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5/16/2008 - Rob writes:
I couldn't disagree more with this being a scam. I joined 7 years ago and at that time the fee was $2,500. Since then we have saved 10 time that amount in purchases. It's not for everyone I'm sure. In the last few months we completed a kitchen with high quality cabinets and granite and can tell you that it was 50% less in cost. (Fact not Fiction) Also, if there was ever anything wrong with a piece.. Drawer, dresser, mirror or kitchen cabinet door, they exchanged it without hesitation. However, I need to make one comment. Like every individually owned company I can only attest to the South Jersey branch that I do business with.

5/8/2008 - john writes:
Ok, I am a member of Direct Buy, and since this is not to slam the whole Direct Buy company most likely it will not be posted. Anyway, I read through most of these complaints and laugh. Let me ask, out of the almost Million Members of Direct Buy, how many of these people are actually members? Sure, if you are looking for a TV, or a toaster, maybe the cost of the membership wouldn't make sense. Or, if you are poverty, cannot afford the cost of the membership then you probably cannot afford to do your projects in the first place, and may want to stick with []. Furthermore, one thing i read about this guy saying you cannot save money??? huh??? Would Direct Buy have almost a million members if people were not saving money? I mean, is it just me, or does that seem logical to you who read this garbage? Are they comparing exact Model numbers, because first of all if they are not members, i can promise you they never seen the pricing unless they had an exact model number. Is it the same quality, or does it just look the same? These responses are hilarious...In addition, people getting all upset about pressure sales or having to make their decision, i did, had no problem with it, but then again i am not just a dreamer looking for salvation army quality. On my Windows alone i saved $10,000. So you who read this, before you make judgement you should at least take a moment to ask someone who actually is a member, and utilizes the membership, as opposed to those who are comfortable shopping at [] and [] for the rest of their lives...But, don't just take my word for it...make your own judemgent, if you are comfortable with the Retail Market spending thousands extra, stay there, this is definitely not for you, if you are content with Salvation Army quality, this isn't for you either, don't waste your time.

5/7/2008 - jeff writes:
I am a member and I came across this page one day thinking, "I have been a member for along time and I like it, but what do other people think." Then I read for awhile what is on the page and what I see is alot of propaganda and b.s. and I wonder, have I been snowed? It seems like I am a member of a different club. How could all these people be so angry with a service that has saved me so much money? Are they ill informed? If all these people are so angry why didn't they talk to the owners of the company or write the corporate office and get results. If I was ever upset I wouldn't post a website, I would go to the people that sold me and get answers to my concerns. I have saved alot of money and actively promote DirectBuy cause why would you, put your family in a position to pay retail when you can go direct to the manufacturer? I made a decision the day I joined and am glad I did and I am glad they don't just let anyone join. I I keep saving money and you keep paying retail!!!

5/5/2008 - Paul writes:
I've worked at DirectBuy for 2.5 years. I've had over 600 families look at the DirectBuy concept and join after I sat with them and explained the concept. It's not for everyone and we are not all things to all people but for those who are buying retail, paying the 10%-200% mark up, the folks I've helped become members are saving tens of thousands of dollars. The members at our center are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars per month on purchases they were going to make in retail stores. I could fill this web site with accounts of members who've saved tens of thousands of dollars. I've saved about $3,000 on just window treatments, shoes, gifts, small apppliances, and a ring for my wife for our 30th wedding aniversary. I paid $720 dollars for a .75 carat diamond ring that sold retail for $2,050.00. We remodeled before I knew about DirectBuy and I know we could have saved around $40,000 on our $140,000.00 project. I sign up families most every day and some really bristle at the "decision today" issue, more than the cost of the membership, but it's the best way corporate has found to protect the confidential pricing found in manufacuturers catalogs. If someone sees the value of the membership they can get past the "irritating decision today"rule. If you just need an area rug and toaster DirectBuy will not make sense for you, but if your making major purchases of furniture, window treatments, cabinets, flooring, plumbing, decorative stuff, and much more, don't fail to go to an open house, with an open mind, and you decide what you want to do. We treat everyone well regardless of whether they participate or not. I feel great about helping 600 families sign up and buy direct from the manufacurers. They keep the retailers profit in their pockets. We encourage all who sign up to respect the retailers as they are in business to make money, that's just fine, but you can shop the sales to reduce the profit they make or buy direct and keep those dollars for your family. In summary, we make mistakes here, were human, and some unhappy members may be writing negative stuff, but their are hundreds of positive testimonials from our members,on the walls at our center and thousands of members who thouroughly enjoy the experience here. I meet them day after day after day. It is the height of painful for me to sit with a family who is building a house, or doing a major remodel, and have them walk out because of the negative comments of some chronic whiners and negative people who have nothing better to do than go on a campaign against a great company and great concept. I watch them leave knowing they will be writing checks for merchandise they could have had here for hundreds and thousands less. PAINFUL. Paul in Ca.

4/30/2008 - Ed writes:
I have read many of the complaints against Direct Buy, and am curious where some learned to read. The admittance to the open house clearly states you need to be prepared to make a decision at the end of the Open House whether or not you wish to join. To those people who joined and complained a day later, did the D.B. representative hold a gun to your head and force you to join?

Direct Buy is certainly not for everyone, but anyone saying it is a scam probably does not know how to
use the service, or joined on an impulse thinking they would recoup
their membership fee immediately.

The bottom line is that I am currently building a new house. Just on my windows alone I recouped
more than my initial membership fee, and I have only started buying. I still need cabinets, flooring, carpet, fixtures, etc.

Is D.B. for everyone - No.

Is D.B. a scam - Absolutely not!

Is D.B. a windfall for my own situation - Absolutely Yes!!!

4/24/2008 - Sam writes:
I'm a relatively new member who remembers the ridiculous sales pitch. I also remember doing some leg work before going in to talk with them. We talked with a current member (who had remodeled their kitchen) and trusted that their story about great savings stacked up. We remodeled our kitchen and saved ourselves somewhere around $10,000. While not everyone will save that much, if you're thinking of doing a major remodel (think cabinets, appliances, flooring, and such) then you're definitely going to save a substantial amount.

Direct Buy might seem scammy, but its really not. Just ask a member.

4/24/2008 - Mike writes:
Good grief. I look at the rants page and it looks like people just don't think or do research. I have been a member since '85 and have remodeled, built a new house, etc., saving lots along the way. Yes, it costs about $6,000 to "join" ($600 in '85) but if you are building/ remodeling you get that back in no time.

DON'T buy electronics, appliances or low margin items.

Furniture, blinds, tile, etc. are great buys.

The ONE problem is that you need to buy from catalogs (mostly), so expect a different shade, etc. when you get what you ordered.

If it is broken, they will ship it back and replace it. BUY SMARTLY. Just because you are in a club like this doesn't mean you can check your brain at the door.

4/24/2008 - Carmela writes:
My husband and I - grandparents - joined DB in Edison NJ this year. Thought the sales pitch was a bit bogus, especially the \'now or never\' part, but we\'re renovating a new home and will be buying lots of products and decided the savings would eventually exceed the membership fee. Then when we got home, we checked the scam reports on DB... and freaked out at the negative experiences reported here.
However, to date we\'ve saved $1100 on Whirlpool Duet washer/dryer over the lowest sale price anywhere else, and it was delivered to our laundry room by the manufacturer for $14 delivery charge. Then another $1300 savings on hardwood flooring, and yes we did our homework and checked everywhere from showrooms to home remodeling centers for the same product. Next was a 52\" Sony TV, and as DB had told us, the electronics field is very competitive. [] was a few hundred more, but [] a couple hundred less, and they deliver and install it and provide maintenance support. We saved on air beds, living room and bedroom furniture, ceiling fans, you name it. And the personnel at Edison are most helpful and courteous, never had a problem there. Many things have no 8% \'handling fee\', some do and we consider that in determining whether we\'re saving, and we pick up a lot at the center in our truck, however delivery, if needed, is reasonable. We have now made back our membership fee, and we have more to buy - playscapes for grandkids, gifts at holidays, patio sets, bathroom remodel, etc. We calculated that the initial fee, plus the yearly renewal from years 4 to 10, average $60/month over 10 years - worth it to us. I notice that the main complaint is the sales pitch, which could be improved, and the fact that the customers have to actually do some work themselves - so if you want someone else to do the work and cater to you at a retail center, pay them retail to do it. If you want to save money, suck it up and go do the legwork yourself, sitting in the DB center looking thru books is not much fun, but worth the savings for us.

4/22/2008 - kathleen writes:
Wow... there was a lot of negative stuff in there! We have been members for about 7 years. I know the price has gone way up since then, and you have to count the cost. Direct Buy is NOT for lazy people. You have to do some foot work. If you are looking for a sofa, go to a furniture store, find the maker and then go to the catalog at Direct Buy. Know the model number of the mixer you want...It takes a while to figure out how to find the price and place your order. But there are very friendly and knowlegable people there that are happy to help you. We are building our own home and Direct Buy has paid for itself many times over. But, again. Count the cost. Don't join to save money on Christmas shopping...

4/18/2008 - Bill writes:
Been a member for over five years, cost to join was around $3k (CND), and then annual fee for years 3-10 is around $200. Agree initial sales pitch is a little agressive, but once you join, their wonderful. Our club has very stable staff (most have been there for five + years) we are on first name basis with most. There are not big savings on appliances or home electronics, but you are getting current products, not the year old or out of dates places like [], [] etc sell. Big savings on most home furnishings, flooring etc. Yes you can get better deals at the big box, but not the colour, or style you want. Savings are bigger on the higher priced items you go. Its been a great deal for us, saved $15-20K over our five years.

4/18/2008 - Adam writes:
I have to admit, I never thought I'd be defending Direct Buy, after having read all the complaints on this site. But I digress... Allow me to start at the beginning. While on a cruise to the Bahamas I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in over 10 years. He had since married and bought a house, and in the course of our discussion about his renovations, Direct Buy came up. He told me how he and his wife had fallen for the hard-line sales pitch, but figured that (over the next five years) they will have gotten their money's worth. This was, aside from the TV commercials, the first I had ever heard of Direct Buy. It was also the first time I had ever heard of it operating like some kind of "time share" scam. I was intrigued, and a week after getting back from the Bahamas I did a little on-line research and discovered this site. When I read the complaints, my suspicions were confirmed---I thought "Direct Buy is a scam, for sure." I've always been a bit of a jerk, and I decided to give them a call, in the hopes of getting an invitation to their showroom so that I could witness the hard-sell for myself---just for fun. I phoned their 1-800 number (or was it a 1-888 number?) and gave my information. A week later a flyer arrived at my house, complete with full-colour photos of the glorious showrooms and thousands of products for sale, as well as member testimonials. It looked pretty decent. Less than a week later, I got a phone call from a woman who identified herself as Christina, who wanted to arrange my visit to a local DB showroom. At this point, all I was interested in doing was messing with them. Christina took all of my information, as well as that of my "fiancee" (actually my girlfriend, but I had heard that DB won't allow boyfriends and girlfriends in their stores). We arranged a meeting time and then Christina asked me a question: "What are your plans for your Direct Buy membership?" I asked her to elaborate. She said, "What exactly are you planning on buying? Are you renovating a home? Adding a room to a home? Building a home? Looking to purchase appliances?" I choked back my laughter and said, "Actually, we're only interested in buying a satellite dish." (It was the first thing I could think of.) Then I said, "I've heard that Direct Buy has good prices on electronics." Christina paused, then said, "Well, Mr. [my name], if that's all you're looking to purchase, this probably wouldn't be right for you. You wouldn't save enough money in order to recoup the costs of the membership fee." I acted shocked, and said "Really? So you have a membership fee, huh? What is it, like $100?" She gave a polite laugh, and said, "No, it's more than that." I replied, "No way! Are you telling me that your membership fee is like $150?!!" Another polite laugh, "No sir, it's more than that." Again I tried to fish it out of her, "Are you serious?!! Your membership fee is, like, $200??!!" Finally, she cracked, and said "No, Mr. [my name], it's in the thousands." I let out a "Whoa!" and then said "Well, if I spend $1000 on just the membership, then I probably won't save anything in the long run on my satellite dish." I was hoping that she'd correct me again, and let me know that the fee is MORE than $1000, but alas, it didn't happen. After that, I thanked her for her honesty, and told her that if I'm ever looking to do an extensive renovation over $30,000 that I would call Direct Buy again. Throughout our entire exchange she remained EXTREMELY polite, and really did seem to have my best interests at heart. I truly do feel bad for the people who feel shortchanged by DB, but buyer beware! Do your research before you commit to ANYTHING! If you're not planning on EXTENSIVE renovations, then DB is not for you!

4/17/2008 - David writes:
I just joined tonight, so we will see what happens to us in the long run. Because that is what Direct Buy appears to be about. The long run. And as the salespeople said, it's not for everyone. All the complaints I read can be grouped into four categories: (1) Sticker Shocked; (2) 17.5% Interest Imprudents; (3) Franchisee Failures; and (4) Mark-up Misfits. I only feel sorry for the Franchisee Failures, they're stuck with a raw deal. The other two groups should have just walked out the door with no hard feelings. Direct Buy is a group of franchises, not a single corporation, so aside from the "rules" and the "now or never sales pitch" the rest (like customer service) is up to the individual franchisees. And if you get a bad franchisee, you probably need to find another location, and/or complain to corporate. As for the Interest Imprudents, you should have left, they tell you it's 17.5% , or at least they told me what it would be. And if you sign on to that, or sign anything without reading it, you deserve what you get. As for the Sticker Shocked, you're just upset you're not in a position to take advantage of the deal, walk away, it's not for you, be quiet. The Mark-up Misfits are buying the items you are specifically told are not the best deals (e.g. electronics and appliances). The items that allow you to recoup your membership costs are the notoriously high mark-up items like furniture and carpet. Direct Buy is not for everyone and it may not even be for us. We will do our best to find out.

4/17/2008 - Lisa writes:
I think that this company has it's ups and downs. If you are building a house or re-finnishing your house this is perfect for you to save money!

4/16/2008 - Scott writes:
My wife and I joined DirectBuy about one year ago. We have been building a new home over the past 6 months, purchasing many items via DirectBuy. Overall we have been very pleased. we estimate our savings to exceed 12,000.00 to date. Items such as kitchen cabinets and appliances are drastically discounted. Yes, you do have to pay freight from some manufacturers, but many have free or very discounted freight programs. Our Fridigaire appliances were well over 20% below any other prices we could find (including on-line) and there was no freight (special Fridigaire promo). Also, there was no handling fee.

When I read some of the comments posted by others, I feel they are not very saavy shoppers. There is nothing for free in life. You have to shop and do your research. This isn't [] or [] where we have become used to "instant gratification". Believe me, you are paying for the "free delivery" or 0% financing somewhere, usually in the base price.

Directbuy is set up for an informed consumer, not a window shopper. Sorry, but I just feel the complainers are just lacking in common sense and are poor listeners and readers.

4/12/2008 - Jack writes:
Direct Buy is only a value if you plan to make major purchases in the next two years. We paid $4000 to join DB two and half years ago when we bought our house and knew we were going to be doing major remodeling. We bought the kitchen appliances, bathroom cabinetry, master bedroom furniture and mattress, and many other items during the remodel. We did keep track of our savings while spending over $40000. We saved at least $8000 through DB. So overall we netted a savings of $4000. Some items DB is not competitive such as electronics. Also you need to plan ahead for purchases to allow for shipping. In the case of our remodel we were able to buy high-end items for the same lower price offered in local stores for lower value items.

4/11/2008 - Ben writes:
Here I am sitting in the showroom about to buy a 50 inch dlp for $900 off the best price I could find for any name brand new tv. It blows my mind how much people complain about directbuy. Did yall even visit or did you just make all of this up? Yeah there's a membership fee but I would rather pay that and know the pricing up front than jump from store to store looking for "good deals." You want high sales pressure? Go to a furniture store.

4/10/2008 - Peter writes:
This company is nationwide. As far as I can tell you do not sign up in a van , in some dark alley. IT HAS TO BE LEGIT!
But the people who hate it- must not UNDERSTAND how it works. Maybe DirectBuy should start a idiot program. You know, have a contract with pop-ups, and have the potential members sign with crayons.
Because you would have to be an idiot- to not WANT to save money! You would have to be an idiot to NOT GET what DirectBuy is about, and how it works.
So sorry-I hope the money you save by not joining, can buy you some common sense.

4/9/2008 - Andrew writes:
I would like to support a company that deserves alot of respect. They have been around for 36 years, so you know they are doing something right. I requested information on a website and was promptly called the next day, the gentleman I spoke with was very proffesional and courteous. I had alot of questions but he was unable to answer a couple of them because they have to protect their manufacturers and their members. I understand and respect that. He did answer what he could and let me know that membership is "in the thousands of dollars" and that I should be prepared to make a descision that same day. I really grilled the poor guy about the same day descision and he informed me that again, it was to protect the information, ensuring that people don't use Direct Buy pricing against retailers. I attended an open house after I recieved a visitors pass a few days later. I found the staff to be extremely friendly, the presentation was very informative and they even used local adds from the newspaper to show the EXTREME savings to be had at Direct Buy. After the mixed video/interactive presentation, we we able to speak with individual sales people who were able to give me Direct Buy pricing on several items I had shopped around for previously. I was very pleased and with the projects I had comming up with my home I decided that this was the best way to buy what I need. 2 years later, I am still a very big fan of Direct Buy and they have saved me more than $37,000 dollars!!!! Thats $37,000 more dollars that I ended up spending on my home.
This program is great, I wish I found out about it 10 years ago!
There will always be people that have bad experiences or that don't ask the right questions when they are contacted after requesting information. It really is up to the consumer to be informed, but also not to listen to all the internet banter from people who had false expectaions comming into the process. Those people really created a bad experiences for themselves.
Direct Buy is great.

4/8/2008 - Lisa writes:
I was surprised by all the negative reviews for DB. Then, I realized that the vast majority of complaints were by non-members and it made prefect sense. Yes, it is a little pricey to be a member. Yes, it is annoying that you have to decide right away. I have been a member since early 2005, and just renewed my membership again. It is a good company. There is the occasional item that you can get cheaper locally, primarily electronics, but big ticket items like the fridge I bought, or the couches (2) I got for less than the price of one at the local place and then saw in a magazine for an outrageous price - they are a good deal.

4/3/2008 - Christine writes:
I work for DirectBuy in Canada. I have only been an employee for less n a year but I can tell you that DirectBuy is NOT a scam. Yes membership price is high but that is the price you pay for buying driect. I worked at another furniture store before DB and the price mark up is disgusting.

As many testimonies have said, this is NOT for everybody. The one thing that annoys me more than anything is when I hear some members complain that it was a waste of money. These members are saying such things because they have not purchased anything or they have purchased very little. Which in that case it would be a waste of money, but that is not DB's fault, that is YOUR fault.

At my DB location we have more satisfied members than not. We are also in the top 5 sales across North America. If DirectBuy sucks so bad and is such a scam why are we selling millions of dollars in products a year???

Another thing a LOT of member do not realize is we are at the mercy of manufactures as is every other furniture store out there. Which leads me to my BIGGEST pet peeve with some members. "If I had purchased this at a regular store they would have returned it". NO THEY WOULDN'T!! The ONLY difference between DB and other furniture stores is they have stock and we do not. We do not have stock because members are buying directly from manufactures. If we had stock we would have to mark up the prices and then we wouldn't be called DirectBuy anymore.

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