.

 

[Grumps]

Yes you can say we like tariffs (ie implying tariffs in general).

Well, I can't say I like them in general. I just like decoding the reactions to them given how nobody was ever quite concerned with them before. It gives me great pleasure. In a totally non-political sense. To soak it all in. Who better to figure this all out than saxophonists.

 

[Ivan]

Just a gentle reminder to please avoid politics in this discussion… trust me I know how tempting it is.

Are you content with the content thus far?

I think we've done very well to keep political flavours muted

 

[jonf]

Initial tariffs ruled unlawful. Then a 10% tariff announced. Then a 15% tariff announced. Now a 10% tariff imposed.

Commentary from the BBC -

""I think it simply adds to the chaos and mess," said Carsten Brzeski, an analyst with investment bank ING, referring to the fast-changing tariffs and their effects on businesses."

Incidentally, my earlier comment about possible refunds against tariffs was in relation to businesses which had paid tariffs at the higher, now ruled illegal rate, who might have a claim for a refund. The response to that was that any such claims would be tied up in court for years.

 

[mizmar]

nobody was ever quite concerned with them before.

Well, yes. tariffs are mostly demoted to the history section of economics and a few specialist cases... Oddly, the legislation used for the new 10/15%ers may well belong in the history chapters and people are starting to doubt if it'll stand up to challenge!
More uncertainty.

 

[Grumps]

More uncertainty.

There is a certainty. Deals will be made. Noise will continue.
In the end, things will work out and we go on to another outrage.

 

[jonf]

There is a certainty. Deals will be made. Noise will continue.
In the end, things will work out and we go on to another outrage.

Things will work out, but that's not the same as saying the frequent changes, and the uncertainty they cause, won't have an adverse effect. Anyone in another country exporting to the US, or in the US importing either goods for resale or raw materials for manufacture, is faced with wild and unpredicatable variations in costs. That makes it impossible to undertake even medium term business planning. That's simple, basic economics.

 

[mizmar]

There is a certainty. Deals will be made. Noise will continue.
In the end, things will work out and we go on to another outrage.

As far as the subject of this thread goes - there will be uncertainty.

 

[Alphorn]

It will be interesting to see what will happen to the tariffs that have been collected so far. They are in the range of > 1 billion $. Will they be refunded? FedEx is the first major US company that has raised respective claims in court.

 

[Dr G]

It will be interesting to see what will happen to the tariffs that have been collected so far. They are in the range of > 1 billion $. Will they be refunded? FedEx is the first major US company that has raised respective claims in court.

I’m not holding my breath while I wait to get a refund of tariffs I have paid.

Yeah, “deals” will be made - “distractions” are more like it.

 

[lig]

I'm hopeful that Costco and Apple get their refunds. I know Costco was one of the first to sue the administration over the tariffs and as a shareholder and member I love that.

 

[jonf]

Any claims for refunds will have to be made on the basis that the tariffs charged were unlawful. The initial response has been that any such claims will have to go through the courts and be tied up in cases for years. In the meantime, the lawyers place orders for new Lexus.....

 

[Klangfarbenmelodie]

I have a question that is hopefully not too much of a tangent from this current thread.

Has anyone had recent experience importing antique horns (older than 100 years) into the USA that qualify as duty-free?

I just read about this exemption as I'm looking into buying some Pierret tenors for sale in UK and France that are older than 1926.

Here is something from the US Customs website:

"For U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) purposes, an antique must be over 100 years of age at the time of importation. Antiques classified under Chapter 9706 in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) are duty-free, provided the importer has proof of the goods age (i.e. the year of manufacture)."

CBP Customer Service

Elsewhere, an antiques dealer mentions proper documentation in a short form that states the approximate age and place of manufacture of the item.

There is also some talk online about confusion by customs officials in spite of this rule, so if anyone has had experience with that, it would be helpful to know.

Thank you!

 

[PigSquealer]

Is there a message board for the daily market rates of tariffs? There’s one for fish.
In a sense a way to calculate the charge, the refund of rate change, the full refund, the new rate if the old one was wiped out….if that’s being reassessed. While calculating the percentage change the exact GMT time needs to be noted. This need is for calculating the currency exchange rate at the time of change. This matters as currency exchange fees are charged by the total amount, not a flat rate. The tariff is charged on the total amount paid. Exchange rates change depending on what the tariff changes are. Yeah, I want to go shopping today 😒

 

[Woodpad]

I just read about this exemption as I'm looking into buying some Pierret tenors for sale in UK and France that are older than 1926.

It is difficult to date Pierret saxophones. The relation between engraved numbers and year of production are not well known, so you need circumstantial evidence.

 

[Klangfarbenmelodie]

It is difficult to date Pierret saxophones. The relation between engraved numbers and year of production are not well known, so you need circumstantial evidence.

Agreed about Pierret serial numbers and dates.

There seems to be some consensus that Models 1-7 likely discontinued by the middle 1920s. The "Vibrator" also might have been first introduced in the mid 1920s. The "underslung" neck patent was around 1929.

I'm sure you already know of this site, but here is a description of the Pierret history on SaxPics.com:

Pierret History :: SaxPics.com

I was just hoping to hear if anyone had succeeded with the 100 year exemption in general, with any other saxophone brand, before even trying this idea out.

 

[Woodpad]

The "underslung" neck patent was around 1929.

Bonus material: there are two models of the virtuor underslung neck. The one in the patent with two Frankenstein soldered neck pillars and the other with a saddle on the downside of the neck. I think they made the patent version first and than found out that the saddle construction was easier.