Ricardo.ch is Switzerland's most established online trading platform with over 4 million registered members. Unlike Digitec Galaxus, Ricardo offers both auction and fixed-price formats, covering a broad spectrum of selling strategies. For e-commerce merchants, Ricardo serves as an important additional channel alongside their own online shop.
Platform Overview
Ricardo.ch belongs to the TX Group (formerly Tamedia) and has been active since 1999. The platform covers all categories: electronics, fashion, home and garden, collectibles, vehicles and more. Ricardo distinguishes between private and commercial sellers with different fee structures. The platform is available in German, French and Italian, reaching all Swiss language regions.
Ricardo vs. Tutti.ch
While Ricardo specializes in auctions and fixed-price sales, Tutti.ch operates as a classifieds platform without transaction processing. For professional e-commerce merchants, Ricardo is the better choice since the platform provides payment processing, buyer protection and professional seller tools that facilitate smooth transactions.
Commercial Selling
As a commercial seller on Ricardo, you can set up a Professional Shop with custom shop design, advanced statistics and professional inventory management tools. Fees consist of a sales commission (depending on category and selling price) and optional additional fees for listing enhancements and promotions. Commission typically ranges between 5% and 10% of the selling price.
VAT Obligations on Ricardo
Commercial sellers must handle VAT themselves. With annual turnover exceeding CHF 100,000, registration with the ESTV is mandatory. The 8.1% MWST must be factored into selling prices and reported quarterly to the tax authorities.
Auction vs. Fixed Price
Ricardo offers both formats: auctions create excitement and can achieve higher prices, while fixed prices provide planning certainty. For e-commerce merchants with fixed inventory, the fixed price is usually the better choice. Auctions work well for unique items, clearance stock or new product launches where market value is difficult to estimate.
Tips for More Success
High-quality photos, detailed descriptions in German and French, and fast shipping via Swiss Post or Planzer are the cornerstones of success. Ricardo's own payment processing through Ricardo Pay builds buyer trust. Offer TWINT as a payment option to boost conversion rates. Take advantage of the ability to create listings in all three languages (German, French, Italian) to reach the entire Swiss customer base. Monitor your seller metrics closely, as Ricardo rewards top-rated sellers with better visibility in search results. Zunapro supports professional setup and optimization of your Ricardo shop, including product data preparation, shipping integration with Swiss Post and Planzer, and MWST-compliant pricing strategies.
