Direct Buy

[gamecock43]

It's a waste of money right? The big company that offers high end appliances, furniture and home decor at supposedly steep discounts.

I mean, if Direct Buy was a great bargain it would have taken off like Costco, Walmart and Target- right? I'm just curious to know if anyone is a member, or knows anything about it. I'm not looking to join right now, but my husband and I have kitchen and bath renovations in mind for the future and we are curious about Direct Buy helping our bottom line.

A woman called me today and will be sending me a package with a free showroom ticket to go and look around. I know they will try to sell me on a membership, so I want to be prepared before I visit.

How 'discount' are the prices? Are there hidden fees? What is the membership fee? Can I use my membership and share it? (my sis in law will be getting married next year and they need to furnish their house- but it's across the country. Can I buy items at my location but have it shipped far away?)

[banditfist]

I went there for the "tour" about two months ago. We left in the middle of the presentation after we heard about the costs of membership.

Cost of the membership was like $6k+. I did ask one question of the presenter: "How much would I need to spend to recover the costs of membership?" Never got a straight answer, but I was figuring it out in my head.

Oh, supposedly, you have to join that night. Maybe a hardsell to get people to join immediately, but they were claiming that it is a one time offer and only that night. If you left without joining, you could not at a latter point.


We left before the real tour, so I can't evaluate it well. If someone was flipping houses, it might be a great deal.

[gamecock43]

oh. That sounds sucky. I dont wanna spend 5-6k to be a member of anything. And I dont wanna hear a lot of sell tactics/manipulation garbage before I get to see if this is worth my time/ money or not.

Any other experiences?

[wincrasher]

All you need to do is google "direct buy" and "scam" and you'll find all the horror stories you want.

Besides the high membership fee, the discounted prices generally can be beat by sales at regular stores. Also, they charge outrageous shipping fees and you must pick up your goods at their store. Try doing that on a kitchen cabinet order.

With their hard sell tactics, they often get people to sign up that rent their homes or live in apartments! They prey on knuckleheads.

No thanks.

[irmanator]

I saw their ad on tv and they were talking about 60000 to put cabinets in a kitchen.... I went to Lowes and its only about 10000 depending on size and style.... thats even expensive for me. (I am trying my hand at building my own.)

[gamecock43]

yeah I think I might avoid this place altogether.

[DebbieL]

I'm very embarrassed to admit I got suckered in by this company (it had a different name back then, but was the same company) about 8 years ago. They did a really high pressured sale technique, and I was almost afraid to say no. I regretted it immediately, but there was nothing I could do (I thought that these "contracts" had a cooling off period - but I can't remember why, but it didn't qualify for that).

It cost me $2,500 (I think each outlet is free to set their own prices, and I guess it has gone up a lot since then)- and I never bought one single item. Nothing. I'm still mad at myself for being so weak and not standing up for myself and just saying no. I consider this to be my dumbest financial mistake.

PS - Yes, there is also an annual maintenance fee. In other words - I no longer belong. I would have had to keep paying them for that "privilege".

[davrobins]

I wouldnt do it. Being a member is what its all about these days.

[poundwise]

Oh, supposedly, you have to join that night. Maybe a hardsell to get people to join immediately, but they were claiming that it is a one time offer and only that night. If you left without joining, you could not at a latter point.

I don't know anything about the company but this, if accurate, is all I need to know. I have no interest in anything sold in this fashion.

[Inkstain82]

I've heard of a few people who have gotten good deals out of it.

Essentially, you have to be intending to buy very specific items in very large quantities in order to come out ahead. They know that most people won't do that.

I won't do business with companies who's business model is to screw customers.