Arbiter Mandate

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by Adam

Refpay seems to be making the same transition. First mandated to get paid for playoff games, now more and more schools get added each year.

At our association's opening softball meeting earlier this week, a comment was made that most (if not all) schools in our area might be using RefPay by 2015. one umpire was not happy about this and asked what he should do if he doesn't want to accept any payments via RefPay.

In my experience, if RefPay is set up properly, it's more convenient than waiting for a check. I've had ADs use RefPay to pay me as soon as I arrived on site. Three business days later, the money is in my account.

So far, I haven't had to provide my SS# for RefPay schools, although some have asked for the e-mail address tied to it. Other schools seem to be able to pay me via my Arbiter account information.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

At our association's opening softball meeting earlier this week, a comment was made that most (if not all) schools in our area might be using RefPay by 2015. one umpire was not happy about this and asked what he should do if he doesn't want to accept any payments via RefPay.

In my experience, if RefPay is set up properly, it's more convenient than waiting for a check. I've had ADs use RefPay to pay me as soon as I arrived on site. Three business days later, the money is in my account.

There are a couple of schools that routinely pay the next morning, and if I watch closely, I can have the money in my account one day later.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

one umpire was not happy about this and asked what he should do if he doesn't want to accept any payments via RefPay.

Do you know why he was unhappy about it? Just curious as to what peoples’ aversions are to RefPay and similar payment services.

[Stat-Man]

Brad,

He never actually offered a reason aside from asking what alternatives were available to him. Our trainers really didn't know what to tell him, aside from saying that he could possibly ask to be payed by check, even though schools are trying to move away form that as much as possible now.

If asked to speculate, I'd wonder if he dislikes any form of online banking/payment processing.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

If asked to speculate, I'd wonder if he dislikes any form of online banking/payment processing.

Yeah. Sounds about right. Usually it’s because the person wants to avoid reporting the income—whether to the IRS or his wife!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Brad

Yeah. Sounds about right. Usually it’s because the person wants to avoid reporting the income—whether to the IRS or his wife!

My only aversion is one particular assigner who charges $1 for every RP transaction when he pays for his games.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Adam

My only aversion is one particular assigner who charges $1 for every RP transaction when he pays for his games.

That's because RefPay charges a fee everytime the paying administrator processes a paysheet. It is a sliding scale depending upon how much the individual official is being paid.
That assignor is simply passing on his cost of paying you. Now you can argue that the schools should be assessed that cost or it should be covered by the assignor as part of any assigning fee that he receives, but just as with paper checks, stamps, and envelopes there is a cost associated with making payments to officials. All that needs to be determined is who should pay for it.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That's because RefPay charges a fee everytime the paying administrator processes a paysheet. It is a sliding scale depending upon how much the individual official is being paid.
That assignor is simply passing on his cost of paying you. Now you can argue that the schools should be assessed that cost or it should be covered by the assignor as part of any assigning fee that he receives, but just as with paper checks, stamps, and envelopes there is a cost associated with making payments to officials. All that needs to be determined is who should pay for it.

I get that, I do. I just found it odd that he never charged for checks (including the stamp), but now charges for refpay. While it was optional, I opted for the check. It's not a deal breaker, just a curiosity (and admittedly an annoyance) for me.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Brad

Do you know why he was unhappy about it? Just curious as to what peoples’ aversions are to RefPay and similar payment services.

I know what aversions I've heard. If you want your money for free, you have to manually transfer it. Automatic transfer carries a fee. That's ridiculous.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Rich

I know what aversions I've heard. If you want your money for free, you have to manually transfer it. Automatic transfer carries a fee. That's ridiculous.

It's no different than cashing a check, though. In fact, it takes less effort: and I can cash checks with my smart phone app.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

It's no different than cashing a check, though. In fact, it takes less effort: and I can cash checks with my smart phone app.

It would take just as little effort for RefPay to automatically direct deposit the money on a fixed schedule. Oh, wait, they'll do that for a fee.

Many schools locally are starting to pay by Direct Deposit. Only a handful of schools have gone to RefPay.