Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
February 9, 2010
Man loses €23,000 in cash during convertible test drive
Published: 14 May 09 11:55 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090514-19273.html
A man test driving a new Audi convertible on Wednesday lost €23,000 – with which he’d planned to purchase the vehicle – because it blew away when he simply put it on the backseat.
- Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing - Society (9 Feb 10)
- Bahn CEO intervenes after railway gives teen wine as redress - Society (8 Feb 10)
- Smallest Karneval parade faces curtain call - Society (8 Feb 10)
The man called police from the German state of Lower Saxony, who closed the A2 in both directions for 30 minutes between Garbsen and Hannover-Herrenhausen to help him search for the airborne cash.
He was only able to find €20,000 of the initial sum, most of which was located near the guard rail, police said.
It remains unclear whether he will still buy a new car.
The Local (news@thelocal.de)
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Facebook
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional
Millions of German families on welfare could receive more government assistance after the nation’s highest court ruled Tuesday the controversial Hartz IV system of payments was unconstitutional. READ (19 COMMENTS) »
Löw backs down in contract dispute
National coach Joachim Löw ended his stand-off with the German Football Federation (DFB) on Tuesday, as both parties agreed to plough all their efforts into Germany's 2010 World Cup campaign. READ (1 COMMENT) »
Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy
The tough economic climate is failing to dent Germans’ enthusiasm for Karneval, with partygoers set to spend €300 million on costumes and makeup during this year’s season, the Toy Retailers’ Association said Monday. READ »
Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants
Jobseekers with Turkish names are clearly discriminated against when looking for work in Germany, a study released this week has found. READ »
Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim
Best-selling teenage novelist Helene Hegemann rejected accusations of plagiarism in her debut novel “Axolotl Roadkill” on Tuesday, after it emerged she had taken slabs of text from an anonymous author and blogger. READ »
Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing
The president of Hamburg's city parliament is reportedly in hot water for ordering authorities to clear the footpaths of ice outside his own home while leaving the rest of the city to slip and slide their way home. READ (1 COMMENT) »
Construction worker confesses in Cologne archive collapse case
Eleven months after the deadly collapse of Cologne’s city archive, a construction worker has given investigators their first confession in the case, media reports said on Tuesday. READ »
Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films
Buyers at the Berlin film festival will be seeing triple this year, as 3-D productions such as "Avatar" transform the global cinema industry. READ »
More Society
- 09/02 Berlinale highlights shift to 3-D films »
- 09/02 Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing (1 comment) »
- 09/02 Hartz IV welfare benefits ruled unconstitutional (19 comments) »
- 09/02 Young literary star Hegemann counters plagiarism claim »
- 09/02 Study finds major discrimination against Turkish job applicants »
- 09/02 Germans splashing out on Karneval despite bad economy »
- 08/02 Smallest Karneval parade faces curtain call (1 comment) »
- 08/02 Bahn CEO intervenes after railway gives teen wine as redress (14 comments) »
- 08/02 Indie cinemas battle for Berlin's spotlight »
- 07/02 Marlene Dietrich the first star on 'Berlin Walk' (1 comment) »
Highlights
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
Dr. Jane Elizabeth Dum
Individual and Couple's Therapy and Counseling -
European Business College Munich
European University (EU) - one of the world's top business schools -
David Opperman CPA
American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) -
TynTec GmbH
TynTec - a mobile messaging operator -
Rocket German
Who Else Wants to Learn to Speak German Confidently and Naturally? -
THINKFAST - Text and Translation Service
Professional-quality financial translations and IR-support -
3D Personal Training Systems - Munich
Personal training and wellness consultancy in Munich!
Sponsored Links
- Knut Riedel - Tax Adviser: Expert in international taxation. Your competent and reliable partner.
- Greenback Tax Services - expert US CPAs will complete your expat tax return for $299!
- EXPATTAX - German tax advice in English language - nationwide
- Gift Baskets: Exquisite and unique hampers - fantastic Xmas presents
- Dolores - Berlin's best California-style burritos!
- Hundreds of job opportunities for foreign professionals in Germany
- Translation and English writing services
- Find the right relationship
- Your advertisement here
Jobs in Germany, in English
571 jobs in Germany, in English
397 new jobs this week
78 new jobs today
- Sr. Manager of International Sales (m/f)
- Team Assistant for Private Banking Team - Frankfurt
- Generator Lead Customer Service Engineer
- Implementation Consultant PLM/PDM (m/w) Deutschlandweit
- Product Manager (m/f)
- Senior Project Manager New Product development
- Application & Software Senior Product Manager-EU Software Company
- PLM Process Consultant (m/w)
- IT Service Desk Specialist (m/f)
- Project Manager/ Projektleiter (m/w) Deutschlandweit
Latest news from The Local in Sweden
- 09/02 Parental 'child sick leave' peaks in February »
- 09/02 'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Myrdal »
- 09/02 Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations »
- 09/02 Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers »
- 09/02 Dental service probed as girl dies after toothache »
Blog
Essentials
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
News from the Goethe-Institut
- Brokers Not Only of the Word – German-speaking theater publishers
There is hardly a theatrical profession that has recently been so fostered, celebrated, loaded with prizes and grants as young dramatists.... - A Remarkable Success Story – the Museum Island in Berlin
The billion-euro renovation of Berlin’s museum island is making good progress. - Erna Baumbauer is Dead: The Lady in the Background
Erna Baumbauer was the “Queen of Bavaria” the first female German actor’s agent ever. - A Jewel for the Capital of Culture – the new Museum Folkwang in Essen
One of the attractions of the former industrial city that aspires to transform itself into a city of culture is the Museum Folkwang rebuild: great art has a great location at last.... - When languages die
According to UNESCO, roughly half of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken worldwide are in danger of extinction.
News from Young Germany
- First ever study to look at young people, social engagement and civic participation
There is a common perception that young people today have little interest in political parties,... - 1st European MBA Career Fair to be held in Berlin
The 1st European MBA Career Fair will take place April 26 at the bcc Berliner Congress Center. For... - MEDPILOT 3.0, new version of the online medical library
The German National Library of Medicine has launched a version 3.0 of its MEDPILOT. The new site... - Akademie Schloss Solitude celebrates 20 years with events, new partnerships
With its press conference on February 3, the Akademie Schloss Solitude announced its jubilee... - ispo - Sport & Style Fully in motion
Joachim Schirrmacher reports on the ever greater influence that sport has on fashion, presents the...
News from DeutschlandOnline
- German exports up in December
German exports increased in December by a surprise 3 per cent, to record their fourth consecutive... - Seoul should share development lessons, German president says
South Korea should do more to share its experience of economic development, German President Horst... - Germany in good form ahead of Olympics
The German ski-jumping team showed that they are in fine form ahead of the Vancouver Winter... - Afghan farmers replace poppy with saffron in German aid project
A Christian aid project in Afghanistan is encouraging farmers away from the cultivation of poppy...
Noticeboard
Toytown Germany
- 19:29 Life in Kaiserslautern for single people
- 19:22 League of Accidental Hausfrauen (LoAHf) meetup
- 19:21 Public insurance to charge additional monthly fees
- 19:19 Residential districts of Frankfurt am Main
- 19:16 Workplace camera surveillance
- 19:14 Regular Thursday meetup at the Irish Pub, Bamberg
- 19:14 Advice on sanding down stuff
- 19:12 Unreasonable health insurance premiums
- 19:07 Cycling tours around Munich
- 19:02 IT and telecoms project management jobs in Berlin
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
Sales managers - country wide
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
The Local is seeking talented and experienced media sales professionals for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
JOB: Nursery Teacher / Early Years Educator
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS
Wolfsburg nursery, specialising in an Early Years Programme, seeks English speaking nursery teacher
FULL JOB DETAILS
JOB: Admin and academic positions
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS
GBCM is currently seeking experienced and ambitious full/part-time staff in the academic field as well as a flexible office manager for roles in an international environment
FULL JOB DETAILS
Your comments about this article:
He ALWAYS carries cash with him. Large amounts at that.
He has purchased all of his electronics, furniture, and cars with cash.
He only uses his bank card if absolutely necessary.
So, perhaps it IS normal to pay with cash for everything in Germany.
(Isn't there a topic on this somewhere..?)
It's definitely not unusual here to at least pay the deposit in cash or to be paid for a car sale in cash.
I also make sure I am well guarded.
I don't care if it IS normal to pay cash for the car (BTW I think they have Cashier's checks here = easy to fold up and put in your pocket) any moron has watched enough gangster movies to know you show up with black briefcase of perfectly stacked money.
(BTW #2 - if I HAD to pay with actual cash, I would TOTALLY do the transactions in 5's just to make those bastards have to count it all)
P.S. how's that convertable gonna be in the wintertime! brrrr
Cash is essentially untraceable - there are many people who prefer to do their business in cash for the obvious reason that it makes it easy to not report income. Obviously they run the risk of getting caught, but for many, this risk is considered small compared to the benefit.
To many people - and I think you might be surprised how many - ?20K is just not that much money. Having worked in the Investment Banking field for many years - although as a programmer, not a suit - I have seen this kind of money blown on an expensive lunch. Think about what a professional footballer earns (Ribery is potentially earning that much for playing a single game of football if his transfer to Man. Utd. goes through). OK, so Ribery is exceptional, but there are plenty of extremely highly paid footballers out there. Consider other high paid entertainers, and there's lots of them, for whom 20K is an appearance fee. 1% of the population of Germany is earning enough so that 20K is nothing to be too concerned about. 1% of 50 million is a lot of people.
Obviously a knob for wanting a convertible in the 1st place.
Obviously a knob for wanting a convertible in the 1st place.
As to paying cash, in Italy and Spain it's not uncommon to buy homes in cash - you pop to the bank and pick up the reddies (either from a mortgage or your account) and then pop down to the notary's with the cash. I've seen people pitch up with 300 large in notes before now. You can, of course, arrange a police escort if you're a poof. Real men just get their mates and a few shotguns and hope to re-enact the ambush scene from 'Ronin'.
Also could all those people who openly admit carrying large sums of money around in their pocket kindly give me a brief discription of their appreance, location and times they can be found alone in an relativly unlit area please.. thanks..
Watch the SpermOmeter go crazy!!!
Germany's carefully keeping dumps crowd