Tariff turmoil may fuel outdoor retail industry’s efforts to elevate secondhand gear

[Pivo]

For years, outdoor gear makers and secondhand store owners have hailed re-commerce — they also call it the circular economy — as a model for sustainable business that reduces waste, minimizes environmental impacts and delivers less-pricey offerings to newcomers exploring the outdoors. There’s hope that potentially soaring prices for new stuff could fuel the long-simmering secondhand gear market.

https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/13/tari ... ecommerce/

[PatrickL]

No need to worry as the other countries are the ones who are actually paying the tariffs. Oh wait.

[hikeaz]

All the more reason to utilize United States based cottage gear makers if you want new gear.
Congressional Budget Office states that with the current tariffs the National debt could be reduced by $2.8 TRILLION (with a 'T') over the next decade. But we know how well the gubment does with LOWERING spending, regardless of the party-in-charge.

[Alston_Neal]

Not to be a slam on our brick and mortars, but it got me thinking. REI and Sportsman's Warehouse are our go to stores. Now take out all products not made in the US and REI shrinks quite a bit and Sportsman's is down to guns, ammo and a couple of fishing poles.

[Pivo]

Sportsman's is down to guns, ammo and a couple of fishing poles.

If only they would just add beer to their assortment.

[Jim]

@hikeaz
Got to be the first time I have seen you advocate for a tax increase. Is this true?

[Alston_Neal]

@Jim
They're not taxes, they are tariffs.Paid for by the countries that want to do business with Trump ........ errrr I'm sorry the United States

[Jim]

@Alston_Neal
I'm just amazed at how many people who complained about taxes for as long as I knew them suddenly liked new very high taxes because dear leader told them to like them. "We're getting screwed!!!", someone told me. Uh, sure. I was really getting bent over when I got a product at a reduced price. Enjoy.

BTW , I am not saying hikeaz said or is saying this.

[hikeaz]

@Jim
Not sure how you distilled that I want a tax increase from my post. I am pointing out that doing business domestically on cottage gear can circumvent the tariff impact some - and is good for our Country if the cottage maker employs Americans. Some may see tariffs as a tax...... when I examine it I see that we are investing in our own Country's sovereignty.

[chumley]

Some may see tariffs as a tax...... when I examine it I see that we are investing in our own Country's sovereignty.

I hate to play devil's advocate — oh, wait! No I don't! I actually love it! — but I'm pretty sure that semantics aside, there's not a single thing that we are asked to involuntarily pay for that somebody doesn't consider to be an investment. The arguments tend to arise on what different people think are worth investing in, and how much; from education to retirement, health care, public safety, national defense, public land, transportation, blah blah blah.

In the end, more of the money that I've earned is going to pay for these investments. I agree with some more than others.

[Jim]

Some may see....

Okay, well, I do know what I see, and it is a reminder of why I hate partisan politics and the things people will defend, or attack, to due to tribalism.

I do support the idea of small businesses and craft gear manufacture, if they can get materials, which are also being taxed. I mean tariffed. Taxed...tariffed...Taxed! "She's my sister. My daughter. My Sister. My daughter. My sister. It's China Town!"
[ youtube video ]

[Pivo]

China Town

For God's sake it's....Chiner TownI Someone needs to 'invest' in dialect therapy.

[Jim]

Had to look that one up:

Dialect therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of talk therapy that combines elements of acceptance and change-oriented strategies to help individuals manage intense emotions and improve their quality of life. Developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1970s and 1980s, DBT was initially designed to treat chronic suicidality in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It has since been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, self-harm, and substance use.

Uh....

[Pivo]

@Jim
Apologies; I thought I had made that up.

[Jim]

@Pivo
Ha! I thought it was funny, but was unsure of exactly what you were saying.