We are going to do some home remodelling and saw there was a Direct Buy in Fresno. We scheduled to attend one of their "REQUIRED" Seminars. After checking into what Direct Buy really was all about, we decided it wasn't for us. The day after scheduling to attend the "Seminar" the phone calls started. We have Caller ID and didn't answer the phone and they didn't leave a message on the answering machine. Within 30 minutes they called 10 times! This continued up until the day before the "Seminar" when someone did actually leave a message reminding us to attend.

The next afternoon was our "Special Reserved Appointment" for their "Required Seminar" and the phone started ringing at 8AM. Someone kept calling every 30 minutes until 6PM, 2 hours after the "Seminar" started. Not ONE message was left on our answering machine just hang ups. This continued for the next two weeks!

Finally having enough of the constant phone calls I happened to be home when someone called. I politely asked them to stop calling us and that we were no longer interested in their business as it didn't suit our needs. Of course the high pressure sales pitch started and I repeated that we were not interested and to not call us. The woman said she would take our name off the list but if we changed our mind they "Might be able to accept our membership".

Another two weeks of phone calls and hang ups my husband found a corporate number and informed them what had been occurring with their Fresno store.

The calls finally have stopped AFTER 3 MONTHS!

At the time of our interest in purchasing a Direct Buy membership my husband and I were about to close on property in Northern Michigan where we plan to build our retirement home. The night of our tour of the Direct Buy in Rochester Hills which is located near our current place of residence, it was shared with the sales person assigned to us that we were about to build a home up north. So our purchase of a membership was contingent on a Direct Buy location near the city we were moving to.

We were told by the sales woman that yes indeed there was a location in the city of Cadilac Michigan, a 50 mile drive from Manistee Michigan where we were building. Our adult daughter and her boyfriend were with us and heard the saleswoman say this to us. After purchasing the membership for over $4000. plus we find out that there is NO location in Cadilac Michigan. The closest location is a 3 1/2 hour drive from Manistee.

First I called the Direct Buy Corporate Headquarters and was told that I needed to take the matter up with the Rochester Hills Direct Buy. When I spoke to the wife of the owner of the Rochester Hills Direct Buy she was rude, and said no one would give us that information. In other words I was lying. I told her the conversation was also heard by my adult daughter and her boyfriend. She said it was only hearsay.

She told me that on the night of our tour we were give a brochure with a listing of all the Direct Buy branches in the state and it was our responsibility to look at the brochure to determine this. She said, 'Why would the saleswoman tell us that there was a location in Cadilac when there wasn't one?'

Could it be to make a sale and get a commission? She certainly knew we wanted the membership if a location was close to the city we were retiring to. The sales woman told us with authority that there was a location in Cadilac Michigan. She didn't say. 'I think so but you need to look in the brochure I gave you.'

I told the Owner's wife something needs to be done about this. She refused. Said we signed a contract. I was distraught at her uncaring and unyielding attitude. When I put the phone down to tell my husband the bad news, she hung up on me. I have written the BBB of Michigan about this. The Owner's wife replied with a twisted lying account of conversation we had.

Beware about Direct Buy tours. They are filled with sales pitches and videos to listen to glorifying the perks of a Direct Buy Membership. Then you are left alone to look at their library of catalogs which are confusing to say the least. Each catalog has a different formula for pricing and shipping.

Then the salesperson comes back and puts pressure on you to buy the membership. You are told you will never be asked back if you don't buy the membership that night. A red flag should have gone up right then.

Also when you order from Direct Buy you have to do it in person. No online sales or orders. That involves a trip to the location followed by another one to pick up the merchandise. They don't deliver to your home. Can you imagine a 3 1/2 hour drive every time an order is placed and then a return to pick up the merchandise. Especially the number of materials it takes to construct a new home. Impossible.

I also sent a letter to the Direct Buy Corporate Headquarters. They never responded.

I have posted this message to every website to warn people of this terrible business practice. I have been a member with Direct buy for a year and its been HORRIBLE! A year ago when we bought our first house we stumble upon the direct buy tv commercial. Since estimated completion of the house will take about 3 months, me and wife decided to attend the presentation with the hope we can get savings for the cost of the furniture. Sadly we submitted to the idle threats of the sales person that we wont be able to join if we will not make a decision at that time. That is the worst mistake that we did. We basically donate the $4,500 to them.

They told me that I can order online but I found out that feature is very limited. You have to go to their warehouse to order and browse at their very confusing catalogs. Prepare to spend at least 2 hours when you order. Their actual prices are reasonable but you will lose the savings once they add the handling fee plus the shipping. Then you will really lose out because you have to rent a u haul to transport from their warehouse to your house. In my case I have to pay extra $300 for the u haul plus my time to get the furniture. I could have gotten a much better deal if I have purchased it from a local furniture store.

The most painful of all is the house was finished, we have our house warming, we still did not get our furniture. We did join 3 months before the house is finish because we figured it out that it will be the normal lead time when you order furniture. It took them SIX MONTHS! 3 months late.

Recap:

1. $4,500 membership fee
2. Very limited online ordering.
You have to go to the warehouse to order with very confusing catalogs and prepare to spend at least 2 hrs.
3. Exorbitant shipping & handling fee
4. Rent a Uhaul plus use your own time.
5. 3 months late

Their excuse is they don't have any control with the manufacturer. Well I guess this the service you can get from them with $4,500 membership fee. Its been 6 months since I order from them and I thought maybe I will give them another chance. My wife is pregnant so we order a crib through direct buy. Our nursery is complete except for that crib. At this time its been 2 weeks late and my latest conversation with them they told me that the manufacturer said that they are waiting for a part which will arrive at January 08. These guys are nuts! They actually think that it is okay for me to wait that long! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!

To all of you out there, beware of this company. You will lose your money, you will not get the savings and you get a lot of headaches and stress.

Kris
elk grove, California
U.S.A.

Please do not become a member! Iit costs 4,500 to join and what the don't tell you is... you do save about 10% on furniture but... they add 8 % handling charge (for paper work) 7% tax, minimum $100 freight (that is on one item so it can be a great deal more) and that doesn't include shipping, so in reality you will spend hundreds more. i wound up walking out of the show room and went directly to the furniture store and wound up saving over 500 buying direct from the store. I bought 2 bedrooms and only paid 7 % tax and 150 for delivery. So please do not become a member!