Charlene and Phil Willingham had been thinking about the 20-year-old appliance change in the kitchen for a while, but with the sudden rise in costs, they decided this was the moment. Both Willinghams have retired, and on Friday he had a long shopping list, including stoves, refrigerators, microwaves and dishwashers at a suburban Chicago store.
“It took us a while to get new appliances, but now we want to get them before the price rises occur because of these tariffs,” Willingham, 64, said last week that the Trump administration announced that it would sweep tariffs around the world.
In grocery stores, car dealers, malls and large discount chains across the country, interviews with more than two dozen Americans this weekend show that many will figure out how to go ahead with new tariff plans and buy calculated purchases beyond size and size.
“Panic is enough to make me want to buy,” said 28-year-old Shari Santos, who found that many people around her packed more than usual with regular staples after raising essentials in bulk, soap and gargle points at the Costco wholesale store in Marina Del Rey, a waterfront community in Los Angeles County.
Others said their shopping habits would not change with the announcement of tariffs because they had patience and trust in the president's long matches, and thought that the short-term pain, including potential cost increases, would work in itself.
“I'm sure it will recover,” said 61-year-old Greg Harris, who is shopping for food at Walmart in Nashville.
However, almost everyone has expressed the uncertainty that remains precisely about how these tariffs have government surcharges and higher fees from many countries for almost all goods imported into the United States. When and how will the prices of President Trump's movement be affected? Which item might be the most difficult? Even if they know the answer to such questions, can some people afford to buy big ticket items now to avoid higher costs later?
“He's done a lot, but it feels like a change. It can be refreshing,” said Mitchell Kwapick, 28. “But now there are so many things to be scared of.”
The tariff announcement will quickly block global markets to hit investment portfolios, with economists saying much of the tariff-related costs being passed on to consumers. Supporters said tariffs would eventually regain jobs in the US, but opposition said they would overturn the economy.
Among those interviewed at the store this weekend, the level of concern about rising prices, and the new urgency to defeat the impact of tariffs, appeared to be closely tied to partisan alliances.
Business was quick at the ABT Electronics Store in Glenview, Laura Dad, 44, came along with her family looking for a new wall oven and fridge.
“We wanted to wait until summer, and then this big failure happened,” said accountant Papa, who voted for Kamala Harris in November. She said she deemed tariffs likely to destroy the country's economy and offered advice to others viewing in the store.
At Marina Del Rey, he worked as an accountant and voted for Harris in Tamela Plain, where Trump began worrying about tariffs shortly after Trump was elected, and rushed to buy a Hyundai SUV before taking office to avoid price increases.
After tariffs were announced last week, Plain, 48, said he felt compelled to shop a large amount of a wide range of items at Costco in case the price tag began to rise. But she also said she is plagued by the situations many Americans may face. The feeling is that the cost of regular items is already too high and the large costs of the front load are not affordable.
“When I got there, I was in panic,” Plain said of her urge to stock up on as much as possible while at Costco. “But I just had to settle down, as I still check to check.”
Plain said concerns about budgeting and rising costs have even led to losing sleep recently. “I try not to be surprised,” she said.
However, many shoppers who voted for Trump said they hadn't adjusted their purchasing habits at all based on tariffs.
“I love them,” said 66-year-old Dixon Witherspoon about the tariffs when he shopped an oven bulb at a target in Nashville. “The problem with America is that everyone is worried about quarterly stock reports and everything is a short-term vision. This is nothing good.”
Witherspoon, a retired executive in the insurance sector, said his own stock portfolio saw significant losses and hopes that tariffs will strengthen the country's manufacturing independence and create a more level playing field for U.S. businesses. “In the short term, tariffs will be painful, but in the long term they will be great,” he said.
In Milwaukee, JJ Kennedy, who said he has a strong support for President Trump, said he doesn't think his shopping habits will change after the tariffs are launched.
Kennedy, who owns an architectural design company and purchases computer keyboards at Best Buy, acknowledged that tariffs could cause concerns and confusion in the construction industry, and could affect new home prices.
Still, he didn't think it was important.
“People just pay for the difference,” said Kennedy, 45. “The inventory is incredibly low around here, so it's incredible.”
Many shoppers said the tariff outlook was only added to the already unfortunate economic unrest. Even if prices hadn't skyrocketed yet, the uncertainty about a sudden decline and sudden decline in retirement savings accounts was concerned about the signs.
“Everyone is affected, either directly or indirectly. 401(k), my stock has been affected, my mother's pension has been affected, and many people's investments have been affected.”
In Milwaukee, Juanita Norris said her retirement account lost $8,000 in just two days.
“It's $8,000 that could have gone to the car for my kids,” she said.
She had planned to help them buy the car this spring, she said, but if prices go up, she'll have to wait anyway.
Back at an appliance store in Illinois, Willinghams studied a stainless steel six burner stove.
Both Democrats, they thought up the tariff points.
“I don't know how that benefited Americans,” Willingham said. “I really hope things can be resolved soon.”
“It's what that is,” he said, 65-year-old Willingham.
Robert Chiarito A report from Glenview, Illinois, has been donated. Mimi Dwyer From Los Angeles, Jamie McGee From Nashville, Dan Simmons From Milwaukee, and Veronica Zaragobia From Miami.
