I was once hired by a Berlin based C525 operator, with contract and everything.
When I rocked up in Berlin for the first day of working, having organized (and paid 1 month in advance) accommodation, car rental etc on my own, the CP asked if I could come back 2h later as something had to be sorted out.
When I came back later the same afternoon, I waited around for a few hours, when the MD finally called me into his office with the company lawyer present.
Apparantly the company could no longer hire me due to certain circumstances.. They were very sorry etc etc.
They could at least have told me not to come at all and I could have saved a bit of money. I hate to think this is east German culture and customs.