SPORTSBOOK.COM accused me of chargeback too

cincy_ · Aug 7, 2005

I have told people this story and it isn't new. They screwed me over too - made me send them a measly $350, and that was AFTER I requested a payout.

I have said it before, and I will say it again - SPORTSBOOK.COM are arrogant SOB's who talk down on people - their favorite line is "we're publicly traded .... blah blah blah"

cincy_ · Aug 7, 2005

I made this post way back when:

http://forum.therx.com/showthread.php?t=202080&highlight=sportsbook.com

ABOUT SPORTSBOOK.COM

Once, they froze my account because I had ALLEDGELY "taken back" $330 in action 3 years ago. I had no way of proving that this was not the case because I didn't even remember the transaction.

My total handle with Sportsbook was probably well over $100,000 at that time, and I kept telling them that if I was going to scam them, why would I do it for $330??? Wouldn't I do it for $3,000? I have received (as comps) a blue sports bag and a brown leather bag from them as well - I am not the type of person that is going to pull back a $330 wager and I told them as much.

I wasn't given the benefit of the doubt, and all I could do was say that I would NEVER do something like that. I told them I would give them my handle at other books like Grande, WSEX and the rest for them to check if I had ever done that with anyone else, because a guy that pulls back a measly $330 is also going to try it at other books too - but NO - they were going to freeze my account and I couldn't do jack shit about it.

I have never sent Sportsbook.com another penny since because, frankly, I don't trust them anymore. They wouldn't listen to me and they had no intention of asking around about me - they were freezing my account and I couldn't do anything about it ... and all I can do about it now is NEVER send them another dime.

CoachCB · Aug 7, 2005

Cincy,

Please explain what it means to "pull back". I'm not familiar w/ that. Thanks for the head up on them. I have two accounts and have been shopping for a third. I'm thinking Pinny.

TTinCO · Aug 7, 2005

Coach, you can't go wrong with Pinny. They are one of few absolute "must haves".

cincy_ · Aug 7, 2005

CoachCB said:
Cincy,

Please explain what it means to "pull back". I'm not familiar w/ that. Thanks for the head up on them. I have two accounts and have been shopping for a third. I'm thinking Pinny.

Honestly, I don't know how to do it - I think you call the CC company and say a false charge was made to the card or something

Journeyman · Aug 7, 2005

What proof did the offer you, that you did this Cincy?

Kojak · Aug 7, 2005

I am in the credit card industry so to explain what a chargeback is means that on a transaction that you made with a company, you disputed the charge for reason being it was a stolen card, never received the product, or received defective product. Your credit card company then acts like a legal team on your behalf with the actual credit card processor to decide who is to blame and at fault in this dispute. Company individual disputed charge against get 10 business days to present the proof. Once proof is received by the individuals issuing bank, they make a decision for or against you. During this time of 10 business days, the processor pulls the transaction amount and holds it until decision is made. If decision is for individual, money is put back on card and merchant is charged additional chargeback fee similar to nsf fee. If merchant wins, they are given back the funds but still charged the chargeback fee. Hope this explains it in detail.

CoachCB · Aug 8, 2005

Kojak,

When I originally opened my Sportsbook accounts I tried to use my credit card. My CC would not allow the transaction because it was "gambling". I would much rather use my credit card due to earning points (on the card). Also, I'd rather not have to use Neteller because there is a 4-5 day "hold" period. Is there a way that I could get my credit card company to accept the transaction if I tried using it again to fund my accounts?

Kojak · Aug 8, 2005

coach cb,

It is not your personal card but your issueing card company. Whoever you were making your transaction with and I am assuming this was a internet transaction, is not a company that is allowed due to not being visa verified. What visa verified means is that they have preregistered with visa and been accepted as a preferred merchant. When a company who does transactions on the internet does not visa verify often has transactions declined as a result due to them being not on the list and seen as a high risk for fraud. I would recommend if you were ever to do a transaction online, I would go out to visa website and see if company you wish to do a transaction is visa verified ow I would not do the transaction. Hope this helps.

CoachCB · Aug 8, 2005

Thanks Kojak. Good info. BTW, I only have a MasterCard. Does that matter?

Kojak · Aug 8, 2005

coach cb,

What I would do is call your issuing company and ask if they have a preference on merchant for internet processing. Explain to them you know there is visa verified list and ask them if mastercard has a similar list which I am sure they do but I don't 100 percent be able to say they do or don't. Your company may also have some limitations on transactions on the internet or outside of us. That is where I would start.

CoachCB · Aug 8, 2005

Thanks again Kojak. BTW, I scrolled down the page and read the other thread about "chargebacks"...... You learn something new every day!!

cincy_ · Aug 8, 2005

Journeyman said:
What proof did the offer you, that you did this Cincy?

NONE. They just gave a date, "Like January 23, 2001" or something, like I am going to remember.

I just sent them $330 - it wasn't a big amount, and I just wanted to be able to take out my money and never play with them again. They have lost close to $100,000 in my action, so it didn't really help them. I also hope that my posting at RX loses them another $100,000.

I mean, they have sent me leather bags and other stuff worth more than $330 - its just petty and bad business.

PixWinns · Aug 8, 2005

cincy_hugg said:
I have told people this story and it isn't new. They screwed me over too - made me send them a measly $350, and that was AFTER I requested a payout.

I have said it before, and I will say it again - SPORTSBOOK.COM are arrogant SOB's who talk down on people - their favorite line is "we're publicly traded .... blah blah blah"

Would agree with "cincy_hugg"...............

In all do respect, the term "Publicly Traded" don't mean anyhing. A company in general, could make-up a million and one excuses why not to pay you, etc.

Many companies that are not "Publicly Traded" and run a nice and honest business. Don't be fooled by this "Publicly Traded" term.

Thanks,

TTinCO · Aug 8, 2005

Klowinn, I think that Enron, Qwest and WorldCom pretty much confirmed what you said. Sometimes I think that this industry is shady as hell, then I watch the nightly news.

dottom · Aug 9, 2005

You can chargeback anything vs. the sportsbook.com sites and will win your VISA/MC dispute every time.

Stickie · Aug 9, 2005

dottom said:
You can chargeback anything vs. the sportsbook.com sites and will win your VISA/MC dispute every time.

That's true, the Credit Card company would request the signed CC slip from a vendor. If its not signed you win a charge back everytime.

azg04 · Aug 9, 2005

dottom said:
You can chargeback anything vs. the sportsbook.com sites and will win your VISA/MC dispute every time.

What does that mean?, that you will chargeback your dep. with them for having a straight losing action because you are sure you will win the dispute? Is that what you want us to realized?

dottom · Aug 10, 2005

azg04 said:
What does that mean?, that you will chargeback your dep. with them for having a straight losing action because you are sure you will win the dispute? Is that what you want us to realized?

When did I ever say anything about winning a wager, losing a wager, or the intent of the bettor?

I simply stated a fact. That all chargebacks disputes vs. the many sportsbook.com sites have ALL been ruled in favor of the credit card holder.

What this means to you depends on your situation. Ever been screwed by a book before that graded a wager incorrectly, sent you a check in the mail but it's 2 weeks and all you get is runaround, software bug, changed T&C's on you without notice (such as push on teaser as a loss instead of a no action), etc. There are lots of reasons why any user might have a legitimate reason to exercise their right to dispute a charge.

In fact, often the THREAT of a chargeback is all it takes to escalate legitimate complaints.

All I'm doing is posting information. Whatever conclusions you want to make as it applies to your own situation is up to you. Now get off your high horse.