Gertrude Hill writes out checks to pay bills, but like most of us, she could use a little extra money to help pay.
Hill thought she'd gotten extra money in March when she won the N.C. Education Lottery for $500. She went back to the Sam's Mart in the University area where she'd purchased the ticket to redeem it.
"(The clerk) took the ticket and he scanned and he said, 'I don't have that much money,'" Hill said.
The clerk told her to take the ticket to a grocery store chain that they would have enough money on hand to pay her, so she did.
"But then when I went to another store the lady told me, 'No, nobody's going to pay you because the ticket has been scanned already and this number is already showing that you been paid,'" Hill said.
She went back to Sam's Mart the following day and talked to the manager, who told her they still couldn't pay her.
"She said, 'I can't pay you because our policy is we only pay up to $50,' and I said, 'Lady, look on the back of the ticket; anywhere you go you hit for a dime and it's more than $50, so why is y'all the only ones not paying?'" Hill said.
The University Sam's Mart manager told Action 9 that when the clerk swiped the ticket he made the mistake by not hitting "no," indicating he wasn't paying the player. But a spokeswoman for the education lottery said their rules require stores like Sam's Mart to pay Hill.
"They should have paid $500 in some format," said Pam Walker. "If their policy is not to pay all in cash, then they should have asked the player, 'Can you accept a money order or a check?'"
The NCEL is still investigating Hill's complaint, but has told her she will get the money.
"She said be like a couple of weeks and I should have my money," Hill said.
The lotto payout limits stores to giving out just up to $600. Anything over $600 up to $100,000 is paid out at a regional office. Anything more than that has to come from the lottery headquarters in Raleigh. But if you think you've won, ask the store's policy before they swipe your ticket.
Quote: Originally posted by SirMetro on Apr 25, 2007
In GA, the QuickTrips have a sign posted that anything over $50 will be paid by MoneyOrder.
What is bad is, they charge you for that money order, go figure.
She will get her money, thank goodness...
If the store operator had been unscrupulous, he/she could have told her "the ticket has already been scanned, thus it has been paid".....
By the way, SirMetro, I have seen stores with the same signs posted. One would think that the lottery commission could establish rules and make the stores follow them if they want to be retailers. Rules that define cash payments...
"One would think that the lottery commission could establish rules and make the stores follow them if they want to be retailers. Rules that define cash payments..."I totally agree with you DD. I tried to cash a $290 ticket the other day and had to go to 5 stores before someone had the cash. How can you be a retailer if you can't make payouts. I always ask the cashier if they have the cash before I give them my ticket, that way something like this will not happen.
In Ohio we have Ma and Pa stores that will gladly sell you a $100 worth of lottery tickets and if the winners are worth over $50,they will tell you they can't handle that kind of cash and you should go to a another store to cash them. I think winning tickets of more than $5 are so rare that they don't plan for them. I don't buy lottery tickets at those kinds of stores.
I think the state shouldn't allow stores to sell lottery tickets if they aren't prepared to payoff the winners they sell.
When traveling in Kentucky I saw stores with signs stating they only paid for winners sold in their stores so I guess you would be up a creek if the same thing happened there.
In Ohio we have Ma and Pa stores that will gladly sell you a $100 worth of lottery tickets and if the winners are worth over $50,they will tell you they can't handle that kind of cash and you should go to a another store to cash them. I think winning tickets of more than $5 are so rare that they don't plan for them. I don't buy lottery tickets at those kinds of stores.
I think the state shouldn't allow stores to sell lottery tickets if they aren't prepared to payoff the winners they sell.
When traveling in Kentucky I saw stores with signs stating they only paid for winners sold in their stores so I guess you would be up a creek if the same thing happened there.
Wow, RJOh, that Kentucky thing is absolutely crazy !!
I travel, so from time to time I will buy some scratchers and then move on... I could be hundreds of miles from where I bought the ticket when I decide to cash it and get more.
That would pi$$ me off big time if the store would not cash it BC I did not buy it from them....
This is another "rule" that should be made- If you sell tickets at all--- you should cash them as well, regardless of where they were bought. The other option should be removing the lottery terminal.
this is true frrom many staes ....years ago in erie,pa. I HAD WON A PICK 3 HIT ...THE STORE CLAMED IT COULD NOT PAY ME SO I WENT TO ANOTHER STORE TO GET MONEY ;
I GOT THE SAME ANSWER ...TICKET ALREADY PAID ...THIS COMES FROM CLICKING THE WRONG BUTTON ON THE TERMINAL ....SAYING PAID VS. SCAN FOR VALIDATION !!!
I know of no re-course ......just be careful ask before handing it over or accept a check/money order;
This has happened to me many times in MA. I've won 4/5 in Mass Cash several times, the payout is $250 but many places tell me they don't have enough cash on hand. Funny thing is, I've tried to redeem the ticket at gas stations where I see people handing over $20s to fill up, but they don't have $250 to pay the ticket! Now I only play at supermarkets since they always have the cash to pay up.
That really should be a rule...if you sell lottery tickets, always have enough cash on hand to pay up to $600 (that's not asking much).
Aside from fraud, or cluelessness, some of these smaller shops may (sadly, validly) feel that if it becomes known that "you can cash your winning tickets at Ma & Pa's Backwoods Gas & Go", then that implies they keep a significant amount of cash on hand. You can deduce the other implications from there. Same goes for only cashing tickets "bought local". They are saying (without saying) that they will only deal with people they already "know". While that is probably in violation of lottery statutes, no one is likely to challenge it.
Quote: Originally posted by time*treat on Apr 26, 2007
Aside from fraud, or cluelessness, some of these smaller shops may (sadly, validly) feel that if it becomes known that "you can cash your winning tickets at Ma & Pa's Backwoods Gas & Go", then that implies they keep a significant amount of cash on hand. You can deduce the other implications from there. Same goes for only cashing tickets "bought local". They are saying (without saying) that they will only deal with people they already "know". While that is probably in violation of lottery statutes, no one is likely to challenge it.
I agree. I know it might be breaking a rule, but a Mom & Pop store might not have the extra cash on hand like a large supermarket chain and then they need to wait for their money if a check or money order is issued. I don't know why I feel this way, but I would never try to cash in a ticket at a store if I didn't buy it there in the first place, especially a small convenient or liquor store.
I've worked in small stores and, although they weren't the kind that sell lottery tickets, I know what it's like to be alone helping customers and suddenly someone walks in and asks you to do something that disrupts the normal course of business.
If you're a lottery retailer paying winning tickets is part of the normal course of business, but that doesn't change the fact that the registers should only have enough cash to make change for typical sales. Somebody may see a lot of twenties changing hands in a gas station nowadays, but they should go into the drop safe pretty quickly. I'd imagine everyone has been in a store where there are signs saying there isn't much cash on hand, and if the clerks are following proper procedure that will usually be true. In some cases cash can be held to get enough to make a payment, but I'd guess that most lottery rules allow retailers to pay by check for some prizes.
In the old days, there was no way to track scratch tickets (and retailers were on consignment so they had to pay all the low-tier prizes in each pack) so many states only allowed retailers to cash tickers they sold. You then run into the security issue over having enough cash on hand to pay winners, retailers hanging signs saying they "charge for cashing tickets or for checking "non-winners".
Good business people and good retailers will be customer friendly and uphold the image of the lottery. Some store operators are not great business people and could give a fig about the lottery. Lotteries have also been reluctant to crack down on retailer misbehavior.
The fact that this is taking weeks is atrocious. The retailer was credited the $500 against their account the moment the ticket was validated (and probably paid a cashing bonus to boot - I'm not positive about this state - but most do it).
Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Apr 27, 2007
If you're a lottery retailer paying winning tickets is part of the normal course of business, but that doesn't change the fact that the registers should only have enough cash to make change for typical sales. Somebody may see a lot of twenties changing hands in a gas station nowadays, but they should go into the drop safe pretty quickly. I'd imagine everyone has been in a store where there are signs saying there isn't much cash on hand, and if the clerks are following proper procedure that will usually be true. In some cases cash can be held to get enough to make a payment, but I'd guess that most lottery rules allow retailers to pay by check for some prizes.
IN PA, THe retailers are NOT allowed to mix normal sales with lottery sales money. ALl transactions are accounted for separately. So it doesnt matter if they got 2k in gas sales that day, it cannot go into the lottery payout pool. PA established this to hinder retailer losses and to have correct tabulations at day end report.
I agree with the suggestion to ask before scanning a ticket for winning payouts. Most of the stores I visit post that winnings above 50$ can be by money order . Ive actually had to remind some of the clerks when they tallly up my winnings that they *adjusted* it in their favor. I request to see the pay out ticket and then proceed to add the amounts in front of them. THey arent too pleased, but neither am I when they adjust to pocket ten bucks for themselves. I make sure to know in advance what amounts of winnings are due.
"The University Sam's Mart manager told Action 9 that when the clerk swiped the ticket he made the mistake by not hitting "no," indicating he wasn't paying the player. But a spokeswoman for the education lottery said their rules require stores like Sam's Mart to pay Hill.
"They should have paid $500 in some format," said Pam Walker. "If their policy is not to pay all in cash, then they should have asked the player, 'Can you accept a money order or a check?'"
Even though in this case it's obvious Sam's Mart made the mistake, the problem really is poor payout proceedures by the State Lottery Commission. And after reading some of the comments by other posters, many other states have the same problem.
"The lotto payout limits stores to giving out just up to $600. Anything over $600 up to $100,000 is paid out at a regional office."
When lottery commissions make statements like this, players assume the store where they bought their ticket has the cash to pay them off and when they see that store getting hundreds of dollars from gas sales or other items, the red flag goes up when they are told the store does not have the money. KYFloyd pointed out that stores separate their lottery sales from other sales so cash on hand for paying out lottery winners depends on the store's lottery volume and not the volume of all sales.
"She said be like a couple of weeks and I should have my money," Hill said.
If it takes the lottery commission two weeks to pay Hill $500, they must be asking their retail agents to pay winners out of the other store accounts and wait two weeks before the commission pays them back. After many years of having online lottery games you would think that states like Ohio, Illinois and PA would know the players don't want to go to 5 different stores or wait two weeks to collect $290. The fact is these states don't know what their players want or they wouldn't be putting lottery terminals into stores unable to payoff $500. This probably indicates statewide there are not that many winners under $600 per day so the lottery commissions don't see it as a problem.
Those of us that have played the online games for years and have won know which stores will cash our tickets. But when I read that some people seem to be more concerned about remaining anonymous, hiring financial planners and tax consultants "after winning Mega Millions or Power Ball", I'll bet only a small percentage of all players know how to cash even a $200 winning ticket.
Hmmm...something's smelling fishy here...
In GA, the QuickTrips have a sign posted that anything over $50 will be paid by MoneyOrder.
What is bad is, they charge you for that money order, go figure.
She will get her money, thank goodness...
If the store operator had been unscrupulous, he/she could have told her "the ticket has already been scanned, thus it has been paid".....
By the way, SirMetro, I have seen stores with the same signs posted. One would think that the lottery commission could establish rules and make the stores follow them if they want to be retailers. Rules that define cash payments...
"One would think that the lottery commission could establish rules and make the stores follow them if they want to be retailers. Rules that define cash payments..." I totally agree with you DD. I tried to cash a $290 ticket the other day and had to go to 5 stores before someone had the cash. How can you be a retailer if you can't make payouts. I always ask the cashier if they have the cash before I give them my ticket, that way something like this will not happen.
In Ohio we have Ma and Pa stores that will gladly sell you a $100 worth of lottery tickets and if the winners are worth over $50,they will tell you they can't handle that kind of cash and you should go to a another store to cash them. I think winning tickets of more than $5 are so rare that they don't plan for them. I don't buy lottery tickets at those kinds of stores.
I think the state shouldn't allow stores to sell lottery tickets if they aren't prepared to payoff the winners they sell.
When traveling in Kentucky I saw stores with signs stating they only paid for winners sold in their stores so I guess you would be up a creek if the same thing happened there.
Wow, RJOh, that Kentucky thing is absolutely crazy !!
I travel, so from time to time I will buy some scratchers and then move on... I could be hundreds of miles from where I bought the ticket when I decide to cash it and get more.
That would pi$$ me off big time if the store would not cash it BC I did not buy it from them....
This is another "rule" that should be made- If you sell tickets at all--- you should cash them as well, regardless of where they were bought. The other option should be removing the lottery terminal.
this is true frrom many staes ....years ago in erie,pa. I HAD WON A PICK 3 HIT ...THE STORE CLAMED IT COULD NOT PAY ME SO I WENT TO ANOTHER STORE TO GET MONEY ;
I GOT THE SAME ANSWER ...TICKET ALREADY PAID ...THIS COMES FROM CLICKING THE WRONG BUTTON ON THE TERMINAL ....SAYING PAID VS. SCAN FOR VALIDATION !!!
I know of no re-course ......just be careful ask before handing it over or accept a check/money order;
This has happened to me many times in MA. I've won 4/5 in Mass Cash several times, the payout is $250 but many places tell me they don't have enough cash on hand. Funny thing is, I've tried to redeem the ticket at gas stations where I see people handing over $20s to fill up, but they don't have $250 to pay the ticket! Now I only play at supermarkets since they always have the cash to pay up.
That really should be a rule...if you sell lottery tickets, always have enough cash on hand to pay up to $600 (that's not asking much).
Aside from fraud, or cluelessness, some of these smaller shops may (sadly, validly) feel that if it becomes known that "you can cash your winning tickets at Ma & Pa's Backwoods Gas & Go", then that implies they keep a significant amount of cash on hand. You can deduce the other implications from there. Same goes for only cashing tickets "bought local". They are saying (without saying) that they will only deal with people they already "know". While that is probably in violation of lottery statutes, no one is likely to challenge it.
I agree. I know it might be breaking a rule, but a Mom & Pop store might not have the extra cash on hand like a large supermarket chain and then they need to wait for their money if a check or money order is issued. I don't know why I feel this way, but I would never try to cash in a ticket at a store if I didn't buy it there in the first place, especially a small convenient or liquor store.
I've worked in small stores and, although they weren't the kind that sell lottery tickets, I know what it's like to be alone helping customers and suddenly someone walks in and asks you to do something that disrupts the normal course of business.
If you're a lottery retailer paying winning tickets is part of the normal course of business, but that doesn't change the fact that the registers should only have enough cash to make change for typical sales. Somebody may see a lot of twenties changing hands in a gas station nowadays, but they should go into the drop safe pretty quickly. I'd imagine everyone has been in a store where there are signs saying there isn't much cash on hand, and if the clerks are following proper procedure that will usually be true. In some cases cash can be held to get enough to make a payment, but I'd guess that most lottery rules allow retailers to pay by check for some prizes.
Some valid points raise din this thread.
In the old days, there was no way to track scratch tickets (and retailers were on consignment so they had to pay all the low-tier prizes in each pack) so many states only allowed retailers to cash tickers they sold. You then run into the security issue over having enough cash on hand to pay winners, retailers hanging signs saying they "charge for cashing tickets or for checking "non-winners".
Good business people and good retailers will be customer friendly and uphold the image of the lottery. Some store operators are not great business people and could give a fig about the lottery. Lotteries have also been reluctant to crack down on retailer misbehavior.
The fact that this is taking weeks is atrocious. The retailer was credited the $500 against their account the moment the ticket was validated (and probably paid a cashing bonus to boot - I'm not positive about this state - but most do it).
DDB
IN PA, THe retailers are NOT allowed to mix normal sales with lottery sales money. ALl transactions are accounted for separately. So it doesnt matter if they got 2k in gas sales that day, it cannot go into the lottery payout pool. PA established this to hinder retailer losses and to have correct tabulations at day end report.
I agree with the suggestion to ask before scanning a ticket for winning payouts. Most of the stores I visit post that winnings above 50$ can be by money order . Ive actually had to remind some of the clerks when they tallly up my winnings that they *adjusted* it in their favor. I request to see the pay out ticket and then proceed to add the amounts in front of them. THey arent too pleased, but neither am I when they adjust to pocket ten bucks for themselves. I make sure to know in advance what amounts of winnings are due.
"The University Sam's Mart manager told Action 9 that when the clerk swiped the ticket he made the mistake by not hitting "no," indicating he wasn't paying the player. But a spokeswoman for the education lottery said their rules require stores like Sam's Mart to pay Hill.
"They should have paid $500 in some format," said Pam Walker. "If their policy is not to pay all in cash, then they should have asked the player, 'Can you accept a money order or a check?'"
Even though in this case it's obvious Sam's Mart made the mistake, the problem really is poor payout proceedures by the State Lottery Commission. And after reading some of the comments by other posters, many other states have the same problem.
"The lotto payout limits stores to giving out just up to $600. Anything over $600 up to $100,000 is paid out at a regional office."
When lottery commissions make statements like this, players assume the store where they bought their ticket has the cash to pay them off and when they see that store getting hundreds of dollars from gas sales or other items, the red flag goes up when they are told the store does not have the money. KYFloyd pointed out that stores separate their lottery sales from other sales so cash on hand for paying out lottery winners depends on the store's lottery volume and not the volume of all sales.
"She said be like a couple of weeks and I should have my money," Hill said.
If it takes the lottery commission two weeks to pay Hill $500, they must be asking their retail agents to pay winners out of the other store accounts and wait two weeks before the commission pays them back. After many years of having online lottery games you would think that states like Ohio, Illinois and PA would know the players don't want to go to 5 different stores or wait two weeks to collect $290. The fact is these states don't know what their players want or they wouldn't be putting lottery terminals into stores unable to payoff $500. This probably indicates statewide there are not that many winners under $600 per day so the lottery commissions don't see it as a problem.
Those of us that have played the online games for years and have won know which stores will cash our tickets. But when I read that some people seem to be more concerned about remaining anonymous, hiring financial planners and tax consultants "after winning Mega Millions or Power Ball", I'll bet only a small percentage of all players know how to cash even a $200 winning ticket.