Does threatening to post on forum help or hurt your payout chances?

[mathdotcom]

Have seen some use this angle. I never have.

[rm18]

probably only helps if it is a top rated book

[Tsoprano]

Yea, lower rated books wouldn't seem to care as much.

[Mudcat]

I have seen books take punitive action because someone goes to the forums. Sometimes they will come right out and say that's what they are doing. That would generally be the crappier/stupider books.

But I think taking a complaint public helps more often than not.

Bet Royal, in their most notorious days of Tej Kholi (sp??), despite being a crappy book, used to be known for flagging accounts of known forum people and giving them good treatment.

Some books are embarrassed into moving forum dramas to the top of the to-do list.

There may be a few really hopeless/stupid books that don't care at all, but in general books understand the meaning of PR.

[SBR_John]

First off the word threating is over the top. These are not guys who sing in the Sunday choir if you know what I mean. Secondly, they got your money.

I would say post about it if you are obviously 100% in the right. Best way is still to write Bill and let him work his magic.

[mathdotcom]

Obviously not a real threat. Just mentioning that you're on the forums, I mean.

[SBR Lou]

Obviously not a real threat. Just mentioning that you're on the forums, I mean.

Why bother. Most disputes that get aired on forum always seem to involve players quipping back and forth with some low level clerk. If it's a manager you're speaking to and wires are still crossed, then it's best to fill out a complaint form at SBR and go from there.

The implication or vague suggestion of airing things out, if you're in the right, is unnecessary.

[jjgold]

It helps if you are right and not a scammer, usually guys crying on the forum are up to something.

[Mudcat]

I'm trying to think if I have personal experience with this. I probably have had moments of frustration where I dropped hints I would go public about a slow-pay or something, but I can't even remember if it ever definitely made a difference.

I can remember a few instances of actually taking complaints public - usually on behalf of other people. Most times I can't say it makes a difference but I remember one time it was definitely a difference maker and got a guy a thousand bucks which the book was totally ready to gobble up if they could have quietly gotten away with it.

But I have been around forums for quite awhile and I have definitely seen more times where the squeaky wheel has gotten the grease, than when it has backfired. And so by extension, I would think the threat of it must have meaning to some books.

My instinct is always to be polite and try to follow formal channels. This thread has got me thinking and made me realize that may not be the wisest thing. (But I'll probably continue to do it anyway.)

[Brock Landers]

had the greek tell me to keep it quiet about the "card" not working if i inteneded on using it in the future...

funny thing is, its worked flawlessly since then, so i have nothing to complain about!

[mathdotcom]

Agreed, mudcat. Can always use it later as a last resort, but follow the usual procedures first.