Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I haven't been to Gemany in a while, but in my recent visit to Ireland, even in the sleepiest villages they happily took my Visa and Amex cards. They even had wireless terminals they brought to the table to do the transaction. On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 6:50 AM, Frank Dernie <Frank.Dernie@btinternet.com>wrote: > I don't think the commission is unique to Germany, my brother is certainly > loathe to accept American Express in his business since their commission is > still higher than other cards. The attitude to Credit Cards in Germany is > unlike any of the other 20 countries I regularly visit. > Frank > > > On 22 Sep, 2008, at 12:16, Douglas Sharp wrote: > > It's got nothing to do with trust, Frank. >> >> Smaller businesses have to pay up to 4 percent of the billed sum as >> charges for credit card sales. On cash cards (Maestro/direct debit) they >> only pay 0.3 percent. I think if I was looking at a difference between 4 >> Euros and 30 cents per 100 Euros of my takings, I would be reluctant to >> take >> the credit card too. >> >> Cheers >> Douglas >> >> Frank Dernie wrote: >> >>> I work for a client in Cologne. I visit there frequently. Pretty well >>> everything is cash only, my client says Germans don't trust credit and >>> almost never borrow. Even my UK Eurocard cash card will not work there >>> since >>> they won't take anything without a CE mark. >>> I have to get cash out of the cash machine. That is one reason why I have >>> never managed to buy a Leica in Germany, never enough cash on me. >>> Frank >>> >>> >>> On 22 Sep, 2008, at 10:41, grduprey@mchsi.com wrote: >>> >>> Douglas, >>>> >>>> Yes, that was our experience with TUI Fly, they ignored my Camera Bag, >>>> but the rest went as check in. If they had weighed my camera bag, it >>>> would >>>> also have had to go check in, as the computer and a bunch of other >>>> stuff was >>>> in it. ;-) >>>> >>>> As for the card situation, the farther East in Germany (Berlin) it is >>>> better, but in the Thuringen area, they flatly said No Credit Cards of >>>> any >>>> kind. Even Cash Cards, which is what we have been using. Here in >>>> Oberbergesihes land (Gummersbach) and Rhineland (Koln) they are very >>>> adamant >>>> about not taking anything except the Eurocard. Last week I went to buy >>>> a >>>> light jacket in a major department store in Koln, and had to use cash, >>>> as >>>> they do not except cards. Luckily I had enough with me, but I do not >>>> normally carry cash, as I use my cash card instead. Even the Leica >>>> Store at >>>> the factory does not except credit cards. We have had no such problems >>>> in >>>> Italy, even in small villages, and in Poland this trip. >>>> >>>> By the way, I think we will be in your part of the country the first >>>> week of October. Maybe we can meet up? >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Gene >>>> >>>> -------------- Original message ---------------------- >>>> From: Douglas Sharp <douglas.sharp@gmx.de> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> One of our local low-cost carriers in Germany (TUIFly) allows 5 kilos >>>>> (about 10 lbs) of cabin baggage + 1 laptop. They however never seem to >>>>> check the weight of the hand baggage (a smallish camera back pack), but >>>>> they do check the size in a sort of frame in front of the check-in >>>>> counter. >>>>> >>>>> They probably think that nobody is daft enough to carry quite a bit >>>>> more >>>>> more than 5 kilos in a small backpack :-) >>>>> >>>>> I have found that most German stores DO accept Visa or Mastercard, but >>>>> very, very reluctantly - most of them prefer to use direct-debit >>>>> (Maestro) with or without PIN input, or straight cash. >>>>> >>>>> Cheers >>>>> Douglas >>>>> >>>>> Clive Moss wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Have you had any problems with carry-on weight on local airlines? Many >>>>>> airlines weight limit of 15lbs or so is loosely enforced, but a killer >>>>>> if >>>>>> one has a laptop and camera gear. I had to check a carry-on on my last >>>>>> trip >>>>>> back from Australia, but they fortunately did not weigh my camera bag, >>>>>> which >>>>>> was smaller, but probably weighed more! >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Clive >>>>>> http://clive.moss.net/blog >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 2:44 PM, <grduprey@mchsi.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Steve, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Well the same security checks that are seen at US airports are in >>>>>>> effect >>>>>>> here, and in my experience not a big deal. The lines seem shorter >>>>>>> here >>>>>>> though. Train security is pretty much non-existant, and this is the >>>>>>> area >>>>>>> where you need to watch your bags for theft. So far we have been >>>>>>> lucky, but >>>>>>> I do keep an eye out for curious characters. So far we have used >>>>>>> local >>>>>>> airlines twice, TUI Fly and German Wings, and the train 3 times with >>>>>>> good >>>>>>> results. For the train we decided to go with the EuroPass which >>>>>>> seems to be >>>>>>> pretty painless, although it is expensive to purchase, but over all >>>>>>> it runs >>>>>>> a bit less for overall cost, and you ride first class, so you get >>>>>>> seats with >>>>>>> more comfort and also have power outlets for your computer and other >>>>>>> electrical toys. One problem with the EuroPass is it may not be >>>>>>> valid in >>>>>>> the ex-Soviet block countries... Ours was not valid in Poland, so we >>>>>>> had to >>>>>>> pay for the train to Berlin, although not very expensive at all. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Concerning electrical devices, most if not all current devices work >>>>>>> on all >>>>>>> power sources, so you need only a plug adapter, not the old >>>>>>> converters. I >>>>>>> have sleep apnea, so I use a CPAP machine, I had no adapter plug, so >>>>>>> I used >>>>>>> a power adapter from our trip 4 years ago, it did not have enough >>>>>>> juice to >>>>>>> run it. A quick trip to the Saturn store and they had a chord that >>>>>>> fit and >>>>>>> now I have a proper power connector with cable. The M8 charger comes >>>>>>> with >>>>>>> the plug needed, and I got a plug kit from my Apple dealer in the US >>>>>>> prior >>>>>>> to leaving to use with the MackBook power cube and cable. So make >>>>>>> sure you >>>>>>> have the proper plug. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> For the most part the trip has been relatively trouble free. Even >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Taxis in Poland are reliable and cheap. I will say that between our >>>>>>> trip in >>>>>>> '04 and this one, things in Poland have greatly improved, we have had >>>>>>> no >>>>>>> problems finding people who speak English (Which is good as my >>>>>>> attempts at >>>>>>> learning Polish are poor at best, a very complicated language for me) >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> credit/cash cards are accepted just about everywhere, which is more >>>>>>> than I >>>>>>> can say about Germany credit card wise. Outside of the Credit/Cash >>>>>>> card >>>>>>> problem, Germany is great also. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Gene >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -------------- Original message ---------------------- >>>>>>> From: Steve Barbour <kididdoc@cox.net> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sep 20, 2008, at 2:39 AM, grduprey@mchsi.com wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Steve, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Well I'm not sure I qualify as a big time traveler, but this trip >>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>> surely the biggest we have ever attempted. ;-) The Macbook has >>>>>>>>> been a real joy to work with and fits into my camera bag very >>>>>>>>> nicely, but adds weight... No surprise! As for e-mail access, it >>>>>>>>> has not been bad, only a few spots so far with no access, mostly in >>>>>>>>> the ex-GDR hotels this past week. OUtside of hotels, you should >>>>>>>>> expect to pay for access, as not all have free internet services. >>>>>>>>> In Poland the hotel had free internet WiFi in Warsaw's Old Town. >>>>>>>>> Italy was also not a problem, but the hotel in Milan had a high fee >>>>>>>>> for its use, where in Venice it was free. Germany on the whole is >>>>>>>>> also not a problem except for this past week in the fore mentioned >>>>>>>>> Ex GDR area in the Thuringen area. Photo opertunities are great as >>>>>>>>> expected. And I am looking forward to Photokina next Friday and >>>>>>>>> Saturday (26th & 27th). >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The only down side has been my wife catching a bug this past week >>>>>>>>> and has not been able to get out of the house since, but she is >>>>>>>>> finally getting better. She needs to get better soon as the two >>>>>>>>> things she has really wanted to do are coming up soon... This week >>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>> trip down the Rhine, and in the first part of October the trip to >>>>>>>>> Paris. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The weather is starting to cool down, so we may just have to take a >>>>>>>>> trip to Spain and visit Luis and Nathan in the second half of >>>>>>>>> October to get warmed up again. ;-) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Not sure if that answers your questions, but so far no real >>>>>>>>> problems. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> great to hear, how about passing travel security and concern re >>>>>>>> theft? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Steve >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Gene >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -------------- Original message ---------------------- >>>>>>>>> From: Steve Barbour <kididdoc@cox.net> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sep 19, 2008, at 1:03 AM, grduprey@mchsi.com wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Steve, >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> That seems to be the opinion on the LUF also, however, I have yet >>>>>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>>>> try it. The turn on and format functions are greatly improved >>>>>>>>>>> though, I need to get me a couple of 4G SDHC cards to try out >>>>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>>>> part, but not sure where to go here in Germany, I'm in >>>>>>>>>>> Eckenhagen, >>>>>>>>>>> about 60 -80 Km East of Koln, (I'm not in Iowa anymore, Toto...). >>>>>>>>>>> I >>>>>>>>>>> guess I can get some at Photokina next week, and try it out. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> with all of your travels Gene, how are you managing with the >>>>>>>>>> computer / >>>>>>>>>> e-mail access...give us a few tips... >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Steve >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Gene >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -------------- Original message ---------------------- >>>>>>>>>>> From: Steve Unsworth <lug@steveunsworth.co.uk> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> It could be my imagination, but noise seems better controlled at >>>>>>>>>>>> high ISOs >>>>>>>>>>>> too. I need to run some better tests, at the moment I'm using a >>>>>>>>>>>> MacBook. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Steve >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On 18/9/08 22:19, "Sonny Carter" <sonc.hegr@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Just downloaded it and tried out the auto ISO, and it works >>>>>>>>>>>>> smoothly and >>>>>>>>>>>>> quickly. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- Regards, Sonny http://www.sonc.com Natchitoches, Louisiana USA