Advice on encouraging a local to pay

[DNoonan]

(Theoretical) Situation: Have been playing with this guy for a couple months, a guy in my neighborhood that I would talk football with introduced me to him. I guess his cousin played with him for a number of years (and ended up losing a lot and stopping from what I gather). Guy is in the horse racing business.

We have settled back and forth a few times. About three weeks ago, I end up small four figures (we have both settled for this amount before). Settle date is Monday. He texts saying he is out of town looking at horses but will be back Wed. I was out of town Wed, but say that hopefully we can meet Fri before I leave country for a week. We don't meet, I continue to play while on vacation, and lose a little back. He texts saying he owes me and we should meet up during the week. I tell him back Sunday let's meet Monday. He gives me the runaround all week (Friday am, then Friday night)...then Sat he stopped replying. I am up small again this week, so figure is close to where it was on the original settle date which was now three weeks ago.

Looks like I am going to get stiffed. Should I ask him if he no longer wants my action and if we should set up a payment plan? I wouldn't rat him out or use violence, but would be interested in other ways to encourage him to pay if it comes down to it? I imagine I could show up and call him a stiff periodically and embarrass him or something by calling him a no-paying bookie stiff mofo, but seems a little unsophisticated...any advice?

 

[CoachCB]

Your plan sounds good (stop playing w/ him and set up payment plan). Otherwise, you should probably consider violence!

 

[DNoonan]

I was wondering if by not putting in any more plays he would then think he had no chance of winning money back from me or getting me to refer other plays to him so he might be less likely to pay me? I actually put in a small play on the lakers first half last night just for that reason (to have at least one play on sunday)....

 

[packer2012]

I got stiffed for over 43 large on a deal just like this years ago. Very disappointing, but not surprising.

 

[moocow]

You could try telling him you want to risk your entire balance on ur next bet. If he says ok he probably has no intention of paying you since he is already ducking you for the current amount.

 

[packer2012]

Call the guy from "Money Talks". He will want you to risk twice your balance so he can get paid more.

 

[Enfuego]

I got stiffed for over 43 large on a deal just like this years ago. Very disappointing, but not surprising.

Why the hell would it ever get to that point? 43?

 

[DNoonan]

yikes 43 would sting....sorry to bring up bad memories

the most i have been stiffed for by a bookie so far was about $220 in the late 90s when i was in school....that still pisses me off more than this situation!

 

[packer2012]

This was many years ago and the guy was dependable for some time. Delay involved one of the big baseball strikes years back (when to whole rest of the season was discontinued). That was his chance to disconnect numbers and screw people. Guy was in Akron, OH.

The "continue playing to show good faith' type thinking did not work back then.

 

[Defying]

yeah open the door for a payment plan.... act like a payment plan is no big deal for you... in the end if you get your money, then all is well... and then stop playing with completely. sorry man. hope it works out

 

[DNoonan]

i texted him saying "I have +XXXX including last week. Can we meet today and get on a regular schedule".

He responded (which is good) and said that he can do tomorrow and then regular schedule.....I asked what time...."he will get back to me on that".....we will see....still some hope...don't want to be the guy at his daughter's high school sports games with the "_____'s daddy is a stiff sign" which I think is the worst I could do to the guy now that I think about it

 

[SECplayer]

Agreed. Doing anything physical just opens the door for much bigger problems than not getting paid. Do you know any of his other players? Outing him is about all you can do. Does he have a legit job? Showing up there would probably make him nervous assuming he's got bosses.

 

[HacheMan]

First 'local' I played with was great.
He'd fed-ex any winnings and would even give you better lines often if you asked for it.

Played with 2 bookies after that and got screwed.

No more locals for me...

 

[LoCalDallasGuy]

A lot of local's just don't have staying power or makes bad mistakes (gambling/taking on too much action).

Only advice is to stick with one who has a great reputation, sticks to their words, transparent and doesn't give or take bullshit.

With your situation - stop betting with him until you are settled up. And after your settled up, find another local as this one seems unreliable.

 

[MikeB]

Show him pictures of his kids getting off the school bus.

J/K (for now)


All you need to do (IMO) is just show up somewhere personal( for him )and let him see you there. Just wave or nod, then be on your way without saying a word. He will adhere to the payment plan.

 

[DNoonan]

Agreed. Doing anything physical just opens the door for much bigger problems than not getting paid. Do you know any of his other players? Outing him is about all you can do. Does he have a legit job? Showing up there would probably make him nervous assuming he's got bosses.

I don't know any of his other players, but I do know where he works and where his daughter goes to high school. I really hope it doesn't come down to me having to show up somewhere to pressure him, but sounds like that is just about the only reasonable option. Assuming I don't get paid tomorrow, I am also going to talk to the guy who put me in touch with him (he doesn't bet but is a stand up guy and may be able to put some peer pressure on him). We will see what happens tomorrow...

 

[packer2012]

I thought the Judge made it clear to us......

Gambling is illegal at Bushwood!!

 

[Defying]

I don't know any of his other players, but I do know where he works and where his daughter goes to high school. I really hope it doesn't come down to me having to show up somewhere to pressure him, but sounds like that is just about the only reasonable option. Assuming I don't get paid tomorrow, I am also going to talk to the guy who put me in touch with him (he doesn't bet but is a stand up guy and may be able to put some peer pressure on him). We will see what happens tomorrow...

let us know how it goes, hopefully smoothly.

 

[sean1]

There is little you can do.

I'm in the process of getting stiffed for the first time as well. Significant amount.

Guy I've used for 3-4 years and recommended by guys I've known for 10 years. Out of NJ. Previously very dependable. Know he runs up 6 figure numbers. Takes a lot of action. Books multiple sports stars. I considered him a friend (have been to parties he's thrown and met multiple professional athletes).

He ran into trouble with a couple stiffs, a car accident, etc about 3 months ago. I recommended a payment plan. Got paid for about 8 weeks slowly. Then he disappeared. He always had a new phone number each month. No new one the past 2 months. No voicemail. Not checking emails. Guys who owe him money can't find him either which almost never happens. Maybe on the run. Maybe in jail. Maybe dead.

Who knows. Aggravating but life goes on.

 

[Betallsports]

jk