Saratoga teller "Its only a nickel"

[ALL CIRCUITS GO]

Made my annual trip to the Spa this weekend. Leaving Sunday after the 8th race. went to cash in my tickets. As you may know, there is a shed row of machines that accept bets, and maybe 2 actual cashiers manning stations to cash out or purchase vouchers.

My ticket is for $71.55 . Only I know whether this represents a profit or loss for me. Cashier gives me $71 and says: "That's all I can give you. I have no change." I look at her and ask if she can get change from the teller next to her. She gets 4 quarters from him. She holds out her hand and says "Here's fifty cents, I have no other change. It's only a nickel, and you've been cashing."

I refuse to take the fifty cents from her hand. I tell her to put it down on the counter and she does. At this point I notice a man behind her taking an interest in whats going on. He pipes in "Its only a nickel." I ask him, "Can I make a $2 bet for $1.95? " His reply, "No."

"Well why should I take less than whats owed me?" I ask... A technician next to her station, fixing one of the machines chimes in "Well you can make ten cent bets.", not understanding what is occurring. The cashier finally locates a nickel and gives it to me.

As I'm walking away, the man from behind her leaves the security of the building and approaches me. "I give them a starting bank everyday. They sometimes run out of change late in the day."

I explain that I understand that they can run out of change, but then I also state:

*I've seen this cashier do this to others throughout the day.
*Its only the 8th race, 3 more races to go.
*Only a limited amount of cashiers with no money on hand?
*Shouldn't the cashier be offering a voucher for a balance she can't provide?

Turns out the man I was talking to is the 'supervisor' and he tells me that he will make sure the cashiers offer vouchers, and not shortchange anyone.

I wonder how much the cashier was able to 'rake' in??

[thespaah]

Oldest trick in the book...
Some of the veteran tellers are borderline crooks. They have this move where they will hand the customer the bills then place the change on the counter. The idea is they figure the customer will grab the bills and leave. The teller scoops up the silver and pockets it.
My approach is to stand there with my hands in my pockets or in another neutral position and wait for the teller to count out all that is owed. Only then will I take the money.
Yeah, it may be only 50 cents or whatever, but it's MY money. it's the principle.
BTW, kudos on your quick retort "can I make a two dollar bet with $1.95?".....Classic.

[Augenj]

One time at Hollywood Park many moons ago, the cashier rapidly laid out my winnings in bills and then paused. I started to reach for them and realized it was missing $5. His hand emerged from below the counter with the missing $5. I wonder how many times this "delay pay" works on the happy winning bettor who thinks he's been given it all without checking as it was counted out? I became a little paranoid after that. ;)

[cj]

I'm not a teller tipper, never have been, but in this case if he wanted to work that hard for a nickel I'd have just left and let him have it.

[EMD4ME]

I've given up on getting change BUT what I used to do is break my vouchers/withdrawals (as I use the NYRA rewards account) to simple hundred dollar denominations.

My little mother always has small vouchers. Whatever she finishes with, I.E. $76.75, I make a voucher for a quarter from my account and add it to her voucher. ;)

She then cashes in whole dollars.

[EMD4ME]

If I were you, I'd go back to the same teller near post and call out your $2 bet and then hand her $1.95


Give her the silent pause, as the race goes off and tell her it's only a nickel :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[tanner12oz]

You handled it better then me..i would have snapped out

[Tom]

"Can I make a $2 bet for $1.95? " His reply, "No."

End of story.
The guy is a putz. I would still be at the window doing who knows what by now. :cool:

You can't fight every battle, but this is one you just have to. :D

If she had asked politely if it was OK to short a nickel, I would have happily agreed.

But her attitude marked her as a jerk.
and you unload on jerks whenever you can.
Law of nature, I think.

I would report he to NYRA.
Is this the kind of human slug they want representing them at the most important place on the tack?

[ArlJim78]

One time at Hollywood Park many moons ago, the cashier rapidly laid out my winnings in bills and then paused. I started to reach for them and realized it was missing $5. His hand emerged from below the counter with the missing $5. I wonder how many times this "delay pay" works on the happy winning bettor who thinks he's been given it all without checking as it was counted out? I became a little paranoid after that. ;)
This is a very common move I've seen hundreds of times, the slow roll for those final dollars. It's a two stage delivery, first stage is rapid fire, then thing's slow down and get complicated. Counting out those ones and the change seem to require a huge effort.
I imagine many people just grab the first stack and take off.

[ronsmac]

Made my annual trip to the Spa this weekend. Leaving Sunday after the 8th race. went to cash in my tickets. As you may know, there is a shed row of machines that accept bets, and maybe 2 actual cashiers manning stations to cash out or purchase vouchers.

My ticket is for $71.55 . Only I know whether this represents a profit or loss for me. Cashier gives me $71 and says: "That's all I can give you. I have no change." I look at her and ask if she can get change from the teller next to her. She gets 4 quarters from him. She holds out her hand and says "Here's fifty cents, I have no other change. It's only a nickel, and you've been cashing."

I refuse to take the fifty cents from her hand. I tell her to put it down on the counter and she does. At this point I notice a man behind her taking an interest in whats going on. He pipes in "Its only a nickel." I ask him, "Can I make a $2 bet for $1.95? " His reply, "No."

"Well why should I take less than whats owed me?" I ask... A technician next to her station, fixing one of the machines chimes in "Well you can make ten cent bets.", not understanding what is occurring. The cashier finally locates a nickel and gives it to me.

As I'm walking away, the man from behind her leaves the security of the building and approaches me. "I give them a starting bank everyday. They sometimes run out of change late in the day."

I explain that I understand that they can run out of change, but then I also state:

*I've seen this cashier do this to others throughout the day.
*Its only the 8th race, 3 more races to go.
*Only a limited amount of cashiers with no money on hand?
*Shouldn't the cashier be offering a voucher for a balance she can't provide?

Turns out the man I was talking to is the 'supervisor' and he tells me that he will make sure the cashiers offer vouchers, and not shortchange anyone.

I wonder how much the cashier was able to 'rake' in??Nyra tellers are the worst. Have been for 35 years .

[Milkshaker]

I don't like to see jobs being squeezed out at the track.

But ever since the advent of self-service machines, then much later ADWs that you can use to bet at the track via your smart phone, I have been avoiding interaction with human tellers unless it is absolutely necessary.

Seen too much sketchy behavior over the years to feel otherwise.

On the rare occasions that I cash a tax ticket on-track, I have always been extremely leery of handing over my SSN to the "experienced" teller who usually works the IRS window. I almost feel as if I'm forced to tip at that point, just to try and give the person a reason not to use my SSN in some scam (although I truly doubt my $10 contribution makes any difference to a real crook).

I am not a cheapskate in most other endeavors that involve tipping, but absolutely feel uncomfortable with that concept at the mutuel windows.

My rationale is that I don't EVER tip the teller at the bank for being polite and handing over the $$$ that is rightfully due to me--so why should I tip for the same "service" at the track?

[Saratoga_Mike]

Something new to complain about: the nickel hustle.

[chiguy]

Something new to complain about: the nickel hustle.

Right, seems like a lot of energy over a nickel. What I do is give out exact change when I have it. Yes I have a bag of pennies too. If it is at the end of the night and I don't have the exact change I give over to the next denomination. 47 cents becomes 50, 97 cents becomes a dollar. Clerk should have offered you a voucher for the difference. Odd numbers in change is nearly every ticket now with the advent of the dime super and .20 cent tri's/pk3's at a few tracks. As far as handing a customer the change or the bills first I have had complaints both ways. Hand out the change first and they complain that you are slow paying the bills, hand out the bills first and they think you are trying to keep the change. Being 6-4 and with hands like Shaq, I am not graceful when trying to peel off 87 cents.

[SuperPickle]

Honestly if you're going to a window for anything BUT cashing at this point you're doing it wrong. Between online wagering and self service machines there's zero reason to go to a window. I always marvel at people waiting in line to make bets. It's like watching time traveling.

Considering with online wagering you withdraw via the bank and some tracks like Woodbine now have those ATM style machines that you put vouchers in and they give you the cash there's barely a reason to go to a window at all.

Basically my tip for avoiding being ripped off by tellers is you should never be going to a teller.

[AltonKelsey]

You don't even have to deal with a teller for that. Unless you're flat out of cash , and need money for a hot dog, deposit it in your nyra account and ach it to your swiss bank account.

[OTM Al]

Got my first iPad in 2009 when they came out. Have used a teller twice since then, once because I couldn't get reception right before the off and a second time to place a bet for someone else. Haven't lost a single ticket or voucher since then either....What would be good for tracks to have is an app like the Barclay Center does in which certain features can only be used when you are there on their network so you could bet without tellers or vouchers and could fund just like the ADW account. Probably legal issues though like everything else prevents this though.

[charm city whizz]

Stone cold hustle move on tellers part, seen tons of scenarios and this one you have every right to be pissed off....

Do I tip tellers yes, only because im in the gaming industry, the slow rolling the loose change is a joke, a good teller gives the change first then cash

Friday at timonium "collect total 131.60" came up on tellers screen I just said $130 is good"

Very fair to tellers still knowing they love to try and beat the public....don't know why but this doesn't go on in Atlantic city casinos in racebook cuz they can't keep there own tokes😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

At horsehoe casino they have a one of a kind machine that gives you cash cash your you voucher or winning tix it's a altered slot voucher machine----it never shorts me😂😂

[ArlJim78]

If the teller was apologetic I would have just said forget about it and walked away. But something about the haughty "it's only a nickel" sticks in my craw.
It implies that it's your problem not theirs.

But I'm like OTM AL, been making only electronic wagers for years.

[Saratoga_Mike]

It implies that it's your problem not theirs.



I get this, so on principle I agree with the poster, but I can't get past the amount involved.

[SuperPickle]

I am going to give the guy credit for attempting two of the most notorious teller moves...

1. The slow pay. "Here are your hundreds, here's your twenties, here's your five, stop me whenever you've had enough."

2. "I don't have any change" move

Some of my other favorites...

Calling out tickets to only realize the tickets he's punching are his.

Walking up to the window and he's just got his head buried in a program and doesn't move.

And on more than one occasion I've had gotten to the front of the line and teller has simply gotten up and walked away.

[charm city whizz]

I get this, so on principle I agree with the poster, but I can't get past the amount involved.


if somebody took a nickel out of my house I would be steaming so though 5 cents isn't a big deal it's just the priciple

[chiguy]

I get this, so on principle I agree with the poster, but I can't get past the amount involved.

Agreed. It is funny how so many here hates everything. The tracks, the jockeys, the trainers, the announcers, the clerks, the stewards...I am sure I am leaving out some other people associated with the game we all love. If this group of characters were at my OTB I don't think I would enjoy it.

[ArlJim78]

making a comment about customer service does not mean you hate everything about the sport, this kind of faulty logic is always used on a thread like this.
the amount is inconsequential and beside the point. the point is that in this situation the service providers comment should have started off with "I'm sorry sir", or simply to overpay by giving him the next higher denomination available. It's only a nickel right? then give the man a dime. Problem solved.
In what other industry would this be acceptable? I can't think of any.

[Si2see]

My rule of thumb...

If the teller starts to count out the change I give it to them :ThmbUp:

If they assume they are getting the change I give it to them and never go back to that person :ThmbDown:

Jason

[Big Peps]

One time at Hollywood Park many moons ago, the cashier rapidly laid out my winnings in bills and then paused. I started to reach for them and realized it was missing $5. His hand emerged from below the counter with the missing $5. I wonder how many times this "delay pay" works on the happy winning bettor who thinks he's been given it all without checking as it was counted out? I became a little paranoid after that. ;)

Happen to me at Big A with a $50 a couple years ago...I caught as well as they will take your eye teeth their if given the time

[Bluto Blutarsky]

The same BS goes on at Monmouth. Report it. They do follow up and discipline tellers at Monmouth.

[Hambletonian]

Nyra tellers are the worst. Have been for 35 years .


Nah, the Yonkers tellers from the mid 80s were the biggest bunch of degenerate crooks ever. All with boot polish dyed comb overs, and a look that said they would pawn there recently deceased grandmother's jewelry before calling for the ambulance.

Nobody on planet earth was happier when the SAMs came out then me.

[Robert Fischer]

My rule of thumb...

If the teller starts to count out the change I give it to them :ThmbUp:

If they assume they are getting the change I give it to them and never go back to that person :ThmbDown:

Jason

It's the principle of the matter! :lol:

[Robert Fischer]

slow-changing nickels is more of a mental illness than anything :D

but TBH some of these tellers are more interesting than some of the players!

we've got guys slow-changing 50s , we've got low-level mob associates who can't stop chasing losses w/ house money, we've got guys running loan-shark businesses out of the till :D

i take another perspective. Some of these characters just need an opportunity. Some of these guys are underemployed :lol:

[Redboard]

One positive experience with a teller at Saratoga this month.

In one of the races I forgot to press "Return Balance" and left around $100 in the machine that I was using to make my bets. Didn't realize it until the next race. Obviously, I thought that the money was long gone, but some one turned it in and the teller gave it back to me even though I tore up the tickets for that race, but I remembered my bet. Usually they need the ticket that you bet for that race- the race you left the amount in the machine.

In the future, I plan to keep all my tickets until I leave for the day.

[098poi]

"Can I make a $2 bet for $1.95? " His reply, "No."

Excellent come back. :ThmbUp:

It's not the money or the idea someone might be skimming it's the attitude. A cashier should never decide for a customer the "value" of their money. Many times if a cashier has to break open a roll of pennies, nickels or dimes to give me correct change I just say don't worry about it. If they told me not to worry about it first I would be pissed.

[chiguy]

One positive experience with a teller at Saratoga this month.

In one of the races I forgot to press "Return Balance" and left around $100 in the machine that I was using to make my bets. Didn't realize it until the next race. Obviously, I thought that the money was long gone, but some one turned it in and the teller gave it back to me even though I tore up the tickets for that race, but I remembered my bet. Usually they need the ticket that you bet for that race- the race you left the amount in the machine.

In the future, I plan to keep all my tickets until I leave for the day.

Sharp post. If you lose a voucher but have other tickets around it we can find the voucher in a matter of a minute or two. Sometimes that helps us get it from the person who took it or in some cases added it to their voucher by accident. I know that each day I get many more vouchers turned in than reports of stolen or cashed lost vouchers.

[pandy]

I'm not a teller tipper, never have been, but in this case if he wanted to work that hard for a nickel I'd have just left and let him have it.


That's probably what he's counting on. I bet he does that to a lot of people but sometimes it's 50 cents, not a nickel, and at the end of the meet he has a few hundred extra bucks. We call that a lowlife. If I was a manager he would be fired on the spot.

[Milkshaker]

If I was a manager he would be fired on the spot.

While I agree with you in theory, an outright firing is difficult at most sizable tracks where the tellers are unionized.

[pandy]

While I agree with you in theory, an outright firing is difficult at most sizable tracks where the tellers are unionized.

Good point. Before the meet I would inform all of the tellers that if I found anyone skimming or trying to cheat in any manner, I would do everything in my power to get them fired. This is something that should never happen at a place like Saratoga. When you go to a casino, the cashiers and the people who work at the tables are closely monitored, which is the way it should be.

[clocker7]

Jerks come in all kinds. I once was at an OTB automatic teller machine, where the guy before me left a $40 voucher in it. I was too absorbed to notice him perfectly before it happened, but I was about 90% sure when I caught up to him after making my own bet.

The guy had the gall to question the total, and whether I had used some of it. (The elapsed time was all of about a minute ... pffftt) In all of my years at the track, I was never so taken aback. About 5 minutes later, he sought me out and apologized, so some faith in racetrack characters was restored.

[RunForTheRoses]

I used to teller and when I worked the last shift after the home track racing there was a Division Head/Money Person who was a real rhymes with runt who would not want us to have change late at night so she could have it all counted and not leave late (not really late but so she could leave early). It was absurd. Usually I would ask for change to round up.
So in this instance it may not have been the Teller but management.

I'm a little ambivalent in that I bet at home or through a self machine, I don't like attitude. But, I don't miss the job, it was not high paying and there were a lot of pain in the ass horseplayers to deal with. Some will try to rip you off and scam you, one douche, probably a bitter PA Member (just joking) threw 80 cents in change at me and went away (bet was $4 he gave me $3.80 and cursed at me. I could not just run after him and leave my till unattended). Many are drunk and main line One at Meadowlands English is not a third language for many.

There are dishonest Tellers and I can tell some stories, not sure if the Statute of Limitations has expired though.

[Dave Schwartz]

Personally, life is too short for me to worry about a nickel. What I would have done is looked at the change, looked at the teller, and then laughed. "Hope you enjoy your nickel."


HOWEVER...

I understand that nobody, likes to feel cheated.

[Tape Reader]

I’m not naive to this but I find Saratoga to be an overall classy place.

From the “Can I help you ambassadors” to “lucky ticket lady” as my grandkids call her, Maryann, first floor clubhouse.

She always greets the family warmly and wants to hear the vacation stories from the kids.

I even saw someone pick up a ticket that a girl discarded and gave it back, telling her it was a winner.

[Stretch Out]

I also wish the track was like the casinos- put in the voucher and spit out cash with change, with no human contact. EZ-Pass has replaced toll collectors.

I go to the Meadowlands maybe 15 times a year, and i give the tellers any change off my voucher at the end of a long day. I say "Don't Worry about the Change". I never leave under .50.

On a tax ticket perhaps I will give $5-$10 - I rationalize that it's for protection of my ss#, and because its good karma after a score. I try to avoid all human contact. i am sure the tellers job sucks- sometimes I incinerate so much money on the horses- I am not going to sweat and few cents for the damn teller.

[Charli125]

The only time I deal with tellers is when cashing out. Especially after a tournament when they're counting out a lot of money, but have done absolutely nothing for me all day, I'm always torn on how much to tip. I'd never take the change, they're certainly not getting a percentage, but I have no idea other than that. Usually depends on how friendly they are.

[whodoyoulike]

Maybe it was this guy or soon to be this guy?


http://news10.com/2016/08/19/nyra-worker-charged-with-being-short-11700-making-bets-with-it/


http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132998&highlight=state+employee

[therussmeister]

Got my first iPad in 2009 when they came out. Have used a teller twice since then, once because I couldn't get reception right before the off and a second time to place a bet for someone else. Haven't lost a single ticket or voucher since then either....What would be good for tracks to have is an app like the Barclay Center does in which certain features can only be used when you are there on their network so you could bet without tellers or vouchers and could fund just like the ADW account. Probably legal issues though like everything else prevents this though.
I am very surprised to find out all tracks do not offer this. It has been available for at least 3 - 4 years now. I have been using it at Canterbury (http://www.canterburypark.com/Portals/_Default/Skins/Canterbury/Media/Website/index.html) for two years, and have seen it on other track's websites.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Im glad I am not the only one that gets pissed off about the change thing. Most are very good, so a few bad apples can ruin the experience.

"The Great Race Space" Rillito Park down here is ridiculous. The tellers actually have tip jars out in front of their machines. I find it completely classless and is one of the battles I have been fighting since I got here. Maybe I can get it resolved next year, but I doubt it.

One good story, a couple years ago I was at Saratoga. Mistakenly left my vouched in the machine and walked away, it was about $200. I realized what happened and was able to get the mutuels supervisor to get the chief investigator there. I believe his name is John, he is still there.

In any event, he was able to use to the cameras there to see me and another guy "casing" the machines looking for his opportunity. I was shown a picture and was told to contact him if I saw him, as he would also be looking for him. Long story short, we both saw the guy at the same time and he waived me off and asked to speak with him, which is a good thing cause I was gonna grab the guy. The guy returned the money. :ThmbUp:

[SuperPickle]

Here's a teller angle most of you have never heard of.

Up at Woodbine they will exchange US Currency at the current exchange rate with no service fees at certain Windows. The catch is the will only exchange back into dollars the amount of currency they take in. So for example on a Saturday if $20,000 is exchanged through out the card only $20,000 is available to exchange back in. Woodbine adds no US money to the teller windows.

So at the end of the card it's always a little bit of a pain if you're a US bettor to get your money exchanged back because of the limited quantity of American currency. Basically if all the US bettors won you're going to have to leave with Canadian Dollars and pay a fee to exchange back to dollars.

The tellers know the American money is a premium and they also know you're going to pay a fee anywhere else in Toronto to get Dollars so they expect a tip. Not only that but the rule is while the money is first come first serve Canadian moneylendering law technically requires you to have wagered. So let's say a teller has American money in their draw but they are saving it for someone else or they just don't want you have they'll deny you ever placed a bet.

I've had days where I've bet with a teller multiple times and at 5pm have suddenly claimed they never seen me.

[NorCalGreg]

Something new to complain about: the nickel hustle.

LOL "the nickel hustle".....a sharp mutual clerk can work that hustle 20 times in a day and score an easy dollar.

[FantasticDan]

Great thread! Very entertaining and interesting :) :ThmbUp:

[lamboguy]

the best hustle i ever saw was a guy going to work at the toll booths years ago way before the easy pass. he used to go to work with $3000 worth of Canadian quarters and used those to mix in with the change for a $1 once the guy paid his toll. the guy did it for over 20 years before he got caught. the guy wound up buying up buildings with the money he stole a little at a time and had quite a portfolio of properties

[reckless]

I am going to give the guy credit for attempting two of the most notorious teller moves...

1. The slow pay. "Here are your hundreds, here's your twenties, here's your five, stop me whenever you've had enough."

2. "I don't have any change" move

Some of my other favorites...

Calling out tickets to only realize the tickets he's punching are his.

Walking up to the window and he's just got his head buried in a program and doesn't move.

And on more than one occasion I've had gotten to the front of the line and teller has simply gotten up and walked away.

Can I guess this last one happened at Parx? (I know you are not me, but this has happened a bunch of times over the years to me and my friends. )

[alhattab]

The same BS goes on at Monmouth. Report it. They do follow up and discipline tellers at Monmouth.

I'm sure it pretty much goes on everywhere to some extent. I don't use tellers at all anymore unless in an extreme pinch, but I have seen the tellers in the Mth picnic area remind people they forgot their tickets, change, etc. Very courteous out there and recognize they are dealing with once-a-year types in many cases.

[citygoat]

I punched tickets in the early nineties. The only change we had then were dimes. I gave the extra nickel to the patron but was not happy having to work and lose money so some guy who is cashing can get his nickel. I don't ever take the change.....but I usually bet on Twinspires anymore so non issue for me.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Also done the job and never understood the rush to count bank before close and then have to get all put out by doing the job. I see it all the time, or at least used to when I dealt with tellers regularly. I understand that Saratoga (done it there too long ago) is a different beast especially on Travers day. But, for 99% of the tellers doing the job, it just borders on silly to not be able to have money at the ready AND your bank countable in less time than it takes to get a drunk customer to explain what the hell he means by 1,6, and 9 in the fourth for six dollars. You have a few minutes at least of mostly down time every so often. Pretty easy to group the coins/bills into round numbers (I used to make stacks of 5 nickels and keep the remainder out since you never need more than one at a time, bundle 20 singles in a rubber band, 25 twenties, etc, for example) in a few seconds here and there and voila - you can now spend a minute or two counting the entire bank at the end and stop spending quintuple the time arguing with customers over having to mess up your bank by making change. Then again, as was told to me long ago, tellers are either great or terrible since all it takes is a little effort. Some just don't seem to have it in them to make the effort.

[ReplayRandall]

Also done the job and never understood the rush to count bank before close and then have to get all put out by doing the job. I see it all the time, or at least used to when I dealt with tellers regularly. I understand that Saratoga (done it there too long ago) is a different beast especially on Travers day. But, for 99% of the tellers doing the job, it just borders on silly to not be able to have money at the ready AND your bank countable in less time than it takes to get a drunk customer to explain what the hell he means by 1,6, and 9 in the fourth for six dollars. You have a few minutes at least of mostly down time every so often. Pretty easy to group the coins/bills into round numbers (I used to make stacks of 5 nickels and keep the remainder out since you never need more than one at a time, bundle 20 singles in a rubber band, 25 twenties, etc, for example) in a few seconds here and there and voila - you can now spend a minute or two counting the entire bank at the end and stop spending quintuple the time arguing with customers over having to mess up your bank by making change. Then again, as was told to me long ago, tellers are either great or terrible since all it takes is a little effort. Some just don't seem to have it in them to make the effort.

Recovering perfectionists always give this kind of explanation for what they do.....I should know, I'm one too..:cool:

[Ocala Mike]

Back in the day (I'm talking '80's), it used to be even worse at NYRA. The really bad, dishonest clerks (all unionized) were segregated into a mutuel division called the "Bay of Pigs." That's a little offputting, right there.

[olddaddy]

the best hustle i ever saw was a guy going to work at the toll booths years ago way before the easy pass. he used to go to work with $3000 worth of Canadian quarters and used those to mix in with the change for a $1 once the guy paid his toll. the guy did it for over 20 years before he got caught. the guy wound up buying up buildings with the money he stole a little at a time and had quite a portfolio of properties

Thats 12,000 quarters which would weigh about 150 lbs. How the heck could he manage that? Bring a wheel barrow in a tool booth?

[AlsoEligible]

I am not a cheapskate in most other endeavors that involve tipping, but absolutely feel uncomfortable with that concept at the mutuel windows.

My rationale is that I don't EVER tip the teller at the bank for being polite and handing over the $$$ that is rightfully due to me--so why should I tip for the same "service" at the track?

Right there with you. I tip very generously on professions where it's expected - bartenders, servers, delivery guys/girls, etc. 20% is the baseline, more or less depending on the quality of service.

But I hate this new expectation that we're suddenly supposed to tip everyone who works a low wage job. Airport shuttle drivers, baggage handlers, hotel housekeeping, tellers. Where does it end? At some point there's a line to be drawn between someone who is just doing their job, and someone whose primary goal is to provide customer service. The latter usually deserves a tip, the former does not. And tellers, in my mind, do not.

I've never tipped one, and I doubt I ever will. This game takes enough of my money as it is, I'm keeping every cent of what I manage to win back.

[EMD4ME]

Nothing worse than being down $6,000 for the day. Hit for $5,000 and then make a withdrawal for $4000 and have the teller look at you like WOW you killed em.

Not a problem at NYRA lately for me as I normally visit the same tellers. They know me. I tell them the truth. I'm down $1000 for the day, if I was up I'd tip you.

They understand.

Some in the past, didn't.

[thespaah]

I don't like to see jobs being squeezed out at the track.

But ever since the advent of self-service machines, then much later ADWs that you can use to bet at the track via your smart phone, I have been avoiding interaction with human tellers unless it is absolutely necessary.

Seen too much sketchy behavior over the years to feel otherwise.

On the rare occasions that I cash a tax ticket on-track, I have always been extremely leery of handing over my SSN to the "experienced" teller who usually works the IRS window. I almost feel as if I'm forced to tip at that point, just to try and give the person a reason not to use my SSN in some scam (although I truly doubt my $10 contribution makes any difference to a real crook).

I am not a cheapskate in most other endeavors that involve tipping, but absolutely feel uncomfortable with that concept at the mutuel windows.

My rationale is that I don't EVER tip the teller at the bank for being polite and handing over the $$$ that is rightfully due to me--so why should I tip for the same "service" at the track?
I've never hit a signer before.
I never tip mutuel clerks because the ones that are unionized probably make more per hour than I do. So no gratuity. But if I ever do hit a signer, I will probably throw the teller a ten or twenty spot. Just because.

[thespaah]

I'm sure it pretty much goes on everywhere to some extent. I don't use tellers at all anymore unless in an extreme pinch, but I have seen the tellers in the Mth picnic area remind people they forgot their tickets, change, etc. Very courteous out there and recognize they are dealing with once-a-year types in many cases.
I use tellers twice in a day. Once to buy a voucher. The other to cash it

[EMD4ME]

I use tellers twice in a day. Once to buy a voucher. The other to cash it

I agree. Only to withdraw some cash for the waiter (I tip him extra on awesome days as he is great guy) or at the end of a good day to reduce the amount of $ in the ADW.

Really no use (no offense).

[thespaah]

One positive experience with a teller at Saratoga this month.

In one of the races I forgot to press "Return Balance" and left around $100 in the machine that I was using to make my bets. Didn't realize it until the next race. Obviously, I thought that the money was long gone, but some one turned it in and the teller gave it back to me even though I tore up the tickets for that race, but I remembered my bet. Usually they need the ticket that you bet for that race- the race you left the amount in the machine.

In the future, I plan to keep all my tickets until I leave for the day.
Some kid betting the machines by the JIm Dandy Bar comes up to the machine next to me claiming he left his voucher. I asked him how long ago. He tells me. With that I direct him to the Voucher booth and told him to tell the voucher seller what happened and to ask for a Tote Supervisor.
I bumped into him later on and asked if he got squared away. He said he was given a new voucher . Most likely because whomever had it, did not cash it yet. ...Cool....I was glad to help him out.

[EMD4ME]

Some kid betting the machines by the JIm Dandy Bar comes up to the machine next to me claiming he left his voucher. I asked him how long ago. He tells me. With that I direct him to the Voucher booth and told him to tell the voucher seller what happened and to ask for a Tote Supervisor.
I bumped into him later on and asked if he got squared away. He said he was given a new voucher . Most likely because whomever had it, did not cash it yet. ...Cool....I was glad to help him out.

As a kid who was sneaking bets in from ages I shouldn't state, I THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Do you KNOW how hard it is to build up a bankroll at such a young age :lol: :lol: :lol:

[thespaah]

As a kid who was sneaking bets in from ages I shouldn't state, I THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Do you KNOW how hard it is to build up a bankroll at such a young age :lol: :lol: :lol:
To me anyone under the age of 30 is a "kid"....
I Started betting the races at 17....I think I was asked for my ID once.
I played the old "let me dig it out my wallet" routine. Teller told me to get lost.

[EMD4ME]

To me anyone under the age of 30 is a "kid"....
I Started betting the races at 17....I think I was asked for my ID once.
I played the old "let me dig it out my wallet" routine. Teller told me to get lost.

I give NYRA credit now. They have signs. If you look under 30 or something like that, we ID.

What a party pooper ! :lol:

I would've flipped if I couldn't get a wager down back in the day!

[hyipro]

Gee I am glad I,have a Nassau downs account no problem with my big superfecta payout from Sat of $1.67

[EMD4ME]

Gee I am glad I,have a Nassau downs account no problem with my big superfecta payout from Sat of $1.67

Do they still have that 5% surcharge if you don't bet with a 1 day account AND a balance of $300 in it when the bet is made?

[letswastemoney]

I don't get the appeal of going to the teller anymore. I've always just bet on my smartphone at the track.

At places like Saratoga, it's even easier because their WiFi isn't restricted and lets people access most any site.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Only time I use a teller is to cash out, hopefully :D

I do enjoy having an actual ticket though, so I use the self service machines all day, and purchase my voucher through there. I dont think I will ever embrace the ADW craze. I still buy a paper form to read versus online even if it is like twice the price.

[SG4]

A pair of stories as to why I am happily betting pretty much exclusively on ADW's now (with withdrawals linked to my checking account) & am gladly avoiding teller interaction:

A few years ago I hit a closing day GP rainbow 6 payout several times over on tickets punched in at Belmont, each ticket worth over $3,000. I bring them in to cash early the next day as to make sure the tellers won't be busy & can give me full attention for the IRS process & large payout. I give the tickets to the teller, he starts getting them ready to process, then I think between a mix of butter fingers & maybe a gentle breeze, 2 of the tickets float off & land squarely into the narrow opening of some random large box behind the tellers, which of course is locked & nobody has the keys to. I think it took them nearly an hour to find someone who could access the keys & finally open this thing up & dig out my tickets. When the whole thing is over, don't think there was even an apology from the supervisor.


Older story back from the days of NYC OTB in 2005 - I hit a pick 6 on my phone account for a 6 figure score. I go to the OTB to withdraw the winnings, asking it to be in the form of a check. Of course this creates some confusions as this doesn't seem to be a method they use all too often, but am told they can do it. Guy comes back eventually and gives me the check, and at that point my account balance is reduced completely. The check looks a little funky, because they used a stamp for the number of zero's, but the stamp was '000' so they stamped that part & wrote in the other digits. Either way I think it'll pass muster, cause I'm young & don't know any better & didn't realize what else was wrong with the check....so I head off to the bank, hand them this check & they're like you've got to be kidding me. The check has no bank routing number on it, and it's from Chemical Bank, which unbeknownst to me was no longer a bank since apparently 1996! Now I realized just how infrequently OTB's paid off winners in checks. So now I"m pretty paranoid that I just got taken somehow & this is going to turn in to some complete disaster. Luckily it only ended up being an inconvenient pain in the butt as we got the OTB comptroller on the phone & he directed me to another branch with an actual functioning checkbook who was able to cut me a new check later that day.

I think I'll take the trade off nowadays for easy movement of winnings over the "fun" of having these stories to tell.

[hyipro]

300 balance pays track odds

[EMD4ME]

300 balance pays track odds

Thank you hyipro, was just curious. :ThmbUp:

[EMD4ME]

A pair of stories as to why I am happily betting pretty much exclusively on ADW's now (with withdrawals linked to my checking account) & am gladly avoiding teller interaction:

A few years ago I hit a closing day GP rainbow 6 payout several times over on tickets punched in at Belmont, each ticket worth over $3,000. I bring them in to cash early the next day as to make sure the tellers won't be busy & can give me full attention for the IRS process & large payout. I give the tickets to the teller, he starts getting them ready to process, then I think between a mix of butter fingers & maybe a gentle breeze, 2 of the tickets float off & land squarely into the narrow opening of some random large box behind the tellers, which of course is locked & nobody has the keys to. I think it took them nearly an hour to find someone who could access the keys & finally open this thing up & dig out my tickets. When the whole thing is over, don't think there was even an apology from the supervisor.


Older story back from the days of NYC OTB in 2005 - I hit a pick 6 on my phone account for a 6 figure score. I go to the OTB to withdraw the winnings, asking it to be in the form of a check. Of course this creates some confusions as this doesn't seem to be a method they use all too often, but am told they can do it. Guy comes back eventually and gives me the check, and at that point my account balance is reduced completely. The check looks a little funky, because they used a stamp for the number of zero's, but the stamp was '000' so they stamped that part & wrote in the other digits. Either way I think it'll pass muster, cause I'm young & don't know any better & didn't realize what else was wrong with the check....so I head off to the bank, hand them this check & they're like you've got to be kidding me. The check has no bank routing number on it, and it's from Chemical Bank, which unbeknownst to me was no longer a bank since apparently 1996! Now I realized just how infrequently OTB's paid off winners in checks. So now I"m pretty paranoid that I just got taken somehow & this is going to turn in to some complete disaster. Luckily it only ended up being an inconvenient pain in the butt as we got the OTB comptroller on the phone & he directed me to another branch with an actual functioning checkbook who was able to cut me a new check later that day.

I think I'll take the trade off nowadays for easy movement of winnings over the "fun" of having these stories to tell.


LOVE THESE stories! God bless your patience :ThmbUp:

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Nyra tellers are the worst. Have been for 35 years .
Longer than that. I learned very early from my grandfather never to touch the bills until they were all in the pile and to not take your eyes off the pile. They could spot a new fish heading to their window with the accuracy of a shark smelling blood in the water. Their favorite move when you went to cash a ticket was to put the change up, then the ones, slight pause while reaching for bills, then the five, another pause, then the tens, pause and finally the 20s. Surprising how many people grabbed the first pile and walked away.

[dilanesp]

"Can I make a $2 bet for $1.95? " His reply, "No."

Excellent come back. :ThmbUp:

It's not the money or the idea someone might be skimming it's the attitude. A cashier should never decide for a customer the "value" of their money. Many times if a cashier has to break open a roll of pennies, nickels or dimes to give me correct change I just say don't worry about it. If they told me not to worry about it first I would be pissed.

+1

I don't care about the nickel. But i do care about the teller trying to make that decision for the OP. The teller's job is to find a nickel or offer a voucher for it.

[cj]

+1

I don't care about the nickel. But i do care about the teller trying to make that decision for the OP. The teller's job is to find a nickel or offer a voucher for it.

That is a long winded way of saying you care about the nickel. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SuperPickle]

I'm been going to the track my only life and I'm just now realizing how different the cash flow is at different otb's and racetracks.

I grew up around New York OTB's. I didn't know till years later that they stocked around $50k in cash. I'll assumed given the fact those places were a dime a dozen in the 80's they had little cash on hand. But if walked in with a $30,000 ticket they had you covered.

Then last summer at Canterbury I hit something nice. I don't it was even $500 and the 14 year old kid working the Windows reacts like its a six figure hit. He prompts explains he'll need to get a supervisor because they don't let them keep money like that in the draw.

Literally I'm at Charlestown two weeks later and we hit a pick 4 for around $1,600. Before the teller runs the ticket I ask her if she's got enough in her draw. She shots me a dirty look and tells me she starts the day with $7k.

The amount of money they have access varies greatly.

[dilanesp]

That is a long winded way of saying you care about the nickel. :lol: :lol: :lol:

No. If the teller said to me "i don't have a nickel, would you like a voucher" i would say no, don't worry about it.

But if the teller said what OP reported, i would be upset.

[cj]

No. If the teller said to me "i don't have a nickel, would you like a voucher" i would say no, don't worry about it.

But if the teller said what OP reported, i would be upset.

It was just a joke. Relax, Francis.

[barahona44]

Honestly if you're going to a window for anything BUT cashing at this point you're doing it wrong. Between online wagering and self service machines there's zero reason to go to a window. I always marvel at people waiting in line to make bets. It's like watching time traveling.

Considering with online wagering you withdraw via the bank and some tracks like Woodbine now have those ATM style machines that you put vouchers in and they give you the cash there's barely a reason to go to a window at all.

Basically my tip for avoiding being ripped off by tellers is you should never be going to a teller.
The first time most of those people had to wait in line was when they were voting for FDR. :)

[dilanesp]

It was just a joke. Relax, Francis.

:)

[SharpCat]

I'm been going to the track my only life and I'm just now realizing how different the cash flow is at different otb's and racetracks.

I grew up around New York OTB's. I didn't know till years later that they stocked around $50k in cash. I'll assumed given the fact those places were a dime a dozen in the 80's they had little cash on hand. But if walked in with a $30,000 ticket they had you covered.

Yeah I remember hitting for $14,000 on an exacta at Indiana Downs OTB in Evansville. They asked me if I wanted to cash at the window on go in back. I went in back with OTB manager and the lady working the cash room. She went into the cash room and about 2min later came out and counted out 140 $100 dollar bills.

I talked to her a few times and she told me they usually had about $100,000 on hand. She said if you hit for more than what they had on hand or a large amount they would do one of 2 things. You could take a check or if you wanted cash they would get if for you in about 2-3 days.

I miss that OTB as it closed down in 2012. They had good tellers and plenty of SAM machines.

[tampahorseplayer]

When I used to go to tampa bay downs if it was a teller I knew for ages Id just leave any change for them to keep. However some tellers are just miserable and hate their jobs. Sighs and eye rolls were the norm, and id scoop up every dime. Never any other coins other than dimes, I guess easier to count but also a pain to scoop them and not drop them when theres a line behind you. I guess the point is for the tellers not to make coin change really. Id hate to have an irs, they get all excited when you hit like the monopoly man is there ready to throw $$ in the air, of course their excitement is that you need them to fill it out and they expect a tip. One time the only teller was a miserable *#@*# and I hit for I think it was 1252 and I didnt want to sign as it would mess our taxes up for the year and the guy I 10 percented to gave her the stiffjob. She ratted me out and track security told me not to do it anymore, I knew the guy or else Id get tossed. There was actually a teller at a shady dog track called ebro near panama city, fl that had a homemade little note posted to her till that said "tipping is not a city in china" I made sure i got down to the last penny with her. I get if Im betting with you all day and your punching tickets for me non stop and being efficient but if I use an automated machine and hit for 1260, am I going to give you 60.00 for filling out an irs form that is your job to do anyways and if not get the guilt stare?

[tampahorseplayer]

I also wish the track was like the casinos- put in the voucher and spit out cash with change, with no human contact. EZ-Pass has replaced toll collectors.

I go to the Meadowlands maybe 15 times a year, and i give the tellers any change off my voucher at the end of a long day. I say "Don't Worry about the Change". I never leave under .50.

On a tax ticket perhaps I will give $5-$10 - I rationalize that it's for protection of my ss#, and because its good karma after a score. I try to avoid all human contact. i am sure the tellers job sucks- sometimes I incinerate so much money on the horses- I am not going to sweat and few cents for the damn teller.

The last time I was at tampa about maybe 8 months ago they had these machines where not only could you bet, but you can stick any voucher in and it will pay out like an atm, even down to the nickle. Just a matter of time before most tellers are gone. For a while there will still be some for the older folks who dont like the machines but technology will progress and near get rid of the position.

[bello]

Yonkers used to be famous for the slow handers. These guys are probably still there.

Say you were collecting $102.50, they would would quickly put four twenties and the 50 cents in from of you and act ever so slightly as if they were done. If the see you didn't move, they had the other twenty in their hand, usually by their side and they would plop in down.

I recall my wife, who was not a New Yorker was behind me what this was occurring and I yelled at the guy to " give me the other f--king twenty already"
She got a taste for life at Yonkers Raceway.

[EMD4ME]

Yonkers used to be famous for the slow handers. These guys are probably still there.

Say you were collecting $102.50, they would would quickly put four twenties and the 50 cents in from of you and act ever so slightly as if they were done. If the see you didn't move, they had the other twenty in their hand, usually by their side and they would plop in down.

I recall my wife, who was not a New Yorker was behind me what this was occurring and I yelled at the guy to " give me the other f--king twenty already"
She got a taste for life at Yonkers Raceway.

Was there once as years ago my mother wanted to play slots prior to aqu getting them...

I swear, I think I needed a hazmat suit after entering the horse area. Not from the crowd but from the tellers. As slimy as you can get.

[RunForTheRoses]

What about tipping the men's room attendant? They are ever present at the track. At Saratoga the guy outside was cranking dead boots and the guy on second floor grandstand was playing some good blues and Sam Cooke. But I really just want to get my business done no hassle.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I'd tip a bathroom attendant just for the pleasure of being able to use an actual towel of some sort if such a thing is still possible. At my go-to track there are two no touch blow driers that work about as well as everything else in there. Sometimes if you crash a wet closed fist into it eight or nine times it might come on for ten seconds. Basically I think its just a way to get people to conserve water by not washing their hands.

[rrpic6]

The first time most of those people had to wait in line was when they were voting for FDR. :)
Awesome quote! Will be using it many times in the future!

RR

[Ocala Mike]

The mens' room attendant for the grandstand location behind the apron was belting out Latin salsa jams turned up very loud. Scared the piss out of me, bad prostate and all! No tip for him.

[Tom]

The mens' room attendant for the grandstand location behind the apron was belting out Latin salsa jams turned up very loud. Scared the piss out of me, bad prostate and all! No tip for him.


Sounds to me like you should have double-tipped him! :lol:

[Run Nicholas Run]

like to see the tellers come here to nevada, and write tickets for both race and sports especially this time of the year with football and baseball and lets see them write parlays when the degenerates calling the bets out can't even do that correctly, and lets see how they would like dealing with the welfare recipients from boulder highway and koval lane in vegas, real pieces of garbage in vegas.

Briefcase man Pat from jersey city said it best years ago when the sams first came out at AQU- I only see the tellers twice a day, once to purchase a voucher and at the end of the day when cashing out, the less I see of those assholes the better.

I enjoyed seeing the clerks losing their jobs at garden state when that placed closed. I was long gone from the east coast by the time that happend.

[alhattab]

Sounds to me like you should have double-tipped him! :lol:

Hysterical!

That guy- assuming we are talking about the same guy near the Chowder Stand- has been playing loud R&B in that bathroom for as long as I can remember. Funny thing is that he doesn't seem to age. I just saw him a few weeks ago and it's as if he's frozen in time. Me, I have 4 more inches around the waist, a lot less hair and God knows what else, but the bathroom guy is like a Simpsons character.

[thespaah]

like to see the tellers come here to nevada, and write tickets for both race and sports especially this time of the year with football and baseball and lets see them write parlays when the degenerates calling the bets out can't even do that correctly, and lets see how they would like dealing with the welfare recipients from boulder highway and koval lane in vegas, real pieces of garbage in vegas.

Briefcase man Pat from jersey city said it best years ago when the sams first came out at AQU- I only see the tellers twice a day, once to purchase a voucher and at the end of the day when cashing out, the less I see of those assholes the better.

I enjoyed seeing the clerks losing their jobs at garden state when that placed closed. I was long gone from the east coast by the time that happened.
Never had much of an issue with the clerks anywhere except the Yonkers/Roosevelt people. Nothing specific comes to mind about them. They were just rotten people.
One incident comes to mind at Meadowlands.
Right afterr they opened the windows out side by the Trackside Park....I go to cash my winning ticket. The guy counts out the money and I go to pick it up. He yells at me to stop. I was just a kid. Anyway, this jerk miscounted and gave me a bit too much. He accused ME.....He said "that's stealing and people that steal are scum bags."....I looked him dead in the eye and said "well I'm not the moron who can't count"...I walked away. He screams at me to come back and give him back the money... I just kept walking....Ef him.

[Run Nicholas Run]

Never had much of an issue with the clerks anywhere except the Yonkers/Roosevelt people. Nothing specific comes to mind about them. They were just rotten people.
One incident comes to mind at Meadowlands.
Right afterr they opened the windows out side by the Trackside Park....I go to cash my winning ticket. The guy counts out the money and I go to pick it up. He yells at me to stop. I was just a kid. Anyway, this jerk miscounted and gave me a bit too much. He accused ME.....He said "that's stealing and people that steal are scum bags."....I looked him dead in the eye and said "well I'm not the moron who can't count"...I walked away. He screams at me to come back and give him back the money... I just kept walking....Ef him.

first floor meadowlands there was an overweight lady with curly hair and glasses who was a moron , instead of doing her job she asked me if I wanted to smell the handiwipes she had at her window- f'n jackass.
The who used to sweep on the same area of the grandstand (south end) with the beard was another mental case who I was instrumental in getting fired from the big m in 1989 or so.

[thespaah]

first floor meadowlands there was an overweight lady with curly hair and glasses who was a moron , instead of doing her job she asked me if I wanted to smell the handiwipes she had at her window- f'n jackass.
The who used to sweep on the same area of the grandstand (south end) with the beard was another mental case who I was instrumental in getting fired from the big m in 1989 or so.
The guy that gave me a hard time was a fairly big guy with reddish hair an a beard. Even though he was a regular teller, I avoided his window.
Then A while later, I noticed he was not out there anymore.
Maybe he quit. Or was canned. Or was moved to another part of the facility.

[Run Nicholas Run]

The guy that gave me a hard time was a fairly big guy with reddish hair an a beard. Even though he was a regular teller, I avoided his window.
Then A while later, I noticed he was not out there anymore.
Maybe he quit. Or was canned. Or was moved to another part of the facility.

if that red haired mother lover was on the second floor then I recall
who he was , one time I was at a empty window that had the little ledge but no machine and some ****er who resembled who you described had to stretch his fat body on the other side of the empty window and block the odds on the tv from me, I called him a scumbag or something to that effect, today i would wish him death.