Odds To Tipsters

Not so long ago, Paul wrote about ‘Odds To’ tipsters – you know the ones where they give you a horse and you place a wager of a set amount on their behalf. Basically, you take all the risk and not as much of the reward.

Since that article, we’ve had a number of emails from punters who’ve been suckered by these guys in the past and there’s one name in particular that has cropped up on more than one occasion. Almost all the emails have told the same stories, stories of glossy brochures, promises of high prices, great runs, and greater profits. The reality has been a lot more sobering! Below is a typical account of a recent experience:

“After receiving numerous letters with grand claims – things like “might gamble….sure to win….laid out especially for this race”, I decided to get in touch with one particular ‘odds to’ servic and it was quite possibly the sorriest day of my life.  The letter I replied to claimed the odds would be very good, not double figures, but certainly the top end of single figures.  I called and left my details and was called back to confirm I still wanted the information.  I stated there and then that I didn’t want the information if it was a short priced favourite, I would only take the info if it was a good price.  I was assured that prices in the region of 7/2 would be available but I should ‘get on’ early as the price was expected to tumble during the day.  I agreed to place a £50 bet on their behalf at early morning prices.  The information was then given ready for the next day when the horse was due to run.  Early that morning I checked the price, and it was no where near 7/2, not even close.  In fact, it was 5/4!  At this price I refused to get involved as, for me, the risk was entirely out of proportion to the potential reward.  I immediately phoned the office and explained the situation, and the fact that I had specifically told them I would not bet on a short priced favourite.  I was informed that as the info had been given, the bet MUST be placed.  Again, I explained my position and referred them to the previous conversation at which point I was put on hold and then cut off!  I called back, was put through to the office manager and had the same conversation all over again.  I explained the bet would not be placed and was told that someone would call me that afternoon to discuss the matter further but I received no such call….well, not until a few days later (after the horse had won)

The conversation that followed was quite lengthy over 20 minutes I think, starting with their question of ‘did I back it?’ or words to that effect. My negative response and explanation as to both the reasons and the fact that I’d told them my intentions prior to the race twice over did not alter their stance  that information had been given, a deal was done , it was not their fault that the info had fallen into the public domain, they had no control on price/betting odds and that they still expected to be paid.  My reaction was to refuse payment as I’d made no profit, the bet specifically was of a type that I had told them I did not want and that prior to the race because of the massive difference in prospective price (defined to myself) and available price any deal was now off as what I could be getting was not to brochure, as it were.  These type of arguments were water off a ducks back, they still wanted paying.  Not surprisingly, I refused.  Then came the mild insults and threats. The verbals were not paticularly harsh, things like …”a lack of honour..” nothing for me to lose sleep over, I’ve heard worse and been called worse, I’m sure.  The threats?  They threatened legal action, sending this case through to both their lawyers and a debt collection agency.  By this time, I was getting a little ticked with the conversation, I’d made nothing from this horse and got a deal of grief.  I told them to do their worst, then hung up.

About one month later I received another call from them.  To paraphrase, the operator asked me to firstly clarify my position with regard to the bet.  This done he then asked if my position/opinion/intentions had changed.  My reply was that the circumstances had not changed thus my position would not.  To me my position should have been clear to them before the race.  This type of bet I did not want; again, I got the ‘info had been given in good faith ‘.. line and that payment was now due. They spoke of all conversations being recorded and I had a clear obligation to them.  If everything was recorded I stated, then you would have known exactly what had passed , when it passed and why it had passed.  Whatever, I stated, my risk outweighed the benefits and I was being offered something that I did not want. I would pay them nothing.

 

This was another long, old call 20-30 mins.  Ironically enough the term that sticks in my memory was being called a ‘conman’ – everything else passes into the headache that the call(s) became. I was told that from 5:00 p.m. that evening my case would be formally handed to a debt collection agency who would deal with the matter and that I’d end up losing more than the money I owed them.

 

Initially, I contacted these guys wondering ‘what if’.  I was still wondering ‘what if’ when I got in touch with Online Betting Exposed. The ‘what if’ however was: ‘what if’…they actually could carry out their threat.  My advice to anyone now would be simple: don’t get involved”

I am not inclined to give out details of the particular ‘tipster’ involved as I want to protect the identity of the person who emailed this account as much as possible.  However, this should be a warning to anyone considering getting involved with such tipsters.  They are not what they seem.  Firstly, as Paul stated in his recent review of odds to tipsters, there is absolutely no value in any bet you make with their information, and secondly, the above account is the kind of headache you can expect when you get involved.