Hello Everyone,
As a small business owner, the uncertainty of tariffs is making me 'tariff-ied'.
Already I've experienced first-hand an increase in my cost of doing business. My toner comes from Mexico. The plastic bags that hold the patterns come from China. When I send out files to be printed, my printing cost have gone up. We know when the prices go up, they are not coming down.
Remember a few years back when there was a cotton shortage in Russia, and the cost of fabric went up. Did it come back down?
My fabric comes from South Korea. I just placed a large fabric order with Marcus Fabrics to purchase bolts currently in the warehouse. There's no telling what the cost will be on my next fabric line as it will be impacted by tariffs.
Can I absorb the additional 'tax' on my everyday business needs? The simple answer is no.
My Country Charmer pattern was released in 2011 and is priced at $15.95. The pattern is printed on 28# paper which is unusual in the pattern industry. The pattern contains an oversized block layout sheet which is expensive to print. I have kept the price the same for fourteen years. This is going to change.
As I developed as a pattern writer over the years, I've incorporated more color in my patterns. I've included fabric swatches in color in the cutting directions. To keep the costs down, I separate the pages to be printed in color from the rest of the pattern assembly directions which are printed in black and white. I just placed an order for my Stardance pattern.....the price per page has gone up.
As a small business owner, I do not keep large volumes of patterns on hand. Storage is an issue for one thing, and I can't layout hundreds of dollars and wait for a year to recoup that money. The same with fabric. When I place an order totaling thousands of dollars, I have to have a pretty quick turnaround time. The shipping costs for forty bolts of fabric is astronomical. Yes, I can write the cost of shipping off, but again I can't do that until April 15th rolls around on the calendar.
We had a lively discussion about tariffs last night with some quilty friends at dinner. Funds spent on quilting are discretionary, but are they really? One of my friends said quilting keeps her from killing....as she looks at her husband. 😬
Quilting is a wonderful creative outlet that does us so much good mentally as well as physically. Many of you make community quilts which is so helpful and needed in our communities. Do we all have enough fabric in our stash to keep us quilting into infinity? Probably. I've said for years to shop your stash first and I will continue to say that. Maybe we can now make a dent in the stash and work on UFO's.
I'll get off my soapbox. I just wanted you to see how I'm impacted by tariffs which will have an effect on you.
Soon,
Lynn
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal story. We all know how the tariffs have impacted our everyday purchasing; but I find it interesting to hear how it is impacting a small business owner.
Best of luck as you navigate this new chapter... Come what may, know that I will support you.
Faithfully, Sharon McD
I knew I could count on you, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteMany economists believe tariffs were the cause of the crash in '29 and we can clearly see what just the 'threat" of tariffs has done to the stock market this past month. We all need to let our representatives know how we feel. I know I have kept my reps inboxes full since January! Stay strong and quilt on!
ReplyDeleteI've never been so worried about our country.
DeleteMe too
Deleteretirement was my wake up call...almost no discretionary funds for fabric but have a healthy stash that has kept me sewing nearly full time..many friends in the same boat with me...as a fabric lover it is tempting but needs must...reality has to be dealt with by everyone not just quilters but shop owners, etc...
ReplyDeleteThe tariffs are going to have a huge impact on all of us. Thank goodness you have a stash!
DeleteHave you looked into offering digitize patterns? Maybe it would be a cheaper way to go.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have looked into that, and I will send a digital pattern on a case-by-case basis. The trouble with digital is that it is so easy for one person to buy a pattern and send it to everyone in their contact list. I've also had issues with copyright issues from foreign countries. It's very frustrating.
Delete