[bu08usc11]

So I decided to start an account last night at bookmaker based on the A+ rating SBR gives it and positive reviews...what a ******* mistake.

I create the account, make my initial deposit via card and then wait til this afternoon to check out some lines and make some wagers. Except, when I go to login, I can't. I try several times, nothing. I go to create a new password, create it, login...nothing.

I finally contact live help (Jacunn) and I am told my account has been closed/suspended until I submit some verification form. You think that is something they could, you know, tell you via email or phone. Rather than just close your account...tell you to do it.

I find out they have already taken the money out of my card account but will not put it into my bookmaker account.

I tell them to go ahead and refund the deposit because I'm not going to do that. They tell me it will take at least a month to do a refund.

I ask them how long it will take to do the verification if I go that route. The tells me it will be a month.

So I am stuck for a month regardless...ridiculous.

Then I go to the form and you have to do an imprint of the card. Except, my card is completely flat, no raised numbers on it. That's ok though, I have to make an imprint. I am waiting to hear back on that...if a photocopy will work.

All in all, pathetic. I will be cashing out and closing my account as soon as the verification goes through. I'm going with the "will be a month" vs. the "will be at least a month"...at least one is definite.

[5mike5]

p2p always the best way to deposit....c.c. and verification crap too big a mess for me

goodluck and hope it works out for ya

[relaaxx]

you have no funds to bet with until the verification form used for withdrawing is done? that's nuts.

[bu08usc11]

you have no funds to bet with until the verification form used for withdrawing is done? that's nuts.

Not only am I not allowed to bet with the money (usual for sites is you cant withdraw until verification is complete), I cannot even login to the account.

And I am out the money on my end because it is already out of my bank account. It is stuck in the ether somewhere until either they get around to refunding it in March or I send this verification crap in and the funds are released to my Bookmaker account in February.

[bostonboss]

bookmaker blows vastly overrated........when they changed it over from betcris to bookmaker for US players it started going downhill.....nowadays..the customer service is bad.....the lines suck....and they charge very high fees to withdraw your money......not an A+ book in my opinion.....and oh ya if u do cash out..after paying very high fees...they make u wait a good week or 2 til u get it...even through p2p.

[chingo]

Wow, Thats BS. Any other sites I should know about???
What sites have you had good experience at?

[5mike5]

5dimes the best by far for U.S. players

[Legions36]

Not only am I not allowed to bet with the money (usual for sites is you cant withdraw until verification is complete), I cannot even login to the account.

And I am out the money on my end because it is already out of my bank account. It is stuck in the ether somewhere until either they get around to refunding it in March or I send this verification crap in and the funds are released to my Bookmaker account in February.

Thats crazy ever heard that one before. Why make u wait a month if u give in documents? Why don't u submit a complaint with SBR and let them try and speed up the process.

[capitalist pig]

Its gotten out of hand the way these offshore places treat their clients, but as long as they have people willing to keep making deposits they will keep screwing all of us with no repercussions. Dont forget they are going to make you rollover the deposit at least once before they even let you try to get your $ back.

There was a time when playing offshore was the way to go if you lived in the USA, but not anymore, now your better off with a local,JMO.

later

[Optional]

I joined them recently and have been surprised how many hoops they make you jump through to do anything too.

But I think once you can work out all the terms and the way they work, it's possible to work with them.

Not sure about this crap of holding your funds and not letting you wager them though. That sounds like a communication error is going on somewhere.

I'd submit an SBR complaint and see if they can clear up the problem. Be surprised if they can't.

[bu08usc11]

I'll see about submitting a complaint.

Part of me is tempted to just issue a ********** and let them work it out. I'm going to see if they can do the "refund" in less than "at least a month". It's absurd that it should take them "at least a month" to essentially just cancel a transaction.

[bu08usc11]

Complaint submitted. We will see where it goes.

Maybe I'll give 5dimes a shot once this gets cleared up.

[Optional]

Charge back could create a pain in the ass later. But agree this situation sounds like a valid time to use it.

Maybe ask for a CS supervisor and explain that you feel you have no choice but to charge back if they plan to not honor your payment in betting funds.

[bu08usc11]

Charge back could create a pain in the ass later. But agree this situation sounds like a valid time to use it.

Maybe ask for a CS supervisor and explain that you feel you have no choice but to charge back if they plan to not honor your payment in betting funds.

I agree ********** creates a hassle. But I feel like it's actually a legitimate usage of one in this situation. I paid X dollars...I have gotten nothing in return except a $0 account balance.

[frankthetank]

Bookmaker = Crap

[mighty maron]

CC works like this. With your deposit, the company and **** authorize the amount. If its debit, it is temporarily taken out of account...if its cc then its taken away from available credit. Once the company puts in the request, then the transaction is done. Most A+ books will authorize the amount and when they ask for verification..they will not put in the final request until either you submit the docs or the time that the hold (authorization) lapses (maybe 7 business days)

It will be back in account once hold expires

[bu08usc11]

CC works like this. With your deposit, the company and **** authorize the amount. If its debit, it is temporarily taken out of account...if its cc then its taken away from available credit. Once the company puts in the request, then the transaction is done. Most A+ books will authorize the amount and when they ask for verification..they will not put in the final request until either you submit the docs or the time that the hold (authorization) lapses (maybe 7 business days)

It will be back in account once hold expires

If that is correct, why would they tell me it would take at least a month for the money to come back in?

Not saying you are incorrect, just curious.

[mighty maron]

Ask them specifically in chat whether the funds off the cc were authorized or taken?

[Optional]

^^ should be able to just ask your cc company that

[5mike5]

bottom line this is totally absurd, and i would take whatever means necessary to make sure my money wasnt floating around for a month or more

[Legions36]

I'll see about submitting a complaint.

Part of me is tempted to just issue a ********** and let them work it out. I'm going to see if they can do the "refund" in less than "at least a month". It's absurd that it should take them "at least a month" to essentially just cancel a transaction.

Like these other guys said doing a ********** would comeback to bite u later if u plan on using books later, u go into the pool of sportsbook chargebacks and u can't get off, and u know for sure bookmaker will put u on it if u do a **********. SBR can help u out. Bookmaker wont screw u, maybe u had the wrong person, why not call again and ask for a manager to help u out and try to find out why they really did this because it just doesn't sound right coming from them.

[bu08usc11]

I've tried twice now with them and gotten the same response both times. I'm letting SBR handle it to see what my options are.

[bostonboss]

bookmaker management rarely works with anyone.....they give you the call back later routine.......goes on and on.......they dont care......they have so many playing with them.....

[prop]

This just happened this morning, my friend who I know hasn't bet sports since UIGEA tells me hey I think I have $4500 in my bookmaker account. He asks is the balance under the word sportsbook? I had to log in check and tell him yes. He's like man I was just entering the Saints to bet playing around and I got a confirm screen it was going to let me bet. He's like this makes no sense. Anyways he gets on live chat and they were able to tell him quickly a check he deposited from them in 2006 bounced and they returned the $4500 to his account. The rep then altered limits for a method not usually available which he was authorized to do because the past mistake. (lol the mistake was over 5 years ago and are compensating him for it now). Sounds fishy and I'm not a shill, this is 100% true story lol. Also can see via a thread I posted I was a little frustrated with withdrawal time myself via a method, but since then have cashed out hassle free. There's very likely some communication issue here, or more to story on one side or the other as these guys don't have much history of freezing accounts. Must be some reason they suspect fraud, and OP if innocent is probably just an unfortunate freak thing. Anyways hopefully you get it sorted soon.

[CityCowboy]

I'll see about submitting a complaint.

Part of me is tempted to just issue a ********** and let them work it out. I'm going to see if they can do the "refund" in less than "at least a month". It's absurd that it should take them "at least a month" to essentially just cancel a transaction.

Don't do a ********** because if you do your name will be put on a list. And any other sportsbook that you open an account with will know that you did the ********** and no other company will allow you to deposit with a card.

But it is very messed up for them to tell you that it takes a month after you pass the verification. Are you sure you heard them right? Maybe it will take a month to be able to cashout since your deposit was made with a card but if you pass the verification you should be able to start playing the same day that you pass the verification. Good thing you filed a complaint with SBR. Hope this gets resolved.

[john230]

Bad news to hear because I was planning on opening an account with them and going Pro in a couple of months. If I go with them, I will use p2p to deposit.

[goduke]

nah this sounds legit theyre getting tougher about getting funds in before verification if you use the cc. When my bank had to change my card because of a security issue within their bank i had to go through the whole verification process before i could deposit again even though i had been frequent customer for about 2 years using that method

[goduke]

The thing is i just dont think they really care, 5dimes is there only real competition in the US so for every one customer they lose they gain like 5 just because they are one of the few options and they know it

[SBR Lou]

It's not seen as player-friendly to verify the account immediately following a plastic deposit... but it's certainly understandable. First-timers that come in through that method need to be verified. You can say that it should be done only prior to a withdrawal, but then there's going to be crying come cashout time saying, "WHY didn't they tell me after I deposited, huh? Why's it only when I wanna get my $250 payout?". =)

In all seriousness, a player is going to feel like he's jumping through hoops the first time he uses plastic anywhere. You're going to have to submit paperwork, whether it's right after a deposit or right before a withdrawal. Most industry vets realize this and keep a folder with the docs already saved.

We've contacted mgt regarding the acct being disabled and to confirm the process that's taking place.

[Kindred]

Most books would have waited until you tried to make a withdrawal to ask for verification and freeze your account if they had reason to suspect fraud of some kind. They did you a favor by doing this upfront. You always read about this thing when player wins and tries to cashout. Books usually give you a chance to lose the money before they verify identity. Bookmaker didn't screw you like that, they tried to verify your identity upfront before you placed a wager..besides shooting you an email to let you know not sure how else they should have handled it.

[MysteryMung]

Bookmaker is garbage, plain and simple. DSI and BM family may be "safe and secure" but overall when it comes to anything remotely related to customer service, or decent payout options, they fail, in epic fashion.

*** ****. STOP PAY*****. DISPUTE CHARGE. Plain and simple. If BM can't afford you the decency to inform you of your 30 day hold / account shutdown () you don't need to reciprocate. This is unacceptable from a consumer standpoint, especially since there are plenty of other options out there that take plastic deposits without making you wait 30 days to wager.

[bu08usc11]

It's not seen as player-friendly to verify the account immediately following a plastic deposit... but it's certainly understandable. First-timers that come in through that method need to be verified. You can say that it should be done only prior to a withdrawal, but then there's going to be crying come cashout time saying, "WHY didn't they tell me after I deposited, huh? Why's it only when I wanna get my $250 payout?". =)

In all seriousness, a player is going to feel like he's jumping through hoops the first time he uses plastic anywhere. You're going to have to submit paperwork, whether it's right after a deposit or right before a withdrawal. Most industry vets realize this and keep a folder with the docs already saved.

We've contacted mgt regarding the acct being disabled and to confirm the process that's taking place.

Thanks Lou. I replied via email to you as well.

[MysteryMung]

Bookmaker is garbage, plain and simple. DSI and BM family may be "safe and secure" but overall when it comes to anything remotely related to customer service, or decent payout options, they fail, in epic fashion.

*** ****. STOP PAY*****. DISPUTE CHARGE. Plain and simple. If BM can't afford you the decency to inform you of your 30 day hold / account shutdown () you don't need to reciprocate. This is unacceptable from a consumer standpoint, especially since there are plenty of other options out there that take plastic deposits without making you wait 30 days to wager.

Removed "Scamming Blueprint" - what a joke. A few letters constitute a "scamming blueprint" - administration here never ceases to amaze me. Lou, Bookmaker has their rooster lodged so deeply down your throat that it's hard to make out what you're saying.........Infraction for sticking up for the little guy, I thought that was YOUR job.

Pathetic.

[MysteryMung]

Thanks Lou. I replied via email to you as well.

bu08usc11,

It simply isn't worth keeping your money in a sub-par establishment like Bookmaker.

First of all - you have to remember that when and IF you cash out, you are entitled to a free CHECK cashout per month. They will send you some shady overseas check, for DEPOSIT only at your bank. You will have to deposit the funds, and then wait (sometimes up to a week) for the check to clear.

This doesn't even count the 3-4 days it takes them to remove the money from your account. Use one penny, they cancel your cashout request.

Search the forum, you will find plenty of stories about bounced and hot checks written by the DSI and Bookmaker family - sometimes costing the player HUNDREDS of dollars in fees at the bank.

If you decide to cash out via P2P - they will charge you more than 10% of your transaction to cashout. For example - cashing out $300 costs over $70. Cashing out $800 will cost you $95.

Save your money, cash it out ASAP, or take PROPER, LEGAL ACTION to recover your CONVERTED funds. This is not what you bargained for, and from a contractual standpoint, this is not the consideration you agreed to (30 day hold of my money as it disappears into limbo) when you signed onto their book.

I'm not advocating a ********** - but in this instance, you are being screwed by a party who has an unconscionable bargaining position when compared to you. In all actuality, you have no legal recourse in this country, except for the avenues you take with your financial institution.

I'm just looking out for players like myself, that's what SBR is for, not to ride the peen of paying sponsor books.

SAVE YOUR MONEY, DO NOT DEPOSIT WITH THE SUB-PAR BOOKS OF THE DIAMOND SPORTS FAMILY. BETDSI AND BOOKMAKER ARE HORRENDOUS OPTIONS, CLEARLY as evidenced by this RIDICULOUS hold.

[Nick Papageorgio]

Used to be an avid player at bookmaker, before they got their domain taken.Have not played here since the name change, though I have been tempted seeing its rating. Bmaker seems to be getting a very large mixed bag of reviews as far as US players. Sticking to the "safer" options until further notice. Though bookmaker does call me once a week.