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Comment by dboreham | Hacker News Reader

Just bought a car that I could have paid for cash but they offered me zero % financing over three years, with zero down.

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When you guys say "cash", do you mean "not credit"? Because my dealership did not seem to appreciate it at all when I gave them 30,000 euros in stacks of 50 euro notes.

Yea, often when people say "cash" they're just referring to an instant asset transfer (cash, check, eft, etc). Usually I would expect a transaction in a dealership be a check or some kind of electric transaction.

Sounds fun to pull out a large stack of actual cash, though.

It was fun for me. The salesman didn't seem to enjoy it, but, in my defense, I had told him I didn't want to wait a weekend for the SEPA transfer to reach their bank before I could get my new car.

Cash management is a PITA. Plus SAR reporting.

In France that would be illegal-- cash can't be used for transactions over €1000 because they're afraid of terrorism apparently.

Interesting. Was trying to think of something common that could exceed 1000 euros and monthly rent came to mind. I'm guessing mom-and-pop landlords expect check and/or money order as typical payment method, or wire transfer?

In UK it's normal to do a "standing order" which you set up either at the bank counter or more usually through your online banking. Other methods have transaction charges whilst this does not, you can do one-time transfers this way too.

Limiting cash transfers isn't only about terrorism, it's about limiting possibilities for using your "black money". Governement doesn't want to lose income, are they ;)

Stimulating digital payments is another method

Hmm, I think there's a limit like that here now (not in 2013 when I bought the car, AFAIK), but I think the limit is higher? Maybe not, I'm not sure.

Also illegal in many euro countries. Which country was this in?

His username is likely a big hint there...

Greece. Would you trust our banks with your money? :P

But for such things the Germans invented the 500 euro bill.

Eh, is this legal? Which EU country is that?

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-01-27/europe-proposes-res...

EDIT: apologies, didn't saw see sibling comment; leaving the comment w/ the URL for reference on the directive details.

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