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
    rita
    Trudy.  Quote from the local DB manager to the Deparment of Consumer Affairs: "Misrepresentation is just not in our model and we have even taken steps as a company to alleviate the pressure potential members feel from needing to make a choice by offering Free 30 Trial Memberships so they can try us out and see for them selves what our current members already know.  Buying at Cost is substantially better value proposition than buying at Retail!"  NO Free 30 Trial Membership was ever mentioned or offered to me.  Another quote:  "Our presentations is strictly scripted and includes video from our company officials, which contains no misrepresentatiions or misleading language."  Another:  "statements she pulled off a negative website for DirectBuy were from Mississauga and Brampton, (Ontario,Canada)  THUS the person on this site that states DB pays people to read your site is CORRECT.
  • 0
    janice
    DB will lie to BBB and the consumer protection agencies so have your proof when you go against them
  • 0
    cowgirl
    "Rebel 1258"  One smart boyfriend -- hang onto him.
  • 0
    janice
    Gabriela, I also live in FL and have lost my savings to DB -- desparate and doing withoug groceries -- let me know if you get your money back and I will try same.
  • 0
    used car salesman
    Finally someone that rates lower than used car salesmen -- DB is the worse
    They took my greatgrandmom (83 years old) for everything she had in the bank -- the lawyers are trying -- but so far no return of funds -- if you want to give your money away -- it is cheaper to buy a "clunker"
  • 0
    What the......?
    Is db for real????
    How could they respond to Rita like this.   Ontario, Canada did not define the word "Misrepresent" nor did they define "breach" or "honour".
    db claims that they have "taken steps to alleviate the pressure...
    offering "free 30 day trial..."
    So what's the problem db?   Didn't Rita come to you as soon as she did her research, in a week, to cancel?   That's way less that 30 days.   If she couldn't use the membership and she couldn't save money then It looks like she had been mislead.
    So I am not from Canada, but I agree with Trudy.
    Please give her money back and you can show that you have honesty and integrety  and people will regain their trust in you.
    Whoever recruited her should not fully define everything about db.   Maybe the recruiter should'nt have been so aggressive.

    db's reference to the Video Presentation, is not written in the contract therefore is not the same thing.   It is the contract that is misleading and even verbal statements can be included in "misleading" & in "misrepresentation"
  • 0
    Wondering?
    Hi Roger
    Do you think that there is any chance that referring people to this site from other sites, could be backfiring?
    You will know what I mean if you read db response to Rita, 1st page, about half way down the page.
  • 0
    Satisfied Customer
    I joined DB last year (lifetime) and have done 2 remodelling projects since.  I am surprised to hear about the negative experiences people have had.  I have been extremely happy with the products and the service at my store.  The cabinet designer was wonderful and my kitchen looks great.  I know that it is always the negative experiences that get all the attention but I just want to point out that those experiences are not universal.  If you can now get a trial membership, take advantage of it and get to know your store and it's staff.  These problems may be store specific.  Good luck.  The investment can be very rewarding.  (I do not work for DB - and neither does anyone I know.)
  • 0
    rita
    'What the ....?'  Just logged on to see if Trudy had replied and found your response.  That is not the total of the misrepresentation.  DB's response to the BBB was that 1) the presentation is scipted from corporate; then turns right around and states 2) each center is franchised thus customer service is different at each center.  In addition DB in their response to BBB makes it sound like the only negative comments about DB are coming out of Mississauga and Brampton (Ontario, Canada)  Yet this  company "that has been in business of helping families for over 38 years" refuses to refund one old lady's memebership fee when I have provided them with absolute proof that ever item I needed to replace and every item I wanted to replace can be purchased for less money elsewhere.  I never thought at my age, I would be sharing such on-line with complete strangers.  Everyone is saying be careful of what you say here in this space.  I have not said anything here that I have not already written to BBB and Consumer Protection.  BBB was no help.  Consumer Protection has given me the opportunity to respond to DB, which has already been done.
  • 0
    rita
    Do you mind sharing the name of the town and state where a DB provides honest information to people
  • 0
    Trudy
    Dear Rita
    I am so sorry that they are so resistant to you, I am hoping that the DCA will not accept the db response, and ask them to consider that they should consider your situation and the fact that they did not offer you a 30 day membership.   If they did, you would have had the opportunity to cancel.
    I hope that you do not give up.  You still have an opportunity to respond to the comments make by db.
    Too bad, that db is intruding on this site.
    Please do not get too discouraged because you still have a chance.
  • 0
    Trudy
    My Dear Rita
    We are so far away, yet so close, because I was writing to you at the same time as you were responding to (What the...Please do not give up...
  • 0
    Kismayo
    I glad I visited this site - they just issued me thier so called pass, I m to visit thier presentation center, Now I know thanks to you guys
  • 0
    suggestion
    Hi Rita
      Maybe you might consider challenging them by asking them to specify, personally to you, in writing, the contents of the Video Presentation that they are so proud of.  Considering the fact that they claim that the video is totally honest and not misleading in any way.  Shouldn't they have to prove their claims, the onus should be on them to provide the information to back up their words.
      They made a very cheap and cowardly attempt to side-step the issue by referring to Ontario.
      How about answering to the laws you are breaking,DB?
      SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
      PROTECTING CONSUMERS FROM - High Pressure Tactics
                                - Statements or written words leading to deceive consumers by persuading them to believe something that the merchant knnows is not true.
  • 0
    good question
    Would like to know Who & Where??   Everyone who is in love with db, never proudly states the specific & important details.
    If they are so satisfied, wouldn't this be a good place to tell us about the honest db's?
    WHO is offering the 30 day free trials?
  • 0
    BBB?
    BBB (3 initials) = 3 words FAI (Forget About It)
    BBB  stands for    BIG & BOLD BULL***
    Sponsored by       BIG   BAD  BUSINESSES
  • 0
    Anonym
    HI 'USED...'
      I am so sick of this scam...and I am outraged at how ruthless they are.
    Is there anything we can do for your great grandmom?   I have references and resourses that might help.  
    Any bit of info that you can bring to the lawyer hopefully will be helpful.
    Where does she live?   Please read and review everything that the lawyer writes carefully.  You don't want her to be taken by the lawyer, also.
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI Janice
    When I questioned Gabriela about her intentions, she disappeared.
    Google:  Fla Consumer Protection Act
    Go to:   Florida consumer protection law
    at the end of the 1st paragragh, find underlined   CONTRACT LAW
    GO TO;   Mistake, duress & fraud.
            Undue duress to join- high pressure tactics
            FRAUD :   Intentional misrepresentation of an important part of the contract    (save more than retail...apply this to your experience with specific examples.  RECEIPTS from other stores cheaper...
    REG'D LETTER ONLY  TO OWNER SIGNED BY ALL NAMES ON CONTRACT
    Ask for RESCICION  money back
    give 10 bus. days to respond, upon receipt of letter
    inc. that you will only ACCEPT A RESPONSE BY MAIL
    GOOD LUCK  ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK
  • 0
    Trudy
    HI JANICE
    Are you  the Janice in Florida?  If you are,
    I just responded to you on page 14 of this site.  You left a message for Gabriela but she disappeared.  Let me know if it's you and what you think.
  • 0
    Tom
    Roger,

    The national class action is being put together by Craig Matthews.  He would like members who have *actually purchased merchandise* to contact him, as those members will be able to assert additional claims that can not be asserted by members who did not purchase merchandise.  DirectBuy moved to dismiss a state class action where the plaintiffs had not actually purchased merchandise.  If you know of members who have purchased merchandise, they should contact Craig Matthews at 937-434-9393 or cmatthews@ctmlaw.com.

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