Re: What to take? (paxcam)

everybody takes credit cards, for almost everything. credit cards generally get you the best exchange rate too. and make sure your bank card is cleared t0 get money out of the many atms scattered all over, you get a better rate than buying euros from amex.

weather should be 65 plus or minus five degrees, but we're talking weather here, so be prepared. sunscreen for the race.

john

 

Make sure you get the pin number for your credit card. The unattended gas stations I stopped at required it. They also accept cash.

 

Re: What to take? (paxcam)

Also, when you gas up, you get to fill the tank first before paying. I tried to give an attendant in Germany my credit card before filling and he thought I was crazy. Quite refreshing!

Chris

 

Re: What to take? (paxcam)

Yes, make sure you call your bank and your credit card company to alert them that you will be traveling to Europe to be sure your cards don't get locked out. We went through 6 countries (including Germany). We had no problems with using Visa. Every gas station, hotel, most stores and restraunts took it. For phones, try T-mobile as well. I have T-mobile service and it worked flawlessly for me in every country. I was very impressed.

 

If you have a GSM phone then just buy a prepaid SIM card as GSM will work in Euro.

Plastic will be accepted at most all gas stations. I found that some gas stations never processed my purchases at all when I checked my CC billing after arriving back home. Considering the price of gas in Euro that was a good deal.

 

Re: (barrysharp)

1) phone: make sure, even if you already have a GSM phone, that you call your service provider and check if you have international roaming. This needed to be turned on for me. Hopefully that is the case, as international roaming costs you even if you don't use it (so you don't want it ON when you are 100% in the states and not using it). Interntaional dialing is different than international roaming. Just because you can dial outside the U.S. from inside the U.S. does not mean you can dial outside the U.S. from outside the U.S.

2) Credit Card: Definitely call your card company and tell them (1) you are traveling and WILL be spendig lots of money on the card. (2) Get your PIN as many (every one I used) gas stations require a PIN at the pump (unlike in the U.S.). Check to see if this operates like a "cash advance" which costs more and could give you a nasty surprise upon your return home.

ATM card: Call your card company/bank and ensure you can withdraw cash internationally. Sometimes you need to change your PIN for overseas (i.e. if it is 4 sybmols or more?).

Bring a raincoat. Most hotels will lend you umbrellas.

 

Re: (jajohnson)

Quote, originally posted by jajohnson »

Make sure you get the pin number for your credit card. The unattended gas stations I stopped at required it. They also accept cash.

careful with this one - my CC company treats these PIN transactions as cash advances and tacks on a $5 fee for each one. Adds up real fast!!!

I used my CC freely in Sweden and never was requird to use a PIN, but I stopped at stations w/attendants.

 

Wow. I'm going to file this for future reference!

 

Re: (COMark)

that was my fear (about the cash advance issue)

It took me a long time to find a station that had an attendant (in Copenhagen). The Nav system doesn't give you that info (not that I'd expect it to).

 

Re: (adp)

I had gotten a PIN, but it was different than my others (ATM, etc.) and was always inaccessible - plus I was afraid it would be a cash advance, too. I paid inside whenever I filled up, but the attendants would always want me to key in my PIN inside. I assume that is standard practice in Sweden. Unfortunately, there were a few times that the attendant did not speak English, but I was always able to make the universal "sign credit card receipt" hand gesture (which, incidentally, is the same as the universal "check, please" hand gesture used in restaurants). Thankfully, everyone was very accomodating of my ignorance of the language and culture.

By the way, each stop at a gas station cost me about $80.00.

 

Re: (BSK)

I have determined that the best skill to leave behind, when you are going to Europe, is the "arithmetical" skill you have acquired. If you convert those Kroners to dollars you will drive yourself crazy. And whaqt're you gonna do, not buy the gas?

Of course, I took that approach and bought 4 snaps glasses, thinking that 8 would be too costly. I got back to my hotel and did the math - they were $4 each. I went back the next morning and bought 4 more glasses.

 

Re: (adp)

we bought a pocket calculator for those currency translations. I'd recommend taking one instead of buying it there. I can't recall the USD price, but I do recall it was MUCH more than the $3 I would have spent at Target.

 

Re: (adp)

Quote, originally posted by adp »

bought 4 snaps glasses,

?snaps glasses?

john

 

Re: (s60r05)

aquavit glasses - what we call "schnapps" they call "snaps" I believe

either way - little two-ounce glasses

very cool - Holmegaard/Per Lutken - Danish glass of the 60s

 

Re: What to take? (s60r05)

"everybody takes credit cards, for almost everything"

They sure do! Last week some one took 4 grand from mine in south africa! Card was in my wallet and I sure as hell haven't been to south africa!

 

Re: What to take? (tommyt37)

Ouch

Welcome to to Swedespeed.

There are a number of us Volvo enthusiasts here in the Seattle area, and I know of two who will be participating in the OSD in October.

There is also a couple of Volvo clubs locally as well, which are good sources of info as well as awfully nice folks.

If you are interested, let me know.

 

Re: What to take? (tommyt37)

sorry to hear that - that sucks

I had a recent bout of credit card fraud, myself. They barely even investigate the crime. It's a shame.

 

Re: What to take? (Lead Foot 60)

Thanks so much. This is the first time I have even looked at a volvo. In fact I was driving my friend around as she was looking for a good used car when we stopped in at a Volvo dealer. I really liked the look of the V50 but then I saw a black S40 AWD loaded and the dealer sent the volvo wheels off to be chromed..... wow that car looked sharp. So now I am torn between the V50 and S40 but am leaning to the S40. I kinda wanted the V50 as I have a dog but I dunno.
At any rate I am now trying to sell my 02 GMC Envoy then my plan is to save up for a bit and try to put a large amount down on a new car and take delivery in Europe and see where my family came from in Norway and Sweden(have a relative I have never met in Bergen).
Would love to meet some fellow volvo owners sometime. I live in Bothell and work at philips medical. I will have a ton of questions. This is a big deal for me as believe it or not I have never bought a brand new car before always 1 or 2 years old. I have been to the dealer in Fife and stopped by in Bellevue(he was ok but I emailed him and he never followed up). I have never had a good experiance at a dealer before so hopefully things will go smooth. I'm giving myself plenty of time though as I want to do this right and get exactly what I want on the car(pretty much everything)...If you have suggestions of a dealer please let me know. In the mean time I am going to plan for a 2 to 3 week vacation. My goals are to see as much as possible meet as many great people as possible and try not to go over budget(from what I have read seems hard!)
Regards,
Tom

P.S if you know anyone who wants an Envoy let me know!

 

Re: What to take? (adp)

yes it is a shame. I try to use my Credit card and not my Visa Debit card when making online purchases as if it is stolen the money is from the bank and not taken out of checking..

Can't belive people can make a 3500 dollar purchase and not require ID or something.. very odd.

 

Re: What to take? (tommyt37)

We have been working with Volvo of Fife, the guy has been very paitent and answered all of our questions. We are taking delivery October 1st and have been planning our trip for a good part of a year. Stockholm, Copenhagen, Germany, Austria (Innsbruck) and then back to Munich for drop off. You can e-mail me if you would like the name of the contact we have been working with I would be glad to help out. I have found Swedespeed to be very informative for research and the people on it very helpful. Good Luck

 

Re: What to take? (k2volvo)

Sounds like there are a number of us in the Seattle area. Perhaps its time to arrange a lunch or something to get together and compare notes.

How lunch at the Redhook in Woodinville

, or someone suggest an alternative. Barry, Jack, StaggRLee, et. al. , how about it?

 

Re: What to take? (Lead Foot 60)

I think that would be a great idea especailly with the amount of people doing OSD of late. I am game Redhook is fine by me.. I just need a few days heads up...well not even that.... really all I am doing is working and saving $$$

Tom

 

Re: What to take? (Lead Foot 60)

Thanks yeah the OSD guy in Fife was busy when I stopped by but another sales person let me take an S40 out for a drive.. real nice guy... the only one I haven't stopped by to check out is the one in Lynnwood..
will email you sometime soon.