Don't make our mistake
Complaint
Polly Globe
Country: United States
We attended their presentation and after some calculation decided to pay for the membership which was $4990. We wanted to update our kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as bedroom furniture. We put down about $1000, and the rest was financed through their lender Beta Finance.
A month later we started planning our purchases and realized we were about to pay more by buying through them than we would otherwise. What the don't tell you on their presentation is that while you save about 10% on furniture they add 8 % handling charge in addition to 7% tax, and that doesn't include shipping.
I am now trying to get our membership money back. Do not become a member! Buy from other stores.
A month later we started planning our purchases and realized we were about to pay more by buying through them than we would otherwise. What the don't tell you on their presentation is that while you save about 10% on furniture they add 8 % handling charge in addition to 7% tax, and that doesn't include shipping.
I am now trying to get our membership money back. Do not become a member! Buy from other stores.
Comments
DB Closed today open tomorrow......my husband is willing to drive to Coppell and drop off a letter to the Owner Chris Beile himself if need be.
Question #1 - Should we call to discuss with him that we are wanting to rescind our membership or just send a certified letter first?
Question #2 - Should we contact the Finance Company directly since we are in the state of Texas, but they are in Louisiana?
PS: Also, we initialed and signed a NEW MEMBER CONFIRMATION OF UNDERSTANDING Form that states.........
Item #5 - I/We understand privileges of membership begin immediately and I/we may purchase as much as I/we want, so long as purchases are within the stated rules of membership. I/We understand membership in DB is not granted on a trial basis, not based on usage, is non-cancelable and that there is no refund of dues. According to State Law the 3-day Right to Rescind does not apply to memberships.
Please advise. Thanks!
I was saddened to hear DB got you and I don't know the specific laws that apply to the State of New York. Hopefully Trudy will see your post & reply. I am pretty sure that DB's nationwide advertising campaign features the trial membership, however, since you already purchased a silver membership, I am not sure the refund applies to you. Try to contact your State Attorney General and also the class action attorneys listed. Class action attorneys will never ask for you to pay them for the work they do as they get paid (we all get refunded) when there is a settlement from the Defendant (which, in this case is DB). I know this website is very difficult to navigate and there are now over 1000 comments. Trudy and I both feel that people who are serious about getting their money back will do their homework. You might also want to look into your local consumer rights advocacy groups but don't call the Better Business Bureau......they've been bought off by DB. Anyway, good luck in getting a refund and keep us posted. We have all been where you are and taking action will help heal the wounds.
So sorry to hear about your horrible experiences with DB.....although I am not surprised. You are definitely not alone. These people don't know what they are doing beyond scamming people into purchasing memberships. They sell broken / defective merchandise that's been cleaverly repaired and old model appliances that the manufacturer won't even warranty. It's sad that so many of us were taken to the cleaners. I hope you'll consider joining one of the class action cases. I know the attorneys will be interested in hearing your story. Someday, I hope we all get our day in court and suck the money back out of DB......with interest and damages! Keep warning everyone you know and let us know if you join a class action lawsuit. We need to band together and take these people D-O-W-N!
Look for the "free case law" tab.
You can run searches to get an idea of the case law in your state. For example, in Texas, you could search "DTPA and ___" (I ran "DTPA and 'bait and switch'").
I plan to do more research later, but I think if you find favorable case law, it probably wouldn't hurt to include your findings in your letters to DirectBuy!
Good Luck
TIME IS NOT UP!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU DO HAVE A 3 DAY COOLING-OFF PERIOD THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE GUARANTEED
BY DB'S OWN CORPORATE POLICY
AS OF MARCH 27, 2009,
CBC MARKETPLACE, "THE PRICE CUT PROMISE" VIDEO
hidden investigation of db,
DB owner in Ontario, Canada, Christine De Marsh, db was in the process of making up new contracts
Since the video was done in Canada & the corporation is in the States,
the must be used throughout North America
It is very apparent that since most people don't know about this,
they have the perfect opportunity to scam everyone
*****guaranteeing a 3 day cooling-off
guaranteed by their own corporate policy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) FIRST ALWAYS: Registered mail shows proof of time & date
you can also deliver a copy of the letter after, because delivery, in person does not show proof & time of db receiving it
THEY have even refused to acknowledge letters delivered in person & told the person to go back home & rewrite the letter
because they didn't want the truth written in the letter?????
wHAT THE HELL IS THAT?????????THAT IS SCUM!!!-SO the time limit runs out...
NEVER E-MAIL & INC. IN YOUR LETTER THAT YOU WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSE E-MAIL, PHONE OR ANY OTHER NON-SECURE TYPE OF COMMUNICATION
-BY MAIL ONLY, WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF YOUR LETTER
2) NO NEED to contact finanace co.
3) "...although db claims that the 3 days is not applicable by law,
the fact is that you were "put under undue pressure to sign a contract that you cannot afford,
IT IS AGAINST THE :
Texas unfair and deceptive acts and practices act
if you could afford it, you would not need the high pressure loan that was forced upon you...with no time to compare prices...& check into the terms (not written in the contract)
***if you have not received your "password/and or access to prices within the 3 days, then they have not honoured their agreement, also,
because no access means, no chance to compare prices
let me know as soon as possible what you have done,
I will try to help!!
TIME'S NOT UP!!! PLEASE COMMENT AT THE END OF THE FILE, I WIL TRY TO HELP
My husband called and they said Chris is not in the office - Of Course. Let me know. Thanks!
I just wanted to thank you for all the info you and the others have put on this web site. Time was not on my side tho I wated to long and am paying for it. The bbb is no help nor is consumer protection. There on the side of the big company, iam waiting to see if i can tag along on a law suit.
But really thank you and everyone for all the help and keep going!!!!!
Thank you Thank you
Bj
Later on I looked into the fridge and placed the order with DB. When I got the PO it said to pay the non-refundable price of the fridge and sales tax with a credit card. The lines where it says handling and freight had zero's and it would take 30 days to get to their warehouse!! I called and left a message for explanation -- she never called me back. Yesterday I went to HomeDepot got the same fridge with a one year warranty, free delivery and set up AND a 10% discount. The total price was LESS than their so called bargain. I too asked for my money back -- no one called. They are a rip off and I would shout it from the roof tops to NEVER buy from them. THis was the worst impulsive mistake I have made.
June 30, 2010
Owner DBDN, LLC.
611 East SH 121
Building 3, Suite 220
Coppell, TX 75019
Dear Mr. Chris Beile,
Our names are __________ and ____________. On Sunday, June 27, 2010, we signed a Silver Membership Agreement contract with DirectBuy to be financed over 36 months at $100.88 a month after a $190 down payment was put on my credit card on June 28th.
I am requesting a rescission of the 3-year Membership Agreement contract, a full refund of the $190.00 down payment, and confirmation in writing that I do not owe any money to you and/or Versa Finance Company whom the Retail Installment Contract is held. We will also be sending Versa Finance Company a copy of this Certified Letter.
We are rescinding our Membership based upon the following:
On Tuesday, June 29, 2010 we called, under a 24 hour business period, 2 times at 3:45pm and 4:15pm and requested a revoke of our Membership Agreement. A request has been made under the 72 hour cooling down period. I herby request a revoke of our membership contract under your company policy of 72 hours. C.T. Miller responded to our call, however he was unable to do anything about, and would have to contact his manager Jesse and have him call us. After numerous attempts yesterday and today to get in touch with Jesse, we are left with a letter as our final form of communication and it is observed by we the buyers that our attempt at communication is being screened.
We explained our financial situation to CT Miller at the time of our visit, and feel that the pressure to purchase and save money with no time to compare prices & check into the terms (not written in the contract), and with no ability to access “OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP” in a timely fashion to compare prices has not been honored by your agreement. We feel we were put under UNDUE PRESSURE to purchase this membership.
For the reasons enumerated above, which violates the protection we have under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DPTA); most notably clause #5, 7, 11, & 23, and the 72 hour cooling down period, and you the seller’s company policy, we are exercising our right to cancel all contracts with you and demand a rescission of the 3-year Membership Agreement contract, a full refund of the $190 down payment and confirmation in writing that we do not owe any money to you and/or any companies to whom you may try to submit the Retail Installment Contract.
WE the buyer requests a full refund within 10 days, by mail, or reversal of our credit transaction.
WE the buyer requests a written confirmation of cancelation of our DirectBuy membership and contract.
WE the buyer will no longer accept any communication from DirectBuy, other than in writing, after the receipt of this letter has been verified.
WE the buyer will contact the Better Business Bureau in attempt of resolving this conflict.
Respectfully,
XXXXXXXXXX – Buyer XXXXXXXXX – Co-Buyer
CC: Versa Finance Company – Bossier City, LA 71171-5190
I flipped thru quite a few pages and did a hodge podge of items previously mentioned. Hopefully I covered just about everything. I faxed a copy to both DB and the Finance company around 3 pm. Around 6 pm we got a call from Jesse on the cell phone. Didn't answer though. So wehre do we go from here? Do we wait the 10 days and see if we get a return on our deposit?
I know that we have corresponded before but I can't recall your details,
if you would like to refresh my memory, maybe I can still help you
If you joined less than a year ago, I always encourage those scammed,
to fight back by collecting proof of cheaper written prices
& SENDING REGISTERED MAIL
]Request a RESCISION of the contract
-Refer to your CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT OR UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT
...false claims of exaggerated prices that do not exist
claims to have qualities and benefits it does not have,
put under undue pressure to join also,
If you are paying a Finance co., then you were high pressured into a loan with outrageous interest charges, absolutely hypocritical, when you add up all the interest charges, you could Never Save Money...
***in most cases, if db used proper procedures to qualify their potential victims, most people would never qualify for their loan
& db would have to let people leave,
but they move in like vultures and won't take no for an answer,
iF THE contract states No Refunds, No cancellations,
it is against the law, because it forces you to give up your legal right to make a complaint
-Ask for a written response within 10 business days of receiving your letter
-include that you will not accept telephone calls & will not accept e-mails
PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S KEEP WARNING AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When did you join? I just wrote some detailed in to Bj that I hope will help you, too. Let me know any questions or comments that you have.
YOU had me worried when you asked for a form letter because I thought you might let your 3 days run out,
but I am relieved because you stayed in your time limit,
I suggest waiting til July 16th & send a Fax reminding them the date that they recieved your letter (confirm with post office)
-you requested a written response & a rescision within 10 bus. days of rec't of your Registered Letter
-you have not heard from them & thank them in advance for a timely response,... Any questions, let me know.....
I'm now putting a letter together and will try and find three other items less than DB.
HAS Anyone Else, here in the States found comparable items less than DB's you can refer me to for my letter to my franchise owner? Thx for your attention. hopefully response...
EVERY State has different stores, different prices & different purchasing options.
No price is ever the same & sales always have different dates & time limits are different. DB prices change from State to State & EVEN prices in different Cities are diff't too.
YOU HAVE TO BE 100% accurate with date time price u.p.c. codes, brand names, descriptions, something might only be on sale in one Colour,
limited supplies.... ONE DAY ONLY...
PHOTOCOPY OR PRINT OUT ALL THE SPECIFICS ON EVERY ITEM,
MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE WHOLE PRICE FROM DB,
INCLUDING: -DB'S HIDDEN SHIPPING/HANDLING FEES IN WRITING
DB OFTEN REFUSES TO PUT THE DETAILS IN WRITING
THAT is how you know they are scammers,
they don't put in writing the fact that you have to pick up your merch. at their warehouse either---------your proof that you can't save money or time-
-hire a private co. to p/up & deliver to your home
The other costs are the high pressure, high interest loan they add to the bill....
\hope this helps
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE LAST FEW PAGES
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RESPONSES TO HELP OTHERS
BUT SOME MORON KEEPS REPEATING SOME MORONIC SPAM-----6 TIMES NOW!!!!!!!
PLEASE HELP ME BY CLICKING ON THE RED EXCLAMATION SYMBOL,
& ASK FOR THE BLOGS TO BE REMOVED
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY CANNOT STOP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks everyone