willy said:
I'm just curious and would like to ask Clayman something . During the 5000 wagering in your competition Account you mention above, did you not check anytime to see how much you had wagered ?
Hi willy. Your presence here is always very welcome and much appreciated, at least by me.
I probably did not make myself clear. Prior to my most recent deposit in late Sep, I had wagered lifetime with Capt Cooks $5200 and made $400 in purchases thru July 2003. I did not play again until last month.
When I made my purchase and set up the bonus account for the first time, I assumed I was a non-VIP based on the terms of your website that seemed very clear and gave me no hint that it was merely a "guideline", as I now know. So when I made my purchase I was willing to do the wagering under the terms of being a non-VIP. So I was expecting to wager deposit*35+bonus*70+winnings-on-bonus*35.
It was only during the course of playing that I used your call-back to ask some questions on other matters. During the course of the conversation, the CSR told me I was a VIP. I asked him how he reconciled the definition on the website to my play but he did not know. Frankly, I didn't believe him until I got paid after completing the wagering under "VIP" terms. Of course it was a very pleasant surprise since it saved me $20,000 in wagering I was assuming I would be playing.
I really believe there are lots of players that actually read all the T&C, assume they are a non-VIP and wager accordingly, as I almost did myself except for the pure luck of an off-topic comment. I can only assume that is the way you want it.
I guess only you know the criteria that were applied to me to award me VIP status but, obviously wagering $5200 and purchasing $400 is alot less than wagering $50,000 and purchasing $600. If I e-mailed you guys would you be able to tell me when that status was bestowed upon me? Just curious. The CSR seemed to think if one made any purchase at all, as opposed to only using the free chip, he was a VIP because it shows a willingness to risk your own money.
Even today, after completing the most recent deal, I have wagered $7600 in my bonus account and $8700 in my real account lifetime. After my last purchase, I have now made only $500 in lifetime purchases.
Also I have never received an e-mail that mentions "VIP" in any way that I know of. Although most I delete quickly knowing the non-vip wagering requirements make most deals unplayable to me.
Personally I think Capt Cooks would be more of a "transparent" organisation if you just changed that one little area of your definition of a VIP. I'm not asking you to state exact criteria, quite the contrary. Since you can't now say "We will automatically inform you when you become a VIP", say something like, "Lots of our players become VIP's. E-mail us and ask." until your system actually works.
Your reliance on e-mail offers to inform players that they are a VIP seems a bit weak to me, especially since, now that I know I'm a VIP, none of the offers say they are for a VIP. When you think about why would they - it sounds as if the offers are open to all players but just that the wagering requirements differ depending on whether you are VIP or non-VIP.
BTW, I liked your bonus page. When I had played my bonus*35, it transferred the bonus and winnings no problem. I certainly couldn't figure out how it arrived at the allowed amount of transfer during the course of the deal and neither could the CSR. My best guess it was calculated the transfer based on 10X non-VIP terms. Not that I care because I could transfer all when I had wagered enough.
And I've always found your CS to be responsive and actually able to answer the question asked. Unlike so many other outfits that it's like they didn't even read your-email. I even like that you have no 800 number, figuring it saves you money you can pass on to the players!
Thanks for your time here.
