Are Swiss readers being ripped off by German classic car magazines?
The problem is not specific to classic cars, but runs through the entire magazine landscape. But it is nevertheless annoying for Swiss readers of German classic car magazines, especially because these magazines are not among the cheap press products.
The Swiss are downright ripped off by German publishers. Want some examples? The magazine "Motor Klassik" costs Euro 4.50 in Germany, Euro 5.10 in Austria and CHF 9.20 in Switzerland, which converts to almost Euro 7.50. Our colleagues at Auto Bild Klassik are also making big gains. The German Euro 4.20 and the Austrian Euro 4.50 are offset by the Swiss CHF 8.50 or over Euro 6.90. We are therefore talking about mark-ups of over 60% compared to the German issue price. The Oldtimer Markt has a similar pricing policy, but is content with a surcharge of 50%. At 27%, the German Octane variant is downright moderate.
How can these price differences be justified? With higher transportation costs? Hardly, because it is hardly cheaper to cart the magazines to Vienna than to Zurich. With higher value added tax? Not a chance, the German 7% is actually 2.6% in Switzerland. Logistics margins? More likely, but the subscription prices are similar, if not higher (Motor Klassik costs EUR 54 per year in Germany and CHF 109.90 in Switzerland, i.e. 65% more than in Germany).
Although there have been several attempts to reduce these difficult-to-justify surcharges by the federal price watchdog and even the Swiss Federal Council promised its support in spring 2012, nothing has happened.
Incidentally, this is not a historical problem, as the classic car market cost CHF 5.50 and DM 5.50 in 1994, a 1972 issue of Auto Motor und Sport cost DM 1.80 and CHF 2.20, and prices only started to drift apart with the unequal development of the euro/CHF exchange rate.
Why are we bringing up this topic today? August 1st is the Swiss national holiday, so it's okay to stand up for the interests of a single country.
And by the way - Zwischengas costs the same for all readers, regardless of which country they come from, and those who want to do without the premium benefits can even enjoy Zwischengas for free ...
