Am I being unreasonable?

[mescobar]

I've not posted here often, but been a lurker a long time. Thought I'd ask a question before I make a decision. If this is in the wrong place I sincerely apologize.

I called a distributor of a boutique amp company asking to buy a combo shell for my amp to replace one that was very badly beaten and worn. Got an email asking me for my credit card number, a picture of said card, a picture ID, and an authorization form.

I'm not too sure sending all that in an email to anyone isn't asking to have some kind of identity theft.

Is it just me or does their request seem unreasonable?

 

[-CM-]

Something isn't right. No reputable company would ask for that stuff via email. Sending your cc# via email is not a good idea at all, and a picture of your card and ID is out of the question.

 

[sixstringfuel]

Definitely would not do any of it.

 

[tim gueguen]

Sounds like their email account got hacked.

 

[Jon C]

Call back and confirm by phone, don't send via email.

 

[Custom50]

hell no. that's a bad idea.

 

[Bluesful]

Wow, yeah that's a bit much. I wouldn't be doing that.

 

[mescobar]

That's what I figured as well. Just doesn't seem right. They did offer to invoice me via PayPal, but told me I'd have to cover the fees. None of it made me feel comfortable. Thinking about skipping it all together.

 

[Dasein]

It's a bad business practice except what he's trying to do is make sure HE doesn't get burned by a fraudster with a fake or stolen credit card. A small business of high end items can't afford to get scammed and these guys are inundated with purchase requests from all kinds of scammers so what you are seeing is his attempt to verify you are real. You are both between a rock and a hard place.

 

[MrX]

Don't do it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Use your phone to call and speak to them.

And then ask if you can mail them a check or money order if you don't want to use a card.

 

[Exiled_On_Main_St]

Skip it. A naturally worn and reliced amp sounds much cooler to me anyway!

 

[2HBStrat]

It doesn't make sense for THEM for them to make a potential customer jump through hoops just to buy their product. Something doesn't sound right. Why would they need all that?.....and what is an authorization form?

 

[derekd]

Heck no.

If you've ever been a victim of identity theft, you begin to develop a 6th sense for this sort of crap.

If these guys are legit (highly doubtful), they are not going to stay in biz long with that practice.

 

[tiktok]

I've not posted here often, but been a lurker a long time. Thought I'd ask a question before I make a decision. If this is in the wrong place I sincerely apologize.

I called a distributor of a boutique amp company asking to buy a combo shell for my amp to replace one that was very badly beaten and worn. Got an email asking me for my credit card number, a picture of said card, a picture ID, and an authorization form.

I'm not too sure sending all that in an email to anyone isn't asking to have some kind of identity theft.

Is it just me or does their request seem unreasonable?

The only time I've had to do something like that was when I asked the Tokyo Hilton to send flowers to my wife's room, when I was in the US, and as I recall they had me fax the information (in 2014!). I figured, Japan is different.

In your case, sounds weird. Call the guy on the phone. Email is not secure.

 

[clarkram]

No way, even if they are legit you would be sending your info to an unsecure environment.

 

[PatrickE_FenderADV]

Ummmm... No. Plain and simple.

NOTHING is done that way nowadays.

 

[Dana Olsen]

My unsolicited suggestion is this: Just send 'em a check.

This doesn't sound like an emergency situation to me. Sending a check will take a few days longer - maybe a week for the check to arrive and clear the bank after deposit. More secure for everybody, cheaper too, just takes most of a week longer.

I agree with everybody above - that's a whole lot of info to make a relatively minor purchase on a credit card. Just avoid the whole issue and send a check.

Hope this helps, Dana O.

 

[mescobar]

I believe the company is legit as they offer a few different boutique amp makers products. Most of which we've all played or wanted to play. I'm going to call them Monday and see if we can agree to a check or something else.

 

[HoboMan]

You may want to try contacting the manufacturer directly or possibly have an independent cab maker make you an exact copy.

If it's just the tolex that's damaged you could always have your cab retolexed.