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Most rare earth magnets were drop-shipped from China. At least until early April. Current orders should be filled by now so this will affect new orders. The plastic toy soldier hobby is about to get a lot more expensive for people in the US.

https://nypost.com/2025/04/14/world-news/china-suspends-rare-earth-exports-kneecapping-us-industry-reliant-on-beijings-monopoly/

Almost everything in America is either imported or contains imported parts/materials - and will thus be affected by the Trump Tariff Tax.

Almost everything will get a lot more expensive for people in the US…

Rare earth metals are used in a LOT of electronics. Phones and computers, TVs, DVRs, routers, modems and etc are the obvious victims, but lots of kitchen appliances are also going to take a hit. Cars, obviously.

Buy now before the tariffs hit. It's only going to get more expensive from here.

I am assuming as I am in the US (regardless of my Avatar flag) most of my miniatures hobbies will skyrocket.

-Plastic Miniatures
-The metal in pewter miniatures even if they are domestically cast
-3D printing filament and resin
-Rulebooks
-Cardboard terrain and tokens in boxed sets

Please keep political commentary out of it - ingtaer

 skeleton wrote:
Please keep political commentary out of it - ingtaer

Kinda hard when the entire situation is a politically driven change and in the name of furthering political power.

Yes, things will cost more - end of topic really otherwise.

And yet everyone else managed to post without making partisan comments.

 ingtaer wrote:
And yet everyone else managed to post without making partisan comments.

Like I said, all those posts were just confirmations of "things cost more".

What else is there to discuss beyond which things cost how much more?

Actually come to think of it, what partisan statements have I made? What support have I leant to anyone/thing by pointing out its a politically driven situation?

You replied to my edit of someone else's post...

 ingtaer wrote:
You replied to my edit of someone else's post...

Sorry, your response to me implied I had been partisan. That said, the point stands there isn't really much discussion to be had and it will attract political content.

I know I took the opportunity to stock up on the 5x2mm magnets I use for basing. Since I added Soulblight to the list of my armies I am not using foam for any more and shifting to the magnetic cases I figured I’d need them eventually.

Well, yeah, things are going to get more expensive due to action taken by certain political factions. That's just stating the obvious. Not much to discuss if you're not going to discuss the political aspects of it beyond repeating 'yeah, things are going to get more expensive.' Might as well lock the thread now because there really isn't anything more we're allowed to say on the matter.

Dudeface wrote:
What else is there to discuss beyond which things cost how much more?

 Vulcan wrote:
Not much to discuss if you're not going to discuss the political aspects of it beyond repeating 'yeah, things are going to get more expensive.'

In this case, perhaps users could post where they are sourcing the best priced magnets to help others mitigate the increase in prices.

And maybe compare quality, since several small magnets I have used have simply disintegrated over time

Uff my poor pocket money.

 MajorWesJanson wrote:
And maybe compare quality, since several small magnets I have used have simply disintegrated over time

...disintegrated?

Or we could post alternatives to magnets, like foam cases for transporting or just single build options of building with magnets. Maybe post tips for recycling magnets?

This could spark innovation and push for alternative sourcing solutions!

 Dysartes wrote:

 MajorWesJanson wrote:
And maybe compare quality, since several small magnets I have used have simply disintegrated over time

...disintegrated?

Has happened to me as well, they either fell apart on their own or shattered when coming into contact with one another, gently at that.

Some of the first magnets I picked up (cheep, from radio shack, years ago) were not coated like most of the ones you see these days. A lot more prone to chips and crumbles.

I’ve had magnets break, but only really strong ones that snapped together a little too hard.

OT poorer quality magnets will crumble and snap. More unscrupulous sellers will be selling ‘magnets’ whose clingy powers diminish rather too quickly.

Yup, I think it will be a buyer decision of quality over price. If you have a trusted supplier or product that it could be best to stick with them/that.

Well it sounds like we need NASA to find us a nice asteroid full of neodymium so we don't have to get it from China anymore (I kid of course, I realize that we're not ready to start mining in space quite yet).

 ZergSmasher wrote:
Well it sounds like we need NASA to find us a nice asteroid full of neodymium so we don't have to get it from China anymore (I kid of course, I realize that we're not ready to start mining in space quite yet).

At the rate the American space program is going, China will find it first.