Direct Buy - Queens, NY. All a scam. I am one of the many customers they fooled. I walked into the Direct Buy orientation with the hopes to save money on purchases for my newly owned apartment in Forest Hills, Queens. I was their target customer, the perfect candidate – a new home owner looking to save money on purchases for home gutting and renovation. After the 45 minutes presentation filled with lies, I was talked into paying the $4900 membership fee (in full to avoid the 17.75% interest charge) in return for hundreds and millions in savings. Little did I know, it was a one-sided deal and my hard earned money went to waste. I knew the price sounded steep but the salesmen sold me when he explained I would make up the membership fee and begin saving immediately with the amount of money I was going to spend anyway to renovate my new home. We fooled me. This is all obviously not true. Instead, I spent loads of time in their showroom shuffling through catalogues, loads of time at other stores comparing Direct Buy prices, and $4900 out the window. Nothing gained, but lost time and money. I would have lost even further if I actually made a purchase through Direct Buy. With all the time I spent in their showroom, I learned there were additional fees like shipping and handling (separate from one another) on almost each product, which are about 10% on each order by manufacturer. This means they charge you a handling fee on the form of payment you choose - 6% when you pay cash and 8% when you pay by credit card. There are hidden fees you learn once you are a Direct Buy member! I also found out there are plenty of items that are either the same price or cheaper in the most popular home improvement and appliance stores through the US, on items such as, bathroom wall tiles, floor tiles, Kohler products (toilets, sinks, & tubs), cabinets, countertops and kitchen appliances. All items needed to renovate a home. Even the kitchen measurement fee for kitchen renovation is more,$300 at Direct Buy vs. $100 at a major home improvement store, and both offer the exact same measurement guarantees. In addition, Direct Buy charges sales tax on Corian countertops while other stores don’t. On top of all this, almost all items take about 4-6 weeks for delivery. As a result of my findings, I bought all my merchandise elsewhere, not through Direct Buy. I am currently disputing my membership fee with the store owners and they are offering me 15% back for all cheaper purchases I made elsewhere. This resolution proves Direct Buy cannot guarantee cheaper prices, which is what they prove to be their product, “access to manufacturers directly to avoid retail store markups consumers would pay for”. Is 15% of my money back all I deserve? I want my fully paid membership fee back! I completed the renovation of my apartment, have no further apartment related items to purchase, and learned I never needed Direct Buy after all. I wish I was smarter and read all the previous posts on other consumers' experience with Direct Buy, to avoid all this aggravation and financial loss. With my story, I hope I save someone from making the same mistake of joining Direct Buy like I did. To all consumers – Don’t further waste a second of your time with Direct Buy, you can do all the savings yourself.
PLEASE, to all those who have complaints, please report to your state Attorney General's Office, as well as the US Attorney General's Office. If enough people complain, they will look into this company's shoddy practices and do something about it! It's all online to fill out, PLEASE do it now!!!
I recently reported by local direct buy store to the Better Business Bureau. I have found the entire program to be a scam. It took some time, but the owner has finally agreed to terminate my contract with no additional fees to credit problems. At first the owner said it was "buyer's remorse" but I really stood my ground to say why is was a rip off. I had been a member for 1.5 years and have only purchased 1 item. I have found products cheaper at other stores. Try reporting to your local better business bureau to see if they can help you. Good Luck!
I am not surprised to here your complaint. Any thing thats seems to good to be true is more then lickly not. I was thinging about going to direct by myself. But with your mention of pain steered me away. Thanks, this is how we et rid of scammer and thiefs.
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