Real Consumer Reviews and Ratings
Direct Buy Reviews and Ratings
Consumer Ratings - Page 20 of 26
Very Sleazy Sales Approach
12/10/2006 - John of Pennsylvania, USA writes:
My wife and I attended a Direct Buy sales pitch today. I was disgusted by the fact that no chance was given to potential clients to make an enlightened decision. They wanted $4000 on the spot with no real chance to see if their service would prove beneficial. I believe that most of the people in attendance signed up. Wow, I was most amazed that it was legal. It is isn't it? The whole process was laughable. You give them $4000 and then you get to see if the service is beneficial. If the average savings is 30% you have to spend a boat load of money first to break even. So essentially you pay full retail plus 8% on the first $13,333 you spend. You would have to Buy 15 to 18K to match sale prices and that doesn't include delivery. Their name should be Hey Stupid can I Talk with You for a Minute.
Ripoff
12/7/2006 - Eric of Arizona, USA writes:
Don't even bother with their little demo. They claim they can save you thousands of dollars on stuff. I went because I was looking to redo my flooring with all tile. Their lowest price was higher than what you could get at the two major home improvement stores. I actually ended up getting the same tile they sold for about $1 a square foot less somewhere else saving me $1000.
Here are some things to consider
12/2/2006 - Nicole of Louisiana, USA writes:
We have been a member for a few months. We lost everything in the hurricane last year so we had every thing to replace and saved a bundle. Now for a bedroom set or sofa the membership fee (about $4500)in my opinion is too high unless you plan to do some remodeling. Here are some things to consider: Lack in customer service- catalog shopping no one can really answer any detail questions. Returns- you put down the wrong item# you could be stuck with it. Delivery- you have to pickup your order from the warehouse. 3. Setup- some items you will need to put together like tables, chairs, handles for the chest/dresser. So if you are a do-it-yourself person who loves to save money then try direct buy. We priced a few items and brought it to the consult. We were able to compare prices before we joined. Just verify that they have the supplier and add the shipping cost
Direct Buy a Scam!
12/1/2006 - Andrew of Florida, USA writes:
I am a marketing executive that visited Direct Buy to save on my home remodel. It was such a scam I could not believe it! Direct Buy makes money on this $5,000 membership, hidden fees and charges, back end rebates from manufacturers to name a few. Consumers are forced to buy from them to justify this fee even if they are not happy with the products, service, pricing etc. Where else could this happen. DO NOT JOIN ! IT IS A SCAM! The government should actually investigate this company for fraud!
Buy The membership or GET OUT MY STORE
11/30/2006 - Anonymous of Alabama, USA writes:
We got a phone call to come in for open house without getting info in the mail.we got there we were not aware that you had to buy the $4,550 membership We were told after the open house if we did not pay $4,500,or $1,000 $800 or $600 down we would never be invited back. when the decision presented to the db sales associate that we were going to decline the request he pretty much told us to get up and leave the store and you will not be invited back. This is the biggest rip off in the world because you are paying a $5,000 membership fee for 3yrs but lets say you only buy 3 items that's less than $2,000 well what happen to the other $3,000 that you will never use. I know you just paid the reatil price & you just fell into thier trap.
Biggg Mistake
11/22/2006 - Venny of Washington, USA writes:
What a rip-off!! We paid US$4000 to join their facility in Bothell, WA. It turned out to be the worst financial mistake of the decade!! We have to deal with unprofessional staff and delivery system. I wish this was only a nightmare, but it's real. Finally, we went back to the good old [] for most of our home furnishing needs. So, everything is too good to be true. Please don't make the same mistake we did.
Abundant Arrogance
11/21/2006 - Nancy & Mike of Manitoba, Canada writes:
We went in Winnipeg aware of (what we thought) DB was all about, and were going to join. We have just purchased a house, and take possession in May. The sales rep could not understand what we were trying to say....that is we are prepared to join, and sign up now for April; why would we put out $4,590 NOW? He told us it's now or never. We were told we had to join immediately. We would have simply come to a session in March or April if we knew this. This arrogant man told me, "No you wouldn't!!" He also told me that I could use these next few months to 'learn how to order'. I guess he thought me an imbecile or something, needing three or four months to learn how to order. Or perhaps it's a very complicated procedure. Also, after a most boring/manipulative presentation by Maurice, we were informed that they were short staffed, and we'd have to wait around for a while for the privilege of speaking to the sales rep. We told him that we were told it would take an hour or so, and our babysitter needed to be relieved. He said, "Oh well, if you want to miss out on this, go. But, if you leave, you'll NEVER get to join." Ooooooh. He sure showed us!!! So we come home, and I look on the internet for a contact email to inquire if DB would be kind enough to reconsider their policy, and allow us to join in the spring, and I come upon this website. Methinks we just saved $4,590 (+$195/yr x 7). There will be no such email forthcoming.
A costly mistake for most people
11/4/2006 - Joanne of Georgia, USA writes:
The beginning membership fee is several thousand$$!!, but you’re led to believe that it will be worthwhile if you're planning renovations. You also have ONLY THAT DAY to decide, and you will never be given the opportunity again. Many things they don't tell you--delivery and installation are separate, higher$$ than stores, and on your own liability; you only get savings if you buy A LOT—so you need a big enough house to put them in; inconvenient hours... Joining might be good for you IF: * You have a big house or multiple rental properties. * You hate shopping in stores but like catalogs. * You deliver and install appliances yourself. ***DON’T JOIN IF: * You like to see and touch things before you buy. * You don’t like catalog hopping. * You have a small home. * You buy appliances once every 15-20yrs. * You’d have to pay a stranger to install. * You work during their limited hours.
Direct Buy a nightmare to cancel
11/1/2006 - Jennifer of California, USA writes:
I fell for the "if you do not sign up today, then you can NEVER join later" scam from Direct Buy. When I had a night to think it over and to look at their "direct" prices, I realized that I could save far more money through comparison shopping! There was no reason to pay $5000 for the privilege of ordering through Direct Buy, paying a higher paying shipping and excessive handling fees (which result in the item costing more than just going out and buying normally), then waiting 6-8 weeks to receive my purchase. I send the cancellation certified mail with return receipt, and yet have received no response. I am now fighting them to get the charge credited back to my account.
Customer Service--HA!!
10/19/2006 - Wendy of Ohio, USA writes:
We joined DB two years ago. The sales pitch given was so rote, I thought she was a robot. We bought the membership because we had a house under construction and wanted to save money. These people make car salesmen look like pussycats. Very high pressure, then you join, and they don't give a crap that you're alive. They act as if they're doing you a favor processing an order--which takes FOREVER. We went on a Saturday to place several orders and were told there were five ahead of us, it would be at least an hour. We left and I had to come back on a weekday. I will never renew my membership when the initial one expires. My husband and I are both in businesses where customer service is key. We would never treat our clients like DB.
Member for one year.
10/16/2006 - Mike of Pennsylvania, USA writes:
My wife and I joined a year ago after the purchase of our house, seeing a number of large furniture purchases. To date, we easily save a couple of thousand on the best prices at local stores. Not everything is cheaper, compared to sales at stores, but they were up front about that. Customer service does lack becouse they can't hire people who know everything about the thousands of products. But if your like me, you often know more about the thing your going to buy than the kid at the store anyway. We go to the center, sit down with free coffee and doughnuts, write up the slip and order. They admitted in the seminar and I agree, if you don't see 10-20k of purchases in the next couple of years, it may not be for you.
Bad Customer Service
10/15/2006 - Kathie of Massachusetts, USA writes:
I joined DirecBuy over a year ago. I used it several times and it worked great but when I moved to Alaska they have nothing setup so that I can use it here, completely worthless. I've moved my membership to the closest state possible and since then I've had a horrible time getting them to send me any membership info or returning calls and emails. I do NOT recommend this to anyone that does not live within a descent driving distance of an office.
Who can we turn for help?
10/10/2006 - Anonymous of California, USA writes:
We've recently joined. Paid over $5,800. We tried to view the online catalogue and ran into NUMEROUS sites similar to these postings (and no, we can't seem to access the online catalogue). In fact, we haven't made our first purchase yet. I'm really disturbed by all these comments (surely they all can't be misconstrued). With that said, I am willing to give it a try and see for myself. But if if what I've read is true, I'll consider taking legal actions against this particular franchise. []
Turn Off
10/8/2006 - Anne of Ohio, USA writes:
Hubby saw the infomercial for Direct Buy and said we'd be receiving info. When I received a call (I work days; hubby on swingshifts)hubby wasn't home. The nearest "showroom" is a two hour drive from our home, so I told the lady on the phone that I was just planning to stop in some time when I was visiting my family who lives within an hour on the other side of the showroom. Her response was "I'm sorry, but we aren't able to allow you to visit without your husband, so when can I schedule a time when you both can attend?" To which I responded, "Never". My hubby REALLY doesn't care how I decorate the house and gets bored even hearing me talk about it...let alone sitting through a sales pitch. The fact that we were required to be there together set off a whole bunch of alarm bells in my head.
Mis-led
10/7/2006 - Alfred of Colorado, USA writes:
I "was" interested in learning more about what Best Buy had to offer, but not any more! The reason was, after I signed up for the Visitor Pass, this is when they dropped the bomb of, "Please understand that to become a Direct Buy member requires your choice at the Open House that you attend." Why wasn't this clause mentioned BEFORE a decision was made to visit? If it has been, I would not have given any information about myself (though I was not completed). Guess I can now expect a phone call from these people.
Member
9/28/2006 - Anonymous of Michigan, USA writes:
Hi, I have read numerous postings and agree with almost everything however, as a member I thought I would give you my perspective. 1. Is the sales pitch a joke? Yes 2. Can you save? Absolutely! Keep in mind, in all cases I shopped around before buying anywhere. a. Entertainment Unit - Saved over $2,500.00 b. Sofa - Saved $300.00 c. Recliners - Ordered elsewhere for $100 less per chair. d. Carpet - no difference e. Kitchen table, chairs, barstools - Saved over $500.00 f. 61" HDTV - cheaper than big box stores $500.00 but purchased online for $100 cheaper. Some items that generally aren't a savings: Appliances, electronics (except high-end), Sporting Goods,Fabric/ Wallpaper/ Blinds Areas of savings: Wood furniture, Upholstered furniture, Leather furniture (sometimes), Watches, Lighting fixtures and Plumbing fixtures (faucets/sinks, etc.), Brass knobs and handles, Patio Furniture If you don't plan on making alot of purchases, it probably isn't worth it. If you don't plan on purchasing high end goods, it may not be worth it either.
Disappointed!!
9/23/2006 - Stephania of Ontario, Canada writes:
I got a call at my home from an agent soliciting for Direct Buy. We go through the protocol, after a few questions he realizes that I am currently renting but I say I plan to buy in the near future. So we schedule an appointment for the info session and I find out that one of the rules is that if you're not committing to a membership TODAY you will not be allowed to participate for 5 years! I confronted an agent about that and she had no response. Said that they'd never had to deal with that situation before. I just feel like I made my situation known and they should have informed me of that particular rule. I'll think twice if they ever call me again!
Smelled a Rat
9/23/2006 - Colleen of California, USA writes:
It sounded like a great idea as I had just moved into a fixer upper. Got the high pressure sales pitch (which I hate) and when they realized that I wasn't biting, they were rude and showed me the door. The cost was around 5K. They "warned" me that this was my last chance to join forever.
Direct Buy Stores are Sweating
9/21/2006 - Anonymous of Texas, USA writes:
Tell everyone you know to stay away from these people. Poor customer service. Horrible attitudes. Selected merchandise. It will only be a matter of time that they disappear, or start business under a different name. This place is not for the average consumer. You literally have to spend more than $12,000 to START saving. They say there are three models to buying: 1) Retail, 2) Membership Fees and Partial Savings, and lastly 3) the Direct Buy way - pay $4500 up front. Its not worth it. The above models ... are all equal because Direct Buy has hidden fees that equal store markups. The sales staff have temper tantrums. The "Directors" are polished quick sales people that prey on the weary. The average consumer gets screwed again...I did.
