Storm Clouds over Premiere League?

[Bette Midler]

After six months of contributing to the coffers of Premiere League, I finally called today to request a withdrawal, my first since signing up with them last February. Even though their web site is up and running, they are accepting wagers (and online deposits), I was told they are NOT processing withdrawals today because of a looming tropical storm. If they are really getting ready to batten down the hatches and head for higher ground, wouldn't they also shut down their server and send their staff home? Everything appeared to be normal when I called accept for the fact that they told me that I can't have my money today because of the weather report.

Eddie, what gives? This does not sound right at all. How is it that your online deposit system is working just fine, but withdrawals are not being processed? It would seem that if you are really preparing for the onslaught of this storm that you would be shutting down ALL your systems, not just your redemption center.

Does anyone else have accounts on Antigua (WSEX, WWTS) that are not processing withdrawals today? I wonder what response I would get if I called these shops and requested funds.

[Fedya Fussball]

Bette Midler:

The weather is not good at all...
Hurricane watch in effect for Northern Antilles - which includes Antigua And Barbuda.

Tropical Storm Debby will soon be upgraded to a hurricane and it is moving much quicker than expected...

I would expect that if Antigua gets hits the country is going to be out of commission for a while...

Current speed is 22mph and its 275 milesE of the Leeward Islands - Winds are 70mph

Get the hatch down!!

[Bette Midler]

Fedya...

Granted, the weather is ominous, there was never any question about that. My question is how does the looming storm impact only one function of their operation? Premiere's server is still up and online. I can place wagers, make deposits, and speak with customer service on the phone as if nothing were wrong. Why is it only redemptions that are not being processed?

[bigtimehoops]

Bette ,

Big difference in being able to send out funds in comparison to receiving. Banks may be closed etc, incoming money can be pulled by WU or sit on the wire until they are capable of pulling it off (among other scenarios ). Employees being hatched down at work in most cases (actually probably all cases are safer then those individuals being at home) trust me on this, I've lived there.
When gambling with the books in Antigua hurricane season always looms.


BTH

[Bette Midler]

BTH...

Thanks for the info. All the scenarios you give are quite valid. My scenario was simply a credit back to VISA, which usually doesn't involve getting out of one's chair (or archway or bathtub, depending on how one wishes to cower under the storm ). I was simply looking to complete an electronic transaction, which uses a telecommunications link which is currently up and running on Antigua. If this transaction were unable to go through, then I imagine Premiere's phone lines would be affected, but they're not. Also, the server is still up and going, and I would imagine both the server admin and ISP would be soon looking to cut power as the storm approaches. As of now, all their systems appear to be operating normally.

[Underdog7]

Bette - Why don't you call some of other shops located in Antigua? At least that will you give you a little of peace of mind. Just a thought.

[Bette Midler]

Underdog7:

I did exactly as you suggested and called WWTS and WSEX. Here are the responses I received:


WWTS: All requests made by 11:00 am today were processed today. That is ALL requests: meaning Western Union, FedEx, bank wire, and credit cards.


WSEX: All requests made today will be processed next day (tomorrow), as is their standard procedure.


If the storm temporarily takes out telecommunications links, then there may be some delays in processing transactions in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but right now, Premiere appears to be the only store on Antigua that refuses to process a request based on the anticipation of an event that is still hours away. I don't see why they would refuse to perform an electronic transaction today if it is physically possible to do so. Clearly, all their systems are still up and running and I would imagine they will keep those system going up until the time when it would no longer be safe or possible to do so.

[bigtimehoops]

Why they wont charge back a Visa is a good question. Probably as simple as banks are closing,no payouts, kind of a blanket clause til the hurricane wanes down. Could be a limited staff on hand. But none the less a good question. By the way they will keep the action coming in til Mother Nature makes the decision for them.


BTH

[Underdog7]

If others could process payment why not them? Hhhhmmmm no comment!!

[Boomer]

I want to vouch for Eddie and Premiere League. I used to think that a storm used to be an excuse to delay payment at some books. These storms are VERY VERY SERIOUS business in these tropical islands and many lives have been lost and massive damage done.

If Eddie says there is a storm brewing believe him, he has never had anything but the utmost of credibility with me and I recently reupped there for big money and am much more concerned about the safety and well-being of the people there than my money.

Eddie don't play 'dose games, homey.

[Underdog7]

I second that Boomer. No doubt, Eddie doesn't play games. Me myself had no problem with payouts coming from them. In fact, they are one of my top lists when it comes to that. But my question is back to my previous one. If others could do it why not them?

[premiereleague]

Hi Bette Middler

A Visa Charge back sould be no problem. I will be more than happy to assist. Give me a call.

Eddie

[Bette Midler]

Boomer,

Your point is very well taken, and I wouldn't want Eddie or any other operator on the island to take any chances whatsoever with the safety of their staff or equipment. I also am not concerned about Eddie's credibility or the safety of my dough, as those were not my concerns when I started this post.

The concern is this: despite the fact that a storm is raging in the Atlantic and heading toward the Leeward Islands, every store on Antigue as of 1:00 pm today was operating normally, including Premiere League. All servers were up and phones working, with friendly staff on the other end keeping an eye on the developing situation. No other shop, however, other than Premiere, were handling payouts any differently today. My question is really simple: As long as it is safe enough to keep staff on hand to answer phones and take wagers, then why is only one shop refusing to perform electronic payouts?

If it were up to me and I were being cautious, I would probably have shut down all systems and instructed staff to go home and batten down. I agree that these storms are not to be challenged for the sake of business, but as long as business is being conducted, then lets not selectively eliminate one service when it remains possible to perform.

[premiereleague]

Guys

Just a bit more on our status and to others who may have questions regarding the preparations involved when one of these storms are in the area, here is what happens:

The whole island goes into a panic, sometimes warranted. The gas station lines fill up 20 to 30 cars at times. The grocery stores fill up; everyone tries to insure their pantries are full. Staff are allowed to prep their homes...... battoning down as necessary. In short work becomes secondary. Having been a serious victim of hurricane damages I will take no chances at all. Sure the servers are running and friendly staff answer the phones but rest assured, we are operating at less than half staff and we have prepared our office for a quick shut down and when the time comes WE WILL!!

With regards to payouts, we were advised that Fedex would probably not be taking packages off island today, and the banks would be closing early. With that in mind we chose to suspend payouts for the day. With regards to credit card charge backs..... no problem.

Best Of Luck

PL

[Bette Midler]

To everyone in BettorsWorld:

I just got off the phone with Eddie and everything is just fine (except that a storm is looming, and people should be rightfully more concerned with boarding up their homes than with the kinda crap I've been whining about here today).

I just want to reiterate what has been spoken about frequently here in the past, which is that Eddie and Premiere League are first class all the way. At a time when he should be more concerned about his safety of his person and property and whether or not there will be safe water to drink tomorrow, Eddie took the time to take care of my request, which in hindsight, I probably should have just put to rest and called back later this week. What simply prompted me to start this thread in the first place was the fact that all systems were up and going this morning and battle stations (phones) were manned, so other than the payout situation, everything appeared to be normal.

Well despite the appearance of normalcy at Premiere and the other Antiguan stores, the situation does appear to be getting more urgent. I hope everyone takes safe cover in plenty of time, and please don't risk your safety in order to keep your systems going.

Thanks again, Eddie. Your efforts went beyond today's call of duty. Now GO HOME !!