[Frunze]

So what's the deal with such difficulty to top up balances, do you think? I for one agree with AshleyJ that it's ridiculously difficult to top up balance at Sparks for most people. While I understand and agree with everything Solaris said, now and before, I am mystified as to why it's taking so long to figure out a feasible solution for them to take payments. Meanwhile, they keep adding to the catalogue every day, and clearly maintain a site (two sites!) in a nice and consistent manner. Keeping a low profile, maybe? But why not make a "special partner option" available to Sparks members then? Confused.

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Frunze

So what's the deal with such difficulty to top up balances, do you think? I for one agree with AshleyJ that it's ridiculously difficult to top up balance at Sparks for most people. While I understand and agree with everything Solaris said, now and before, I am mystified as to why it's taking so long to figure out a feasible solution for them to take payments. Meanwhile, they keep adding to the catalogue every day, and clearly maintain a site (two sites!) in a nice and consistent manner. Keeping a low profile, maybe? But why not make a "special partner option" available to Sparks members then? Confused.

Because MAFIAA are choking all the payment options surrounding it (Visa, MC, Paypal even, though inadvertently) and they cannot get away with obscure payment methods, like Sparks' lesser brethren (including MM)...

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by Frunze

So what's the deal with such difficulty to top up balances, do you think? I for one agree with AshleyJ that it's ridiculously difficult to top up balance at Sparks for most people. While I understand and agree with everything Solaris said, now and before, I am mystified as to why it's taking so long to figure out a feasible solution for them to take payments. Meanwhile, they keep adding to the catalogue every day, and clearly maintain a site (two sites!) in a nice and consistent manner. Keeping a low profile, maybe? But why not make a "special partner option" available to Sparks members then? Confused.

It has got a little easier for us non-MM users to fund our accounts since jazzy started to sell vouchers. I was lucky to get one yesterday so I now have a positive balance. Let's all hope that he can continue to source them as the whole process was extremely fast and painless.

Meanwhile we can only hope that Sparks can come up with a new partner that lasts longer than txtNation/Moneybookers.

[Frunze]

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

It has got a little easier for us non-MM users to fund our accounts since jazzy started to sell vouchers. I was lucky to get one yesterday so I now have a positive balance. Let's all hope that he can continue to source them as the whole process was extremely fast and painless.

Meanwhile we can only hope that Sparks can come up with a new partner that lasts longer than txtNation/Moneybookers.

Not that I am harping on the subject, but the mighty river of cash they used to get as allofmp3 now turned to merely a trickle, since they can't collect payments - they've got to find a way to sustain themselves, no? I understand what Vik is saying but they had to have lost more than 80% of their user base. That's got to hurt!

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Frunze

Not that I am harping on the subject, but the mighty river of cash they used to get as allofmp3 now turned to merely a trickle, since they can't collect payments - they've got to find a way to sustain themselves, no? I understand what Vik is saying but they had to have lost more than 80% of their user base. That's got to hurt!

I am sure it does. As much as a pair of fabulous Manolos one size too small after a night of dancing

[Frunze]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I am sure it does. As much as a pair of fabulous Manolos one size too small after a night of dancing

In all my years, if I have ever learned a lesson, let it be this: never buy a pair of shoes too small, no matter how fabulous. It will be a waste of money, and you'll feel silly to boot. Hey, go to yoox.com - some FABULOUS shoes, and I got a code for 10% off, too!

But back to Sparks... They've got to have another source of revenue to be passing up on all these willing and able music downloaders and to not be giving them a chance to spend their money! I am simply mystified as to what could have gotten them in such a pickle.

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Frunze

In all my years, if I have ever learned a lesson, let it be this: never buy a pair of shoes too small, no matter how fabulous. It will be a waste of money, and you'll feel silly to boot. Hey, go to yoox.com - some FABULOUS shoes, and I got a code for 10% off, too!

But back to Sparks... They've got to have another source of revenue to be passing up on all these willing and able music downloaders and to not be giving them a chance to spend their money! I am simply mystified as to what could have gotten them in such a pickle.

Hon, this is the nature of internet commerce - it requires little or no infrastructure. I would guess all their servers, software, hosting, etc. are probably long since paid for. The little money trickling in probably pays for the maintenance of them while they are forced to lay low.

What has gotten them into such a pickle is the RIAA. Not sure what you find so mystifying.

[squash54]

Originally Posted by Frunze

Not that I am harping on the subject, but the mighty river of cash they used to get as allofmp3 now turned to merely a trickle, since they can't collect payments - they've got to find a way to sustain themselves, no? I understand what Vik is saying but they had to have lost more than 80% of their user base. That's got to hurt!

I am pretty sure the MM customers alone would provide a very comfortable living. Remember MM creamed off the high rollers and then selectively admitted further members provided they met certain spending criteria and were referred by an existing MM. Hence the preferrential treatment given to MM's with club-credit and easier payment options, now the big drought is over. This group gives them a fantastic base to rebuild from once a stable, long term funding scheme is put in place that all customers can access.

Personally, I am more optomistic today than I was a couple of months ago, that Spark's accounts will get easier to add funds to.

Cheers,

Squash

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by squash54

I am pretty sure the MM customers alone would provide a very comfortable living. Remember MM creamed off the high rollers and then selectively admitted further members provided they met certain spending criteria and were referred by an existing MM. Hence the preferrential treatment given to MM's with club-credit and easier payment options, now the big drought is over.

I am sure you are right Squash. Perhaps by keeping a low profile they are hoping the RIAA is not going to spend valuable resources going after them if it appears they have a very restricted user base.

Originally Posted by squash54

This group gives them a fantastic base to rebuild from once a stable, long term funding scheme is put in place that all customers can access.

Personally, I am more optomistic today than I was a couple of months ago, that Spark's accounts will get easier to add funds to.

Cheers,

Squash

Me too, with pin codes appearing for sale again there are now easier methods to fund our accounts. In the past couple of days I have put $20 on my balance and waiting on another $20 - not a great sum I know but it all helps.

Ashley

[squash54]

Originally Posted by Ashleyj

I am sure you are right Squash. Perhaps by keeping a low profile they are hoping the RIAA is not going to spend valuable resources going after them if it appears they have a very restricted user base.



Me too, with pin codes appearing for sale again there are now easier methods to fund our accounts. In the past couple of days I have put $20 on my balance and waiting on another $20 - not a great sum I know but it all helps.

Ashley

Hi Ashley

Another point, I assume these funding problems do not apply to their customers inside Russia, which would be a substantial source of revenue.

BTW, hearty congratulations on becoming a senior member. Of course, you know it is traditional for new senior members to buy their bretheren a (cold) beer

Cheers,

Squash