Don't make our mistake

Complaint

-1
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.

Comments

  • 0
    alphie
    bringing them to their knees is easy, getting your money back is the hard part
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI EGNAR

    What does your contract actually say?   3 days cooling-off  or 72 hours?
    IF it does not state a cooling-off period at all,
    then the CPA is more in your favour,
    *you cannot waive your rights, if it states  "NO refunds, NO cancellations,
               NOt sold on a trial basis---that is vs. the ACT,
    *HIGH pressure tactics, undue pressure,
    WERE you offered a 30 day free trial?
    *HIGH-pressure due to the fact that you signed on a Friday night
    & closed on ______, there was no chance for you to get access to their computer to access prices, during the 3 days

    THE Good News is Ontario has a great law:

    The CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, ONTARIO 2002
    -Part 2    #7  &  #11
    -Part 3    #14    #15   #17
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Questions or comments, please share
  • 0
    TRUDY
    Hi Lanie
    Thanks for the update
    I TRY to be as specific as possible
      E-MAIL SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR PRICE VERIFICATION OF DB PRICES,
    because this is the only safe way that you can get your proof to compare prices, without making db suspicious
    ----------------------------------------------
    as soon as you challenge db, you will be met with arrogance, & intimidation

    ******As soon as you get your evidence in writing, then you use
    REGISTERED MAIL ONLY----DB WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR E-MAILS,
    IF you are showing proof of their scam tactics,

    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE,  DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI EGNAR
    THANKS for sharing the article
    the couple make outrageous mistakes by letting their anger rule their
    emotions, they acted irrationally,

    When they were offered a full refund, that is what they wanted,
    ***that is the desired remedy & it was achieved,
    ONLY THE DISGRUNTLED, WHO HAVE PROOF THAT THEIR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED, MAY PICKET PEACEFULLY, OFF DB PROPERTY
      anyone who reads the case over, will be able to point out the mistakes,
    it is a good reference for us all to learn from..........

    it is rare that they offer full refunds,
    sign the conditions, take the money & find other ways to warn people,
    like this site because it is the only anonymous & truthful site left,
    --word of mouth warnings to close friends & family
  • 0
    TRUDY
    LAW SUITS ARE CURRENTLY ON P. 85,
    BUT ALWAYS RECHECK BECAUSE NEW POSTS BOUNCE THE OTHERS FORWARD

    P. 44 is my guideline--previously on p. 41
  • 0
    averde refunddue
    I sent them a certified letter explaing to them that I was disatisfied and they basically made up lies. I'm not sending them another letter. I cc the attorney's office and now im going to the news station. I'm mad now.
  • 0
    Roger
    Hi Trudy-
    Welcome back! I am so glad you took a break. You work so hard helping people that you need to step away from time to time to catch your breath. It's a healthy thing to do. We will continue this fight and will WIN! Thanks so much for helping so many through their desperate situations with DB. You are so dedicated and generous with your time and expertise. This site would not be the "go-to" place without you!
    P.S., My family and I are all well.....thanks for asking!
  • 0
    averde refunddue
    I just don't know what to do right now I sent them a letter last week. Now they sent me a letter with some BS lies. I need to know what the next step is. I got to watch what I say because I know they are watching. Someone tell me what to do next to get my money??? please
  • 0
    egnar
    Hi Trudy,

    The registered mail I sent on Monday was delivered to them on Wednesday. Tracking shows it was signed and accepted. In my letter I had given them 14 days, I'll wait for their response. If I get a call, I am going to tell them, "I just don't think, this is beneficial for both of us and it is better to cancel the agreement right way. I have not visited your showroom  or used any of your services. Even the membership has not been processed.I have requested cancellation within the 3 days or 72 hours. I think as a good business practice and to keep members satisfied, it is appropriate you refund the full amount." At this stage i don't want to say the savings is not there because they might say, come to the office with the list and we can work out the savings. With this reasoning they could use buyer's remorse argument against me. I don't want to belligerant and accuse them at athis stage. your thoughts.
    Regards
  • 0
    W.W. next steps
    My boyfriend and I signed up for a DirectBuy membership in Indianapolis, IN in May 2010.  After my first visit, I was disappointed to realize the charges that go directly to Directbuy when making purchases (handling & freight). Furthermore, we were told the we would be able to shop online and that was not the case because many items said "see showroom for details."  Anyway, I wrote a letter to Directbuy and mailed it next day delivery (requiring a signature by the recipient).  I waited a couple of days and called the company and the manager acknowledged receiving the letter and told me Directbuy would not cancel our membership and would not refund our money.  

    We went to the credit card company where we paid the full amount upfront and mastercard has strict policies about signed contracts.  The credit card company did not reverse the charges because we signed the agreement.  

    I contacted a lawyer in Indianapolis that was over the class action lawsuit in this state and he informed me that the lawsuit was put on hold because of another suit that was being resolved in another state.  He went on to explain to me that when we singed the contract, we waived our legal right to sue the company.  The contract states that we have to go through arbitration, which is explained in the contract.  

    The arbitration is a complaint with the BBB.  What a freaking joke!!!  I sent a complaint to the BBB here in Indiana and they contacted Directbuy about our complaint.  Directbuy stated that everything about the membership is clearly gone over in the video and its sales manager invited us back to explain the buying process clearly to us.  I did not accept the response from Directbuy want emailed the BBB back with details of why Directbuy was not addressing our issues.  About a hour after I sent the email to the BBB, they responded with the complaint was closed administratively because the BBB feels Directbuy did try to resolve the issue.  At this time, we have no other options to continue our complaint through arbitration.  

    My co-worker told me to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office.  

    Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do to get a full refund?  

    W.W. next steps
  • 0
    duped2
    NOW-- I'm trying to get legal representation by hiring attorney who handles consumer fraud cases.  Another stab at DB company to obtain refund.
     This site has soooo much to read and there's so so much work to do,  aucckkkk, drives me nuts... trying hard not to lose my sanity over all this crap to retrieve DB's fee they whipped up.   \\\ - the lawyer I'm trying to hire has been advised to check out this site.  But only by reading snippets and pieces from all pages can she decide if it's worth HER while.  I hope so.  
     I KNOW DB owes us our refund... They are so full of themselves & they're wrong to do business the way we now know they do.  I pity future victims, like all of us here, having to tell our sad stories: begging for help & advice.  We're not stupid to have bought the dad-gummed membership.. there's proof they are master sales artists and manipulators.  
     Sure have learned a lot and now I'm not trusting anyone when it comes to 'buyer beware' and that's just a fact of life.  heads up.  I won't quit till there is resolution.. A REFUND.  Yah, uh huh, I'd picket if they ignore me.  It just may come to that. g'nite
  • 0
    duped2
    I feel your pain... they are just absolute crooks, once they get the membership 'dues' I know.. same thing here in Tampa, FL.  showrm shopping, over 700 merchants, $200 for their designer, $120 for a measurer, if you want to remodel, us like our kitchen and bath.  Their cabintry is high-end, they refer us to 'their' interior designer, more ka ching from our pockets,  I have two proof of purchase of items we could have gotten for less or about the very same cost from Sears.  

    You have tried, we filed complaint with FL attn Gen.  BBB don't waste your breath.  Now, if I were you, make sure your Bank or Credit Union can't help you - our's probably could have if within 90 days.  We're past that point.  I, too contacted the attn in IN, another one as well, the lawsuits will take forever (class action, I believe) ea State is different.  Each DB has an individual owner.. If I were you I'd try to find other unhappy DB members and check with police policies, then PICKET.  keep us apprised.
  • 0
    TRUDY
    HI EGNAR
    Please do not talk to them, when they call,
    they have professional liars to intimidate & con you back in......

    If you do answer the phone, say only the following:

    Please honour my right to cancel & I have notified you within your corporate policy 3 day cooling-off period
    I will not discuss this by phone,
    please send my refund with my written confirmation of my cancellation,

    WHEN THEY RAMBLE ON WITH THEIR LIES, JUST REPEAT YOURSELF
    & SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS...
    * YOU WILL NOT COME IN TO THE OFFICE, YOU WILL NOT ACCEPT E-MAILS OR PHONE CALLS.....MAIL ONLY, THANK-YOU....

    I have been on here for about 1 & 1/2 years & I know their con methods &
    lines only too well.....
    So I really hope you will take this advice,   Good Luck!!!!!!!!
  • 0
    Niko
    Duped2,

      where are you writing from???

      If more people could identify at least their State...maybe we could all gain more power in numbers.

      Wish we could set up some secure site where we could identify ourselves more and hook up per vicinities......I know....they are too powerful and seem to always find a way in.

       there has to be some "geek-squad" person out there who could work this out!!!

       I believe the only way to truely accomplish what we all want here,  is to join together and make a HUGE impact......individuals aren't making a dent!!!

       Come on.......someone hsd to have a better idea how to deal with this mess????
  • 0
    egnar
    Hi Trudy,

    it is a week now and direct buy has not responded. i had sent them registered letter which theyhave received and followed it up with fax.
    What do i do now?

    regards
  • 0
    duped2
    Poor Trudy:  ya'll need to go back some pages and find her info.. she's given and given and given... I'm sure a registered ltr from me to our 'owner' will not solicite a response either.  But... that's one of the first steps.. keep trying.  We need more positive endings with DB.
  • 0
    duped2
    yeah, well I've said more than once Tampa, FL.. Soooo, another idea may be to publish in local papers, flyers, hey maybe the singles looking for action LOL.. No, actually if anyone can think up ways to locate other members wanting refunds, we can then 'gather' & 'conquer'.  
    Split up the States - we're in the S.E. so keep narrowing it down.  
     Whittle down the miles; go from regions to counties.  guess it wouldn't be too hard to locate all DB stores nationwide.  Someone said there's about 150 in the States???
    We're USA so I'll leave the Canadians to their own devices since their laws are a bit different than ours.  It's still good to support & share others on this site.  
     We can break all down to each of our own states but realize, this is VERY time-consuming.  It'll work as far as gathering picketeers but there are other ways to try for refunds.  That's my goal explicitly. I do tell everyone that DB is several thousands to "join".  All I've told are SHOCKED:  so we need to let the public know how much their membership costs to join.   That's a step in the right direction.  I just want all this behind us so we can get on with our lives.
  • 0
    Mikey
    duped2


    I would go with  flooding  local news consumer reporters with  requests to look into db,  enough  people do it  they will eventually  " smell" a story.

    no need to   spend too much time on it, just  an explaination of the problem and a link to this  site
  • 0
    alphie
    150 approx in .usa and .ca
  • 0
    alphie
    flooding neighbourhoods with copys of the bd contract which is afterall 99% why there are so many unhappy members. paying up front estimated prices to get your merchandise must be the number one gripe. when i first got involved here that was the main thing that jumped off the page at us here. with the purchaser ultimately having no recourse but to pay any and all increases. trudy is so right but also although rarely, wrong. this is such an interesting website

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