Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/09/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Sonny, Same here for Italy and Poland, no problem with credit/cash cards at all. Gene -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Sonny Carter" <sonc.hegr@gmail.com> > > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information