Managing rising tariffs and prices for products and consumers

The recent imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China is expected to lead to higher prices for various consumer goods. Negotiations are underway and the actual scheme of the Tariffs may change but some parts are likely to start soon.

As consumers and businesses we need to think about actions and strategies to cope short term and long term.

This article goes into the consumer aspects https://localretailplaybook.com/topic/increasing-tariffs-and-steps-consumers-can-take-to-protect-themselves

For product managers and builders I recommend the following strategies:

1. Implement Rigorous Seller Verification Processes

• Manual Vetting: Require sellers to go through a thorough application process, including business verification, tax ID submission, and proof of inventory before listing.
• AI & ML-Based Fraud Detection: Use machine learning to detect suspicious behavior, such as fake reviews, extreme price undercutting, or rapid seller account creations.
• Seller Performance Reviews: Implement a tiered trust system, where new sellers must prove reliability before gaining full platform privileges.

2. Improve Product Authentication & Quality Assurance

• Escrow or Payment Holds: Hold payments until a buyer receives and confirms a product, reducing fraud.
• Blockchain for Authenticity: Consider blockchain-based verification for high-value or branded items (luxury, electronics, collectibles).
• Consumer-Verified Listings: Only allow products to be listed if they’ve been verified by trusted sources (e.g., direct brand partnerships).

3. Enhance Secure Payment & Buyer Protection Policies

• Multi-Step Fraud Detection: Require sellers to verify their identity with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Guaranteed Refunds & Returns: Make return policies clear and easy to process, helping buyers avoid risk.
• Dispute Resolution & Chargeback Protection: Build a strong resolution center where consumers can report fraud with evidence-based decision-making.

4. Provide Real-Time Inventory & Local Alternatives

• Local Store Integration: Enable consumers to find the same or similar products in nearby stores, reducing reliance on uncertain global supply chains.
• Dynamic Price Comparisons: Show users tariff-affected products vs. domestic alternatives so they can make informed choices.
• Partnerships with Brick & Mortar Retailers: Sync real-time inventory from stores and enable same-day pickup.

5. Build Trust & Transparency Through Reviews & Community Engagement

• Verified Buyer Reviews Only: Allow reviews only from real buyers (e.g., match purchase IDs to accounts before allowing a review).
• Flag & Remove Fake Reviews: Use AI-based detection to remove fake reviews that inflate seller reputations.
• Live Chat & Video Shopping Support: Enable real-time human shopping assistants to help consumers validate their purchases.

6. Strengthen Consumer Education & Awareness

• Scam Alerts & Warnings: Notify users about common scams targeting tariff-conscious shoppers.
• Transparency on Pricing Changes: If tariff-related costs affect a product, explain why the price increased.
• Educational Content & Buyer Guides: Provide guides on spotting counterfeit goods and avoiding scams.

7. Optimize Mobile Experience for Secure & Smart Shopping

• Instant Fraud Detection Notifications: Alert users if a seller is flagged for potential fraud.
• One-Tap Local Product Discovery: Use location-based AI to show nearby alternatives when users browse imported goods.
• Voice & Image Search for Trustworthy Products: Let users search with images to find similar, verified local products.

At Visional we already pre-built our platform and shopping app already tackling these challenges by:

• Ensuring sellers are manually vetted before being allowed to list products.
• Providing real-time local store inventory to give users tariff-free options.
• Offering live video shopping support to help buyers validate purchases before buying.
• Highlighting authentic, high-quality alternatives when tariffed items are searched.

I look forward to see how others are helping protect consumers in these uncertain and challenging times.