How will tariffs effect toy collecting?

This is going to impact more than just this country, it will impact the world's economy as well. Production, storage, shipping, all of it will see an impact that will passed on to the consumer so the business' bottom line isn't hurt.

It also doesn't even consider the fallout after the tariffs are removed. Once corporations realize that people are willing to pay the inflated prices they will simply remain there (or if the Tariif inflation is +65%, they will reduce that new price by -20% and think they are doing us a kindness).

My limit is $20 for most toy line figures. I've already been priced out of collecting most of what I want. I get Imaginext and Super Powers regularly. Anything else is a "special consideration" and so few and far between that I can budget accordingly (NCA Usagi Yojimbo and Snuffleupagus for example).  

I'm guessing going forward I'll most likely be buying 3D prints of figures I want off eBay or Etsy and assembling/painting them myself since it is already a better price point.

It's insanity is what it is. It effects everyone. And it's absolutely something that did NOT need to happen. 

Received this email from Big Bad Toy Store.

Update on Tariffs 

Hi Everyone,
 
I’m writing to share with you how we are working to handle the rapidly escalating tariff situation.  I want to be transparent and honest with you about the impacts of these tariffs. This is a complex situation so I apologize upfront for the length of my note, but I feel it is important to be as clear as possible in this difficult time.
 
Tariffs – What Just Happened
For 25 years, we have operated as a family-owned business under a 0% tariff rate. Several months ago a 10% tariff was enacted for goods made in China. It was then doubled to 20%. In April a 34% tariff was added to the total, bringing us to 54%. Last night another 50% was added, and today (April 9th) an additional 21% was added, bringing us to 125% total tariffs on Chinese goods. Vietnam was to be subject to a 46% tariff, but it appears that this has been reduced to 10% for the next 90 days. These two countries manufacture 90% of the goods that we sell.
 
What is the Impact
This unfortunately is going to result in retail price increases on products impacted by the tariffs, including new and open pre-orders. We are working hard to minimize these increases through discussions with our vendors, deploying the most efficient importing processes, and ultimately sharing directly in the financial pain. I’m heartbroken to have to do this, and I hate this tariff situation: it is ridiculous, poorly thought out, poorly implemented, cruel and punishing to everyone involved in affected countries and at every level of our industry.
 
Who Pays Tariffs
Tariffs are a tax on the US consumer. Foreign governments do NOT pay these tariffs. The US based companies who import these goods are directly responsible for paying the tariffs. And ultimately, the US based consumer pays for them through higher product prices. We are devastated that it has come to this, and we will continue to work hard to minimize the impact to you.
 
When and How will Prices Change
In the past month we have raised prices in a manner that was inclusive of expected tariffs, while also honoring previously pre-ordered prices. Unfortunately, the dramatic increases in tariff levels has now made this approach impossible.
 
To minimize confusion during this rapidly changing situation, we will be changing newly affected pre-order product listings to reflect our normal, non-tariff-based price. We will also add a notice indicating that a tariff surcharge will be added at the time of the product’s arrival. We will inform you of the full amount before your payment method is charged. You will also be able to cancel your pre-order at that time if the surcharge amount is something you do not wish to pay. Our customer service team, as always, will be ready to help with any issues that arise from this situation, and we will be very flexible given the circumstances. Today, we expect the surcharge may be between 15% to 40% of the pre-order price, however that could change as the situation continues to unfold. Please note that any items currently In Stock are not subject to the tariff.
 
We are working as fast as we can to make these changes clear on our site, but it will take us time. We have over 10,000 items listed for pre-order currently, and it is going to take us time to work through how each vendor will respond to their specific tariff situation. Our supply chain is complex and we have hundreds of vendors. The timing of when a particular tariff is applied will depend on a variety of factors including import shipping dates and any new rules set by the government.  
 
Finally
I absolutely hate increasing prices to you, but the tariff situation is beyond our control. If tariffs are reduced or removed, we will reduce or remove the tariff surcharges on orders accordingly. My pledge to you is that we will be fair, and we will share the pain of this. I assure you we are already feeling significant economic and business disruption pain from these tariffs. We will continue to work hard to serve you with the quality and customer service level you expect as we navigate through this difficult time.
 
I want to thank you deeply for all the trust and loyalty that you have placed in BBTS with your collecting passion. Whether you have recently joined our family or have been with us for years, we truly value our relationship with you and will do our best to continue to earn your trust every day.
 
Sincerely,
Joel Boblit
Founder and President

I'm glad they are being proactive and transparent with their response to the tariffs.  It's more than I would expect from most other retailers.
Doesn't mean I like it, but I get it and am willing to continue to work with a company that is trying to make this work.

Yeah, they are the only retailer who sent me a message like that. Haven't heard a peep from Amazon. 

Email from Super7: 

Entertainment Earth sent out a notice very similar to BBTS's.
Everyone is preparing for the worst.  Good to see them being proactive rather than silent and reactive.

Do you know the worst thing about all this? It's all SO fucking unnecessary. This didn't need to happen. At ALL. And now we'll all suffer in various ways. 

Maybe counting "unaffordable toys" as suffering is not credible, but it's not just this. It's everything, you know? This didn't have to happen. 

We are in for some hurt. Entirely self-inflicted. 

Toys are actually the least of my current worries, but it's something I like, you know? I hate that we've come to the Find Out portion of the seminar where it starts affecting little things people like. Selfish to be sad about this while Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held hostage in El Salvador, and the Pope is dead. But there's so much horrible shit happening, it makes it so that when the good stuff either stops or becomes harder to attain, it becomes even MORE noticeable. I notice things I enjoy going away more during bad times rather than good ones. 

I do want to apologize for the previous post being too political. I know that is frowned upon on this board. Back when the site had the ability to trade with each other, building up a community and mutual trust between members was a necessary part of the experience, and political debates often soured that. 

But the truth is stuff like this happens BECAUSE we as a society don't have uncomfortable conversations about cause and effect and how powerful decisions voters make actually are. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by bringing it up. And I'm even sorrier I didn't have the courage to bring it up when the opinion could have actually done some good. Me whining after the fact doesn't actually help the problem.