Smart Clock Prices Up 9%—Tariffs Are Just Starting to Bite

Small businesses that stocked up ahead of tariff hikes have been coasting—until now. At Loftie, maker of a popular $170 smart clock, CEO Matt Hassett is facing hard choices. Hassett explains:

“At the current 30% tariff rate… I’ll likely raise the price of my popular $170 smart clock to $185, an increase of 9%.”

That price bump isn’t random—it’s a direct response to added costs from imported components. He warns that:

“A lot of people think this [tariff] situation is not as bad right now, because all of us business owners had inventory on hand. It’s only just starting to trickle down into actual [consumer goods] prices. I think there’s been a false sense of ease about this.”

The tight margins are already forcing tough decisions. Hassett has had to tap into loans and personal savings just to keep payroll running for Loftie’s nine employees.

The reality is clear: tariffs don’t just impact production—they rip into pricing, staffing, and the very stability of small businesses. Let’s make sure “just starting to trickle down” doesn’t become a flood. Sign the letter and stand with businesses fighting to survive.