| Author |
Message |
    
Amy Bason
Citizen
Username: Pj_amy
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 2:58 pm: | 
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We're doing kitchen/bathroom/floors etc and heard about the Direct Buy warehouse membership club and potential cost savings. Does anyone have any experience with them? |
DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 80
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 3:15 pm: |
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Direct Buy has been discussed a few times. Search the archives. |
Brooklynlady
Citizen
Username: Brooklynlady
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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I searched the archives and got nothing on Direct Buy. I, too, am interested in their services and would love to hear from folks on the message board who have had experience using them. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 168
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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I'm a member what did you want to know? |
pangurbrown
Supporter
Username: Pangurbrown
Post Number: 47
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:43 pm: |
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How much is the initiation fee? Is delivery included - can you give us some prices? I am totally mesmerized by their infomercials but I hear that the service is pretty poor and that all they really care about is getting your initial money. The other thing I have heard is that after you order you have to arrange with them and pay for delivery if you are buying anything you can't carry home, that the delivery charges pretty much eat up any savings you would have had. On the other hand, those informercials look so tasty.... And we are going to redo our kitchen.... |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1992
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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If you are a reasonably good shopper, and with the internet how can you not be, Direct Buy is a total sham.
They don't warehouse, they don't deliver -- they are essentially an ordering front from catalogs, etc.
I understand the initiation fee is in the $3000- $4000 range -- but its set by individual franchisees.
Google the web -- there are countless complaints. (I investigated this about 1 1/2 years ago, and was astonished by how little positive info there is, how little specific pricing information is available (none really), and how high pressure it is.
Pete
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Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 169
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 1:33 pm: |
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The initiation fee was high between $4K -$5K in our instance but this will vary from location to location. My parents had originally purchased the membership when they were living in Florida. I believe the membership was higher then what people have paid in NJ - It comes down to what the salesman think he can get (in reason) - My parents ended up moving to NC and are 3 hours from the closest DB, my father wasn't happy with their selection of products. They just built a house between Cape Fear and Wilmington and had planned on using DB to save $$$$. Long story short - they didn't carry the high end GE Profileline kitchen line and were stuck buying only what DB offered, therefore I inherited the membership card after Dad was ready to trash it - he's not a big fan of DB. Since we both have the same first and last name it wasn't detected by DB corporate.
Delivery is not covered and you need to provide transport from the DB location back to your home. I have an SUV and will rent a flatbed at Home Depot or Lowes if need be to save the $$$ that DB would charge.
The savings will vary from product to product - As an example Electronics pricing are not great since the market is so competitive. You might be close to the lowest price you can find on the Internet. Where a quality telescope you will be 50% off when compared to what you will find in stores. So the bottom line is that items that are sold close to MFR in the marketplace you will do well with other items no real value add when taking into consideration the high cost of joining.
The initial membership is only good for 2 years and then afterwards there is a $150 yearly renewal. I just renewed it because we are planning a major renovation (kitchen included) and I did see some savings to be had.
As far as the service, I can't really comment since all the shopping I've done is online - they have a web site where you can see everything they sell and get pricing emailed to you in real-time. This could be another factor that turned off my dad since he is not computer savy. I've yet too personally visit or buy anything but am planning a Saturday trip the next time it rains on a weekend.
I do know that they employ high pressure sales tactics if and when you visit as a prospective customer. I don't think I personally would have joined them if I had to put out $5K myself, but I do believe I will end up saving 5X that amount before our renovation is completed.
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Brooklynlady
Citizen
Username: Brooklynlady
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:35 pm: |
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Searched on the internet and found these other comments about Direct Buy:
http://www.infomercialratings.com/product/direct_buy
When I called to see what they would say about the membership fee, my sales rep. said he would get fired if he quoted me a membership fee over the phone. I said if the fee is the same for all folks, why not just tell me what it is so I can be prepared. He refused. I've just canceled my appt. for this Saturday and will spread the word not to use them.
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DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 81
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:43 pm: |
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The search function on MOL can be a bit tempermental. I did a search for Direct Buy in the "please help" section and found two separate threads on the topic from earlier this year. I know it has been discussed before in the "home fix it" section as well. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 402
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:56 pm: |
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I called twice as a prospective member. They gave me the impression they only wanted couples and would not give single people the time of day. Submitted a complaint about them to NJ Consumer Affairs, but never heard anything. They seem untrustworthy to me. |
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