Sweetwater

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Sweetwater is a major U.S. online retailer of musical instruments, pro audio equipment, and related gear, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
sweetwater.com
Owned by Providence Equity Partners

About Sweetwater

Sweetwater (formally Sweetwater Sound, LLC) is one of the largest online retailers of musical instruments, pro audio, recording equipment, and related technology in the United States. Founded in 1979 and based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the company sells guitars, keyboards, drums, studio and live sound gear, software, and accessories to musicians, studios, churches, schools, and content creators nationwide. Alongside e‑commerce, it operates a destination retail store and recording studios on its Fort Wayne campus.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetwater_Sound?utm_source=openai))

A charge from “PY *23400 SWEETWATER CO” on a card statement is most likely a purchase made through Sweetwater’s online store or by phone with a sales engineer, with the processor/prefix (“PY *23400”) and the state code (“CO”) added by the payment network. Common reasons for charges include one‑time gear purchases, financing transactions, extended warranties, software licenses, or accessories shipped from their distribution center. Customers may also see partial shipments billed separately, or promotional financing transactions appearing as distinct line items if they used a Sweetwater-branded financing offer.([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetwater_Sound?utm_source=openai))

To verify a Sweetwater charge, customers should first log into their Sweetwater.com account to review order history and emailed receipts, or search their email for order confirmations from Sweetwater. If anything looks unfamiliar, contacting Sweetwater’s customer service or their assigned sales engineer by phone or email is the fastest way to clarify the transaction and obtain invoices or tracking details. For disputes, refunds, or suspected fraud, customers should both reach out to Sweetwater support and, if necessary, contact their card issuer to report unauthorized activity and initiate a chargeback investigation.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Sweetwater.

  1. PY *23400 SWEETWATER CO

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a charge from “PY *23400 SWEETWATER CO” on my card statement?

This descriptor usually indicates a purchase from Sweetwater that was processed through a particular payment gateway (shown as “PY *23400”), with the state code added by the card network. It typically represents an online or phone order for musical instruments, studio gear, or related products from Sweetwater.

Is a Sweetwater purchase a one-time charge or a subscription?

Most Sweetwater transactions are one-time purchases for gear or software. However, you might see recurring charges if you financed a purchase through a promotional financing program or are paying in installments through a partner lender. Check your Sweetwater order history and financing documents to see if your purchase involves recurring payments.

How can I verify what I bought that led to this Sweetwater charge?

Log into your account at sweetwater.com and go to your order history, or search your email for a Sweetwater order confirmation around the transaction date. The invoice will list each item, tax, shipping, and any financing details, which should match the amount shown on your card statement.

How do I request a refund or return an item purchased from Sweetwater?

To request a refund or start a return, contact your Sweetwater sales engineer or customer service and have your order number ready. They will explain the return window and any restocking or non-returnable item policies, and give you instructions for shipping the product back. Once processed, refunds are issued to the original payment method.

Why did my Sweetwater charge post in multiple smaller amounts instead of one total?

If your order shipped in multiple packages or included backordered items, Sweetwater may capture payment as each item ships, resulting in several smaller charges. Additionally, accessories, warranties, or software licenses may bill as separate line items. Reviewing your detailed invoice will show how the total was split.

Can Sweetwater place temporary authorization holds on my card?

Yes. When you place an order, your bank may show a temporary authorization hold from Sweetwater to confirm available funds. This hold can differ slightly from the final settled amount if items, tax, or shipping change. Authorization holds should drop off automatically within a few days, leaving only the finalized charge.

How do I contact Sweetwater about a billing or charge issue?

You can contact Sweetwater by calling their main customer service number listed on sweetwater.com or by reaching out directly to your assigned sales engineer via phone or email. Providing your full name, order number, and the exact charge amount/date from your statement will help them quickly locate the transaction.

What should I do if I don’t recognize a Sweetwater charge at all?

First, check whether any family members or colleagues with access to your card made a purchase from Sweetwater. If no one recognizes the transaction, contact Sweetwater support with the date and amount so they can look up the order. If it still appears unauthorized, immediately notify your card issuer to report potential fraud and request that the card be blocked or replaced.

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