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And here they are: how oil workers and officials have once again defrauded car owners

  • October 18, 2023
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The increase in prices at Russian gas stations last summer and early autumn, and in some places even the complete disappearance of fuel from retail stores, led many

The increase in prices at Russian gas stations last summer and early autumn, and in some places even the complete disappearance of fuel from retail stores, led many domestic motorists to see in what happened something like a planned economic sabotage. The effectiveness of the officials’ response to what happened does not convince us otherwise.

At the end of August-September this year, car owners were surprised by the breathtaking price tags at gas stations. So AI-92 at gas stations in the capital confidently rises through the mark of 55 rubles per liter. I don’t even want to remember how many more expensive types of petrol and diesel were swapped for.

It is believed that at some point the Russian government became aware that the situation had gone too far. And it introduced the famous ban on fuel exports, the return of the infamous ‘fuel damper’ and everything else. Let us remind you that this decision of the authorities, unique in Russian economic history, was taken on September 21 this year. We have been living with him for almost a month now and we can evaluate his results, whatever they are.

First of all, judging by reports from the regions of the country, the “fuel” physically appeared at those gas stations that were practically “dry” at the end of the summer. Against this backdrop, the response from fuel retailers in the capital is curious, although it has not disappeared from sale here. It is useful to trace it using the AI-92 price example. As already mentioned at the beginning of the material, in some places it climbed above 55 rubles per liter.

And then, literally a few days after September 21, at many (but not all!) network gas stations it suddenly dropped to about 50 rubles per liter. It was unlikely that entrepreneurs would be able to sell the fuel purchased at high wholesale prices so quickly. As a result, they simply curbed their appetites and obeyed the cry of the government.

And that’s it. Since then, the 92nd gasoline (like all others) has practically not become cheaper – a few kopecks do not make a difference in the weather here. Especially at the end of spring, before the beginning of the summer price increase, the author of these lines regularly filled AI-92 at the nearest gas station for 42 rubles per liter. And now, even after a month of government measures on the fuel market, refueling costs 49.5 rubles. And a decline is not expected, although in our country there should now – in theory – be such an oversupply of petrol that prices for it will inevitably collapse ‘below the plinth’. But for some reason they don’t “collapse.” Despite the fact that we appear to be using market prices for retail fuel. Or how?

Meanwhile, prices are currently approximately at mid-August levels. That is to say, they are still vastly overrated. And what is characteristic: just as in August, the government is now calmly looking at the absence of a trend towards a significant reduction. This suggests that the current level of retail prices (at my “indicator” gas station it is now almost 17% higher than at the beginning of the summer) is very satisfactory for everyone involved. Gasoline dealers earn super profits. And the state ‘cuts’ super taxes on their surplus income.

An excellent tactic: first, through the joint efforts of officials and oil workers, they raised prices sharply, and then lowered them a little. As a result, the average motorist still pays too much. But with the feeling that it could have been worse, and therefore forced not to be outraged, but to quietly part with the money. In fact, that is what both traders and authorities need.

photo globallookpress.com

At the end of August-September this year, car owners were surprised by the breathtaking price tags at gas stations. So AI-92 at gas stations in the capital confidently rises through the mark of 55 rubles per liter. I don’t even want to remember how many more expensive types of petrol and diesel were swapped for.

It is believed that at some point the Russian government became aware that the situation had gone too far. And it introduced the famous ban on fuel exports, the return of the infamous ‘fuel damper’ and everything else. Let us remind you that this decision of the authorities, unique in Russian economic history, was taken on September 21 this year. We have been living with him for almost a month now and we can evaluate his results, whatever they are.

First of all, judging by reports from the regions of the country, the “fuel” physically appeared at those gas stations that were practically “dry” at the end of the summer. Against this backdrop, the response from fuel retailers in the capital is curious, although it has not disappeared from sale here. It is useful to trace it using the AI-92 price example. As already mentioned at the beginning of the material, in some places it climbed above 55 rubles per liter.

And then, literally a few days after September 21, at many (but not all!) network gas stations it suddenly dropped to about 50 rubles per liter. It was unlikely that entrepreneurs would be able to sell the fuel purchased at high wholesale prices so quickly. As a result, they simply curbed their appetites and obeyed the government’s cry.

And that’s it. Since then, the 92nd gasoline (like all others) has practically not become cheaper – a few kopecks do not make a difference in the weather here. Especially at the end of spring, before the beginning of the summer price increase, the author of these lines regularly filled AI-92 at the nearest gas station for 42 rubles per liter. And now, even after a month of government measures on the fuel market, refueling costs 49.5 rubles. And a decline is not expected, although in our country there should now – in theory – be such an oversupply of petrol that prices for it will inevitably collapse ‘below the plinth’. But for some reason they don’t “collapse.” Despite the fact that we appear to be using market prices for retail fuel. Or how?

Meanwhile, prices are currently approximately at mid-August levels. That is, they are still vastly overrated. And what is characteristic: just as in August, the government is now calmly looking at the absence of a trend towards a significant reduction. This suggests that the current level of retail prices (at my “indicator” gas station it is now almost 17% higher than at the beginning of the summer) is very satisfactory for everyone involved. Gasoline dealers earn super profits. And the state ‘cuts’ super taxes on their surplus income.

An excellent tactic: first, through the joint efforts of officials and oil workers, they raised prices sharply, and then lowered them a little. As a result, the average motorist still pays too much. But with the feeling that it could have been worse, and therefore forced not to be outraged, but to quietly part with the money. In fact, that is what both traders and authorities need.

Source: Avto Vzglyad

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