Claiming your winnings!

As started by Jim French on a previous thread - I'd like to know how ShootClay members think grounds should handle distributing winnings?

I have always found grounds have been helpful and i usually know when i have won something so I contact them direct via email or phone and have arranged pick up.

I don't think you should have to wait until you are next there however if you are regular then this is ok obviously.

I can't see how a ground can be to small as not to have cheque book in this day and age especially if they are registered!

I have never had an issue with prize money ever though so it would be interesting to know how many people have lost money? Although on here maybe is not the best audience!!! (Joke guys!)

Glen.

Even at my lowly level, I've let money go when going back has not been possible in the gap in between - of course, if they xx quid had meant more to me, I'd have made the drive. Anyway, this poll is not rehash the old ground but to get some numbers behind the opinion that grounds might need to adapt to a new way of working. Point noted about bank accounts.

Even though I've never won anything, I would expect a ground to be able to transfer or send a cheque without having to go back. Can't be rocket science.

i can't vote on the last option as I have no idea so I couldn't vote on all three options.

It is pretty common practice these days to give your account details to somebody so that they can pay money in. I would like to see grounds do this.

I have had a few issues with prize money, as mentioned on other thread with being over three months. At another ground, I emailed them to ask that they keep it and they said they would- and did. However, I once turned up for a £80 win to be told that I had already claimed it! That was a bit frosty and awkward when I assured them that I had not and that if I had, I was not cocky enough to ask for it twice using the same face..

So I would keep a book, getting shooters to sign for cash payments. And use online payments, which solve several issues and are proof of payment. Just one thorny issue.. The cash income from these shoots may not be perfectly aligned with the ground owners bank accounts. All earnings are of course declared and all business accounts balanced perfectly for review by HMRC of course..

In the old days hanging around to collect £50 was the norm as there was often a shoot off to be had anyway, nowadays they generally add and divide plus you'd look like a loser waiting 3 hours to collect the same sort of sum. Posting, bank transfers or at the very least properly looking after the money for a year would easily be within grasp of shoot owners these days, after all many of us drive many miles to patronise their shoot.

I've personally lost more than a few times, that uncomfortable booking-in period whilst trying not to hold up others and being told by a flustered lady that she doesn't really deal with that side, you have to see so and so, can you spell your name, the book is not here, I thought you picked it up already, it's been collected on your behalf I think :???: , we only hold them for 2 months, oh you didn't win I don't think (no sign of any scores anywhere of course), here you are you came third didn't you (hands over two boxes of fibre shells) so and so scored same so collected cos you weren't here, (I thought you didn't do shoots off), no but he took it any way.....................

I was once amazed to be handed a split of HG whilst expecting more because first in AA should have been added to HG and then split, to be told that it had in fact been given to a shooter who had in effect lost by scoring less than the two who had joint high scored and to be told that's how it has always been done in the history of the sport :huh: , his qualification turned out to be that of being related to a very famous shooter. :.:

I get the feeling some grounds are not really interested in a cure.

Nicola said:

In that case it needs to be a poll of money winners because anyone who has not won anything could cast a vote without factual knowledge or just based on hearsay......that would squuuuuu the results of the poll.

(Just a thought if it was to be an accurate poll)

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Err no - you don't have to have done something to have an opinion on it.

I've never parachuted, but my opinion is it needs to be done with parachutes.

I would say you'd get away with your pants Matt but don't want a lengthy ban. :.: :.: :.:

Cruel - but fair.

One thing you have all failed to note is that if prize money is paid into my business account it attracts 20% VAT. So if I send a cheque do I deduct this from the winnings or do I stand the VAT?

In practice, the cash envelopes are sent via registered post. But be aware of this before talking about bank transfers and cheques.

wylye said:

One thing you have all failed to note is that if prize money is paid into my business account it attracts 20% VAT. So if I send a cheque do I deduct this from the winnings or do I stand the VAT?

In practice, the cash envelopes are sent via registered post. But be aware of this before talking about bank transfers and cheques.

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Mmmm thought would already be taxable as you would include it in your total entry???? Entry + Payout?

Or am I wrong?

Glen

I didn't fail to note.. I just didn't want to be too obvious about the whole cash element of this industry..

Not that with that much cash that's flying around at grounds all goes down in the little book! ;-)

Not that I am suggesting anything at all though! ;-)

Basically cheques are a no no as they are records in themselves of course people do not want to pay out in cheques!

Funny that? I have never received a cheque from a ground only the CPSA at a major! ;-)

Glen

the amount lost by myself is a small amount £30 or £40 but with fuel and shells plus entry it cost me around £80 to not get it.

Not sure that works - It would HAVE cost you £80 to get it, but it cost you just the 30 or 40 to NOT get it.

Hamster said:

I would say you'd get away with your pants Matt but don't want a lengthy ban. :.: :.: :.:

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Made me chuckle - sorry Matt!

Two thirds of our takings are via debit/credit card so don't get carried away with the notion of mountains of cash. Cheques have almost vanished.

The point about cheques is well noted, especially on a business account where you do pay a fee. So, this is another area of shooting where it seems shooting grounds and shooters have different expectations. Bank transfers, PayPal or even holding on for an indefinite period could all be better options than posting cheques. I'm keen to uncover the best ways for both shooters and the ground owners to get the best out of this, and create a model that works for everyone.