[howdypal]

Originally posted on 12/13/2012:

Hello, my name is Taylor (screen name: Howdypal), I have been a member of Bodog for 7-8 years and have deposited between 5k-10k over the years that have been played on sportsbook, casino, and poker. I used to be an advocate for the former Bodog stating that despite the slow payouts, they were a good company with decent customer service. I can no longer advocate for this company and am letting everyone know my experience.

About 4 months ago I invested a mere $4.40 to win a $33 ticket to any future tournament of my choice. After spending the last couple months in the hospital with my newborn daughter, I finally had time to sit down for several hours in a row and play some poker. When I went to search for a good $33 tourney and discovered my ticket had vanished. After some further research I discovered that my ticket (not a promotion, won with my own deposit), had "expired". Apparently my winnings are only good for 90 days and then they become property of Bovada...but of course, because of my long term, deep deposit relationship they would be considerate of the circumstances and give me some more time to play...

I called and spoke with a Ron. Ron informed me that he couldn't promise that he could get me my ticket but he would try. After a couple minutes on hold he came back on the line and informed me that he couldn't offer me a $33 ticket, he would typically be able to get me a $5.50 ticket but that he pulled some strings and could give me a $11 ticket.

I spent the next 30-40 minutes discussing policies with Ron.
I asked Ron to show me where in the policies/terms of service I could see that the ticket would eventually expire, he directed me to the TOS. I asked him where in the TOS it discussed tickets. Ron placed me on hold for about 10 minutes to research. When he came back on the line, he apologized but he had directed me to the wrong location...I actually had to look under the "Poker FAQs." and it was my responsibility to know how the ticket worked. When I asked him if he thought it was ridiculous that I was expected to know all these policies so well when he, as an employee, would take 15 minutes to find them, he said that his answer didn't matter.
When I asked Ron for explanation as to why tickets expired, considering most (if not all) other online poker sites offer these tickets/tokens that don't expire, he told me that he didn't know why the rule was what it was. He said (and I quote), "We don't know why rules are rules. Look at Singapore. It's illegal to chew gum in Singapore. Why is it illegal? Why would you get arrested. No one knows...it's just the rules." Really???? Bovada- THAT is your defense for this policy. Because people in Singapore can't chew gum?
I asked to speak with his supervisor who was apparently in a meeting for the next two hours. Ron then informed me that I was no longer eligible for the $11 ticket since I didn't accept it initially. I told him that while I was upset about them robbing me of the $33, the retraction of the $11 may be their biggest infraction. I told him they were losing a customer who had invested a fair amount of money into the company over a $33 ticket which was mine in the first place. He told me, "We are a business, not a charity." I don't know where they get there talking points but it's unbelievable.

After hanging up with Ron, I e-mailed and called again. Any attempt to reach a supervisor is in vain as they just say they're unavailable. I can't make Bovada give me my $33 but I can spread the word across the internet that there are much better places to invest your money be in casino, poker, or sportsbook than in the terrible customer service site of Bovada....please, I urge you - spend your money elsewhere!

[GP]