Timely to stock up prior to tariffs?

softdown · February 26

New tariffs are scheduled for April 2nd, 2025. 10% for China. I believe 25% for Europe, Canada and Mexico?

Seems like a no brainer to get a back up inverter for the inevitable failure. So I did. Especially with the rumors about a possible demise of Outback at some future point in time.

Very exciting times!

A beauty of offgrid is that one may expect low expenses after the significant outlay to get a proper system installed. That could become very ugly indeed if one had to replace major parts at a very bad time.

Government was funded by tariffs prior to the 1913 Federal Reserve/IRS/taxation. This is going to be quite interesting.

SumPower · February 26

Rumors about the demise of Outback! Well, they are just rumors, why would they continue to manufacture equipment if they were going out of business?

JRHill · February 27

SumPower said:

Rumors about the demise of Outback! Well, they are just rumors, why would they continue to manufacture equipment if they were going out of business?

As I recall the VFXR3648 I got for a spare last December had a Mfg label that it was assembled in Mex three years ago. I sure don't think it was NAZ sitting on it for that long. One has to wonder how much unsold inventory is out there not yet sent to distributors. And rotation of inventory? Hmmm.

softdown · February 27

In 2012 Outback seemed to be the king of offgrid solar gear. No longer seems the case. So yea, it is likely to be unsold inventory here and there. That could change in a month with a really big sale. Can’t see gnashing my teeth over a decision to have a back up inverter ready to plug in.

Especially when FedEx pulls stunts like this:

Friday, 2/21/25	4:14 AM On the way NAVAJO NATION, AZ 4:42 PM On the way GLENDALE, CO 8:19 PM Arrived at FedEx location HENDERSON, CO
Tuesday, 2/25/25	11:10 AM Departed FedEx location HENDERSON, CO
Wednesday, 2/26/25 That shipment has moved a mile in a week.	2:25 AM On the way AURORA, CO

softdown · February 27

Last Outback charge controller was made in India. I think my 2012 Outback equipment buy was all made in the USA?

Bold move to try to reinstate US manufacturing at this point in time. In my opinion - necessary. A daunting challenge for so many reasons. First maybe have to fix almost everything, perhaps all at once? Going to be a ride for certain. Certain list scheduled to be unfolded today.

Another question - what is BB still doing in SF? It's like the roots are 70 years old or something.

SumPower · February 27

JRHill said:

SumPower said:

Rumors about the demise of Outback! Well, they are just rumors, why would they continue to manufacture equipment if they were going out of business?

As I recall the VFXR3648 I got for a spare last December had a Mfg label that it was assembled in Mex three years ago. I sure don't think it was NAZ sitting on it for that long. One has to wonder how much unsold inventory is out there not yet sent to distributors. And rotation of inventory? Hmmm.

Thats an unknown at this point, but I wonder about unsold inventory also.

BB. · March 1

Still have family here (not SF proper, just 15 miles south)... Although, 1/2 my family is now elsewhere. What do you do when brother lives on Long Island and tells you gas is cheaper, overall taxes less, and government leaves him alone better than what is happening in California.

-Bill

JRHill · March 1

BB. said:

Still have family here (not SF proper, just 15 miles south)... Although, 1/2 my family is now elsewhere. What do you do when brother lives on Long Island and tells you gas is cheaper, overall taxes less, and government leaves him alone better than what is happening in California.

-Bill

Frankly, Bill, that doesn't surprise me at all.

BB. · March 1

For others... Long Island, New York State...

-Bill

softdown · March 1

BB. said:

Still have family here (not SF proper, just 15 miles south)... Although, 1/2 my family is now elsewhere. What do you do when brother lives on Long Island and tells you gas is cheaper, overall taxes less, and government leaves him alone better than what is happening in California.

-Bill :’(

What would I try to do? Idaho and Wyoming topped my list when seeking to relocate. Moving pretty well sux though.

JRHill · March 1

A low population state with reasonable property tax, no income tax and no sales tax. Is there such a place?

Marc Kurth · March 11

Choose your battles and decide on where you are willing to compromise. It is a truly beautiful thing that we are able to choose where we live! There are some things that no man should be willing to compromise.

softdown · March 11

Hard to believe that the nations most gifted state has apparently been mostly destroyed. I am shocked every time I think about the Cali that I have visited so very many times. Versus present day California.

That state had it all!!!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/editor/xq/gbcgaaxgvsa2.jpeg

JRHill · March 11

No, I am in the most gifted state and certainly not in the most gifted State. In my state I am out of of mind and interest. Even with craziness I am way off radar. That is the best state. For now.

softdown · March 13

I was talking geology/geography/weather. Should be a word for that. Now I see little more than storm clouds for LA and S. Francisco.

But they still have the coolest bald eagle nesting cam:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

Tens of thousands of viewers while other nests only have a couple hundred if lucky. I guess this nest was the first to become popular. And it enjoys one heckuva view.

I remember when San Francisco was an impossibly clean and cool town to visit. The funky vibe was palpable.

littleharbor2 · March 14

Did anybody catch this eagle Cam yesterday from Big Bear CA?(1) Video | Facebook
Click on video, above.
No photo description available

JRHill · March 14

A recent email from NAZ if you haven't seen it:

We are starting to receive notice from many of our manufacturing partners that due to the tariffs being enforced, they are increasing the price points of their products.

This is unfortunate news, but not surprising. We are glad that we received some advance notice.

What This Means:
A large majority of solar product prices will (temporarily - hopefully) increase from 10-20% sometime in early April.

Exactly when this happens will depend on when distributors (like us) run out of any inventory that they had stateside before the Tariffs were deployed.

Know what you need? Shop now.

What This Means For Us:
We have been able to stock up on many of our most popular products. While some prices may increase sooner, we don't anticipate price adjustments until April.

What This Means For You:

Right now is the best time to purchase solar equipment - if you need it - for the foreseeable future.

If you have an aging system, we strongly recommend giving our team of Solar Application Engineers a call or email us to get up to date product information.

softdown · March 15

littleharbor2 said:

Did anybody catch this eagle Cam yesterday from Big Bear CA?(1) Video | Facebook
Click on video, above.

They just endured a couple days of quite severe weather. Somehow one of the three eaglets was inadvertently stepped on and stuck and has since expired. Much sorrow was endured by the fans of the show.

Thats nature. I am often amazed at just how cruel life so often is. The odds of any wild animal living to die of old age are probably vanishingly small for most species.

That cam has been operating for five years I think. I don’t know if anything has survived into adulthood?

Then we consider that the eagles, while beautiful and inspiring, kind of do what eagles do for a living.

Still a very enjoyable show overall. Though losing an eaglet this week was pretty rough. I absolutely hate to see almost any animal perish in its first year.

softdown · March 15

JRHill said:

A recent email from NAZ if you haven't seen it:

We are starting to receive notice from many of our manufacturing partners that due to the tariffs being enforced, they are increasing the price points of their products.

This is unfortunate news, but not surprising. We are glad that we received some advance notice.

What This Means:
A large majority of solar product prices will (temporarily - hopefully) increase from 10-20% sometime in early April.

Exactly when this happens will depend on when distributors (like us) run out of any inventory that they had stateside before the Tariffs were deployed.

Know what you need? Shop now.
What This Means For Us:
We have been able to stock up on many of our most popular products. While some prices may increase sooner, we don't anticipate price adjustments until April.
What This Means For You:

Right now is the best time to purchase solar equipment - if you need it - for the foreseeable future.

If you have an aging system, we strongly recommend giving our team of Solar Application Engineers a call or email us to get up to date product information.

10-20% could be optimistic. I studied tariffs extensively while a student. They almost always translate into higher prices - and reciprocal tariffs.

Batten down the hatches for 2025? Expecting some chop here and there.

Still though - solar looks better than ever. Panels are now much cheaper. Many, not all, are able to enjoy a few current lithium advantages. Grid power has also skyrocketed for many.

And being away from the frothing masses is probably more attractive than ever. Though I suspect that clearing a fire break is possibly more prudent than ever. I’m getting a bush hog for the tractor.

Timely to stock up prior to tariffs?

Very exciting times!

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That state had it all!!!

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