[bazzz]

Hi,

First post here, so sorry if I'm breaking any house rules. A quick bit of background info: I live in the UK, my bank accounts are in GBP (British pounds) and so is my Neteller account, so I like to do all my gambling in GBP.

I saw that BetCRIS offered accounts in GBP, and that 20% freeplay looked tasty, so I opened an account last night. Set my currency to GBP. I then went to deposit, and was a bit confused that all the deposit options asked for an amount in USD. Particularly as I know you get an unfavourable exchange rate with Neteller if you make a deposit to an account in a different currency.

Anyway, I called up LiveChat, and despite my concerns, "CS-Andy" was convinced that my Neteller account would be debited by the same amount that my BetCRIS account would be credited. I was skeptical, but I had the transcript, so I thought that would be okay. I deposited $5000, and sure enough, my BetCRIS account was credited by GBP2709, yet my Neteller account was debited GBP2768.09. That's a loss of GBP59.09 - about $110 I think. Okay, not a huge deal, but I'd rather not just throw money away.

I didn't seem to be making much progress discussing this with LiveChat, so I phoned up CS and got through to a manager, Anthony. He eventually took on board what I was explaining, although I'm not sure that he believed me. So I sent him a screenshot from my Neteller account. So far no reply, and no change to either my CRIS or Neteller accounts.

Okay, so I know this isn't a huge amount of cash, but it's a bit irritating. It seems to me that CRIS don't really support other currencies in the way that other books do. E.g. when I've deposited at The Greek or Pinnacle, my accounts have always been debited and credited by the same amount either side.

Anyone have any useful input here (other than that I should stop moaning over a relatively small amount of money)?

[BadAzz]

I think it is somekind of glitch in their updated software. I was making withdrawal for 600 € today, and once the withdrawal was done, the receipt said it was for 600 $. Their system has earlier worked in euros without any problems.

[bazzz]

Ah, right. I suppose the moral here is not to sign-up with a site when they're in the middle of a major overhaul, eh? Hopefully they'll have it sorted by the time I need to make a massive withdrawal...

[BadAzz]

You might want to stay tuned for the more knowledgeable guys around here to give better feedback, since I don't know much about anything. And the morale would be - "is there some other currencys than USD??".

Crap, I just noticed you beat me by one z.

[tacomax]

Anyone have any useful input here (other than that I should stop moaning over a relatively small amount of money)?

OK, if I followed this correctly (hey, it's early) then you deposited $5000 to Betcris from your £-designated Neteller account?

If you have a Neteller account in one currency (i.e. £) and then deposit into a sportsbook in another currency (i.e. $) then Neteller use their own exchange rate and charge you a % commission on the deal. I'm pretty sure that that will be the reason for the "loss" of £59.09 in this case and nothing to do with Betcris. However, since it was the Betcris rooster-up of the software that messed up your deposit, it's worth a moan at them.

[bazzz]

OK, if I followed this correctly (hey, it's early) then you deposited $5000 to Betcris from your £-designated Neteller account?

If you have a Neteller account in one currency (i.e. £) and then deposit into a sportsbook in another currency (i.e. $) then Neteller use their own exchange rate and charge you a % commission on the deal. I'm pretty sure that that will be the reason for the "loss" of £59.09 in this case and nothing to do with Betcris. However, since it was the Betcris rooster-up of the software that messed up your deposit, it's worth a moan at them.

That's correct. The reason I'm feeling entitled to moan here is because the CS guy on live chat specifically said that my Neteller account would be debited by the same amount as my BetCRIS would be credited. Here's the transcript:

5:19 PM ME: But when I go to the deposit screen on Neteller, it asks me for an amount in US dollars. There is no option for a value in pounds.
5:20 PM CS-Andy: one moment sir
5:21 PM CS-Andy: You have to make the deposit in US Dollars and the site will change it to pounds
5:22 PM ME: And the amount taken from my Neteller account will be the same as I get in my BetCris account - I won't lose anything in currency conversion charges?
5:22 PM CS-Andy: No sir
5:23 PM ME: And if I do, I assume you'll be happy to refund me the difference?
5:23 PM CS-Andy: Our system is totally secure Sir
5:23 PM ME: Right, I'm going to do the transfer now...
5:23 PM CS-Andy: perfect
5:25 PM ME: My Betcris account only has £2709 in it.
5:25 PM ME: My Neteller account was debited by £2,768.09.
5:25 PM ME: I have lost out £59.09
5:26 PM CS-Andy: one moment please
5:27 PM Notice: CS-Andy exited session.
5:27 PM ME: Hello???
5:27 PM Notice: I'm sorry, your Agent has left the chat. If you would like to chat with another Agent, please click the LogOut link below and open a new chat from the website chat link.

I can see exactly why there's a difference, and it's pretty much what I would have expected. If their software would actually request GBP 2700 rather than $5000, then Neteller wouldn't have to do any currency conversions.

Okay, it's only 2%, but I'm 2% down before I've even placed a wager.

[Mudcat]

Welcome to SBR Forum bazzz. Your complaint seems completely legitimate to me. That Live Chat transcript certainly helps.

I don't see GBP59 as something not worth quibbling over.

Based on what you said here:

So far no reply, and no change to either my CRIS or Neteller accounts.

it sounds like the matter is still pending with CRIS. So first, I would get their final decision on what they are going to do. Maybe it will be in your favor and there will be no issue. Perhaps you can phone them again and push them a bit.

If not, you can send your info to assistance@sportsbookreview.com and maybe we can help.

[tacomax]

Yes, I think that the transcript backs you up somewhat. Although, to be fair to the CS guy, I'd say it was his lack of knowledge rather than flat-out lying to you.

[bazzz]

Thanks for that mudcat. I'll try and send another gentle e-mail when I get home this evening and can check my account. I don't really want to sort this out over the phone after last night - the line was crappy, tempers were getting a bit fraught due to some, err, misunderstandings and I was probably borderline unintelligible as I'd just donated a pint of blood (for free).

Of course, that last bit isn't at all relevant, but I just thought I'd throw it in to show you what a nice guy I am and to get you on my side!

In retrospect I think I would have been better doing this through Moneybookers as they don't charge for currency conversions, but loading up Moneybookers is a pain because of their transaction limits, and I'm not sure if the Free Play is available on Moneybookers deposits.

Okay, that's enough muttering from me.

[bazzz]

Yes, I think that the transcript backs you up somewhat. Although, to be fair to the CS guy, I'd say it was his lack of knowledge rather than flat-out lying to you.

Oh, I agree, I just wanted something in writing because I half-anticipated this situation arising!

Drifting off topic slightly, but am I weird for thinking it's a bit odd that BetCRIS CS ask for your username AND password when talking to you? Or have I been the victim of an elaborate phishing scam...

[Mudcat]

I'd just donated a pint of blood (for free).

A pint of blood for free? Why didn't you say so? Just go wash the feet of some homeless schizophrenics and you should be home free.

I'm just kidding. Hopefully this can be sorted out in your favor. Please keep us updated.

[BadAzz]

I can confirm that I only received 592.28 € from 600 € withdrawal. Not a big issue but that used to be 600 for 600. For some reason they are now sending withdrawals in USD no matter what is the currency of players account.

[bazzz]

Okay, it's three days since I sent off my screenshot, and a couple of polite follow-up e-mails - one just to Anthony, and one cc'd to csd too. They haven't even bothered to respond, never mind take any action. I guess if I don't hear anything in another day or so, I'll take up Mudcat's offer of "assistance".

[DrSlamm]

they ask you for Username/password for EVERYTHING..

it is ridiculous actually.. they dont use any encrpytion on their live chat etc..

they ask for it in email correspondence.. etc etc

my ******* WOW account has better security

[kiwi]

Hi, I had the same problem with them. My BetCris account is in Euro as are my Neteller and my Moneybookers account. As it happened some time ago now that I did my last bet there I don't remember the details anymore, but I still remember that also in live chat they told me I wouldn't lose anything if I deposited using Neteller but in reality I lost some money. Before I did my next (and so far last) deposit I was told to try it with Moneybookers, then for sure I hadn't to pay any fees but again the same happened and I lost some money. It is not (only) the loss that annoyed me but also that the live chat agent either didn't say the truth or didn't know how their deposit system works.

[bazzz]

I gave bill_dozer my details earlier on today, and that seems to have worked. BetCRIS have credited my account and all is well with the world once again.

[Mudcat]

[bazzz]

Right... time to withdraw. I've got about GBP 4200 to get out of here. Neteller's conversion fees and BetCRIS's charges look set to rob me of about $250+ of that. Any ideas for getting round this?

They don't seem to like you withdrawing by a different method to your deposit, so I don't think I can use Moneybookers.

Sadly, I haven't been able to get someone on LiveChat to promise me that I won't get hammered this time.

[tacomax]

BetCRIS do free withdrawals of up to $2500 on a Friday (or they did the last time i played there). Regarding the Neteller fees, nothing you can do on that score.

[bazzz]

BetCRIS do free withdrawals of up to $2500 on a Friday (or they did the last time i played there). Regarding the Neteller fees, nothing you can do on that score.

You're quite right, they do! Well, that's a start. Thanks for that. I notice this little factoid wasn't actually mentioned anywhere useful, like on their cashier or payouts page.

How the hell have this lot stayed in business for so long???

EDIT:

Oh, look here it is:

http://www.betcris.com/cashier-withdrawals.aspx

Seems most of the useful information is inaccessible once you've logged in. Don't mind me, I'm just chatting away to myself here.

[rm18]

I would think you could do a book transfer for free, although I have never used these before

[bazzz]

I would think you could do a book transfer for free, although I have never used these before

I like the theory of that, I have a Pinnacle account in GBP and have never had any trouble moving my money in and out of that. Presumably if they both used oanda exchange rates on the same day, I shouldn't lose any money.

But the actual putting into practice sounds a bit more ominous. Any clues on where I could find more info on this?

[isetcap]

The Neteller conversion is worse than you would find in a pirate's den.

[pjesnik24]

try a wire