Not long ago, I had an experience that made me stop and think.
I went to a local service business I’ve frequented for years — same people, same service, same small product add-on I’ve bought many times before.
But this time, when I checked out, the total was about $20 higher than usual.
Curious, I asked:
“Oh, has the price gone up?”
The answer?
“Yes — because of tariffs.”
That explanation didn’t quite sit right with me.
Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods. They can — and do — raise the cost of imported materials, parts, and products.
But in this situation?
The service itself was entirely labor-based.
The small product (which I later checked) had not increased in price from the manufacturer.
So what gives?
The owner’s costs may well have gone up — rent, utilities, wages, supplies — but those have nothing to do with tariffs.
We’re all feeling the pinch of inflation and rising costs. Business owners have every right — and often a real need — to adjust prices.
But here’s the thing:
Customers value honesty and transparency far more than a convenient excuse.
When prices rise and the explanation doesn’t make sense, it can feel like you’re being taken advantage of. And that undermines trust — which is much harder to earn back than a few dollars.
If you need to raise prices, consider these simple principles:
Be clear: “We’ve adjusted our prices to reflect higher costs of doing business so we can continue providing the quality you expect.”
Be empathetic: “We know no one likes paying more — we’ve kept the increase as small as possible.”
Be specific if you can: “Our rent and wages have increased significantly this year. This adjustment helps us keep great staff and maintain service.”
Most customers understand when you’re upfront with them — and they respect you for it.
For customers, it’s worth politely asking: “I noticed the price increased — what changed?” You can also do a little homework to see if product costs have actually risen elsewhere, and decide what you value. If you like the experience and the increase feels reasonable, you might choose to stay.
Costs do rise. But blaming unrelated factors like “tariffs” only damages trust. Businesses that communicate clearly keep loyal customers. Those that don’t risk losing both.
Have you experienced a price increase that didn’t seem to make sense? How did you handle it?
I’d love to hear your thoughts below.