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[squash54]

Until recently, I have been of the view Sparks/MM, for some reason, (maybe change of ownership) was in a period of transition and that the connection and payment problems would eventually be resolved. Why else would they be giving credit to MM's, adding albums (39 one day recently), running assistance etc? Why do it? Well a possible answer to that question has been slowly forming in my mind and, if I am correct, Sparks/MM is not going to survive:

Why keep it going and spending money if you are not intending to resume business as usual?

Perhaps there is a whole lot of money still in credit in hundreds of thousands accounts and they want to soak as much of that up as possible before pulling the plug.

If that's the case, why bother with the charade (which is costing money in expenses) and simply pull the plug and pocket whatever is in credit in the accounts?

A possible reason is that this would probably be a civil (if not a criminal) fraud in Russia and would be very unpopular with the large number of Russian customers on their books. Better to soak up the dosh providing a legitimate service, and then bow out gracefully.

But why give MM credit? What's to be gained if you have no intenion of collecting?

Well there may not be much profit in it, but my guess is it's not costing them much either and they continue to look as though everything (except payment options, which will be restored soon) is business as normal. Also, I have been told I have reached my credit limit and I bet most other MM's have also so this is now a non-issue for them.

But all of that is inconsistent with crashing access to the site by moving to Turkey and stopping people spending what they had left in their accounts?

Good point. But maybe they didn't realise this move (whatever the reason for it) was going to have that effect. Anyway, that problem didn't hit all their customers and has largely resolved itself now.When questioned they just say payment options 'will be restored' without giving even a hint of when that might be. If this really was a problem that they have been working on for a couple of months now, one would have thought they would have a time line well and truly sorted out and which they would be falling over themselves to communicate to their customers.

Any other "Apocalypse" arguments, misery guts?

Yep, all payment options have gone and not one has been restored. Credit cards and Pay Pal I can accept might have proved difficult - but surely not gift certificates and direct bank deposits or even cash by post!!

If there are any optimists left out there that would like to flame one or more of the above arguments - I would love to hear from you

Squash

[Richard3552]

Must commend the previous post, truly a lot of thought has been put into the current problems with Sparks. I just hope it's wasted and that in fact Sparks like the great site it is returns with payment options call me stupid! But I live and hope that the fact new albums are added means it will be up and running sooner rather later! It's totally illogical to maintain a site if it's to be taken out of service and the persons who maintain it have no financial gain in its update of new music.
On a criminal/civil matter, the site would not be liable surely? if the site was taken out by other 3rd parties and it's through no fault of mp3sparks the site is down.

Anyway the site is more legit than the whole of the western governments who tax the masses under the title "Green Saviours" What a lot of hot air that is!! Keep the faith keep the sparks!!

[Wiz]

It actually is in their own interest that they return. Through my Memphismembers status, I have been able to continue purchasing and downloading all throughout this payment "outage" and my credit now has run up to $105 (3x $35 credit)

If they want to see me refund that credit (and I am sure that I am not the only one to use this credit facility), they'd better find a payment solution. Until then I guess I will keep applying for credits to match my normal download requirements :-)

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Wiz

It actually is in their own interest that they return. Through my Memphismembers status, I have been able to continue purchasing and downloading all throughout this payment "outage" and my credit now has run up to $105 (3x $35 credit)

If they want to see me refund that credit (and I am sure that I am not the only one to use this credit facility), they'd better find a payment solution. Until then I guess I will keep applying for credits to match my normal download requirements :-)

I got offered credit 3 times - no more!

[Cornutopian]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I got offered credit 3 times - no more!

And that suggests that up until now they may have THOUGHT that they were coming back, but now may not be so sure. OTOH, it might mean that they will soon have a payment method, so no need for more credit. Hard to know really.

[Hirs Ute]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I got offered credit 3 times - no more!

I'd only offer you credit 3 times - no more!

[Wiz]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I got offered credit 3 times - no more!

Correct, after that 3rd credit, my credit option disappeared as well. Will have to be selective now :-)

[Hirs Ute]

Sorry about that.

Squash you really have given the whole situation very, very deep thought and have written an excellent possible scenario.

My biggest weakness, in life, is that I am an eternal optimist. At times being optimistic in the face of undeniable odds. Sometimes I've been right to hold out and sometimes not.

The two things still playing in my mind are:

On the negative side - As you say, not even payments by wire transfer are possible.

On the positive side - After the dreadful updates over Christmas there is some half decent stuff being added. Sparks seems to have increased the number of albums they are adding and adding some very new releases (Adele "19", I think was added 2-3 days before it was available in the UK).

I'm going to remain positive until the end of Feb / Mid March. If they haven't got things sorted by then I may have to face up to facts

[Richard3552]

I concur with previous post, but why would mp3sparks say in email replies that new payments would be up soon and add new music! They know your credit balance and if it's low they could disregard and not bother to reply what have they to lose nothing. As business enterprise worth millions (more than itunes) they've nothing to gain by not trading.

Face fact the Russians are no fools and I for one support them in their music to the masses DRM free unlike the Western nations who bleat and preach about copyright rubbish and fairness.