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Nerd Urbanity FAQ: How Tariffs Affect Our Prices, Pre-Orders, and Shipments
Q: What are tariffs and how do they impact the toy and collectible industry?
A: Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods. In recent months, the U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on products imported from major manufacturing countries—primarily China and Vietnam, where over 90% of global action figures and collectibles are produced.
These tariffs started at 10% and have surged to as high as 145%, particularly affecting Chinese imports. Vietnam currently faces a 10% tariff, and both countries' rates remain in flux due to ongoing trade negotiations.
It’s important to know: foreign governments do not pay tariffs. U.S. importers—like our distributors and partners—pay them directly. These added costs often get passed along the supply chain to retailers and, ultimately, to collectors through upfront product price adjustments.
Q: How do these tariffs affect pricing at Nerd Urbanity?
A: Tariffs apply to all imports from the affected countries—including pre-orders and incoming inventory. While we’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact through vendor negotiations and smarter logistics, some upfront price increases are unavoidable.
Every single product price listed on NerdUrbanity.com is fully transparent. The price you see on the screen is the final price you will pay at checkout. We do not use hidden surcharges or post-purchase fee adjustments.
Q: What is Nerd Urbanity doing to mitigate the impact of tariffs?
A: As part of our Import Relief Program, Nerd Urbanity absorbs 50% of assessed import tariffs, baking those significant savings directly into our listed prices to benefit our collectors. Our current Import Sale promotion reflects this cost-sharing, reducing the overall product price even further.
Q: What does this mean for pre-orders?
A: To give you total price protection, all pre-order items subject to a tariff have the complete cost of that tariff already included in the listed purchase price.
The price listed when you reserve your pre-order is guaranteed and locked in. We do not charge surprise surcharges or adjust your order total after you place your order.
Q: Can I cancel a pre-order?
A: Yes. We understand that collecting requires flexibility. If your plans change before your pre-order ships, you may cancel your order at any time without penalty. We will happily assist with full refunds of any payments or deposits already made.
Q: Are in-stock items subject to extra tariff surcharges?
A: No. If a product is in our in-stock inventory, any applicable tariff charges are already factored directly into the listed retail price. No additional fees, taxes, or surcharges will ever be added at checkout.
Q: Why might the price of a product change over time?
A: Prices on our store may adjust over time based on two main manufacturing variables:
- Timing of Production: If a manufacturer increases the wholesale base cost of an item between production runs, a newer batch may carry a different upfront retail price than the original release.
- Fluctuating Tariff Rates: The global trade landscape changes frequently. If an item is restocked during a month when import tax rates drop, we immediately pass those savings on by lowering the listed price for future buyers.
Q: Will prices drop if tariffs are reduced or removed in the future?
A: Yes. If tariffs decrease or are eliminated on the items we import, Nerd Urbanity will immediately lower our listed retail prices. We are committed to being fair, transparent, and responsive as global trade policies evolve.
Our Commitment to the Nerd Urbanity Community
We know that navigating price changes across the collectible industry is frustrating. We promise to communicate clearly, keep our upfront pricing as fair as possible, and always give you full control over your orders with our penalty-free cancellation policy.
Your support and passion for collecting are what keep this community strong. Thank you for being part of Nerd Urbanity.