[snaimon]

Perhaps somewhat OT.....

I was able to purchase a German SIMYO card for my wife with her US credit card and sent to her German hotel.

OTOH.......................

I just sold my 2 German prepaid cards on Ebay. While I was there in August, I went to a shop of the firm and spoke with a rep. He gave me registration forms and I sent those along with the two cards to the 2 "new" owners. I had bought the cards off Ebay.de supposedly from an authorized dealer of same firm and sent in my registration info to that person.

The rep at the shop just shook his head when I told him that. He said German sim cards are only to be sold to EITHER German citizens upon presentation of their identity cards OR to foreignors living in Germany with a legitmate, official approval/work permit/ residential permit/whatever. Of course, I met NONE of those conditions at the time I bought these cards. I may have made a copy of the important page of my passport with my picture.

Recently (late last week) I contacted the provider to determine how I might transfer ownership of the cards. TODAY I was told in writing:

1. Obtain from the BUYER either a copy of his/her German ID -- copy both sides

OR

2. Obtain copy of BUYER's legitmate, official approval/work permit/ residential permit/whatever

and fax or mail either of these to address of provider.

Well, one buyer was in Philadelphia PA and I am quite sure he is an American without EITHER of the above. The other buyer lived in BC Canada and based on his name I doubt he was German either.

Bottom line............... I think if they don't want to follow the rules, the don't.