Be CAREFUL at BODOG---PAYOUT PROBLEMS---BOUNCING CHECKS

I received an email from Bodog stating that there may have been a problem with one of my payout checks (it was only a $200 check--im a small time player) I immediately took a look at my bank account, to which I found no isssues ( the check had been deposited via an ATM machine 3 days prior). Then on Monday, I open my bank account and much to my dissappointment, I see that I have had the $200 removed in addition to a $35 returned check fee. Then I REALLY start to worry, because, why? My $1500 rent check that was delivered to my realtor on the 5th has not cleared yet, and with these new debits from my account (totalling $235) my balance is now below $1500 (enough to cover the check to my landlord/realtor).

I IMMEDIATELY CALL BODOG (after transferring money into the account from another to cover the check)

The CSR I spoke with at Bodog was very helpful, he assured me that the check had been reissued after processing it for me, and he also put the $35 I was charged back into my bodog account (I would have rathered he added it to the check, but I was willing to accomodate) I told him about my concerns for the rent check, but he said not to be worried and that Bodog would be willing to cover any charges. So that alleviates my concerns a tiny bit, but I still do not want to bounce a check, ESPECIALLY to my landlord. Ive NEVER bounced a check in my life, and used to work as an investment specialist for Navy Federal Credit Union, so I know the drill.

THE CHECK HAD BOUNCED

There had been an attempt at clearing the check before I found all this out, and of course it was returned to Century 21 as NSF (non-sufficient funds)

Now I receive an envelope stuck in my door with a letter indicating my landlords dissatisfaction with my NSF check. Also I am notified that I now owe: (instead of $1500)

$1500 Rent
$225 (15% late rent fee --after 6th of month)
$25 Returned check fee

$1750 total


I THEN CALL BODOG AGAIN
I must admit, I was a little bitter about the situation and may have conveyed my bitterness over the phone. I did NOT SWEAR or do any namecalling, I was just abrupt and short. I speak to a CSR, explain my situation and he says "im sorry we cant do anything, speaks to his supervisor upon my request, and returns with the same statement. I then ask to speak with the supervisor. Supervisor says that she will only reissue bank fees associated with their mistake and offers to put $25 in my account. I tell her that that is unacceptable as they caused this dilemma, charges to me, and possibly damage to my credit rating, and the least they could do would be to compensate me for my financial losses. Sorry, your $25 will be in your account immediately.

So im NOW OUT $225 due to a bounced $200 check from BODOG. I cant imagine if it had been my insurance check, I probably would have gotten in an accident and my policy would have lapsed.

BOTTOM LINE--FOR THOSE WHO DONT READ ALL CONTENT...lol

BODOG BOUNCED A CHECK AND WOULDNT MAKE RIGHT ON THE FINANCIAL LOSSES IT COST ME, merely $225 dollars, less than a drop in the bucket for a large gaming organization. I have been a loyal client for nearly 2 years and have played over $10,000 in tournaments. Its a shame to be treated like this somewhere you enjoy gaming and patronizing, but there are some things that just wont stand. Perhaps more focus on customer service and client relations would have helped them realize that I probably would have deposited that $225 back within the next few weeks and they would have kept a loyal customer, but now.......im just gonna blow the $25 they put in my account and once I have im DONE WITH BODOG

Wait, so let me get this straight. You didn't have enough money to cover a check you wrote, and it bounced, and you expect bodog to pay for it because they're rich? Why not write Bill Gates a letter asking for it? They owe you nothing, you shouldn't write checks that won't clear.

What he is saying is that if Bodog had not messed up in the first place, he would have had the funds for the rent check. The check he deposited into his account from Bodog bounced, which I assume was Bodog's fault. Had it not bounced, he would have been fine. I am sorry to hear that this happened to you.

They had paid in a Bodog check, and issued another check on the basis that the Bodog check that had been paid in would be honoured. When the Bodog check bounced, so did the check they had subsequently issued for their rent, and the landlord then charged $250 for the bounced check

I know that Bodog have been having problems with checks for US customers, and they do usually reimburse any bank charges that are incurred. Guess they have to draw the line somewhere, though...

I have played on bodog about 2years now myself. I also just deposit $20. or $25. at a time. The last few weeks i have done pretty well and tried to cashout $140. I can't believe how much harder it is to cashout than it is to put money into the site. I never had to supply all this personal info to deposit money, now it's seems like they want info i'm not comfortable giving out. Maybe i'm lucky they have'nt sent me a check, atleast i don't have all the penatly fees. Kinda takes the fun out of playing. I know I will be looking for a new site to play on.

Wow, I hope you are a better player than reader....peruse the post again perhaps

I guess they will only refund bank fees since they are pretty standard. Whereas for rent or car or insurance or anything from a "private" company, you could say... They charged me $100/day for my late rent and now I owe $600, pay up. Basically they have no way to verify non-bank fees and they could be made up and easily manipulated to work in your favor, not that you've done that... but you could.

Anytime you receive an important check from someone you don't know (basically any non payroll check) the best thing to do is 1) cash it at the financial institution it was written from or 2) cash it at a reputable check cashing company (you figure 1% is much cheaper than fees incurred) or 3) allow 7-10 business days to clear before you spend the money.

Just because you deposit/cash a check and it "clears", it can come back up to 7-10 days later as no good. Even if you "cash" the check at your bank and have $$ in your hand, if the check bounces, they'll hit your account for the amount needed.

The first paycheck at my current employer was not direct deposit, but a paper check from another city. I deposited the paycheck at my bank and it showed pending in my account, so I though “I’ll buy groceries, pay rent…”… well, they decided to hold the check for 7-10 days since it was from another city. I informed the bank manager that the teller did not tell me there would be a hold and she kindly refunded the many NSF’s I received, but she could’ve just as easily said “tough sh*!, your fault for spending”. Until my direct deposit was set up, I cashed my next two checks at a check cashing store and deposited CASH into my account. It cost me $12 or so, but it was a lot cheaper than fees.

copy/paste the e-mail.

This happened to me as well.
Any US players have trouble with bodog payouts? I need advice, feel kinda sick


Basically a few life lessons here.

1) Don't count on your poker deposit from a source like this to be available to you for at least 7-10 days after deposit.

2) This has happened before with Bodog apparently and I do expect them to make good. They are covering the fee for the bounced check my bank charged me.

3) In my case however, when all is said and done (assuming the second check is actually good) I will have spent TWO MONTHS trying to get my money out of Bodog to a point where I can use it. This is leaving an incredibly bad impression of them as a company. I doubt I will do business with them again because I am not willing to live with even a remote possibility of this happening again.

4) I actually do tend to agree that if you bounce something else because their check didn't clear they *should* cover any fees, but then that's kinda living in a fantasy world. They won't and you shouldn't expect them to. Refer back to #1, and don't put yourself in a situation you have to have that withdrawal cleared to cover something else 2 days after you get it.

The problems seem to be related to the US, and to checks in particular. Presumably Moneybookers/Neteller aren't an option for you guys
He's a good player, he also writes some superb replies on this forum which I (and presumably many other members of this forum) have found extremely useful for improving my poker skills. Let's hope that you can be as useful to the members here as zachvac is.