Does SBR still have a genuine commitment to advising players about books?

themajormt · 10-05-09, 02:42 PM

I asked 4 times for SBR's opinion on the parlay issue that is under the Sportsbook link and Justin AND Josh have yet to respond...

SBR Lou · 10-05-09, 02:43 PM

Our standard is to attempt to reply to all complaint forms within one business day. Sometimes there's an email issue or mix-up, but for the most part the dispute resolution team is pretty quick to assist.

acarmelo1 · 10-05-09, 02:45 PM

I emailed them for a issue of my account , and they replied me in one business day

again it was in regards to an issue of my account here on SBR not a complaint

Willie Bee · 10-05-09, 02:56 PM

I believe I was in chat a couple of weeks ago when one of the posters was making such an inquiry, Peter. And I would've thought that you would remember there was a definite language barrier issue with that one which was also exasperated by other posters in chat prolonging the issue by pretending to be contacting Bill Dozer to come into chat. Not sure about the other poster who was expressing the same dilemma, but in the future all you have to do is ask them to contact forum[at]sbrforum.com.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 03:00 PM

Okay Willie, I was suggesting he PM JoshW since he's been really informative in chat the last couple months. I'll bookmark this post to remind me to suggest the e-mail route instead. Thanks for your help.

Willie Bee · 10-05-09, 03:02 PM

That e-mail will go to several of us, thanks.

Justin7 · 10-05-09, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by themajormt

I asked 4 times for SBR's opinion on the parlay issue that is under the Sportsbook link and Justin AND Josh have yet to respond...

If you sent me a pm or an email, I responded.

tacomax · 10-05-09, 03:14 PM

Which form do you fill in for missing people?

Ganchrow hasn't logged in for a month and I want to explore the official channels before I get pimike on the case.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by tacomax

Which form to you fill in for missing people?

Ganchrow hasn't logged in for a month and I want to explore the official channels before I get pimike on the case.

Taco, the Mod staff has been supplemented with some part-timers down at the Escazu office, that's the reason for the SBR Staff account. It could be that Ganch doesn't have anything to add to the forum and has simply been reading/lurking from that account the rest of the guys are using down there.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 03:29 PM

Oh, I think I see what you're getting at, Taco! Knowing that you often mean far more than you say, I pulled up the Mod/Admin list and Ganchrow's account wasn't even listed under either.

http://forum.sbrforum.com/showgroups.php

I know he hasn't been a Mod for awhile, but when he took over the Escazu office he was listed as an Admin still. Has he been fired or just been directed to have nothing to do with the forum anymore? This is most puzzling.

tacomax · 10-05-09, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by RogueScholar

Has he been fired or just been directed to have nothing to do with the forum anymore? This is most puzzling.

I think a month long holiday. Whatever happened when working for SBR, it would be pretty shitty to fire one of the finer posters to grace the site and hoping everyone is too dumb to notice.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by tacomax

I think a month long holiday. Whatever happened when working for SBR, it would be pretty shitty to fire one of the finer posters to grace the site and hoping everyone is too dumb to notice.

But if it were just a month-long holiday they would have no reason to reduce his forum account permissions. Obviously there was a change in the nature of his responsibilities to the company, whether that fall under the heading of reassignment or termination is anyone's guess at this point.

pavyracer · 10-05-09, 04:04 PM

Note to self:

Do not ever forget to log in otherwise the rumor patrol will issue you a ticket.

Bread · 10-05-09, 04:06 PM

tacomax · 10-05-09, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by pavyracer

Note to self:

Do not ever forget to log in otherwise the rumor patrol will issue you a ticket.

You don't read between the lines very well, do you?

DeluxeLiner · 10-05-09, 04:19 PM

Very interesting stuff here RS

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by pavyracer

Note to self:

Do not ever forget to log in otherwise the rumor patrol will issue you a ticket.

Pavy, you used to be one of the best critics of the administration. A few free drinks and a hotel room and you decline to pounce on what is obviously far more than someone just not logging in for a month. What happened to you, pal? You're not even remotely the poster you used to be.

Mudcat · 10-05-09, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by RogueScholar

I'm simply curious because over the last few weeks we've had a couple people visit the chat room specifically to find someone to listen to their complaint or inquiry. They say they've filled out a complaint form or directly PM'd a Mod on the Dispute Resolution team and never heard back from anyone, sometimes weeks later. I've never needed to access SBR in this capacity, so I don't know if this is common or represents a new direction for the company that is more about pizzas and points than disputes and ratings.

Without getting into the specifics of those chats, my observation is that SBR's commitment to this part of the business has declined steadily over the years. That is based on observing the forum and players I talk to outside. Players that file complaints with SBR report having long waits for simple acknowledgements, never mind action - in a way that didn't occur years ago. Should I start digging up and linking threads? Ugh.

That is talking about the specific issue of dispute resolution.

The wording of the thread topic is more general. It is asking more about an overall attitude.

In that larger sense, my answer is the same. With SBR employees on the forum, it appears to me that providing good player information is an afterthought. They do not provide much of it themselves and the company policies have created an environment which most serious players I talk to do not consider fertile ground for discussion of player/book issues. People who could contribute a lot in this area simply don't.

SBR's ratings are far from what they once were. Books that are bouncing cheques and slow-paying for months don't have their ratings budge. It didn't used to be that way. Newer people here probably don't even realize what a gold standard the SBR ratings once were. Now they are more of a nickley/tinny standard.

So getting back to the topic question, my answer is that if SBR really does in their heart-of-hearts have a commitment to giving good player advice, it is not manifesting itself very well.

I hope I don't seem like I'm bitching. I'm just analyzing. My only expectation of SBR is as a place to go for a laugh once in awhile and maybe win a few bucks in a contest. I am getting what I expect from SBR. I get my player information elsewhere. If I ever had a sportsbook dispute I would probably be more uppity about all this though.

SBR_John · 10-05-09, 04:36 PM

He should be posting. I will do some checking.

You guys should know we do not go around commenting on the staff.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by SBR_John

He should be posting. I will do some checking.

You guys should know we do not go around commenting on the staff.

You commented on BBD just fine in this thread, John.

Originally posted by SBR_John

BBD is welcome back. He has an issue where he can not make over a certain amount or he will lose a benefit. This is what he posted. I know SBR paid him well, I think he was the highest paid guy in all of forumville when he left. But SBR will not pay anyone under the table. BBD knows the door is open. Maybe by football he will figure out a way to step through it.

Bread · 10-05-09, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by SBR_John

He should be posting. I will do some checking. You guys should know we do not go around commenting on the staff.

Wow.

SBR Lou · 10-05-09, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by Mudcat

SBR's ratings are far from what they once were. Books that are bouncing cheques and slow-paying for months don't have their ratings budge

I liked parts of your post but overall I disagree. I don't disagree to be defensive or to blindly defend SBR, I just disagree because I've seen the effort put in by members of the disputes team, I've seen players be paid that were given the runaround for however long until SBR got involved. While every case can't be solved, they are still reported on whether there's been progress made or not. SportsbookReview.com has new reports added every day, the newswires are what I consider the best source of quick-hitting sportsbook information and updates.

As for books slow-paying for months and not having ratings budge, I can think of sportsbooks that were always in good standing that fell on hard times which were swiftly downgraded, and downgraded significantly; WSEX and Bodog come to mind, although Bodog has weathered the storm as of late and gotten back to a good place. Then there are books like LasPalmas which have fallen all the way to D.

pavyracer · 10-05-09, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by RogueScholar

Pavy, you used to be one of the best critics of the administration. A few free drinks and a hotel room and you decline to pounce on what is obviously far more than someone just not logging in for a month. What happened to you, pal? You're not even remotely the poster you used to be.

It wasn't the free drinks Rogue. It was the stripper SBR John sent to my room after midnight. He didn't have to do it but I respect him more now.

onthewhat · 10-05-09, 05:04 PM

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 08:13 PM

True to form, SBR acts swiftly once issues are brought under public scrutiny. One of the people I referenced in the original post finally received his response from a Mod regarding a sponsor book.

Mudcat- As usual when you post about SBR, I'm in awe of your diplomacy in evaluating the current state of affairs in contrast to the ideals the site was founded on. I agree with every point that you made, most especially the fact that their approach to management of the forum seems carefully calculated to marginalize any information beneficial to players. It's obvious that in the beginning, they valued their reputation and integrity above all else, but now the almighty dollar has the final say.

pico · 10-05-09, 08:22 PM

i agree with mudcat.

SBR_John · 10-05-09, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by RogueScholar

You commented on BBD just fine in this thread, John.

I did only after Dan himself disclosed it on an open forum. Which is how it should be. If Dan or Dave or whoever wants to say what is up in their life that is fine. Then it is open for discussion. But we will not run to the forum and say so-and-so has a status change.

As for Mudcats post. I can agree that when you get bigger things can change, some for the better and some not. The SBR ratings are far sharper now. Our intel has never been better. But as a bigger company we are slower on the trigger. WSEX took a while to get where it belonged in the C to low B area. Back in the old days we would have shot first on the slow pay reports and asked questions later.

RogueScholar · 10-05-09, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by SBR_John

I did only after Dan himself disclosed it on an open forum.

Would you be so kind as to link me to that post? I don't believe it was here on our forum, and if indeed it wasn't, then did you feel comfortable setting a precedent for officially commenting on material that wasn't posted under your purview?

pimike · 10-05-09, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by tacomax

Which form do you fill in for missing people?

Ganchrow hasn't logged in for a month and I want to explore the official channels before I get pimike on the case.

Just say the word Taco, I will be on it.

Not sure but Ganchrow had to borrow 2 bucks for a cup of coffee at the Golden Nuggett. Things may be bad for him right now.

He did pay back.

MilfDriller · 10-05-09, 10:40 PM

My complaint is that SBR has an unabashed love for black people... to the extreme.

purecarnagge · 10-07-09, 11:52 PM

SBR staff has gone down hill....it started when BBD left, The general and Dave came in... That simple guys...

Use to be a good service, now its just entertainment forums....

tacomax · 10-12-09, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by SBR_John

He should be posting. I will do some checking.

Over a month since logging in, coming up to 6 weeks since posting last. He must be pretty hard to get hold of. Is he on holiday with Osama Bin Laden?

Bread · 10-12-09, 06:49 PM

Taco....CALM DOWN!!!

Ganch called me today. Invited me down to CR to talk science with him and Jenbird.

I don't think he's talking about any mathematical formulas, however. I'm thinking more of a biology experiment

20Four7 · 10-12-09, 07:04 PM

Look at the Ratings.... Betmaker which was folded into the bookmaker book, is still listed. Other books which don't exist anymore still have ratings. Why isn't SBR updating and saying they are off line. Complaints against books aren't up to date on the ratings. SBR is falling asleep here. SBR needs to keep the ratings up to date and anything less means the forum means more money than the ratings and keeping up to date with the complaints do.

BetEd says nothing about not accepting Canadians. The one good thing is Cascade at least has been updated this year but still scamming people. Las Palmas who was a BTP book last year has been dropped to a D. There used to be regular updates on E mails sent to books and how they responded, and that's been gone for over a year. SBR is now a money making machine and they like it that way.

Sorry SBR that's the way I see it.