Direct Buy Anyone?

[whirlcool]

I have been noticing we have been seeing a lot of adverts for "Direct Buy" stores in a few cities across the country. They claim they are a private design & discount center for furniture and appliances. They claim to get you 30-70% off on name brand appliances and things like kitchen cabinets.
So like any good consumer, I did a search on Google to find out more about this company. To me it sounded like one of those "too good to be true" stories. I was horrified by the stories that were told! And there are a ton of more sites just like this, all relaying horror stories from dealing with Direct Buy. Check my link out.
Has anyone here have any experience with Direct Buy? I have never seen it discussed here before.

http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/direct_buy_scams

 

[laundromat]

BAD!!!They're very pushy and you have to pay a finominal amount to join.Call the Better Business Beauro if you don't believe me.Their prices may be less but the membership fee makes up the difference.BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!Danger Will Robinson,Danger! Danger!

 

[wannapinkset]

Im too poor to worry about this one, but Thanks for the warn

Thanks. Its good to know where to avoid.

I just never have 4000.00 to spend on a membership. I LOVE craigslist. Frankly, I rarely buy anything new anymore.

 

[whirlcool]

Let's see.....

$5,000 to get into the "club".
A high annual renewal fee.
Last years models usually sold.
You pay for shipping from the factory to your home.
They charge an 8% processing fee on each order.

Home Depot and Lowes have a lot of the same products for less!

Any conculsions anyone?

 

[exploder3211]

4,000 to join??? I won't complain about beloning to Sams and Costco... OY!

 

[petek]

Actually you pay a shipping fee to their outlet, then you have to get it from there to your house. When they arrived in Calgary a few years ago I called to get an "invitation" which they promptly set up. I was also told it was a "one time only" invitation and if I didn't attend I wouldn't get another chance. I didn't go but lo and behold a few months later they were calling me to invite me back. I asked around at work if anyone had gone, one guy and his GF had, and gave the same hard sell story and huge upfront membership fee which they declined. I'm surprised with all the complaints they're still in business and growing, while what they do isn't illegal it's suprising so many people get suckered in.
I've found over the years you can pretty much get anything for the home at huge reductions if you're patient enough and don't have to "have it now" just by frequenting clearance centers or small dealerships and letting them know what you want and to call you if something comes available. For instance the tiny little appliance store near us sells WP, LG and Miele. He had a near TOL Miele dw clearing for about $1000 Cdn, almost half price, he told me if I bought a new stove from him, not even an expensive one, he'd take another hundred off the dishwasher.