At Dame, we believe in transparency, especially when it comes to how political decisions affect our community. Lately, one decision in particular has hit home—literally. Due to the (at least) 54% tariff on products made in China, our costs have surged. That means many of the parts that go into creating your favorite vibrators have gotten significantly more expensive.
We’ve held off on raising prices for as long as we could. Seriously—Alex, our founder, has been losing sleep over this. We explored every option. But the reality is that our current costs just aren’t sustainable. And while we’re still absorbing as much of the burden as possible, we now need to share a small part of it—with total honesty.
So what’s changing?
Starting now, you’ll see a new line item in your cart: “Trump Tariff Surcharge” — $5.00
This isn’t a gimmick. It’s our way of pulling back the curtain and showing how real policy decisions impact small businesses like ours.
This $5 fee doesn’t fully cover the cost increases we’re facing. Not even close. But it helps us temporarily avoid raising the base price of every product, especially the ones you replenish regularly—like our Aloe Lube. (Even that, which is made here in the U.S., relies on components sourced globally.)
We thought about quietly raising prices across the board, but that’s not who we are. We’d rather be upfront with you—and we believe our community values that too.
Why call it out?
Because staying silent helps no one: this surcharge is our small act of awareness. By naming the surcharge, we hope to spark more conversations around how economic policies affect the things we use, love, and rely on. And most importantly, how they affect the small, mission-driven businesses trying to create change.
Thank you for sticking with us.
We know price increases are never welcome, and we’re so grateful for your understanding. You’re helping us stay true to our values, support our team, and continue making products that put your pleasure first.
So yeah—you’re chipping in, we’re chipping in… talk about teamwork.
Thank you for riding this out with us.
5 comments
Perhaps you should source your products from non-communist countries or better yet have them made in the United States. Your surcharge highlights a pursuit of cheap labor in pursuit of higher profits. Perhaps they are made by Chinese prisoners? Do you even know who touches your products?
You disgust me.
Good on you for calling it out and making it obvious how it’s passed on to the consumer. Individuals, like Mr Hague, have no clue about supply lines, costs, economics, or reality.
Why don’t you get the fuck out of China!
I commend you for calling it out for what it is!! Thank you for doing your part to make sure people are aware of who is to blame. Btw, you might want to remove the “remove” option since it doesn’t do anything anyway