In this new world of conglomerate owned sportsbook I should have expected this. But I was blindsided - none of us are as smart as we think we are.
Somewhere, I think on this site, but maybe from a paper ad - I read something about Jazz Sportsbook. What I liked is that they took Western Union, and absorbed the fees. Because while I have a Neteller account, I didn't find out till last Thursday that if you change your bank account (mine is funded by such) it will take a week to re-verify.
OK, Jazz it was. Because I wanted another book while waiting for Neteller to clear. Good rating on this site and others. I called the number, opened an account for $500, got a 10% bonus, and they picked up the $30 WU fee.
When I called I asked if it was Jazz, got an affirmative. All through the signup process I was never told differently. But I was not placed as a member of Jazz, but rather of ABC Islands.
A little sticky when you try to sign in on the Net. A call to the number, and speaking to two reps, the last an (I'm sure) an American gent who was very accomodating, gave me the story:
Jazz is the parent company of not only the Jazz book, but of Looselines (reduced juice) and ABC Islands (casual player). Niche marketing, you see. And because with a $500 opening pot I clearly was not a "wiseguy" (whch Jazz caters to) I was placed in ABC.
The problem here is that I was never informed of that. It was done arbitrarily. The American guy admitted that, somewhat apologetically. It's a kind of contemputuous of the customer marketing that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. At least that was the case with me.
I decided nevertheless to stay with ABC, as one of the five books I have. The orginal ABC Islands was the first offshore I'd ever played at, around 5-6 years ago. And with never a bet over $150, as I recall, nailed them for around $2400 that football season. So back for another try.
Still, I don't like the marketing. Tell the potential client the truth, don't treat him like a sucker. I know there are lots of conglomerates out there doing niche marketing, and in the future I sure as hell will ask a lot more questions.
Somewhere, I think on this site, but maybe from a paper ad - I read something about Jazz Sportsbook. What I liked is that they took Western Union, and absorbed the fees. Because while I have a Neteller account, I didn't find out till last Thursday that if you change your bank account (mine is funded by such) it will take a week to re-verify.
OK, Jazz it was. Because I wanted another book while waiting for Neteller to clear. Good rating on this site and others. I called the number, opened an account for $500, got a 10% bonus, and they picked up the $30 WU fee.
When I called I asked if it was Jazz, got an affirmative. All through the signup process I was never told differently. But I was not placed as a member of Jazz, but rather of ABC Islands.
A little sticky when you try to sign in on the Net. A call to the number, and speaking to two reps, the last an (I'm sure) an American gent who was very accomodating, gave me the story:
Jazz is the parent company of not only the Jazz book, but of Looselines (reduced juice) and ABC Islands (casual player). Niche marketing, you see. And because with a $500 opening pot I clearly was not a "wiseguy" (whch Jazz caters to) I was placed in ABC.
The problem here is that I was never informed of that. It was done arbitrarily. The American guy admitted that, somewhat apologetically. It's a kind of contemputuous of the customer marketing that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. At least that was the case with me.
I decided nevertheless to stay with ABC, as one of the five books I have. The orginal ABC Islands was the first offshore I'd ever played at, around 5-6 years ago. And with never a bet over $150, as I recall, nailed them for around $2400 that football season. So back for another try.
Still, I don't like the marketing. Tell the potential client the truth, don't treat him like a sucker. I know there are lots of conglomerates out there doing niche marketing, and in the future I sure as hell will ask a lot more questions.