Soooooo, if you’re considering making a purchase through Zzounds.com “PAY WHILE YOU PLAY” program, you might be interested in this post. Before you make any commitments to using their “services” you might find useful information in my own personal experiences with their company and CSR’s (Customer Service Representatives).
It started with a YOUTUBE “product review” and spiraled into a totally bogus discussion about personal information and the storage of private data in the Zzounds.com company database. First, I saw a board on Zzounds.com that I wanted as a birthday gift. Innocent enough, eh? An order request was made for a product with their zero interest 12 month payment plan. The personal information was entered. The issue became that a request for a SOCIAL SECURITY # came up, which usually near to everyone I know avoids as soon as an online request for that information comes up. However, the information was input along with SHIPPING and BILLING INFORMATION. Also an option to create a user account was checked to ensure tracking and billing information access through their website. OK, well enough. THE NEXT DAY, an email was sent out that requested an identity verification through a website called METAMAP.
MetaMap is some kind of “smart” identity service that “VERIFIES YOUR IDENTITY” using facial recognition and asks you to UPLOAD COPIES OF STATE ISSUED INFORMATION including your DRIVER’S LICENSE to secure and verify your order. Already and automatically I was not interested in any of that. To me that’s insane. Also, there would be TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES with access to PRIVATE AND PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION that include SSN’s, SHIPPING AND BILLING ADDRESSES, BANKING INFORMATION, IP and DEVICE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, etc. That’s just some of the information collected by ZZOUNDS.COM and METAMAP before a transaction could even be approved. By this point, it was already too much, so the person purchasing the product decided to resubmit the same order after cancelling the first order. All that was holding up the authorization was the BILLING ADDRESS INFORMATION being in the wrong name. That person is a roommate and lives in the same place, however, it’s totally understandable that the order wasn’t approved for that reason. No problem. After the second order was made, again the website asked for a SOCIAL SECURITY # and BANKING INFORMATION which was again provided, however, this time the billing and shipping information was in the account holder’s name. Soon after the order information was emailed and then an automatic cancellation email was sent out stating the order would not be fulfilled. Ok. Now there were questions.. So, the person ordering the equipment called ZZOUNDS.COM CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. That’s when things really got frustrating, weird, and disrespectful.
First the CSR informed her that the order was “flagged” and could not be completed. OK. Understood. That should have been it, however it wasn’t. The CSR then went on to explain a “work around” that could “trick the system” and allow the purchase to be processed. Just ORDER SOMETHING ELSE and establish an account history. Have the item ordered, shipped, and delivered.. then the next order will go through just fine. That’s what the ZZOUNDS.COM CSR TOLD ME WHEN I SIMPLY REQUESTED TO HAVE THE USER ACCOUNTS DELETED.
Most companies like AMAZON.COM have a simple and straightforward process.. There’s a button in the account settings that allows you to delete your account and usually wipes all information after a specified waiting period. THERE’S A REASON FOR THAT. Data breaches happen in the most SECURE COMPANIES and DATABASES. Logging and storing personal and private information is NOTORIOUSLY UNETHICAL AND UNSCRUPULOUS. In the modern age companies “COLLECT AND STORE” data then sell personal information to identification sites, governments, data collection services etc.. or, you hear about DATA BREACHES where millions of accounts, log-in information, emails, Social Security numbers, birthdates, etc.. are accessed by hackers and sold or posted on black markets, “ONION TOR”, and “DARKWEB” sites.
So. naturally I was not satisfied when the CSR said “YOU CANNOT DELETE YOUR USER ACCOUNTS”.. to that I said to myself WTF?!?! What kind of business model is that? SO I was put on the phone with a “supervisor”. There the discussion became much worse.
(This story is long and irritating so I’ll pick up where I’ve left this writing in another post. STAY TUNED!!!)
I will say that zZounds.com’s “sister company” AMERICAN MUSIC SUPPLY seems more legit and reasonable, however, that also still remains to be seen. Normally I don’t make any purchases on “credit” or payment plans.. I prefer to purchase things outright and be done with it. However, for the free delivery, and ZERO INTEREST PAYMENTS, $16 bucks beats going to a retailer like Guitar Center over an hour from where I reside to make a purchase for something I know I want already. I suppose I could have Guitar Center ship the item to my front door but you get the drift.. I’m sure. AVOID zZOUNDS.com and DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. American Music Supply has better plans with NO CREDIT CHECK and NO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS being processed with a higher deposit, which is no problem for me here. You’ve been warned!
(Update: AMS also declined my purchase of a MODX M6 which at first was annoying.. however I quickly realized I don’t need that board and it was a good things those order were declined. I’m grabbing something much more suitable to my project studio.. 🙂 and the price is much better. The only think I cared about on the MODX M6 was the smaller size, less weight, and AN-X engine.. however, after doing some digging I figured why would I want an analog replication engine when I could opt for true analog with the warmth and depth I prefer. I found a better addition at a better price point and I’d prefer to simply pay for the instrument upfront anyways.. soooo, good thing the orders I made with zZounds.com and American Music Supply didn’t go through! Whew. All good. Stay tuned and I’ll reveal the newest addition to the ELECTRIC DUNGEON STUDIOS arsenal.)
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