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
    Contact the Media
    Roger-
    Would it help to send a link to this website to the publishers of these magazines?  They probably don't know how bad it makes them look.
  • 0
    duped2
    As far as the Tampa store goes, I believe the members with big bucks will enjoy their db purchases because money's no object and apparently this store is run rather professionally.  
     We are lower income and definitely do not fall in to the bracket of benefitting from db.  So remember, their are a lot of folks who have the money and get along fine with their store and owner.  Must be why they do so well in Tampa.
  • 0
    Dirt Bags at DB
    Today's date: September 09, 2010

    To: Direct Buy owner(s)
    ________________________________                    
                    
                    Direct Buy of Dallas North #587
                    611 E State Hwy 121
                    Bldg 3 Suite 220
                    Coppell TX 75019-7942

    Our names are -------- and --------------,

    On Wednesday, August 25th, 2010, we signed a 3-year membership agreement
    contract with you to be financed over a period of 36 months at $186.33 a month after a $290.00 down payment.

    We are requesting a rescission of the 3 year agreement contract, a full refund of the $290 down payment and confirmation in writing that we do not owe any money to you and/or Versa Finance.

    At the time that we signed, we were put under intense pressure by your salesperson and Asst Manager. We were not offered any trial membership at all. You presented us with what seemed to have been a great opportunity to save on home furnishings and appliances etc. Although, you did not give us the opportunity to make a rational decision on our own. We'd asked you if we could go home to evaluate and to compare prices before deciding, but you told us that we did not have that option. You specifically told us that we had to make a decision to join your club or we would be barred from returning to your facility forever. You failed to generate critical price and performance data of what you said you had to offer, and you left us with insufficient information and no opportunity to make any informed comparison and decision on our own. You basically told us that we had to join NOW or don't come back. You treated us with undue pressure and stress by forcing us to make an immediate, irrational decision. It is unfair practice to put a consumer under undue pressure to sign. You did this by telling us that we could never come back if we did not join that day. Without taking down our SS#’s we were told we could cancel. Before we left that night your Asst Manager gave us his card and said to call him if we felt it wasn’t working out. When we tried to cancel we were told there was no 3 day cooling off period nor were we able to cancel by the same Asst. Manager. This does not show the Direct Buy pledge of  Customer Satisfaction, and pledge to resolve complaints and inquires. The undue pressure and stress we were put under on August 25th, 2010 denotes a clear violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. For this reason, we are requesting a rescission of the the 3 year agreement contract and a full refund of the $290 down payment. We also request confirmation in writing that we do not owe any money to you and/or Versa Finance. We have written to the Better Business Bureau, and will be following up with the Office of the Attorney General as well as our Attorney. For this is a violation of our rights as consumers and we only see it  to notify them. We will only accept your response by mail and will not accept any phone calls or e-mails to discuss this matter. Answer by mail only, within 10 business days.

    Mr and Mrs. ----------------



    is that a good letter to send off????
  • 0
    Jennie
    I live in MO (USA) and I am trying to find a class action lawsuit that is still accepting additional plaintiffs.  My husband and I signed up a couple of months ago.  We just moved to MO with our 3 kids and bought a house that needed A LOT of work.  So we figured we'd be buying enough to make it pay.  Well, it doesn't work.  The whole thing is sham and a shame.  I joined the Springfield, MO Direct Buy and my contact person was Brent Fesperman.  We did buy some things from them.  But here is the problem: There is a 3-Day cooling off period in MO but it doesn't do any good because you don't receive any information until it's too late.  I was told that I would probably have my log-in information on Monday (I think it was Thursday when we went to the 'open house') but I did not receive it until well after that and that was only after I called repeatedly to get it.  Then, we ordered appliances for our kitchen.  And never got them.  We knew we would have to wait so I waited patiently for the estimated shipping date.  And it finally came.  It was changed 4 times.  And 2 of those changes were made a day before the order was supposed to ship!  I did get my money back on the order, fairly quickly, but how are you supposed to save (which you usually don't anyway) when you can't actually receive the merchandise?  So I sat here for weeks in my remodeling project with literally no kitchen and 3 kids to try to feed somewhat healthily.  (There were no appliances in the house we bought, so it wasn't like we were just replacing old ones.)  In any case, I called Brent Fesperman ten minutes after I received the log-in information to that secret, members only site and told him I wanted out.  He flatly refused and kept saying that he had "delivered" on his end.  (This was before the appliances - which were never delivered.)  I want to get in on one of these class action law suits.  One mentioned earlier is already pending, therefore not taking any new plaintiffs.  Please someone, help me.  Also, I have Beta Finance to deal with as well.  I can afford to pay them (barely) but don't want to do that not knowing if I will get that money back.  I am posting my contact info so if anyone anywhere knows of a class action that I can join, please let me know!

    Jennie Waschenbecker
    114 North Street
    Houston, MO 65483
    417-967-5092
    jennie@mndreamhome.com
  • 0
    Laurie
    Trudy can you help us too please?  We joinned about a year ago and have been paying Beta Finance monthly $130. We too joinned after being pressured that we couldn't come back later.  We should have known better but got caught up in the whole deal.  We were looking at finishing a new house and thought they could save us to much money.  But the fact is all of the estimates were so much higher than going somewhere else and by then we were stuck.  We have kids in college and are financially strapped right now - we really need out.  Do you have a sample letter for Arkansas laws?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • 0
    TRUDY
    HI TO; "dirtbags of db"

      I suggest printing a copy of your letter double spaced & make your changes on that copy, you need to proof read it very carefully,
    be much more specific, also

    1st---cross out the repetitive sentences & you
       must use paragraphs to seperate each issue
      -refer to "UNDUE PRESSURE" (only 1ce) & refer the Texas...act

    ADD:  "I have not recieved my "password/ACCESS to your prices..."...no chance to price compare..."

    you repeated    ...decision... & undue pressure...at least 7 times before you mentioned the law...

    erase the repeat at the end..."...RESCISION...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    WHAT DOES YOUR CONTRACT ACTUALLY SAY?
      ...NO CANCEL, NO REFUNDS...???
    IF SO, YOU need to start with the fact that you have just become aware that NO CANCEL... IS AGAINST THEIR OWN CORPORATE COMPANY POLICY!!!!!!
    ****db has taken adantage of your lack of knowledge to a grossly unfair degree.
    This is an unconscionable act, acc. to the Texas...deceptive....act

    LIST MY REFERENCES ON P. 93, from my letter to James on August 11, 2010
    on p. 91- Egnar sent a direct link to proof of 3 days...(print a copy to send with your REG€ISTERED LETTER--highlight the reference near the end)

    ---then inc. the video reference...


    ===========================================================================When we tried to cancel... What date & How did you try? REGISTERED letter?
    What proof do you have? if by phone, very weak...who did you talk to?

    I DO NOT SUGGEST ANY REFERENCE TO THE BBB (They will laugh hysterically!)

    SAVE the A.G. til later, if no response...they law states that
    YOU MUST CONTACT THE CO. BY REGISTERED LETTER & WAIT for a response,
    without this step, you have nothing to report...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Please respond in writing only, we will not accept phone calls or e-mails.   Please answer within 10 business days, of recieving this REGISTERED LETTER.    
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    GOOD LUCK TO YOU, DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!
  • 0
    Susan M.
    This is a great site!  Thanks for everything!  We signed up in November 2009.  My issues are very similar to everyone's!  Our local DB is in Fort Mill, SC.  Been doing research online about DB in general and that particular store.  They have a "F" with the BBB (no shock there!).  I sent a letter Sept. 1 to the owner outlining our issues with a request for full refund of the membership fee.  Sent the letter with a delivery confirmation - from that I know he received it the next day.  Stated that we expected a response by today - Sept. 10.  Have not gotten one.  What do you suggest my next step be?  I've been reading the SC Dept of Consumer Affairs page about filing a complaint with them, and plan to file one with BBB.  But based on the fact that they already have an "F" with BBB due to non-response to all the previous complaints, I don't suppose that'll do any good.  What about contacting our credit card company?  We charged the entire membership fee - can we get a refund based on not getting what we paid for?
  • 0
    Lacy Hayes
    hi

    has anyone who joined the Coquitlam, BC Directbuy tried cancelling their contract? I've tried to no end - wondering whether I should take it to my lawyer.  Please help
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI Gloria
    Just find writen proof of cheaper prices, make sure you get full price quotes from db, because their full price is a secret,
    because they refuse to put "THE WHOLE PRICE" in writing

    part of the dirty trick is that they force you to compare their
    Catalogue  OR internet price----(which they make to look cheaper)
    BUT, they forget to PUT IN WRITING, THEIR  $$$$
    shipping, handling, cost of 3rd party to pick up large items from their warehouse.....& other disgusting fees that they make up as they go

    --- then they want you to come in & RESOLVE their  LIES,
    AFTER YOU CATCH THEM....

    SEND REGISTERED MAIL,
    YOU forgot to mention where you live
  • 0
    Still mad as hell
    HI Toyang
    BE very thankful that she was an a** because she saved you from the hell's kitchen of the DB SUPER SCAM!!!
    Please help us, by warning as many people as  you can. Thank-you
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI Susan M.
    I suggest waiting 10 BUSINESS DAYS,
    ON Sept. 17th, send a follow-up fax with a summary

    While you are getting your letter ready,
    INc. some written proof of cheaper prices
    remember that  you joined almost a year ago,
    so you have to be as specific as possible,
    BUT do not get discouraged because they have gotten away with ignoring complaints
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I joined on -----------
    ...reminder that I have not yet recieved a response to my letter,
    confirmed as received by you on Sept. 2, 2010
    It is now 10 business days later,
    I am requesting a rescision of my contract & a full refund,
    based on...

    PLEASE respond my mail only, I WILL NOT accept phone calls or e-mails
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    -FORGET THE BBB ---TOTOL WASTE OF TIME & ENERGY
    -THE CREDIT CARD CO. cannot help you, because you signed & a contract & did not dispute a "fraudulant" charge, almost a year ago.
    -you cannot complain to the A.G., until you have something to report,
    -letter to... response from db... & some proof of your complaint
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI LACY

    I really hope that you have sent Registered mail !
    If not, you don't have any solid evidence, since they are so sneaky,
    not bound by verbal, therefore refuse to put their lies in writing,
    they pay their stinking taxes...& get away with everything

    Have you sent proof of cheaper prices???
    Did you refer to the law I REFER TO:

    BRITISH COLUMBIA--BUSINESS PRACTICES & CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
    Chapter 2--Part 2------division 1  &   2
    Read through & find examples that apply

    let us know where you are at, in your complaint &
    WE WILL TRY TO HELP!!!
  • 0
    duped2
    I GIVE UP... WE JUST HAVE TO MOVE ON.  THERE IS NO CHANCE OF REFUND.  LIKE THE TITLE - DON'T MAKE OUR MISTAKE - SUMS IT UP.. $5,490 more or less gambled away.  oh well, it's only money.  Will NEVER do something like this again.  this has affected my mental state of mind so severely that it's just over.  Oh and we are still members.. whoo hoo
  • 0
    Still mad as hell
    HI DUPED2
    I can't stand to here your descision
    PLLLLLLLLLLLEASE RECONSIDER!!!

    PLEASE refer back to the FLORIDA CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW

    ***There is a copy of the law under WEBLOCATOR---Guide to Florida Law
      The 1 with the 'FLASHING EYES'
      Consumer PROTECTION LAW-----Contract law
      MISTAKE, DURESS, AND FRAUD

      DURESS:  use of force or pressure...to make the other party agree to a contract...may be physical or mental,
    Duress makes the contract voidable"

      FRAUD IS;   "...Intentional misrepresentation of an important issue,
    it can be physical or mental...Duress makes the contact voidable."
    =========================================================================
    Complain in writing, to the Attorney General,
    send proof of cheaper prices, every time you find one,
    won't be too hard to do, since you have to keep shopping.....somewhere













    of the contract.   The presence of fraud in a contractual prodeeding makes the contract voidable by the party upon whom the fraud was perpetrated."
  • 0
    watchful eyes
    Hey Mad as Hell......what happened to the middle of your post?? Was there more? Just wondering if "someone" made it disappear!??

    Watching very closely as I have much to post when I am able, but would like to know it's going to stay there to help everyone for the duration!

    Let us all know!
  • 0
    Roger
    duped2-
    I can't remember if you had spoken to any of the class action lawsuit attorneys or not. I know that resolution through a lawsuit is a long way off but it's better than giving up. Don't let DirectBuy wear you down & keep your money. At least try to contact the attorneys & point them to this website. Tell them your story. They will not charge you a dime because all of their legal fees come out of DB's deep pockets once a settlement or judgement have been made. They'll usually even pay for your travel to do the deposition or come to you. Please don't give up......
  • 0
    shayne
    Thank you Trudy, i got my refund yesterday less $50.00 for admin. costs which i initially offered $100.00 but we agreed the $50.00 would work, it took about 2 weeks but i got my money back($5035.00)

    Thanks again and for those out there, draft your letter, mention the cooling off period and be vigilante in your efforts, it should work out.

    cheers
  • 0
    LAW SUITS---PLEASE JOIN FOR FREE!!!!
    1) All U.S. Members from Oct. 29, 2003

    www.milberg.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2) OHI0 www.ctmlaw.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3) California only: www.johnWdavis.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4) Missouri
    & Iowa www.todd-graves.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5) Connecticut www.izardnobel.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    6) Indiana www.cohenmalad.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7) Washington, D.C.

    & California www.finkelsteinthompson.com

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    8) *******************HOPING FOR A NATION-WIDE SUIT***********************

    ****************** www.abingtonlaw.com ***********************


    OFFICES: Oklahoma
    Kansas
    Texas
    1-800-969-6570
    **************************************************************************

    Please don't give up!!!!!!!!
    Please don't let your friends & family give up!!!!!!!!!!!
    Please, please, please!!!
    ***************************************************************************

    Ask questions here, vent here, do & say whatever it takes, to encourage
    everyone to fight back!!!!!!!
    ***************************************************************************
  • 0
    TRUDY
    HI DUPED2

    AS YOU CAN SEE, by our responses to you, that we will not let you go  away quietly, & as you can see, we really do care, here!

    ROGER & I ARE STILL HERE, AFTER ALMOST 2 YEARS!
    WE KEEP SAYING, DON'T GIVE UP!


    Please contact the list of class-action suits, if you have not yet,
    OR at least get on a list (check if you are allowed to be on more than 1 list)
    but, if you don't get on a list, you will never have a chance, if there is any kind of settlement, & WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE PAY OUTS TO VICTIMS!
  • 0
    Still mad as hell!
    HI Watchful eyes
    Thanks for asking, I hit some key by accident, but all the info is there,
    the last sentence is part of the Fraud explanation.

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