Went public too soon?

Reply #64

Stack47 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:35:44 GMT

Just a wild guess; Harris called the Georgia Lottery Commission saying he had the winning Mega Millions ticket seeking information about collecting the prize. The lottery people probably gave him a choice of answering news media questions now or wait until a news conference where he would receive the symbolic huge check.

Another wild guess; many of the lotteries use these horse and pony shows as a way to make it fun for the winners and to divulge all the public information prescribed by law.

Reply #63

myturn — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:15:52 GMT

He shouldn't have went public at all, if he could have avoided it. Our jackpots are never that big, but at least our winners are not paraded like performing monkeys.

Reply #62

Stack47 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:20:13 GMT

Last year we read about a Georgia truck driver that basically did the same thing and a week later nobody could remember his name.

Reply #61

sirbrad — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:51:41 GMT

No, just get it over with and don't be stalked.

Reply #60

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:18:13 GMT

It is extremely difficult to get advise from the intelligent winners

Robert Harris is making choices because he had the winning ticket. The perception of which winners made intelligent choices or which made stupid choices is being made by people on the outside looking in. Any state lottery can give good advise based on things that worked well for other jackpot winners, but even they don't know what is the best advice.

If you make yourself a target, you will be shot at!

All of us can... [ More ]

Reply #59

rubberbandman — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:52:47 GMT

So true

Reply #58

Stack47 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:45:30 GMT

We all have ideas of what we would do if we win and I've read many really good ideas on things that I'd never thought about before. However we have to actually win to get to point of making a choice where those good ideas would be meaningful.

On this thread we were asked for our opinion and some people are saying Robert and Tonya Harris were stupid for going public so early trying to pass off their opinion as the definitive opinion. We get similar opinions in other threads on topics like annu... [ More ]

Reply #57

Mike Frazier — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:17:58 GMT

The female chauffer would love to drive that baby!

Oh, MFYL, you are a smart fellow. What a great idea.

In fact, why not recruit all your household staff at Hooters

Reply #56

justxploring — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:00:16 GMT

Why don't you just do what I do talk to yourself? I find that avoids most arguments.

Reply #55

MeFirstYouLast — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:34:27 GMT

Usually, excellent advise is that advise that agree with your thoughts. I have met more geniuses who agree with me, I have never met a genius who disagrees with me. Strange how that works.

Reply #54

ThatScaryChick — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:09:55 GMT

True, but sometimes there is nothing wrong with I would have advice. That said, there is also nothing wrong with getting advice from people who have been there and done that, but getting tips from those who haven't won yet isn't necessarily bad.

Reply #53

MeFirstYouLast — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:49:13 GMT

It is extremely difficult to get advise from the intelligent winners, only the real idiots stay in the news. Joe Smoe, owner of three gas stations, previous lottery winner, went bankrupt, and lives in a mobile home. That is the headlines and they guy with the most information. You seldom hear about Joe When, owner of six Chain Resturants, living happily with friends and relatives in Las Vegas. Those with a brain, and the capability to use it, have a huge advantage in making it big, and living th... [ More ]

Reply #52

Stack47 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:40:23 GMT

I would have chosen to claim the funds under a trust and would have told the lottery officials that they are not to use my likeness (display any photo of me, or make any video and post it on the news, or internet, etc...) and they are not to release any of my information...

Maybe they saw Forbes's list of 1065 Billionaires and figured if the richest people in the World can't remain anonymous, why bother. Had they read the consensus in most how to play lottery books, they would have never pla... [ More ]

Reply #51

MeFirstYouLast — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:26:50 GMT

I am inclined to go with the slim and null concept. Some one finding a way to steal the guys ticket, after all the publicity and hoopalah, in a small down, JUST for the purpose of ensuring they did NOT get the money. Slim and Null! Security procedures - booh! There have been several documented cases where tickets have been lost and the peoeple still got their prizes. This the the lottery, not Hanzel Gretel. They do this for a living. It would be interesting to know, how many real-time, vengeful,... [ More ]

Reply #50

PrisonerSix — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:58:17 GMT

I wouldn't go public at all if I could avoid it but if I did, I wouldn't do it until I had made my plans for what I plan to do and already made my plans. Since I'm in a lottery pool, whether or not we go public will be determined partially by the other members, not just me.

When I buy Powerball tickets myself(when the jackpot goes over $100 million), if I were to win, I'd stay out of the public eye altogether if I could. On top of that, I wouldn't quit my job right away, I'd wait several m... [ More ]

Reply #49

Guru101 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:30:55 GMT

As much as it would be nice showing off a ticket would guarantee no one would take it from you, that's just not how it works. Regardless of the number of the people you show the ticket to, the ticket must STILL undergo the same security procedures as any other ticket. They don't have to take the ticket because they want the money, they might take because they don't want YOU to have the money. The lottery doesn't care if you have a million people saying you had the ticket, you better have it when... [ More ]

Reply #48

MeFirstYouLast — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:16:07 GMT

I am pretty sure that flashing that ticket in front of the camera guaranteed no one will take it away from him. That was better then making a duplicate copy on some machine. You steal that ticket and turn it in, and you are going to jail immediately. It is not like no one will know!

I will turn my winning ticket in immediately. You don't get the cash for a month, so you income has gone up by zero. I have already picked out the Estate Lawyer Group that I want to handle the money, so I don't ne... [ More ]

Reply #47

justxploring — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:55:09 GMT

would have told the lottery officials that they are not to use my likeness (display any photo of me, or make any video and post it on the news, or internet, etc...) and they are not to release any of my information...

Sure, and the folks at the GA lottery would just tell you Okay, whatever you want. We'll forget the official rules. Here's your money.

its there ticket, there win, and there decision.

No, it's not their decision. Whether you want to remain anonymous or not has nothing... [ More ]

Reply #46

LottoAce — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:03:32 GMT

I personally think that going public at anytime can be disatorous. I think that when people do that they are opening up another entirely different can of worms. I would have chosen to claim the funds under a trust and would have told the lottery officials that they are not to use my likeness (display any photo of me, or make any video and post it on the news, or internet, etc...) and they are not to release any of my information...

but hey, its there ticket, there win, and there decision.

Reply #45

four4me — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:58:19 GMT

I've been here all along.... you must have noticed ........however all the cash is spent. I am now living in a brightly painted box outside the van parked down by the river. Because i was tossed out of the van by some wealthier bums. Am writing this post from the library.

Reply #44

st.germain — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Oh by golly!!!! That sure looks like my long lost brother!!! By golly!! Yeah...it sure looks like him!

How do I get in touch with him......so that I can profess my long feelings for him (and his cash)...I really missed him all these years. If only I can reach him....I miss him soooo much (and his money).

I'll be packing my bags and take my two dogs with me so that we be reunited as soon as possible!

Oh! Lost brother of mine...Where art thou! Would you even remember me. LOL

Reply #43

lottocalgal — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:12:23 GMT

Then prepare yourself for not only the media backlash, but all the friends and relatives that will come out of nowhere and hound you forever.

Reply #42

brich — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:01:29 GMT

So they went public a bit quick, but who knows what I would do if I were BLESSED to win that amount of money.

I'm sure the ticket is in a very very safe place until they can reach Lottery Headquarters. It's easy to say what we would or would not do if we're not in a particular situation. As we all know this is a dream come true and the excitement just wouldn't let them wait an extra day or so!! Heck, knowing me I would have come forward ASAP too, watch out for me

Reply #41

mylollipop — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:42:50 GMT

I said maybe. Who knows? The winner might have already planned for this winning day a long time ago and had all the little ducks lined up in a row in regards to financial planning; just needed the money to utilize the plan! Who knows

Reply #40

wantmoney — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:23:36 GMT

I think this couple need not this myraid of money. They will share it with their grandsons. Good luck

Reply #39

benir4u — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:32:53 GMT

Okay, I agree congrats, but I also agree that the safety and security would have been foremost on my book and the lawyer because would have taken the first precaution of getting the phone cutoff and staging the family in a different location. I think that Mr. Whitaker was an good example of what not to do when you win a large sum of money like that.

Reply #38

Tenaj — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:00:02 GMT

To the winning couple

Reply #37

JWBlue — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:49:55 GMT

In an ideal world, that is what I would do. I would go on a 5 month vacation and then turn in the ticket. But I would be nervous that something would happen to the ticket. I would put it in a safetly deposit box, but I would be paranoid that a huge sink hole would destroy the bank and my ticket with it.

Instead I would turn it in the next day.

Reply #36

tntea — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:52:19 GMT

When we win the big one, hubby and I are going to plan vacation and go away for a while. Let things calm down a great deal and then decide which day before the time limit we will collect. Probably will not be before the pot is hit a few times so our hit will be old news.

Reply #35

lottocalgal — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:55:45 GMT

They definitely went public WAAAAY TO SOON! What were they thinking?

IF YOU WIN IT, THEY WILL COME.

Reply #34

justxploring — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:17:30 GMT

When they first came out, they were popular around Naples. They're a status symbol I suppose.

When I worked for a Lincoln dealership, the Mercury Mountaineer had just been released. It was really a Ford Explorer with a different grille and a higher price. One of the most obnoxious couples I ever met (who should have been divorced) fought over what color to get. I finally sold them a green one and the wife came back that night screaming because it didn't quite match her Sea-Doo. My manager let... [ More ]

Reply #33

LotteryPlayer — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:02:24 GMT

JWBlue said, Does anyone else feel that turning in the ticket as soon as possible outweigh any other considerations?

Yes. I would turn in the ticket immediately. You don't get the money for 2 weeks, so that should be more than enough time to meet with financial advisors and formulate an initial financial plan.

Reply #32

jarasan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:21:15 GMT

The G-Wagons have the clearance of a Ford Taurus, they are very heavy, and don't make a good 4X4 for off-road usage, they are good for on-asphalt all wheel drive on wet roads, that is about it. You don't see em on the beach.

I got this one for the price of a down payment on a car, to pull the boat and whatever else, full power, A/C, tow pkg. etc. My point is you don't need a jackpot win, to do what you want.

P.S. You don't need Hans or Franz from Wulfsburg Tech. to fix it either.... [ More ]

Reply #31

hearsetrax — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:43:16 GMT

cause its the other Trend Mobile and or unaware that Mercedes Benz makes the better 4x4 and I ain't talkin about the G-wagens

Reply #30

justxploring — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:13:03 GMT

I agree with Scary Konane..their life, their choice. But one thing we all know about this board is we come here to throw out ideas and get back opinions. I don't think the criticism is specifically aimed at the winners, since we don't know them personally. Just like rock stars and other celebrities, the people in these articles become targets for readers to point at, but when we go to bed at night, it really makes no difference to us. If it does, I strongly suggest therapy! :-)

One of the mos... [ More ]

Reply #29

mken32 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:43:07 GMT

Reply #28

KY Floyd — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:16:18 GMT

IMHO, the lotteries should allow winners to make their claim, but delay the public announcement for a reasonable period pf time. The IRS allows 60 days to make the cash or annuity decision, so that seems like a reasonable period to delay the fanfare, and actual payment.

Lacking that, it isn't that hard to safeguard the ticket without running straight to the lottery office. Sign it, document the hell out of it, and put it in a safe deposit box (witht he documentation kept in a box at a differe... [ More ]

Reply #27

KY Floyd — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:07:52 GMT

It's not about wanting a Hummer and other toys. What matters is what they actually do. I want a boat. A really big boat. I'd kind of like to have a jet, too. If I were to clear 60 mililon after taxes and then went out and bought a $40 million Gulfstream and a $10 million yacht there's a good chance that I'd find myself in real trouble down the road, especially if I didn't finance them. The remaining $10 million wouldn't come close to generating enough income to pay the annual cost of owning toys... [ More ]

Reply #26

konane — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:44:56 GMT

Their ticket, their life, their choice. Congratulations to thm for their win, good wishes for the rest of their lives.

Reply #25

bashley572 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:37:54 GMT

I agree 100%, once the ticket is turned over there is no chance of losing it, ticket geting damaged ect...

Reply #24

JWBlue — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:33:04 GMT

Does anyone else feel that turning in the ticket as soon as possible outweigh any other considerations

Reply #23

ThatScaryChick — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:17:09 GMT

I don't know, but I find Hummers to be ugly vehicles.

Reply #22

Raven62 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:15:53 GMT

A Good Marketing Strategy: Sell the Sizzle not the Bacon!

But then again: Considering the H2's Safety Record: It may be a good Stratagem

Reply #21

Raven62 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:08:06 GMT

If you're waiting until after the Press Conference: You'll have a long wait

Reply #20

JackpotWanna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:54:52 GMT

Why does Lottery winners always want a Hummer

Reply #19

jarasan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:44:18 GMT

Well how coincidental, the NTSB just came out with crash safety ratings:

The best: Nissan Murano.

The worst: Hummer H3.

Who woulda thought.

Reply #18

four4me — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:33:11 GMT

I couldn't have said it better.

spy153 wrote: Do you think maybe they were afraid something bad would happen to them and they wanted everyone to know who they were before it did? Sort of safety in numbers thing?

Yep that's probably what they thought too. Small town everybody knows everybody. And i don't think there's no way they could hide the fact that they won in a small town anyway. They will make out just fine when the shock wears off.

Reply #17

delS — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:16:08 GMT

Even lottery officials advise people to not come in to claim until they get sound financial, legal and tax advice. There absolutely is no reason to rush out and tour the talk show circuit. With having gone through bankruptcy in the past (twice) they should be anxious to take their time and make as smoothe as possible transition.

I wish them the best. I'm amused at how many people desire that they stay in the public view verses how many desire them to remain private about it! (I'm in that cro... [ More ]

Reply #16

bashley572 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:05:21 GMT

Yea, that is the exact reason I was thinking. I saw them on the news on Saturday and just hoped we didn't see another news report saying someone went to there house and stole it ect...

I would have at least waited till it was handed over to the state and no one could do anything to the ticket.

Reply #15

spy153 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:54:50 GMT

me too

Reply #14

Guru101 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:40:48 GMT

I think that reason alone is enough reason to hide, at least until you claim it. You never know what someone else would do. It's a sick world. Imagine showing the ticket to a group of people and someone snatches it and tries to run off with it. Even if you've signed it or run after them, they might end up tearing it up and throwing it into the air because they don't want you to have it. No more ticket to claim your prize. You certainly aren't going to get that money by suing the person who took... [ More ]

Reply #13

Coin Toss — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:55:52 GMT

Yes inded about the H3 and stuff. when she said they were going to help people in town with their needs, those needs quickly went from needing a car to needing a Hummer , etc... (and that's family, not even the townies yet

Reply #12

JackpotWanna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:44:20 GMT

I think annuity would have been best served here. $10 million/26 years would have been easier to budget. Spend 5 million and save 5 million. Any remaining amount given to grand children. He is 54 so he can live to 80 is reasonable. Why take cash

Reply #11

hearsetrax — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:54:35 GMT

Time will tell soon enough I reckon

But as I posted in another thread in reponse to Them wanting the H3 and other toys ..........

I predict they shall become the other What not to do when ya when the lotto

Reply #10

JackpotWanna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:46:48 GMT

I haven't even cashed my $10 ticket I won a week ago.

New york gives players 1 year to claim mega millions jackpot. I plan to use it when I win.

Reply #9

spy153 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:05:41 GMT

I'm glad they went public. I like to read the stories of winners- after the big win. But I think they were just crazy to go public before they cashed in the ticket. Do you think maybe they were afraid something bad would happen to them and they wanted everyone to know who they were before it did? Sort of safety in numbers thing? Too many know they won so no one can derail them with some sort of story that it belonged to them? Something like that? As crazy as it sounds, it is the only reasoning I... [ More ]

Reply #8

fja — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:48:46 GMT

It's not my ticket so It really doesn't matter,,,I wish them well, but at the same time I hope they stay in the limelight....to many winners seem to go underground and disappear,,,I'm looking for new stories to read.....

Reply #7

U.N.V.ME — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:37:35 GMT

I truly agree with you,I mean people are crazy and lettin others know about the win an the couple didn't even cash the ticket yet,someone could have knocked them upside the head or something and took the ticket you know.The crazy things people do involving money...

Reply #6

chasingadream — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:20:45 GMT

Reply #5

justxploring — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:08:09 GMT

I didn't know whether to choose who cares or yes. I don't care because it has no effect whatsoever on my life. However, IMHO they definitely should have waited until they changed their phone number and consulted with an attorney.

The town is very small, so it would have really been buzzing anyway. Still, waving that ticket around was foolish. I would do just the opposite and not leave the house all weekend!

On other threads/blogs this past weekend I disagreed, since I assumed the ticket... [ More ]

Reply #4

KY Floyd — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:48:58 GMT

They certainly didn't have their phone number changed on a Saturday, so that exceeds my requirements for too soon by a substantial margin.

Some of the stuff I've heard sounds like they'll do okay, but some doesn't. I think claiming that fast is a warning sign, and they've declared bankruptcy twice in the last 15 years. That might just indicate bad luck of some sort, but it may also mean budgeting problems. Of course they can make it through much bigger budgeting problems now, and even if they... [ More ]

Reply #3

guesser — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:03:39 GMT

I agree, but beyond that, why hide

Reply #2

Guru101 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:51:09 GMT

I think they did. If you're going to go public, then do it at the time you claim your prize, not before when all you have is a slip of paper that anything could happen to it.

Reply #1

ThatScaryChick — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:39:06 GMT

If it was me, I would have taken some time before going public, but since it's not my ticket, they can do whatever they want.

Went public too soon?

JackpotWanna — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:08:22 GMT

I think the $270 mega millions winner went public too soon. Come on, he won on friday went public on saturday. He should have done more planning before going public. My Mom said He looked so worried on today's news on channel 7.