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
    Roger
    Charli-
    I'd try working with your credit card company if you put your membership on a charge card. Otherwise, try to contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at
    800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work. I hope we band together and fight for our hard earned money back!
  • 0
    Roger
    Yes, these people are horrible to deal with. I'm surprised there hasn't been anything on Nightline, 20-20 or 60 Minutes!

    Please contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at 800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work (as victims we don't pay anything & the attorneys get paid from DirectBuy if we win). I hope we band together and fight for our hard earned money back!
  • 0
    Roger
    Jennifer -
    The only way we can "stick it back to DirectBuy" is banding together. Please contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at 800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work (we never pay anything for them to represent us). Let's work together and fight for our hard earned money back!
  • 0
    Dissed by DirectBuy
    Hey, didn't I read somewhere that Gurnee was closed down by the Illinois State Tax Board? I hope all of the DirectBuy businesses are shut down. They're just another ponzi scheme! I bet Bernie Madoff is behind all of this!
  • 0
    Filing Chapter 11 Again?
    Mikey-
    Do you remember where you saw this information? DirectBuy used to operate under two other names UCC something and Total Home. It wouldn't surprise me if they went the bankrupcy route again.
  • 0
    Roger
    Karen -
    We are still working with VISA. They originally credited our account in full pending an investigation & then returned the charges to our card. We are in re-dispute with them. The only thing I can suggest is to contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at 800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work (we don't pay for their services.....DirectBuy does through the settlement). I hope we band together and fight for our hard earned money back!
  • 0
    Roger
    Lisa:
    Please contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at 800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work. Izard Nobel is very experienced in helping victims get their money back. I hope we band together and fight!
  • 0
    Roger
    Nap-
    Here's the info for the lawsuit
    Contact the law firm of Izard Nobel at 800-797-5499
    They have filed a federal class action lawsuit.
    See their website at

    www.izardnobel.com

    There is a section that explains how class action lawsuits work. I hope we band together and fight for our hard earned money back!
  • 0
    They'll have their day in court!
    newyork-
    Thanks for sharing. Wow....I didn't know they ignore you to get around the 72-hour cancellation law. That sucks! I hope that former employees testify in court about this so DirectBuy's dirty tricks will be exposed!
  • 0
    Change your phone number!!!
    Hi-
    If DirectBuy hounds you by phone, change your number. I've heard of people being called 15 times a day! According to a former employee, they also tape / video tape in their facilities, so if you said something & it wasn't in writing, I'd still be careful. These people are bad, bad, BAD! Thank goodness you didn't sign on the dotted line. Stay away and don't make the mistake we did!
  • 0
    Roger
    Trudy -
    I don't know if it helps you in Canada but here's a link to the fraud case which was filed yesterday:

    http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/04/14/Class_Accuses_DirectBuy_of_Fraud.htm

    We need to keep warning everyone to stay away & let others know about this lawsuit. Looks like there are more lead plaintiffs on this case as opposed to the last one filed back in August 2008. I hope it moves forward as I could really use the $6K now!

    Thanks for helping keep others from wasting their time & money with DirectBuy!
  • 0
    David - Calgary
    Hi Trudy, thanks for the reply, the Alberta Government's response to getting sucked in by Directbuy is more or less "sucks to be you".  I spoke to Service Alberta as well as a lawyer before my 10 days were up and both told me that I was stuck with my contract because "I" went to Directbuy "they" didn't come to me.  I even asked about their high pressure sales tactics and was told that there is no provision in Alberta trade/consumer law to prevent them from doing that.  The lawyer referred to my situation as "buyer's regret" and that I will simply have to try and make my membership work for me so I'm not sure what to do next, small claims maybe.  I don't know if anyone in Alberta has ever had any luck getting their money back from directbuy.
  • 0
    Trudy**Alberta does have LAWS**
    Hi David
    Whoever you talked to are lazy and irresponsible

    GOOGLE:     ALBERTA FAIR TRADING ACT
    CLICK ON:   Did you mean:  alberta fair trading act
    Headline is "Service Alberta Consumer tip sheet: Unfair practice..."
               scroll down to find "Examples of unfair practice"
    The first one applies to everyone who has been scammed
    I used this info vs. them and I got my money back in Ontario
               DB put you under "undue pressure" by forcing you to sign immed.
    Read through them and send a REG"D letter to the owner/director
    Must be signed by both members
    Just write in your own words all that apply to your situation
    Ask them to RESCIND the contract (as if it never existed)
    You would like a full refund...
    EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING AND KEEP ALL COPIES
    You had a cooling off period, so why didn't you just write to them,registered and say that you would like to cancel.
    You are not even obligated to state the reason why.

    Let me know if you find the info
    You must make the contact with Directbuy
    Any type of legal action would always require you to contact the co. before filing a suit.

    Let me know if I missed anything, I have several posting throughout this site responding to diff't situations
  • 0
    Debbie
    Hi   I also would like to know the steps on how to get my $5k back. We purchased a year ago and realize we made a huge mistake. The economy has gone south and need to recoup the money but don't know where to start. They pressured us into signing up and we have never stepped foot in their store. We realized it took way too much time to order and look through their catalogs, order, shipping, delivery and time to get what you ordered. I should have sensed this the way they were pressuring us to buy the membership. Please write me at Arablove2@msn.com and please tell me how you got your money back without a lawyer and so much time. Thanks!!!!
  • 0
    Susan
    Hi Trudy,
    Wish I saw this site prior to joint DB.  My husband and I want out & I need information on how you did it.  We did have a 3 days cooling off period but did not do our research prior to last week.   Your letters are no longer on line.   Please e-mail back susanrob@msn.com , I am in California.  I was going to take them to small claim court but in order to win I have to prove fraud.  I need as much info as possible. Thank you.
  • 0
    Debbie In Colorado
    Please respond about how to get my $5k back from DB. their high pressure sales made you feel so bad about turning your back on such a great deal! Yeah right! I have not even set foot in their store to even look. as the economy tanked and we got stuck not getting anything done. How does one get the money back without all the red tape? That is a lot to turn your back on when money is so needed right now just to live. Please help and thanks for all the feedback. I just wish I had researched this pathetic leech before going to an open house of vampires! It has been about a year!
  • 0
    Trudy -checking in, again
    Hi Debbie
    I found you some info that might help
    Google:     colorado consumer protection act
    Click on:   did you mean:  "    "         "
    click on:   consumer protection
               scroll down list & find and click on:  colorado consumer...act

    In the act: Find:        DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES
    Read through and find the ones that apply to you

    First try sending a registered letter--make sure that it is addressed specifically to the owner or director
    Must be signed by both members (details are above in my letter to David)
    Also, mention that their high pressure tactics put you under "undue stress"
    to join especially since it was a one time offer

    DO NOT EVER SPEAK TO THEM BY TELEPHONE OR ANY OTHER UNSECURED METHOD
    BELIEVE ME, They will want to talk and try to make you feel guilty and unsure of what you are asking for, "full refund and RESCIND the contact"
    You may follow-up by FAX

    They may tell you that it is too late,

    Then try to join one of the two class action suits.
    1)   Attorney Seth R. Klein
        IN IZARD NOBEL LLP    1-800-797-5499      
        Conneticut              860-493-6291
    ===========================================================================

    2)   Attorney jeffry Nobel
        West Hartford        *I don't know how to reach him but if I find out
        I will add the info a.s.a.p.
    Roger provided this info in the link in his letter above, suit just filed
    April 14, 2009
    Good luck, don't give up
    Everyone on this site wants to help and there are a few of us who check in regularly and respond a.s.a.p.
    So everyone, please comment with any problems or updates that you have.
    You may never know how appreciated your time and efforts are, this is the only honest site left so take advantage of this privilege.
    THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 0
    Trudy, again
    Thanks Roger
    I am still responding and refering people to your info about the new suit
    WOW!  They are even more evil than I could ever imagine
    I guess they gave me my money back so fast because they could shut me up and prevent me from investigating further because they knew that I could do damage, by telling them that I knew about the Consumer Protection Act
    I am finding that each Province and State has their own version of the Act
    So anyone can google: wherever they live and add the "Consumer protection act"  and find a section about UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE
    There is a commercial for db on t.v. right now and it makes me want to fight them more.  Don't let anyone give up.

    *Roger can you give your opinion about whether you would respond to a new posting on the first page of this site, by someone named Debbie?

    *The reason I am asking, is because she is asking for someone to respond to her e-mail address, instead of reading the info on this site
    Maybe, I'm too suspicious but
    it just sounds like she wants to find out people's e-mail addresses for the purpose of reporting to "the enemy"
    It's odd because out of all the complaints, she is the first one to do this, so it's kind of odd.
    Let me know what you think.  Thanks
  • 0
    Trudy
    Hi Debbie
    If you are the same Debbie as on page 8 of this site, I just responded to you.
    NO ONE ELSE ON THIS SITE RESPONDS BY E-MAIL
    I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS FAIR
    All the info you need to get your money back without a lawyer is avail on this site.
    There is alot of great on-going info. Please read and feel free to comment any time.
  • 0
    Roger
    Hi Trudy -
    Thanks for staying on top of this site and so freely giving information. The new class action lawsuit has several lead plaintiffs plus Izard Nobel is teaming up with another top-notch lawfirm to fight DirectBuy. I am hoping all goes well.

    In response to emailing Debbie......I agree with you in that correspondence on this site (post and replies) should be for all to share. Isn't that why they call these boards "online communities"? Whenever people need information, you've always been good about replying to them promptly on this board. I don't see any need for replying again personally via email as all of the information is already here. If someone would like to see it, they may have to do a little digging. However, if you're talking about getting you're $5-10K membership back, it should be worth your time and effort.

    Through this board, I hope we're able to get people to stay away from DirectBuy. Through this whole ordeal I learned I need to do my homework first and not be pressured into making a decision on the spot.

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