ATM's in Germany

I've used plenty of ATMs in Germany and can't say I have ever had that problem. Most of the ATMs I've seen seem to be out in the open. However, some have been inside bank, and the door would have been locked after hours. But I was there during banking hours, and the ATM was accessible.

The nice thing about using an ATM inside a bank is that you know it is legit. I don't think this would happen in Germany, but I've heard that sometimes in Italy they put a "phoney" ATM in a remote location just to capture your card.

And, by the way, the MacDonald's manager probably thought you were checking prices for a competitor.

I can't help you about the McDonald's incident but the ATM machine issue I can clarify. If they're outside the chances of them either being manipulated by fraudsters or being damaged by idiots are too high. So they're being put behind doors. You can open the door simply by swiping any valid debit or credit card thru the door opener card reader. That way they also make sure no bums use that room for sleeping...

One time my Mom was trying to take a picture of my brother, sister, and me in front of an Auntie Ann's pretzel place. It had just opened and we thought it was cool because we have an "Auntie Ann". The manager came out and yelled at us saying that it was a branding issue- they don't want people to take pictures of anything with their name on it. We thought that was strange since people take pictures in front of signs all the time, but who knows, maybe your experience was was something similar.

I really prefer the secure ATM's, particularly if I am alone. You just insert your ATM card to open the door. If the door won't open, your card doesn't have the symbol for that kind of ATM.

The ATM with the lock door is actually quite common... at least here in So Cal. I also experienced this in Mexico.

It keeps the customer safe, and the etiquette is for people to wait outside until the customer is finished w/ his transaction.

There should be a swiper at the door and your ATM card will activate the lock.

Good post to keep those aware of hidden things like that!

I've also seen ATMs like that all over the place, although I never experienced it in Germany. My old bank in surburban Milwaukee, in a remote location, used to have an ATM like it's. It's kinda nice, because then no one can get too close to you while you're using the machine.

I have a feeling the McDonald's thing was a branding issue like someone mentioned. I used to be a newspaper reporter, and we usually had to go through great lengths to be able to take a picture in a chain place like that. Yes, using a photo for publication is different, but that might have been the issue. Sounds like you just got lucky every other time you did it.

We were in Brussles in the fall and I was by myself in the evening looking for an ATM - swiped my card to enter and was surprised to see homeless people camped inside the "secure" location . I turned around and left without using the machine.

ATMs behind locked doors are fairly common in Germany, but I have never experienced difficulty finding an "open" ATM. Sometimes, I just had to look in a few more places.

I've seen ATMs like that in some European cities, Mexico and some downtown bank locations around the US.

Now I feel like an idiot. I always assumed you needed the card for that bank (not just an appropriate network). I never tried swiping my card.

Sometimes I just went in as someone came out and other times I found another ATM. Live and learn!

As far as the McDonald's manager. You should have told him a lot of decaffeinated brands taste just as good, LOL! Usually they aren't as testy in February as they can get in tourist season.

I once got yelled at by an older gentleman in a Laundromat in Schlesswig because he thought we were taking too long to read the directions. I was with a German friend so it's not like we were just stupid tourists (one stupid tourist and a German from Dusseldorf).

Brad-LOL! I'll have to figure out how to say that in German so I can be sure to tell the manager what I think the next time :P

I feel like a dork too, I hadn't even thought to swipe my own card! Now I know what the deal is...and I agree it's much safer that way, too bad I didn't know then what I know now!

To be fair, I was with my friend who is Swedish and she didn't know either, the ATM's in her part of Sweden are like they are here where I live, usually on the outside of the bank as well as inside. I can't wait to tell her that all we had to do was swipe our cards instead of wandering around for 20 minutes trying to figure out how to get some cash-LOL!

I guess Brad and I went to the same school because I always figured you needed a card from that bank.I just waited until someone exited.

Stick to the big name bank ATMs inside or out. After house you slide your card to get to the little lobby for protected ATMs. BofA has a deal with DeutscheBank so reduced or eliminated fees. Check if your bank has similar partnerships internationaly