Get ready for higher prices on Onyx’s ereaders and eNotes. If you’ve been considering buying a Boox device you might want to do it now before the prices go up.
This morning I noticed prices have already increased on several Boox models at B&H. The Note Air4C is now $20 more expensive than it used to be, and the Palma 2 (black) and Boox Go 6 and Boox Go Color 7 are all $10 more expensive now.
Not all models have seen a price increase (yet). The Boox Go 10.3 is still $379 and the new 13.3″ Note Max is still $649. The white Palma 2 is still priced normally as well, for the time being.
The prices still haven’t gone up on Onyx’s official Amazon store yet, but since Onyx is based in China it’s just a matter of time before tariff fees start trickling down to customers.
It’s going to be worse for Onyx because their prices were already higher than most since they don’t make money off of selling ebooks like Amazon and Kobo. I really like the Palma 2 but it was already overpriced at $279, and one of the annoying things about Onyx’s devices is they never go on sale until they’re getting replaced by a newer model.
Kobo just raised the prices of their ereaders by $10 each earlier this month too, so now two of Amazon’s competitors have had to increase prices. It’ll be interesting to see if price of Kindles will go up too at some point. If anyone can afford to eat extra fees it’s Amazon, but I’m sure they’d rather pass that down onto customers instead.
I just assume most electroincs are made in China so it’s hard for me not to think tariffs are playing a role here. I don’t think companies look good in admitting that they are passing tariff costs to the consumer so I don’t think many will outright say this.
Actually, the exporter does not pay the tariff. Chalk it up to inflation or sensing a possible profit. We will notice increases from retailers. Onyx may move to sell at the same price as tariff placing countries. If you live in the US a possible 10 to 25 percent markup will definitely hurt the consumer.
I live in the US and a possible 25 percent tariff on Canada may smack me with a punitive punch if Kobo puts out a large color eReader.
I realize the importer pays the tariff initially. However, if you are buying direct from Onyx, the item will have to land in the US somehow and whether it is an Onyx US subsidiary or a US partner doing the importing, the tariff cost ultimatly be in the price you pay to Onyx for the item. So yes, this increase in price may be attributed to tariffs.