Will the cost of foreign blu ray sets imported soon be impacted? (1 Viewer)

[Nelson Au]

Disc Connected posted this on Facebook today:

Overall heads up to the community at large: Today's tariffs will ABSOLUTELY have an effect on the industry. Multiple boutique labels have confirmed manufacturing costs have immediately increased by as much as 20% just today.
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@OrbitDVD has shared plans for handling the tariffs as follows:
10% tariff fees for UK and Australian Items
UK and Australian Pre-orders: Orbit DVD will pay for half the tariff fee, the customer will pay for half the tariff fee
After UK and Australian Pre-orders Release: Customer pays all of the tariff fee
Other Countries: Customer pays all of the tariff fee, pre-order or not, whichever percent that may be
Currently In-Stock Imported Items: Remain unaffected until restocked
Currently, pre-orders are closed but will reopen in the following days.
Pre-Orders made before April 2nd will be unaffected. Orbit DVD will pay all of those tariff fees
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Please understand that none of these companies are CHOOSING to do this. Prices will inevitably be increasing across the board. This is not meant to do induce FOMO for anyone or any specific products... but if you are in the US and wanting to import releases from overseas, you may want to purchase them directly asap.
This is also a great time to encourage everyone to purchase directly from small boutique labels. In times like this, their future is absolutely in our hands.

Thomas. Thank you for this information!

There is an upcoming title from Arrow films I may want to pre-order. Though I’m sure the tariff fees will be affecting the cost at that time.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Well, I can't answer the questions in the first post, but this is what I would say. The tariffs are going to raise your per month cost of living, by how much really depends on how much you generally spend per month but the general estimate for most people is you will be spending between $200.00-$400.00 per person per month more just on your normal living expenses.

Now, these numbers basically are not stable because whatever is going on with the tariffs is not stable and can change at any second, so really, plan on that number, adjust your spending/purchasing in a way that you feel works for you, or find a way to generate more income to cover your additional expense. Yes, the tariff message for those that are not making a lot of money is...find a second or third job. That will probably deeply cut into your entertainment time/movie watching anyway, so you will have far less need of movies in general.

Based on saying that, what I would say is, yes, the tariffs have an impact on purchasing all goods because you are going to get hit with the tariff tax no matter what...so, no matter what you will spend more each month because of the tariff/tax that has been added to your cost of living.

Obviously, buying discs is considered an extra/luxury expense, because it is not a needed item. So, I would guess, disc sales, like sales of any sort of extra/luxury item, will plummet. People will need the money they spent on the extra to pay for normal living expenses.

The cost for everything will rise, this will cause people that charge you for things to raise their prices on everything, rent, products, labor, because they are trying to cover their now increased cost on everything.

This is not going to be fun, plan accordingly. Well, unless you are super rich, then paying more does not matter to you.

This post is meant to help guide you to understanding how the tariffs will impact your costs and spending. That is all. These are the highest tariffs/taxes put on Americans in 100 years, basically the highest tariffs taxes ever cost adjusted. So, we've never seen anything like this kind of increase to our normal day to day cost of living in our lifetimes...I am not joking, plan accordingly.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

And let me just add one other free piece of advice, DO NOT HORDE BUY PRODUCTS, I've seen some people recommending this and went to the market last night and noticed the coffee had been nearly wiped out. This because an article appeared discussing the massive hike coming to coffee prices because we import our coffee beans obviously.

I do not recommend horde buying with these tariffs because there will be panic articles written on different products all through however long we do this tariff insanity. Plus the prices on things, random things, will fluctuate wildly, so if you buy one thing to stock up, the price on that thing could come down while something you did not stock up on and need goes up. So, as an example, don't spend $400.00 stocking up on coffee to beat the cost increase. You may need some of that money to deal with the cost increase on something else that ends up having a "shock" price increase without notice.

Again, the way this impacts disc buying is you may not want to buy discs because you need that cash available to cover your cost increases on things you need.

Plus, a prediction here, this tariff thing is not going to be sustainable. It will break a lot of Americans and to truly have the impact that they claim they want it to have...it would take a decade to really change everything and even then with the rise of AI and technology, it will actually never do what they claim it would do. It is just going to cost everybody a lot more until...well...the people that did the tariffs come to their senses. The good news/bad news is the way these tariffs have been done is to break everything first, then once things go bad, see what has to be fixed. So, there is no set plan, so when a tariff creates a massive tragedy, they will then address that tariff. Just expect this to be a painful and expensive process.

So, this is a fixable problem, if someone makes the tariffs go away. Otherwise, you are going to continue to hear that we've reached the end of "cheap goods" or what many people call "affordable goods" and we now have entered a new time where we pay a lot more for everything.

But to answer at least one question, yes, if you want a TV or computer, or gaming system, or new appliance...buy now because when they restock those items, the new cost will be way up is the prediction.

Just remember, not only is your cost going up, but the cost for every business is going up, so every business, every one, is about to start charging you more...they have no choice and it is not their fault. They did not suddenly put these tariffs on us.

It's gonna make those expensive egg prices look like the good old days.

 

[JohnRice]

As I've said before, I get to see this up close. The short answer is, there's just no answer. I will say this, for those who generally buy imported discs into the US from other countries, you are screwed. When and by how much will depend on too many factors to count. You probably won't know until a disc arrives and you find out if you have to pay more to actually receive it. I deal with distributors both inside and outside the US. The ones outside the US are less certain exactly what the bottom line is from moment to moment. There is zero clarity regarding what is going on. Some inside the US are just covering their bets and already raised prices by as much as 25%. Others are waiting as inventory already stateside is sold through. The only thing you can know, is that you can't know much of anything.

Business despises uncertainty. Many will just cover themselves, which means raising prices at the first sign of anything unpredictable.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

As I've said before, I get to see this up close. The short answer is, there's just no answer. I will say this, for those who generally buy imported discs into the US from other countries, you are screwed. When and by how much will depend on too many factors to count. You probably won't know until a disc arrives and you find out if you have to pay more to actually receive it. I deal with distributors both inside and outside the US. The ones outside the US are less certain exactly what the bottom line is from moment to moment. There is zero clarity regarding what is going on. Some inside the US are just covering their bets and already raised prices by as much as 25%. Others are waiting as inventory already stateside is sold through. The only thing you can know, is that you can't know much of anything.

Business despises uncertainty. Many will just cover themselves, which means raising prices at the first sign of anything unpredictable.

Well, I think there is a known answer, we are going to pay more. We do know that. Exactly how much more per product, that can and will go up, and hopefully, down. I would say, expect to pay more, if you get a deal, enjoy it.

The main problem is, in terms of movies and discs, it will increase costs and it will decrease their value because they will have less value to society when people need the money they would have spent on going to a movie or a disc purchase on toothpaste, or rent, or other needed expenses.

I have over the years here read many people say they don't go to the movies or they don't buy discs because of the cost...well, now the cost will be up and the "need" will go down. You don't "need" a movie night.

These kind of massive changes cause people to rethink their lives. I heard a good comparison the other day when someone said these tariffs are going to be like Covid, it will be horrible and painful and very costly, and we will have to change to deal with them and it will diminish aspects of society we once saw as normal, and bring us a new normal at the expense of some of the things that were once seen as normal.

It will not be good. I have to admit if I had to pick do I want morning coffee (a bag of coffee is expected to be about $20.00 for what was once $8 or $9) or a movie...I am going with the coffee, because I really need that. I have a massive collection of films, in truth, I don't need another one. Now, I am not in a position where I am forced to make that choice but many people will be and they likely will be by May of this year.

I am just saying that because people need to think through their purchases now for the foreseeable future because no cost on anything is going to be steady or predictable because raised costs on nearly everything, will impact costs on everything. I'm getting the letters in the mail from manufacturers, "Expect sharp price increase to continue to occur suddenly for the foreseeable future."

The impact here will be gigantic and painful and we don't know how long it will last. The good news is it is a totally manmade problem that has a simple solution...get rid of the tariffs. It is that easy. So, in that way, it is not like Covid, in that you could not just turn that off, this you can, so there is hope but we are going to pay until we get there.

 

[JohnRice]

Well, I think there is a known answer, we are going to pay more. We do know that. Exactly how much more per product, that can and will go up, and hopefully, down. I would say, expect to pay more, if you get a deal, enjoy it.

The main problem is, in terms of movies and discs, it will increase costs and it will decrease their value because they will have less value to society when people need the money they would have spent on going to a movie or a disc purchase on toothpaste, or rent, or other needed expenses.

I have over the years here read many people say they don't go to the movies or they don't buy discs because of the cost...well, now the cost will be up and the "need" will go down. You don't "need" a movie night.

These kind of massive changes cause people to rethink their lives. I heard a good comparison the other day when someone said these tariffs are going to be like Covid, it will be horrible and painful and very costly, and we will have to change to deal with them and it will diminish aspects of society we once saw as normal, and bring us a new normal at the expense of some of the things that were once seen as normal.

It will not be good. I have to admit if I had to pick do I want morning coffee (a bag of coffee is expected to be about $20.00 for what was once $8 or $9) or a movie...I am going with the coffee, because I really need that. I have a massive collection of films, in truth, I don't need another one. Now, I am not in a position where I am forced to make that choice but many people will be and they likely will be by May of this year.

I am just saying that because people need to think through their purchases now for the foreseeable future because no cost on anything is going to be steady or predictable because raised costs on nearly everything, will impact costs on everything. I'm getting the letters in the mail from manufacturers, "Expect sharp price increase to continue to occur suddenly for the foreseeable future."

The impact here will be gigantic and painful and we don't know how long it will last. The good news is it is a totally manmade problem that has a simple solution...get rid of the tariffs. It is that easy. So, in that way, it is not like Covid, in that you could not just turn that off, this you can, so there is hope but we are going to pay until we get there.

It's more than higher prices. Us Yanks love our gluttony. We don't just want to buy stuff, we want 37 different options. Not only will prices go up, but availability will very much go down. When it comes to physical media, titles will sell out, maybe before release day. That is already happening. Even more than that, things just won't exist, even if you want to buy them.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

It's more than higher prices. Us Yanks love our gluttony. We don't just want to buy stuff, we want 37 different options. Not only will prices go up, but availability will very much go down. When it comes to physical media, titles will sell out, maybe before release day. That is already happening. Even more than that, things just won't exist, even if you want to buy them.

Yes, basically this is what I am saying but I am trying to put it in the context of what the person that started the thread was asking, essentially the question is "Should I buy this?" and to start to address that question I think you have to then ask "Is it a want or a need?"

So with movies or the equipment used to watch them at home, well, that's a want. Want items are going to probably go down in terms of demand for the simple reason that, less people will spend money on a want because they will put that money instead toward a need. So, on want items the cost will likely go up and the demand and production of these items will go down. Makes sense, if more people can't afford a $3000.00 TV then they will make less of them, they will become harder to get, and instead of costing $3000 they will charge $6000 for them because they are making half as many. Making half as many means they don't need the same workforce, so they can lay people off. Lay people off and your number of people that can't afford want items goes up.

I heard a guy that likes that tariff idea explain what is good about it and one big thing he liked about it was, it will force people to have to make this want or need choice...hence ending any sort of gluttony. What he meant was it will force all people that live on a budget to have to make this choice...if you are rich none of this matters to you because these choices are not part of your life. So, his point was the same point Mother Teresa made which was they think suffering is good for people, suffering makes you appreciate the important things, the simple things, because you will never have the other things so you have to learn not to want...just be thankful with whatever you have even if it is nothing.

He put it this way, he backs the tariffs because it means the end of cheap goods, now we will have to pay high prices and so, if you can't afford it, you do not get it. The thing the guy did not consider sadly is, what he calls cheap goods, are what most people all their lives considered affordable goods...so rather than saying it is the end of cheap goods he should have used the term affordable because that is what he was really saying.

 

[Robert Crawford]

We're going off track in this thread which will most likely lead to subject matters not appropriate for discussion on the HTF. Let's keep the discussion focused on physical media costs.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Haven't we already seen a pretty steep rise in the prices for discs? I see a lot of 4K stuff selling in the $50-$70 range. Sure there can be sales but I mean prices were up before the tariffs, I think the simple answer is prices are going up even more now.

 

[TravisR]

Haven't we already seen a pretty steep rise in the prices for discs? I see a lot of 4K stuff selling in the $50-$70 range. Sure there can be sales but I mean prices were up before the tariffs, I think the simple answer is prices are going up even more now.

Personally, I don't think the boutique labels are able to raise their prices any higher. I mean how many people are going to spend $70 or $80 for a studio's second or third rate mid-90's thriller or action movie? I have to imagine that $50 is loosely most people's limit for anything except for must have movies.

 

[DaveF]

…

I’m considering purchasing a blu ray set from Via Vision in Australia. I guess I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger right away. I also have bought many discs from the UK from Arrow Films.

I’m also considering a Sony OLED TV for a bedroom. I know this question belongs in the Displays thread, but thought I’d ask it while I'm on the topic. I figure this is also a foreign good.

Does anyone know if there can be impacts in the cost of these kinds of items.
…

Yes.

 

[TheMovieDude]

The tariffs will separate the men from the boys and show who the true movie fans are now. How much are you willing to spend for your favorite titles? $50 $100 $500 $1,000? I suspect we will lose many on the team now to streaming.

 

[Nelson Au]

Yes.

Yes Dave, at the time I posed the question, there was uncertainty as the tariffs had not gone into effect yet and if certain markets might be affected more then others. Now it’s much more clear.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The tariffs will separate the men from the boys and show who the true movie fans are now. How much are you willing to spend for your favorite titles? $50 $100 $500 $1,000? I suspect we will lose many on the team now to streaming.

I hope you’re not serious with that comment or this post.

 

[Robin9]

I hope you’re not serious with that comment.

Yes, I winced when I read that. I hope it was just a carelessly chosen phrase. People like me who have retired and no longer have to put money away for their old age are in a totally different situation from someone with a family to support.

 

[Robert Harris]

The tariffs will separate the men from the boys and show who the true movie fans are now. How much are you willing to spend for your favorite titles? $50 $100 $500 $1,000? I suspect we will lose many on the team now to streaming.

I’m sorry to respond, but this must be the strangest and least thoughtful comment I’ve read in an otherwise remarkably astute thread.

None of this is about the cost of entertainment software.

It’s about the ability of the average working class to feed, clothe and educate their children, pay mortgages potentially without a job or income, and possibly - just possibly have enough gasoline to drive to a market and put rice on the table.

In cold weather, build a fire.

That’s what the “men” will be forced to do.

I’m not going to go political, as that is inappropriate here at HTF, but this thread has asked a reasonable, yet innocent question, the answer to which is “discs… discs? We can’t afford no stinking discs.”

Nor will those who enjoy such things be able to access them, as all entities producing them will be shutting down.

This is not about the price of discs vs streaming, it’s about the very real possibility of average working Americans losing their homes in total chaos.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I’m sorry to respond, but this must be the strangest and least thoughtful comment I’ve read in an otherwise remarkably astute thread.

None of this is about the cost of entertainment software.

It’s about the ability of the average working class to feed, clothe and educate their children, pay mortgages potentially without a job or income, and possibly - just possibly have enough gasoline to drive to a market and put rice on the table.

In cold weather, build a fire.

That’s what the “men” will be forced to do.

I’m not going to go political, as that is inappropriate here at HTF, but this thread has asked a reasonable, yet innocent question, the answer to which is “discs… discs? We can’t afford no stinking discs.”

Nor will those who enjoy such things be able to access them, as all entities producing them will be shutting down.

This is not about the price of discs vs streaming, it’s about the very real possibility of average working Americans losing their homes in total chaos.

This is it. I apologize for my comments in this thread, the subject of the thread asked a question where in order to discuss it we are walking a wire of what is permitted to be discussed here.

But forget the politics side of it, my points I made earlier in the thread were meant to go directly to the financial part of this problem. I am not qualified to tell someone if they should buy something or not buy something because I am not aware of another person's financial situation. However, I am aware of what will come from these tariffs and what history teaches us tariffs will do.

What Mr. Harris says is true. Depending upon how long we do this tariff thing, the likelihood of shuttering any business that involves disc production and things related goes up...way up. It is just the simple matter of need versus want. I am not trying to be gloom and doom here, and I am sure neither is Mr. Harris, but fact is fact.

If the disc business was walking a wire before the tariff mess, this will bring it to an abrupt end. Discs are just not a need for the vast majority of human beings and for those that are into them...well...the point stands, do you buy a disc or food? Do you pay a bill so you can survive, support your family, or splurge on a movie?

The point is, the very real point, with tariff cost of living increases, a lot more people will not have the "disposable income" (that is about to be a term we no longer hear) to purchase or even go to a movie. Again, this crisis, and make no mistake it is a crisis, will change how society operates.

In a crisis, people have to adapt to the change it brings and the first things that will fall away and disappear will be the little luxuries. The little things people did for fun, for entertainment, because there will no longer be room for them. That means everything related to our hobby here.

My points in this thread, which I am sure are mostly not appreciated (they are terrible I admit), are we have all just been handed a massive financial crisis, now we have to adapt to it. The way this crisis was designed was to devastate first, then see who is left surviving it. It is highly unlikely that little luxury businesses, like places that make discs of any kind, make it...because people don't need them, they do need to eat, stay warm, find shelter. Those things are going to rapidly become the priorities of most human beings.

I can't enter into the why of this crisis, that is out of bounds here, but I can tell you that all the things we like here, all the businesses that support the things we like here have just been pushed to the brink and it won't take long before they are shoved over it.

Earlier in this thread, I gave some info to consider, that cost of living per person during this manmade tariff crisis would increase for each American by $200-$400 per person per month. That has since been amended, to my complete shock, to $1000.00 per person, per month. That means a family of 4 would see their cost of living skyrocket under these tariffs by $4000 per month, that's $48,000.00 per year. At a time when it is said the majority of Americans could not handle a $400.00 emergency.

I want not to believe that, but the word is the tariff impact once calculated was far, far. worse than we could have anticipated. This will, as Mr. Harris said, devastate any industry, families will be wiped out, and lose control of their lives. Nobody will be buying discs if this is allowed to happen. Nobody will be making discs.

So, again, my point is ask yourself what can I afford before making a purchase. What may have been savings for a rainy day, are now going to have to get you through the storm of the century.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I know what I am saying is sad. Major lifestyle changes that are forced upon us are difficult to handle. BUT, this can be halted, with a certain amount of damage already being done, all we have to do is end these tariffs as abruptly as they have been put in place. If they are not halted, or worse we increase them in retaliation, well, then we are in a lot of trouble.

So, there is hope. I am not saying we are lost yet, but we are staring right into the barrel of that gun. I am just trying to give some advice so all of us consider our situation.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Hey HTF members

Dear moderators, if this is a forbidden question, then by all means close this.

I had a question lingering in the back of my mind that I thought I’d ask. It’s in relation to the tariffs being imposed on foreign goods. I’m not trying to ask a political question, so that is not my intent.

I’m considering purchasing a blu ray set from Via Vision in Australia. I guess I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger right away. I also have bought many discs from the UK from Arrow Films.

I’m also considering a Sony OLED TV for a bedroom. I know this question belongs in the Displays thread, but thought I’d ask it while I'm on the topic. I figure this is also a foreign good.

Does anyone know if there can be impacts in the cost of these kinds of items.

Thanks for your consideration.

I'm closing this thread because some extended comments posted in this thread are not appropriate for this forum because they invite replies that will stretch the boundaries of our forum guidelines. The short answer to your questions is yes, the cost of discs and HT equipment are going to increase due to these tariffs.