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Post by Rajiv on Sept 18, 2017 13:20:39 GMT 8
Both PayNow and PayLah! are available, using my mobile number. PayLah! is only available with DBS. More information on the ABS website. As for PayPal, terms vary from country to country. The terms governing your PayPal account depends on which you country you are shown to be in in your registration. Personal payments are still allowed in respect of certain countries. Even if personal payments are allowed for your account, you need to choose the right options to be sure no fees are payable. If fees are payable, please ensure you pay the fees. I've updated the "Payment Modes" section of the Overview thread of the Payment & Balances board. You need to be logged in to view the Overview thread. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 4, 2018 11:41:58 GMT 8
The Premier Pitch @ Grandstand have informed me that the price for the covered big pitch will be put up by $10 with effect from 1 February 2018. I will bear the increase until at least 28 February 2018. From the "Days, times & locations" thread: .... The Tuesday night at the Grandstand game is currently the only one on a small pitch. I will be moving that game to the new venue from March 2017 onwards. Therefore, we will have a 7-a-side game every weeknight, from 9 to 10 pm, except Friday, on which we have no game. .... And from the "Weekly schedule & number of games" thread: The payment per player for the Thursday night game at Khalsa will return to $10 per player from March 2018 onwards. Also from the "Weekly schedule & number of games" thread: .... ..., I will not schedule a Monday night game at Macpherson until March 2018, after Chap Go Mei which is on 2 March 2018. Until then, the alternative games are: - Friday nights at Macpherson (9 to 10 pm).
- Sunday nights at Khalsa (6 to 7 pm).
- Tuesday nights at Khalsa (10 to 11 pm).
The additional games are all $1 less than the usual payment per player, that is, $9 per player at Khalsa and $10 per player at Macpherson, to try to encourage players to try the games out. I will continue to do so for all new or additional games until they pick up. As for the Monday night game at Macpherson, when it is reintroduced in March 2018, I will reduce the payment per player to $10 per player for at least a month, but apart from any other admin fee or penalty, there will be a $1 admin fee for anyone with a confirmed place withdrawing after the WhatsApp group chat is created on Sunday. |
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 28, 2018 8:22:54 GMT 8
Continuing from the post above, instead of increasing the price for the Grandstand games (on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday) by $1, and putting the price of the Macpherson (Monday) and Thursday (Khalsa) games back up by $1, I will instead reduce the price for the Wednesday game by $1, so effectively, all the games have been reduced by $1. I will review in June 2018.
For the Monday game at Macpherson, the additional $1 admin fee will only apply after the team selector poll is added, and to anyone withdrawing less than 3 hours after having a confirmed place (excluding 11 pm on Sunday to 7 am on Monday).
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Post by Rajiv on Sept 1, 2018 14:12:32 GMT 8
Continuing from the post above, I will leave the price per player as it is, and review at the end of September 2018. When I put the payment status on the day of each game, some players do not understand that it includes the price of that day's game, and if I indicate that payment is owing, message me to say they do not owe for previous games From this month onwards, for each game, I will specify that the payment status includes that day's game. PayNow is now the preferred mode of payment. If you are making payment for the first time, please check my mobile number with me. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 13, 2019 16:24:32 GMT 8
Currently, the maximum amount players can owe is $50. With effect from the game on Saturday, 19 January 2019, players owing more than $12 when the WhatsApp group chat is created will be moved to the bottom of the list, and lose priority. Unless they also agreed to pay for a friend in their last game, owing more than $12 means owing at least some part of the payment for one or more games before their last. Since the schedule thread for each game is put up up to 132 hours before the game game, and the WhatsApp group chat is only created 30 about hours before the game, players have ample time to clear the outstanding. For popular games in particular, where players rush to put their names down in the first 24 hours after the schedule thread goes up, I do not see why players who rush to put their names down in the first 24 hours cannot clear payment for previous games in a timely manner. If a player ordinarily pays $50 or more each time as credit, I will let that figure go up to $24. If a player ordinarily pays $100 or more each time as credit, I will let that figure go up to $36. I don't need to be repeatedly reminding players to make payment. From the "Price of fast-filling games" thread, which at that time, focused on the Monday night game at Macpherson: .... No other game suffers nearly as many withdrawals in the 24 hours before the game. To me, it looks like the same old problem of hogging/"choping" and clustering. What makes it worse if that we are left short on the day of the game, players who might otherwise have been able to play, and might have put their name down if the waitlist had not been so long in the days before the game, are no longer available. There is a serious issue here. At least once, it has left us to go on with the minimum number. Previously, it had resulted in a Monday night game being cancelled.
I have two alternative solutions - where a game fills up within the first 24 hours of the schedule thread being put up, anyone who, having put their names down within the first 24 hours and having a confirmed place when the WhatsApp group chat is created, withdraws after the group chat is created ("Very Popular Game Scenario"):
- The player will have to pay a $1 admin fee (Option A - $1 admin fee).
- The player will not be allowed to put his name down within the first 24 hours of the schedule thread being put up for the same game in the following two weeks (Option B - 2 week restriction).
.... Neither option was implemented, either at all, or for any length of time. The issue is now broader. From the "Filling places & choices thread: .... The real issue in sustaining less popular games and getting a new game started is familiarity with other players. To increase familiarity within the group, for the rest of this quarter (up to 31 March 2019), I will schedule an extra game on Tuesday nights at Macpherson, and those who put their names down for any of the games on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday, and do not subsequently withdraw, will have priority in the first 24 hours for the Saturday, Monday and Wednesday games. Basically, by giving those who play in the less popular games a better chance of playing in the more popular games, we increase familiarity between players. I will review at the end of the quarter. The regulars for the games on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday are in any event prepared to compete for limited places for those games, while those who put their names down for the games on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday largely just want to get a game, so no one is seriously prejudiced, some players benefit short term, and there is long term benefit for everyone. What may be referred to as a no-lose, win-win situation! The priority will apply to those putting their names down for a game on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday scheduled to take place in the 7 days up to and including the day the schedule thread for the Saturday, Monday and Wednesday game goes up, commencing from the schedule thread for 16 January 2019. .... I am considering introducing a $1 admin fee if a player puts his name down in the first 24 hours after the schedule thread goes up, but withdraws in the 24 hours before the game, when there were half the maximum number of players on waitlist 24 hours before the game. This is in addition to any late withdrawal penalty for withdrawing less than 5 hours before the game. |
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Post by Rajiv on Aug 11, 2019 13:12:45 GMT 8
As set out above, I have been bearing the increases in the pitch prices for the covered pitches at the Premier Pitch @ Grandstand since February 2018 (1.5 years!!!). I also reduced the price per player by $1 for all other pitches from March 2018 onwards to try to encourage more players to play in the less popular games. Unfortunately, the reduction in price per player has been ineffective, with the problem of clustering around the more popular games getting even worse. With effect from the game scheduled for 17 Aug 2019, the price per player for all games will be increased by $1. However, as the new management at HYFA @ Macpherson has reduced the price of the pitch there, there will be no change to the price per player for that venue. This means that going forward, the price per player will be as follows for the various venues:
- Covered big pitch at Premier Pitch @ Grandstand (8-a-side), $13 per player.
- Uncovered 7-a-side pitch at HYFA @ Macpherson, $10 per player.
- Uncovered 6-a-side pitch at the Rainforest @ Grandstand, $12 per player.
- Uncovered 7-a-side pitch at Premier Pitch @ Khalsa, $10 per player.
- Covered small pitch at The Cage @ Kallang (5-a-side), $11 per player.
However, if a game does not fill up within 48 hours of the schedule thread going up, I will reduce the price per player for that game by $1. If the game is subsequently cancelled due to insufficient numbers, the $1 reduction will be carried over to the following week's game. However, there will be no further reduction for the following week's game.
From the "Reports, polls & chat" thread:
.... Going forward, and with effect from the report thread for the game today (Saturday):
- Except where I suggest line ups, selectors will each receive $1 credit after the report thread for the game being put up and the game is completed (that is, they don't have to wait until there is a report of the game). This also applies to non-playing selectors.
- The first PRG player from each team to post an account of the game on the report thread will receive $1 credit each. If any PRG players watch the game without playing in the game, and post an account of the game on the report thread, the first to post a report will also receive a $1 credit. The reports must be first-hand and genuine to receive a credit.
- Each captain will receive an additional $1 credit if a player from their team provides an account on the report thread. Unless otherwise stated, selectors are also captains. Captains should encourage their team-mates to do a report, or just do one themselves.
Therefore, the total amount of credit available for selectors/captains remains $4, but $2 will now be given upfront after the game, without waiting for a report. The total amount of credit available for reports is increased from $2 to $3.
The ball and gloves credits remains unchanged.
All of the game credits referred to above will continue to be recorded on the report thread within a week of the game.
....
With the increase in the price per player for all games, I will make the first report for each team $2 with effect from the game on 17 Aug 2019. |
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Post by Rajiv on Sept 30, 2019 18:45:29 GMT 8
The GIFFA system and rules have been in place for some time now. Many features have been in place for up to 10 years, yet many regular player still ignore several aspects of the system and rules which are material for its effective functioning and application. On the WhatsApp group chat for the game yesterday (Sunday) evening at Grandstand, a longstanding player (ok, Christian P) said he had already left home and asked to be on reds, and then commented on the opposing captain's "negotiation" of line ups. I highlighted the following from the "Team selectors/captains & line ups" thread to Christian: .... The requirement to bring both colours (white and red) is mandatory, and if it is reported and verified that a regular player who signed up early for a fast-filled game failed to bring both colours, the $1 admin fee will be automatic. If players can make the effort to sign up early for a fast-filled game, they should also make the effort to bring both colours. I will look at the following on a case-by-case basis: - $1 admin fee for non-regular players not bringing both colours, or players not bringing both colours for a slow-filling game.
- ....
.... .... ...., after line ups are decided, certain players express strong views on the WhatsApp group chat on the balance between the two teams. This unnecessarily winds up other players, and/or may adversely affect the attitude or performance of players. For the game on Saturday, 13 July 2019, one of the players had a go at the opposing selector, without appreciating that his own selector had suggested the line ups. If a player is dissatisfied with the line ups, he should message his own selector first. If the selector does not agree, he can then canvass the views of other players on the WhatsApp group chat. Having a go at the selectors before the game, especially the opposing selector, for the line ups, is not acceptable, and I am minded to introduce a $1 penalty for doing so. .... Earlier, from the "Game kit & equipment" thread: .... ... from the report thread for the game yesterday (Saturday): .... Going forward, if a player is unable to change teams either before or during a game because he does not have the other colour, and this is referred to in the report thread and verified by his captain, I will impose a $1 penalty on that player. .... Players have from early on been required to bring both a white top and a red top. If you don't have a white top, any light top will do. If you don't have a red top, any dark or bright colour will do. The aim is for the two teams to be clearly distinguished. Any shade of pink, being between white and red, is confusing, and is now officially banned! .... To be consistent, any player requesting a specific colour for his team because he only has that colour will have to pay a $1 choice of colour admin fee. The fee will be waived if the player only joined the game on the day of the game itself (for weekdays) or after 10 am of the day of the game (for weekend games), or is a new or relatively new player. Players effectively filling places which are still available on the day of the game itself, or new or new players, should not be penalised if they are not prepared with tops in both colours. .... I have been using $1 admin fees or penalties to reinforce the system and rules for some time now. Penalties were originally introduced for late withdrawals from games or no shows. Any withdrawal less than 6 hours before the game is now treated as a late withdrawal. The later the withdrawal, the higher the penalty. The highest penalties are for no shows, but even then, the penalties are less than the payment per player for that game. There is thus an incentive for no shows to be addressed, so that I am kept informed, and going forward, can monitor the conduct of the player concerned. I have introduced or will introduce two other admin fees. From the "Latecoming, late-stage withdrawals & no shows" thread: .... ..., from the "Payment and penalties" section of the GIFFA System thread: .... If not less than half an hour before the game, a player offers up his place to those on the waitlist, I will not treat it as a withdrawal, as long as the player remains available if no one on waitlist is still available. .... This admin fee is effectively a fee for "choping" a place in a fast-filling game until a late stage (after the selector poll goes up), without actually playing. Even if a player has a very good reason for withdrawing at this late stage, I have to apply the admin fee consistently. I cannot be examining the player's reasons for withdrawing after the poll goes up. It is an admin fee, not a penalty. Going forward, I will streamline the late-stage withdrawal admin fee as follows - if (i) a player puts his name down within the first 24 hours of the schedule thread, (ii) has a confirmed place when the WhatsApp group chat is created, (iii) there are at least 3 players on waitlist from the time the group chat is created until the selector poll is put up, but (iv) only withdraws after the selector poll is put up, I will impose the $1 admin fee. The way to avoid the admin fee is either not to put your name down in the first 24 hours after the schedule thread goes up for the more popular games or offer your place to the next player on waitlist before the selector/captain poll is added, so that you go first on waitlist, and if a place later becomes available, you get in again. Also, a simple enough courtesy to show to others. However, for now, I will waive the admin fee if the withdrawal is earlier than on the day of the game itself. .... And from the "Team selectors/captains & line ups" thread: .... Players can opt out as selector when they put their names down for a game. They can opt out any time before the poll goes up, even on the WhatsApp group chat. Sometimes, players opt out even after the poll goes up! On the other hand, players who had earlier opted out can make themselves available for the poll any time before the poll goes up. I think this has only happened once or twice before. Continuing from the post above, if the poll for any game is void, or there is insufficient time for a poll, I will use the poll result from the previous game. If the game the week before was cancelled or converted to a challenge match, I will go to the week before that. If the poll in the previous game was void or there was insufficient time for a poll, or selectors from that game are not playing in the game, then the default will be the player(s) with the most number of games in the current 6 month period. As I am now putting up the poll earlier, players have ample time to vote. Starting from the game to be scheduled for 1 October 2019 onwards, if the selector poll for any game is void due to insufficient votes, I will add a $1 admin fee to the payment per player for the GIFFA players who did not vote in the poll for that game. This will not apply to captain polls. .... In respect of the latter, the selector system, which is now a very important aspect of the running of each fixed game, relies on two things:
- Experienced players making themselves available as selectors.
- Players, especially the more experienced players, voting for suitable selectors.
Players shouldn't take the system for granted, and should make a reasonable contribution to the good working of the system. Going forward, starting from the game to be scheduled tomorrow (for 6 October 2019), if any player qualifies for the selector poll, but chooses to opt out, and does not vote in the poll, should the poll be void due to insufficient votes, a $1 admin fee will be added to his payment per player for that game, for taking the system for granted! Players who qualify as selectors should either make themselves available as selectors, or vote in the selector poll. If they do neither, they should pay a $1 admin fee for that privilege. Suitable footwear has at times been a big issue. If both captains agree upon, inspection before, during or after a game that any particular regular is wearing footwear that gives rise to an increased risk of injury to other players, they should notify me, and I will impose a $1 penalty. There are thus now the following admin fees and penalties applicable: - Admin fees:
- For late-stage withdrawal from popular games or "choping" fee: If (i) a player has a confirmed place in a fast-filled game at the time the WhatsApp group chat is created, (ii) there are no less than 3 players on waitlist from the time the WhatsApp group chat was created until the time the selector poll is added, and (iii) withdraws on the day of the game itself, there will be a $1 admin fee. This is apart from any late-withdrawal penalty (see below). A player offering up his place for those on waitlist, but remaining available on the waitlist himself (whether top or bottom of the waitlist, at his choice), is not a "withdrawal", it is being gracious, and the fee will not apply, even if he later withdraws.
- "Not bringing two colours" admin fee: If it comes to my attention that any regular player does not have both a white/light top and red/bright/dark top for a game, whether by the player requesting to be in a particular colour because he does not have the other colour, or not being able to switch teams as may be required by the selector/captain before or during the game, a $1 admin fee will be imposed on the player. I will waive this admin fee if the player made use of a suitable playing bib.
- "Non-participation in selector poll admin fee" for regulars: Where a selector poll is void due to insufficient votes, if a regular player who (i) has a confirmed place the day before the game, (ii) opts out from the selector poll, and (iii) does not vote in the selector poll, a $1 admin fee will be imposed on the player. I may waive the admin fee for slow filling games.
- Penalties:
- Late withdrawal penalties: If a player withdraws less than 6 hours before the game, there is a penalty, starting at $1, which increases the later he withdraws, up to half the payment per player (rounded up to the nearest dollar) for withdrawals less than half an hour before the game. The penalty is in addition to the "choping" fee for popular games. Again, if there are still players on waitlist, if a player offers up his place to those on waitlist, but remains available on the waitlist himself (whether top or bottom of the waitlist, at his choice), it is not a "withdrawal", and the penalty will not apply.
- "No show" penalties: If a player doesn't turn up for a game without having previously withdrawn before the game. The penalty is the payment per player, less $1 to $3, depending on whether he has no reason for the no show, some reason for the no show, or a good reason for the no show.
- "Disrespecting opposing selector" penalty: $1 penalty for any player who comments adversely on the opposing team's selector's role in the determination of the line ups on the WhatsApp group chat or to the opposing team's selector directly. I will waive the penalty if the opposing team's selector accepts the comment as "banter".
- "Unsafe footwear" penalty: If both captains, upon inspecting before, during or after a game, agree that the type of footwear used by a regular player gives rise to a materially increased risk of injury to other players, and both captains inform me accordingly, a $1 penalty will be imposed on the player concerned.
The admin fees and penalties apply mainly to regulars. Even where they apply to non-regulars, I may waive or reduce the admin fee or penalty. For now, "regular" means any player who qualifies for the selector poll based on number of games played, or would qualify if he hadn't opted out. Regulars should know better by now.
Likewise, certain admin fees and penalties do not apply to slow-filling games. Even where they do, I may waive or reduce the admin fee or penalty, as I am trying to encourage participation in these games.
I used to provide information about the "excessive outstanding" admin fee against the name of each player who incurs it. Since this month, I merely add the following at the bottom of the payment status:
Admin fees and penalties are just one way to encourage conduct and behaviour more conducive to the system and the rules, or otherwise co-operative conduct and behaviour. Generally, I rely much more on repeated reminders, either from myself, or the selectors/captains. Admin fees are used for important aspects of the system and rules. Penalties are used for more important or serious matters.
On the other hand, there are credits too. Credits are used more to encourage greater participation and involvement. Currently, the following credits are available:
- $1 credit to each selector. This is in addition to first priority for the following week's game.
- $1 credit to the first player from each team to provide a report or comment about the game on the report thread. This is in addition to second priority for the following week's game.
- $1 credit to the captains after at least one report or comment about the game is provided on the report thread. This is in addition to third priority for the following week's game. Each selector can appoint himself or any other player on his team as captain, otherwise, by default, the selector is the captain. Where I suggest line ups, captains are either elected or appointed by me based on number of games played or any other relevant factor.
- $1 credit to the second player from each team to provide a report or comment about the game on the report thread. This is to encourage a broader range of views.
- $1 credit to the player who brings the ball that is used at the end of each game. This is claimed on the report thread for the game.
- If the selector/captain brings or arranges for goalkeeping gloves for his team, $1 credit for the selector/captain. The credit must be claimed by the selector/captain on the report thread. It can be assigned to the player who actually brought the gloves, if the selector/captain arranged for another player to bring the gloves.
- $50 credit for finishing top in a season.
Continuing from the post above, the payment per player is fixed, based on the cost of the pitch. However, if a game does not fill up within 48 hours of the schedule thread being put up, I reduce the payment per player by $1. To encourage participation, via slow-filling games, if any regular (as defined above) adds a guest who has never played with us before on the schedule thread after the game is designated a slow-filling game, the regular can play that game for free, provided he claims the free game on the same schedule thread before the payment status for that game is update, or when putting the name down, whichever is later. The payments & balances spreadsheet comprises the following: - First sheet:
- Payments received in the left section.
- Credits in the middle section.
- Penalties and admin fees in the right section.
- Second sheet:
- Usage for games on the left.
- Number of games played over various periods on the right.
I have renamed the "Payment & Balances" board as "Payments & Balances". I used to archive the spreadsheet for each month at the end of each month's payments thread on the said board. I haven't done so since July 2018. I hope to bring this up to date by the end of the year.
PayNow and PayLah are increasingly becoming the preferred modes of payment, as more players become familiar or use the same. As you only require my mobile number, they are convenient, and I encourage players to use them. Other modes, including internet banking transfers to the DBS or UOB accounts, or PayPal, are still available. I will look into other forms of payment via mobile wallets, such as GrabPay.
As this thread is more broadly about payments, and other monetary incentives and disincentives, I will rename the thread from "Payments, credits, penalties & usage" to "Payments & monetary incentives & disincentives". |
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Post by Rajiv on Jun 20, 2021 12:22:53 GMT 8
Due to Covid-19 restrictions since late March 2020, the accounting spreadsheets have not been maintained on a monthly basis, but as follows, so that I do not have to do a month end when there have not been many games:
As it made sense to play without goalkeepers for 4-a-side, and make alternative rules to substitute for a goalkeeper, such as smaller goals or goal nets to cover most of the goal, I introduced a $1 credit per game for players who bring such equipment for use in our games. As usual, the credit has to be claimed on the report thread.
I started the May 2021 thread on the same basis, but our games have been suspended since 8 May 2021 due to the current period of Heightened Alert.
I have taken the current break to update the archiving of spreadsheets for previous account periods.
I have also updated the credits per month post on the Overview thread on the Payments & Balances board.
.... The highest amount earned by a single player in a single accounting period is $28, by Andy Ng in May 2018. The total amount of credits given since January 2014 is $8,981. The highest amount of credits given in a single month is $158, in October 2017. To simplify matters, I have renamed this thread "Accounting for payments, credits & penalties", and the Payment & Balances board as "Accounts". |
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