Buying tariff-impacted goods might be tempting but risky, experts say

US users continue to have tariff shopping. From furniture to appliances, to alcohol, Americans are in a hurry to buy before President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs at the cash register for the counter.

Economists claim that tariffs are expected to increase prices for everyday items and many are already raising the likelihood that the economy will be recession.

Car sales increased by 11.2% in March, when car buyers flocked to dealers to beat 25% rates for all imported cars that came into force on April 3.

After Noel Pegero heard the wider tariff messages, he said he had hit the stores. The 50-year-old school worker from Queens, New York, says he has spent about $ 3,500 in the past week on car parts, gardening supplies and electronics, including 40 “Heisens and MacBook laptops for his son.

“Now is the time to buy,” he told ABC News, adding that there are items that he plans to buy anyway, but decided to buy earlier than later to avoid potential price increases.

As they stock up with some items, it can now make sense, experts warn consumers to buy only what they can afford and not fall into debt to get forward from the “tariff effect”.

“Many people are dealing with reduced savings and growing debt, so they may not be able to make a big purchase or gather a big stock,” says Ted Rosman, a senior industrial analyst at Bankrate, “ABC News told. “Take the long view. You may have a sense of driving your existing car for a little longer or to live with old kitchen cabinets for another year or two.”

With almost all US trading partners who are now 10% tariff and even higher “reciprocal tariffs” that will come on April 9 for about 60 trading partners who have a high commercial deficit with the United States, some users worry that daily items can soon be expensive, but also more difficult to find.

The thought itself creates images of empty store shelves during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Americans are transferred to everything from toilet paper to baking flour.

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Kuban added to these concerns this week, posting on the Bluesky social media platform that people have to “buy many supplies” now before prices rise.

“From toothpaste to soap, everything you can find a storage space for you to buy before you have to fill in the inventory,” Kuban said. “Even if it is made in the United States, they will increase the price and blame it in rates.”

Experts say they do not predict a shortage.

“Of course, if everyone listened to [Cuban’s] Tip, there will probably be some problems, but we do not see evidence that this is happening on a scale, “said Rosman.” Fortunately, the supply chain is in a much better shape than it was during the pandemic. “

As the average American household brings a debt of about $ 6,600, according to Transunion, experts say it is important to take advantage of a measured approach and explore your long -term financial position and goals.

“I realize that sometimes people have to bring debt for various reasons,” Rosman said, “but it doesn’t make it worse from buying a panic. Hurrying to make a big purchase often doesn’t end well.”