Thank you for tuning into Pickett’s blog. I hope you found the fuel filtration discussion enlightening. I’m working to make these a more routine item. This time, I’m back with a topic that’s on everyone’s mind and checkbook: tariffs and surcharges.

I’ve erased and re-written this post several times, mainly because I don’t know how to tackle the topic clearly. I think I’m in good company, because some really bright folks also don’t have a clear answer. I don’t want to be doom-and-gloom, but I also don’t want to be overly cheery. So, I took inspiration from a marketing email I was reading, specifically this phrase: “We’d rather give a warning than a surprise.”

With that in mind, I feel it’s my duty to key everyone in to some expected price increases. Banjo already instituted their price increases. Emco Wheaton has rolled out a double-digit surcharge. Husky hose just notified us of a price increase, as well. For the vendors that have not increased prices, they have instituted surcharges. In short, almost every product Pickett sells faces upcoming price increases.

Every fall, I take stock of what we have on hand, what we’ve sold throughout the year, and determine what to order for next year. I usually stagger POs so that I don’t have a mountain of inventory to wade through early in the year, and I keep a steady flow of shipments coming in. Usually, this works well because I can plan deliveries, ensuring I have inventory when needed, but not a surplus when I don’t. 

The issue now, however, is that those stock orders are now facing surcharges. This means that any POs placed in the fall are now going to cost more. Pickett has absorbed some surcharges, but once new stock arrives, that will lead to a price increase.

I wish I had better news for folks. I know it’s been a rough year in ag. My dad, Bill, compares it to 1982 and 1983. I want to make as many people aware of this as I can: prices are going to go up. It’s tough to say by how much or when, though. A lot of it is up in the air. Here’s what I recommend:

• Sign up for our email marketing. I aim to keep them to a minimum, and to make them worth your time. There’s good info in there, and often discounts. 
• Front load some of the items you need to keep your business running. Keep some spares. If you just opened your last fuel filter, go ahead and put another on the shelf. If your loading hose already has two or three splices, put one on order. If you look at your pump and your first thought is, “Can it make the rest of the year,” you may want to consider getting a new one. Look at what equipment you need, and if your thought is “I cannot afford to go without this part,” it’s better to order now.
• Plan ahead as best you can. We’re noticing increased lead times on certain items. While we do our best to keep ample stock through out the year, we have to strike a fine line between enough inventory to satisfy demand, but not too much to where it just sits around.

This all sounds like a sales pitch, and in a way, it is. I do want to sell inventory. That said, my main goal is to ensure Pickett keeps you running. I don’t like telling people “no,” or that a certain item is out of stock. Here’s what Pickett’s doing to minimize the impact of what’s going on:

• Advancing some of our bulk POs to avoid price increases.
• Investigating additional vendors for inventory.
• Remaining in contact with vendors to assess tariffs.
• Forecasting inventory needs to ensure ample supply.

The long and short of it is, prices will increase, but we can’t predict when or by how much. What we can predict is that Pickett will be there to help you when you need it.

I hope your 2025 season is going well. When you need us, we’re a phone call, email, or website visit away.

Thank you for your continued support,

Bailey Everett

Pickett Equipment