Tariffs

[IamScotticus]

37 minutes ago, JohnCh said:

 

 

I didn't see the need to announce that it was moved given the links and notifications automatically forward:

 

 

Sorry, I see this and thought what I thought 

[speedwagon]

To clarify my post. I do not have answers, just observations and questions. Such as -- isn't the shift from a manufacturing economy to a "service" really a shift to a "servant" economy where we serve those who have and we do not get or need anything?   And yes a polite debate serves both parties as the solution usually is more near the center. And by the nature of our bond (The 7) we are consumers of offshore goods (in my case South African Chassis and drive from US and Japan), and even the locost that are fab-ed here, most have at least some imported parts.  I do personally think that tariffs are wrong, Yes we should discourage unfair trade and limit our exports to those who violate our patents and steal our technology.       I also believe that a US company who has their products made offshore is gravely wrong in thinking that there is any long term gain involved.      Histoey has shown  that the "cheap labor" will soon  setup a competing facility (or possible take yours to produce the same or very similar product.               We (the US) should be buying imports without tariffs when the trade is fair and not buying at all when there is shenanigans involved. And protect our freedom at any cost as it is our life.   And there shall be no grifting by our representatives.  We should all be held to the standard of protecting our country first, and next support the fellow free empires.

[speedwagon]

thank you all-- i am done- will only answer questions from now on.

[Xhilr8n]

“We don’t have time for rational solutions”   George Carlin

[Xhilr8n]

Even a model of our cars comes with an extra bill

 

 

[IamScotticus]

2 hours ago, Xhilr8n said:

Even a model of our cars comes with an extra bill

 

 

Those are up to $400 now?  I got mine at $200, ten years ago 

[Vovchandr]

Life use to be simpler when "free market" used to be more "free"

 

Tried to buy something from UK Amazon and the charges creep up quick. $87 item turns into $228. Quite sure shipping is very inflated by the seller to cover for the headache. 

 

So glad I bought most of my UK parts for the 7 when I did

 

 

Same item used to be about $125 shipped before. 

[JohnCh]

The inconsistency in tariffs on UK sourced items is incredibly frustrating. In early December, FedEx delivered an aluminum radiator. I was never charged any tariffs or processing fees. In early January, UPS delivered an ECU. Again, no tariffs or charges. On January 19th, a package containing a crank pulley, sensor bracket, and distributor hole plug cleared customs, then subsequently went into the ether. After nearly 3 weeks FedEx declared it irretrievably lost, then sent me a bill for tariffs at a 35% rate plus a $15 processing fee. According to my research, the crank pulley (the expensive part) should have only been 2.5%, while the others should have been 25%. Perhaps there is a secret tariff upcharge for items you never receive?  

[williamwashere]

Very frustrating. I'm trying to buy a kit now, and it's a mystery what the cost will be. And even if all of this is wiped out down the line, if I'd be entitled to a refund. Unless you're the importer of record, the answer is probably no. Buy it from Amazon or a Caterham dealer and it's just "baked in" to the price? You won't get a refund. Those vendors WILL get your refund though, and that will be quite the cash windfall for them. And then you can either sue them (and probably lose, because you never made an agreement to get refunded any costs specific to these shenanigans) or they can refund you out of the goodness of their hearts. What a way to run an economy.

Edited February 23 by williamwashere

[wdb]

I'm not sure if I ever finished my tariff tale. After getting a bill for 200% of the cost of the item + fees, plus weeks upon weeks of being on hold with various entities and getting nowhere, I finally refused shipment and the shipping company sent the part back to England -- on their dime. When the seller got it back he immediately sent me another one, marked as a replacement for the returned item. I was not billed any import fees for the second one. An expensive lesson but only in terms of time spent.

Edited February 22 by wdb

[IamScotticus]

11 hours ago, williamwashere said:

Very frustrating. I'm trying to buy a kit now, and it's a mystery what the cost will be.

Why buy a new "kit", assuming it's a Cat or Westfield,  when 7s are frequently available on BaT, Amz, Ebay, etc?  Especially when pricing is so chaotic?

[Xhilr8n]

15 minutes ago, IamScotticus said:

Why buy a new "kit", assuming it's a Cat or Westfield,  when 7s are frequently available on BaT, Amz, Ebay, etc?  Especially when pricing is so chaotic?

I think is point is that if you did want to do business with Caterham for a new kit it is about impossible.

[speedwagon]

I for one, will remember WHO caused this problem for many years to come.

[demoray]

8 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

Why buy a new "kit", assuming it's a Cat or Westfield,  when 7s are frequently available on BaT, Amz, Ebay, etc?  Especially when pricing is so chaotic?

For some, it's the journeys of building rather than the destination of having.

[williamwashere]

Fair question! With a car that has “hasn’t changed a lot in decades” as a selling point buying a used one is sensible. The thing I wanted though was a simple, fun car I could build with my family. The “I built it myself” premium is worth it to me instead of buying a used one.

 

Haven’t decided yet if building it myself and with the kids will make me treat it like a museum piece or if I’ll feel permission to really thrash it around or drill holes in it. We will find out!

[williamwashere]

5 hours ago, speedwagon said:

I for one, will remember WHO caused this problem for many years to come.

lol, not related to anything, but when I first read that I was trying REALLY hard to understand why you were blaming the World Health Organization for this.

[wdb]

5 hours ago, speedwagon said:

I for one, will remember WHO caused this problem for many years to come.

 

  You'll change your tune when the Caterham factory opens in the US creating thousands of new jobs!  

[mrmustang]

48 minutes ago, wdb said:

 

  You'll change your tune when the Caterham factory opens in the US creating thousands of new jobs!  

To borrow a phrase from Larry the Cable Guy "I don't care who you are, that, there is funny"

 

Bill

[IamScotticus]

On 2/23/2026 at 8:49 AM, williamwashere said:

wanted though was a simple, fun car I could build with my family. The “I built it myself” premium is worth it to me instead of buying a used one.

Buy a built and running 90s Crossflow S3 and take it apart.  Rebuild it to your specifications and preference.  You will get plenty of wrenching time doing this. Or if you choose, you can make the few necessary improvements and start driving.  Either way, with a "vintage" Cat, you will regularly have something to repair.

Let me tell you, the build experience is overrated for these newer 7s.  A crossflow is much simpler and just as rewarding.  I have seen too many builds end up as derelict projects because life got in the way.  Im am advocate for buying the best well built and running 7 you can be driving in short order and spend your PRECIOUS time DRIVING and enjoying your 7, NOT being held up by waiting for missing or wrong parts from Cat or whoever. No, from Cat.

 

When you have a complete 7, you can train your kiddos to be pit crew spanner checking and fluid checking all points before a drive.  So much to learn they will be able to apply to their own cars.  Like throttle steering!

[Xhilr8n]