PLAY AS YOU PAY®

The wait is over. Start playing now with Play as you Pay®! With the Play as you Pay® Installment Plan, you can get the gear you want now, and spread the cost across multiple payments. Approval couldn't be simpler -- just select a payment plan during checkout to get started. There's no paperwork, and zZounds never charges you interest! Use your own payment card to make the first payment up front, and we'll split the remainder into approximately equal monthly installments.

How do I qualify for Play as you Pay®?

Most orders over $79 qualify for our four-payment plan, and depending on the items and amount you order, additional payment plans may be available. Check on product pages and in your cart to see what payment plan(s) your order is eligible for. To qualify for Play as you Pay®, in addition to the information that we require for all orders, you must provide a U.S. billing address, Social Security number, and active email address.

What are my payment plan options?

Plans Available Now
4 Payments: Split your order total into 4 payments. Eligible on orders $49-$1,250.
6 Payments: Split your order total into 6 payments. Eligible on orders $99-$1,250.
8 Payments: Split your order total into 8 payments. Eligible on orders $299-$3,000 that include qualifying item(s). See individual product pages for item eligibility.
12 Payments: Split your order total into 12 payments. Eligible on orders $599-$3,000 that include qualifying item(s). See individual product pages for item eligibility.

Promotional offers can be removed or changed at any time without notice, and other restrictions may apply to individual offers including but not limited to restricting the amount an individual may finance, restricting product eligibility and restrictions on combining payment plans with other offers.

Wondering which plans you're eligible for? Questions about any of our payment plans? Please read on or call 1-800-zZounds and we'll be glad to help.

Customize Your Payment Schedule

After your payment plan order is placed and approved, you can customize your payment schedule to best meet your needs. If you would prefer to pay weekly, every other week, or even on specific days, you can do that! To customize your payment schedule, just login to your order and click the “Change Schedule” button. Or, give us a call or chat and we’d be happy to help you.

Installment Payment Plan Agreement

zZounds Music LLC has agreed to bill you for your order in installments subject to the following conditions. Please review this Agreement in its entirety.

Shipping charges and taxes, if applicable, will be evenly distributed among your installment payments.

The merchandise total for your order will be split into approximately equal payments. Some variation in payment size may be necessary in order to make the payments evenly divisible, but the variations will not be more than a few cents.

The initial payment will be charged to your payment card at the time your order ships.

Subsequent installments will be charged to your payment card at approximately 30-day intervals for the length of the agreement.

To use a gift certificate on a Play As You Pay® order, you must submit the gift certificate at the time you place the order. We will subtract the value of your gift certificate from your order total. Please note that you may not apply gift certificates to your monthly installment payments.

What about interest or fees?

An application fee will be charged based on the size of your order:

Plan Application Fee
4-Pay $6.95
6-Pay $13.95
8-Pay $16.95
12-Pay $24.95

zZounds Music LLC will not charge you interest on your purchases.

Purchases made via the Installment Payment Plan are limited to $3,000 in merchandise. If your order exceeds the maximum amount for the payment plan selected, the remainder will be added to your initial installment.

Payment must be made with payment cards issued by VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Only orders shipped to the United States are eligible for this program.

By proceeding with your order, you agree to maintain sufficient funds on the payment card you have provided so that subsequent installments can be billed to that card. If the card expires or is replaced, you agree to notify zZounds Customer Service and supply an alternative card with the necessary funds available. If a charge cannot be made on your payment card for any scheduled installment, zZounds may charge you a late payment fee of up to $10 per installment. The Seller is authorized to utilize any alternate cards provided on Buyer’s account to charge payments on this payment plan.

The decision to offer you the Installment Payment Plan may be based on information requested from a credit reporting agency. Upon written or email request, zZounds Customer Service can provide you with information on the credit agency used for the purposes of the zZounds installment Payment Plan program.

Certain items are excluded from the Installment Payment Plan, including but not limited to all gift certificates.

If you do not agree with the terms of this agreement in its entirety, you may cancel your order. Or, if your order has already shipped, you may return it unopened and unused within three days of delivery without cost or obligation by contacting zZounds Customer Service at 800-493-3945. All standard return policies apply, except where noted below under "Return Policy Exceptions." See https://www.zzounds.com/returns for our return policies.

In the event the purchaser defaults on this agreement, the purchaser will be responsible for any and all reasonable collection costs, court costs, attorneys' fees, or any other expenses incurred in the collection of this debt.

The Installment Payment Plan offer is governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey.

Payment Plan Return/Exchange Process

In the event that you want to exchange an item purchased on the installment plan for a different item, you must first return the original item to us. Once we receive it, we will apply a credit for the full price of the item to your existing installment plan. You may then purchase the replacement item via a new installment plan or a single payment order. All applicable shipping charges and fees will apply to this new order.

A return is typically processed within 2-4 business days (M-F) of delivery at our location. You are obligated to continue making payments as scheduled until the return is processed and the plan is adjusted or closed. You will receive an email confirmation of status "Return Processed - Refund Issued" once the unit has been processed; this is your confirmation that the credit has been applied. You may view your 'My Order' page for updated plan balances and schedules once the item(s) is processed. This exception does not otherwise change our return policies.

In the event that you receive a defective or damaged product, please notify us immediately, and we will email you a prepaid return label:

  • If you want an identical replacement for the defective or damaged product immediately, we will authorize your credit card for the full price of the replacement item before shipping it to you. We will not redeem the authorization as an actual charge unless we are unable to track your return shipment to us within seven days.
  • If you do not want us to place an authorization on your credit card for the full price of the replacement item, you must return the damaged or defective product to us before we will ship you a replacement item. We will email the label immediately upon request. The replacement item will not ship until we have confirmed the original item is en route to our warehouse via UPS.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my credit limit?

Because zZounds payment plans aren't a conventional line of credit, we can't give you a specific financing limit. Rather we approve each order on an individual basis.

How much can I put on an installment plan?

You can finance up to $1,250 on 4-Payment and 6-Payment Plans. On 8-Payment Plans you can finance up to $3,000 and most 12-Payment Plans, you can finance up to $3,000.

How long does it take to approve my payment plan order?

We generally approve payment plan orders and process the first payment on the same day you place the order.

When will you ship my order?

We'll prepare your order for shipment as your information is verified and your card is approved – typically within the same day you submit your order. We ship orders seven days a week to ensure the fastest possible arrival of your order. Expedited shipping methods are available as well.

What interest rate do you charge?

We do not charge interest. Ever. We do charge an application fee ranging from $6.95-$24.95, depending on your order's total dollar amount.

Do I have to pay an application fee every time I place an order?

Yes -- every time you place a new payment plan order, we'll include an application fee.

Do you charge sales tax?

We are required to collect sales tax on all orders shipped to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. You will be charged the state and local sales tax rate for any orders shipped to these states.

To our customers in the state of Colorado:

Your purchase is subject to sales/use tax in these states unless it is specifically exempt from taxation. These states require that a sales/use tax return must be filed at the end of the year reporting all of the purchases that were not taxed; the purchase is not exempt simply because it was made over the internet or with the use of a remote device. Retailers that do not collect sales tax in these states are obligated to provide purchasers a summary of purchases at year-end in order to assist them in filing their tax report. Retailers that do not collect sales tax in these states may be required by law to provide the Department of Revenue with an annual report of the total amount of all of your purchases above certain thresholds. Details on how to file this return may be found at your applicable state’s Department of Revenue website.

Seller has collected the simplified sellers use tax on transactions delivered into Alabama and the tax will be remitted on the customer’s behalf to the Alabama Department of Revenue. Seller’s program account number is SSU-R010201486.

Can I customize my payment schedule?

Yes! After your payment plan order is placed and approved, you can customize your payment schedule to best meet your needs. If you would prefer to pay weekly, every other week, or even on specific days, you can do that! To customize your payment schedule, just login to your order and click the “Change Schedule” button. Or, give us a call or chat and we’d be happy to help you.

Can I add items to my payment plan after I've placed the order?

Unfortunately, once a payment plan order has been placed, we can't add items to the order for technical reasons. However, you can place another payment plan order at your convenience.

Can I change my payment plan to a better plan later?

Sorry -- once you've placed a payment plan order, we can't change the number of payments on the order.

If I pay off my payment plan, will my credit score improve?

No -- since we are not offering you a conventional line of credit, we do not report payment activity to credit agencies.

As long as I pay off my payment plan, how is it any different from other retailers' plans?

Unlike other retailers, zZounds payment plans are always interest-free, and we don't require you to apply for a new credit card. For us, it's not about making a buck off interest or getting you to spend more money -- it's about making it possible for musicians to invest in their dream gear now while spreading their payments out over several months.

Does zZounds offer 24-month or 36-month payment plans?

Not at this time. When comparing payment options, always read the fine print. Remember, the typical 24-month or 36-month plan is the result of a line of credit -- with its own approval process, high rejection rate, and steep interest rates once the initial promotional period is over.

Why should I trust you with my Social Security number?

Shop with confidence at zZounds -- we immediately encrypt sensitive information such as Social Security and credit card numbers. We've been in business since 1996, we're an authorized dealer of every brand we sell, and BizRate.com has awarded us with the Platinum Circle of Excellence for multiple years running.

Products

Which items are eligible for each payment plan?

Our 4-Payment Plan is available on items up to $1,000 ($79 order minimum). Any combination of new items (excluding gift cards) up to $1,250 and totaling over $379 is eligible for our 6-payment plan. We also offer 8-Payment and 12-Payment Plans for participating brands and select products. Add an item to your zZounds cart to see all your payment plan options.

How do I know if the item I want to purchase is eligible for a payment plan?

You'll see available payment plans listed next to item prices throughout our site and in your zZounds shopping cart.

What if some of the items in my payment plan order aren't in stock yet, or backordered?

We'll ship the part of your order that we do have in stock, and bill it to you on the payment plan you qualified for. You may see an authorization charge on your bank statement for the backordered items, but it will fall off after a few days. In the meantime, we'll email you regularly about the status of your pre-ordered/backordered items. Later, when the backordered items do ship out to you, they'll be on their own payment plan. You'll have two separate payment plans with different payment schedules. Remember, we'll never bill you for a backordered item until it's out the door and in transit to you.

Eligibility

What determines which payment plan I'm eligible for?

We determine your payment plan eligibility for any given order based on information we get from your credit report, as well as your order history with zZounds. We love our repeat customers, so if you successfully pay off a zZounds payment plan, you're more likely to qualify for a payment plan on your next order.

Why do you do a credit check?

Before shipping an order that has been only partially paid for, we pull a credit report to minimize our risk. We also use credit reports to help verify your identity.

What credit score do I need in order to use a payment plan?

Your credit score is just one of several factors we consider, including your past payment history with zZounds. But, in general, if you have a higher credit score, we're more likely to approve you for a higher dollar amount.

I know I have bad credit/no credit -- what can you do for me?

We recommend you try to place an order, since we approve the majority of our customers for payment plans. If you know you have bad credit, you may want to start with a low-dollar order. If you make your payments on time, we'll be more likely to approve your next payment plan order. Please note, however, that making payments on time with zZounds will not improve your credit score, as we don't offer a conventional line of credit, such as a credit card.

When I make a payment, does that payment increase my current credit limit?

Making a payment will reduce your total outstanding balance, which is one factor we consider when approving customers for additional payment plans. However, we consider other factors as well, so making a payment won't always increase your credit limit.

Why can't customers in Canada use your payment plans?

We require a U.S. billing address and a valid Social Security number (not required for 4-Pay) for the Play as you Pay® installment plan.

Payment Details

What forms of payment do you accept on payment plan orders?

For payment plan orders, you'll need a bank-issued credit or debit card for your regular monthly installments. For your first payment, you can also use a prepaid/reloadable card as a prepayment -- a larger payment up front -- which will lower your monthly installment amount. Scheduled monthly installment payments can also be paid via your bank account by calling our accounts team at 877-997-2948 to provide your routing and account number.

When is my first payment due?

We'll process your first payment on the date your order ships. We don't charge until your order is out the door.

When is my next payment due?

We process your second payment 30 days after your first payment was processed. Each month, we'll charge you at 30-day intervals until the order is paid in full.

Can I pay more up front so my monthly payments will be lower?

Yes, we're happy to adjust your down payment and monthly installment amount. Just give us a call to place your order.

Are there any fees for paying off my order early?

No -- we're happy to process a payment early!

How much are the penalties if I'm late?

We're flexible -- as long as you contact us to make arrangements before your payment is due, there often are no late fees. If a payment is past due by seven days, a $10 late fee will be applied.

What if I don't finish paying my payment plan?

If you are unable to make a scheduled payment, please contact us ASAP -- preferably before your next payment is due. We are often able to accommodate special circumstances, and we'll work with you to keep your account in good standing, so you can be approved for payment plans on future orders.

Can I pay by check?

Scheduled monthly installment payments can be paid via your bank account by calling our accounts team at 877-997-2948 to provide your routing and account number.

Can I pay with an international credit card?

We do accept payment cards issued outside of the US and Canada. However, we are often unable to verify billing addresses on such cards and, as a result, must cancel many of these orders. For this reason, we recommend using a domestically issued payment card whenever possible.

Can I use multiple cards to pay for my monthly installments?

Yes. We only keep one card on file at a time, but if you'd like to split your next payment between multiple cards, just give us a call before your payment date to make a partial payment with an alternate card. You're also welcome to change the credit card on file for your payment plan, and use a different credit card each month.

I have a bunch of prepaid cards -- how do I use them on my payment plan order?

Unfortunately, we can't accept prepaid/reloadable cards for your regular monthly installments. But we're happy to accept a prepaid card on a prepayment: a larger payment up front to lower your monthly installment amount.