yeah this happens a lot with the new scanners, they're super picky about the barcode orientation. try rotating the can so the barcode faces the scanner directly, sometimes they need a specific angle. also check the bottom of the can for the Pfand logo, some limited edition designs don't have it and those get rejected everywhere.

if that doesn't work, the Edeka at Hermannplatz usually has a more forgiving machine, or just hand them to the cashier at the counter instead of using the self-service machine. they can manually override it if the can is clearly from their store.

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It could be a batch issue. Sometimes Coca Cola runs promotional cans that don't have the standard Pfand logo printed on them, even if you paid the deposit. Check the bottom of the can for the DPG (Deutsche Pfandsystem) symbol. If it's missing, the machine won't take them anywhere, not just Penny.

If they do have the logo, try the Edeka at Hermannstraße 58. Their machine is newer and less picky than the one at that Penny. Or just take them to the counter at the same Penny and ask the cashier to scan them manually, they can usually override the rejection if the barcode is fine.

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honestly sometimes the machine is just being an asshole for no reason. i've had it happen at Rewe too with cans i literally bought there five minutes earlier. try a different Penny location if there's one near you, the machines are calibrated differently. or just take them to a bigger supermarket like Kaufland, their machines are usually way less fussy.

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yeah the guide's got the main stuff down, one thing i'd add is that the späti culture is legit for saving money but specifically the ones in kreuzberg near kottbusser tor have the cheapest beers, like 0.80 eur for a can of sterni. also if you're doing the sunday museum thing, skip the pergamon queue and go to the hamburger bahnhof instead, it's way less crowded and has cool contemporary art plus the building itself is a converted train station so it's a vibe

for food, i'd say the best budget move is not the döner but the falafel at yafa on sonnenallee, 4 eur for a massive plate and it's open till late. and tbh the reichstag booking is a pain but if you miss it, the rooftop at the kollhoff tower near potsdamer platz is like 4 eur and gives you a solid view without the hassle

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solid write-up, one thing i'd add is that the 7-day ticket is actually 41 eur for AB but you can get a 4-trip ticket for 12 eur if you're only here a couple days and it works out cheaper than single trips. also the museum sunday freebie is great but it gets packed, like at the pergamon you'll be queuing for 30 mins minimum. for a quieter free option, try the brücke museum in grunewald on a weekday afternoon, it's small but has killer expressionist art and no crowds. oh and for a cheap meal, hit up mustafa's gemüse kebab at mehringdamm, that line is long but it's worth the 5 eur for the hype tbh

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honestly the cash tip is huge, a lot of tourists don't realize how many places are still cash only here. something the guide missed is that you can get a really cheap coffee at most bakeries for like 1.50 eur if you stand at the counter instead of sitting down, way cheaper than the hipster cafes. also if you're near a späti grab a beer for like 1 eur, way cheaper than bars obviously

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