Any body heard of this store?

[AbyssalLoris]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post in, but has anybody heard of "Audio Plus Direct" (or Audioplus direct)? They seem to be based in Canada and have some cheap stuff for cheap ba*tards like me .

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Ok, if nobody's heard of the store, has anybody in the US at least purchased from Canada? This store's saying I need to give them my SSN because apparently it is a US customs and border protection rule that the package needs to be traceable to me. Is this true?

 

[Adam]

This store's saying I need to give them my SSN because apparently it is a US customs and border protection rule that the package needs to be traceable to me. Is this true?

You just made ME nervous, and I'm not even ordering from them. It might be true (I've never ordered from Canada), but I'm very leary to give out my SSN. You're doing the right thing asking about that.

 

[MUDSHARK]

I have never purhased new audio equipment from Canada but I have purchased used equipment as well as computer parts such as memory. Never have been asked for personal information. I used paypal if I recall correctly.

 

[davidtwotrees]

They were ok in my book.

I had some warranty repair done on my AudioRefinement Pre Pro recently. Audio Plus Services is the US distributor for YBA, among other brands. They are located in NewYork, as well as Canada. In order for my unit to be repaired in Canada, I needed to supply my SS in order to ship across the border. At least according to them. They are very reputable, and I didn't have a problem giving them my SS.
Audioplusdirect is a division of Audio Plus Services. They were straight shooters when I dealt with their service dept. In fact, my unit was past warranty and they still checked it out free of charge for me.

 

[Alex2507]

Did you provide this to them over the internet????? This is a world where you guard your email address nevermind your SSN. I'm glad to hear you had no troubles but I would treat that situation like the "if your friend jumped off a bridge" thing.

 

[obscbyclouds]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post in, but has anybody heard of "Audio Plus Direct" (or Audioplus direct)? They seem to be based in Canada and have some cheap stuff for cheap ba*tards like me .

All my speakers came from Canada, and I never had to give out my SSN...I'd be very, very careful giving that out, especially over the 'net.....

 

[MDS]

No reputable company will require your SSN. It is not necessary and I would not give it out under any circumstance.

Why would they need a SSN? For one reason only - to do a credit check - and that is totally irrelevant when you pay for a service that does not involve credit.

Everybody and their mother wants an SSN nowadays. Don't do it.

I almost signed up for Pest Control service. They wanted a credit card number and told me it was in case I failed to pay on time. I told them that their remedy is to stop treatment if I don't pay. Under no circumstance are you getting a SSN or credit card number from me.

The phone/electric/gas companies here want a SSN and they say it is so they can look up my record. Can't you look it up by name or address if I don't know my account number? Of course you can and under no circumstance are you getting my SSN.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Did you provide this to them over the internet????? .

No. I had numerous phone conversations with a tech person and a manager there. The phone number on my caller id matched the company name. Spearit Sound in Boston referred me to them......there was no money involved. I wasn't concerned about a scam. In my case it may have had to do with the fact that a large box was going to and from Canada.......he might have mentioned that if there was a problem and they didn't have your ss, your package could go into beaurecratic limbo while they checked out the particulars.........

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Hey guys thanks for the responses. To clarify, it does not appear that you need to give your SSN over the internet. The site says once you place your order, you will get a call from them for SSN. This is exactly what it says:

"The Audio Plus Services warehouse is located in Canada and since 09/05, US customs & Border Protection demands the Social Security Number or the Federal Tax ID (IRS) number of every recipient of shipments originating from outside in United States. This number is required to complete the transaction. A sales representative will call you shortly after you place your order.

Complete Information on this policy is available here :
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/cargo_summary/ult_consignee.xml "

That appears to be a genuine link.. right? I understand the red flags being raised, that is why I'm asking.

 

[MDS]

"The Audio Plus Services warehouse is located in Canada and since 09/05, US customs & Border Protection demands the Social Security Number or the Federal Tax ID (IRS) number of every recipient of shipments originating from outside in United States. This number is required to complete the transaction. A sales representative will call you shortly after you place your order.

Well that is a bit different than the circumstance I was railing about. If it is federal law due to shipping outside the country, I can see how you would be required to give a SSN.

For anything else where you buy a product online and pay by credit card, there is no need for a SSN and no reputable company will ask for one.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Oh. And the full page ad on the back of the October Stereophile shows YBA's 701 home theatre series......at the bottom of the ad audioplusservices is listed, along with their 800 number. I would say they are reputable...

Abyssal, did you note that they have a Canadian listing? Plurison.com 866.656.0686

OT but does anyone know about the YBA Design line?
I contacted a u.s. dist. but they were pretty vague and didn't have pics of the back or specs........the pre pro is due out soon.........the uni player and the receiver are out now.....with a programmable FPGA chip?

 

[skizzerflake]

Ok, if nobody's heard of the store, has anybody in the US at least purchased from Canada? This store's saying I need to give them my SSN because apparently it is a US customs and border protection rule that the package needs to be traceable to me. Is this true?

This sounds like a scam for harvesting identity data. They get your name and address "for the package". Add in a SSN and they can get a credit card and have the bill sent to you.