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
    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.
  • 0
    Tom
    Hi Chantal,

    A 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.  It appears you purchased merchandise, and you may want to contact him Craig Matthews at 937-434-9393 or cmatthews@ctmlaw.com.
  • 0
    Tom
    Hi Trudy,

    Chantal may want to contact a national class action attorney.  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.  He is investigating bringing a national class action that would include claims on behalf of members who purchased merchandise.
  • 0
    Roger
    Hi Wondering-
    I honestly don't know if posting to this site is helping or hurting. I do know that DirectBuy pays people to troll the internet (they tried to recruit my son as soon as he graduated from a university with a business degree) and either get rid of or post positive comments about them. DB has the same access to the internet that we all do, therefore, whatever is posted here or anywhere can be seen and counter-commented by them. DB can try to counteract all they want, however, the truth will come out and they will be screwed. Hopefully they'll experience the same loss & heartache they caused their beloved "members".

    I am not afraid of DirectBuy anymore and they can't do anything to silence my voice against them. If they had been on the "up and up" to begin with, none of us would be here on this site. Believe me, I have better things to do with my time.

    I feel badly that we haven't yet seen any resolution, however, I, for one, am not giving up the fight......not until the wrongs have been righted and there has been a resolution.
  • 0
    Roger
    Satisfied Customer = Fat & Happy Franchise Owner (i.e., not a DB "employee")
    It's interesting how you are "advertising" the free trial membership....
  • 0
    Wondering.....
    If you're such as "Satisfied Customer" why are you looking at a complaint site?
    P.S. Remodeling is spelled with one "l" not two.
  • 0
    Trudy
    Hi everyone
      I would like to thank everyone for their updates and comments over the last day.  I really think that this site is helping people to be more aware of the scam tactics of db & to tune in to their intuition.  
      More people are catching the warning signs faster and sharing them with us.  They may never realize how powerful a small statement on this site, can help others.
      I love to see people thinking things through and responding to each other with details and questions.
      I still skim through at least once a week & try to catch new comments.
      I really enjoy when people join me to challenge others on this site, as to whether or not they are genuine.    This motivates me... so thanks again to everyone.

    HI ROGER
    I would love to hear your comments on the response by db to Rita, on p.1.
    I feel so bad for her, but she needs encouragement not to give up.  
    If anyone has any great encouragement or ideas for her, it would be you.
    DB has made a very low attempt to intimidate her by stating that she got her comments/advice from a "negative site" from people in Ontario.
    Are they trying to hurt my feelings?(sarcasm)    It's kind of amusing, that they are indirectly trying to attack me, I think?
    Let me know what you think, when you get a chance.
    I know you are really busy.   Thanks.
  • 0
    "30 days  in the hole"
    Google: directbuy complaintwire
    Go to:DIRECTBUY COMPLAINTS SCAM SCAM FRAUD
    Link to :  Complaintsboard  - after the 1st complaint scroll down to the title   :  directbuy - contract fraud
     It's another NEW YORK SCAM
     It's another 30 day scam story,  an elderly man & his disabled daughter, paid the $100 dollars for the trial...while she was out of the room, they conned her father (both had limited incomes)  into signing  a contract to pay $500 dollars more...   You really have to read it to believe it.

    30 days in the hole- it's a song by Humble Pie
  • 0
    Roger
    Hi Rita-
    Wow, sounds like DB is short for "double-babble" Since they didn't offer the 30-day trial membership to you, they didn't "alleviate the pressure" you were put under to join paying full membership. Are they ohly offering the 30-day trial to "special" people? If so, that's discrimination right there. They probably saw you as being a person who had the finances to pay up front, so they didn't feel the need to offer you the trial membership. If you had hesitated one way or the other, I think they would have made you the offer.

    DB cannot claim they only use a corporate script unless all of their people are robots. Their video presentations may be scripted, however, what happens between you and the "closer" is only known by you and them. Of course, if push comes to shove, they'll make you out to be the "liar" and "bad guy".

    As far as the BBB goes, I found that they can also be scammed and bought off. DB pays dearly for the BBB seal and in turn, the BBB "protects" them. Kind of sounds like the mafia doesn't it? It's too bad the Department of Consumer Affairs hasn't been more helpful.......Don't get discouraged, pick yourself up and continue to make those calls and write those letters. It's the only way people will listen. Do you have a local politician / public servant you can write a letter to or meet with? Perhaps after they hear your story & look at the information listed on this website, they can do something from a governmental end to get DB to pay you back.

    Let's continue working together with Trudy for some resolution! It can be done!
  • 0
    Cheski
    are you a member,can you give me specific examples?
  • 0
    Roger
    Hi Trudy-
    Yes, I agree, everyone has been really great about posting their experiences, information & helpful advice to others. This site is bringing lots of awareness to the problems with DirectBuy. Do you realize that there are 528+ comments on this one thread alone? Great response everyone! Ooooops, maybe I alerted DB and they'll come and threaten and then purchase this website, too? All I know is that I won't give up the fight for others (in addition to my family and me). The more DB does, the more we're motivated to go forward through the process.....The wheels of justice turn slowly, however, are fair and will expose the truth.

    I wrote a response to Rita on page 1. I can't believe.....no, wait.....I can believe the response she has received. I know if we all band together.....there is strength in numbers. Let's remember, complaintwire.org is not a negative site, just an H-O-N-E-S-T one. If the truth hurts, get right with life!

    Yeah, Trudy.....they are trying to get to you because you're helping people see the light. This means less membership revenue for them! It is very amusing albeit sad that they are attacking you (and perhaps me) and trying to intimidate us. They obviously don't know who they are dealing with and should not open their mouths more that necessary.....otherwise, DB will be digging themselves into a bigger hole!

    Have a good weekend Trudy. You are truly a treasure!
  • 0
    Store????
    Dear Satisfied Customer:
    You refer to DirectBuy as a store......is that where you "shopped"?
    Most furniture "stores" have "floor samples" and don't make you shop from outdated, dusty catalogs. Most "stores" also deliver at no charge.....which is far from what DirectBuy does.......service & handling charges, shipping charges, storage charges and the list goes on and on. Where is this mythical DirectBuy you are referring to in your post?????? It sounds amazing! If it's all that you say it is, I would "almost" want to shop there. However, I now know to Google before I go, instead of trusting some random informercial
  • 0
    rita
    to:satisfied customer -- just checking to see if you answered my question from yesterday --  since the store where I joined has proven to be untrustworthy -- and since I may be stuck with this membership -- I am seriously looking for a trustworthy store -- I would never under any circumstances do business with the local store in my area -- they have lied to BBB and to the consumer protection agency -- thus proving they are not trustworthy.  Even if I could find something that I could save big money on -- I would drive 500 hundred miles before ordering from people that have lied to me.  Please provide me with the town and state you have found to be trustworthy.  Thank You
  • 0
    rita
    "30 days in the hole" -- I did what you recommended and read the NY case.  Three months ago I would not have believed that someone would take advantage of an old man and his disabled daughter.  Now after dealing with DB.  I believe it.  Disabled daughter and Elderly father -- How can our legal system put some  people in jail for stealing and let others, like this, get by with stealing. I am also a senior citizen and they promised me 50% savings on appliances, did not deliver -- not on washer, dryer, regrigerator nor range -- not on new faucets or a new ceiling fan.  After you add their shipping and handling, I found exact same model numbers for less at other places.  What I still have difficulty believing, is that our legal system is allowing this.  Where is Consumer Protection?  HELP!! At least I am becoming more computer savy and this will not happen to me again.  When I originally checked this company out I typed in consumer reviews -- instead of consumer reports -- BIG BIG MISTAKE!
  • 0
    Wake up DB!!!
    Proof is Proof & Lies are Lies
    Deceit in order to coerce $ from people who are really just innocently want to save money is Deceit.
    I guess this "negative site" is from "Trudy" who is sitting in her igloo in Canada.   Would you like to buy some snow tires from her.  
    I am sure that she will trade you some for your membership.

    Just blame the employee who coerced Rita and apoligize and give her a refund and regain the trust of your potential customers...thought you were going to try to show your honesty and integrity?  
    Do you twist the words to try to intimidate people from pursuing their rights.
  • 0
    Trudy
    Hi Rita
    There are quite a few encouraging comments for you on page 1.
    It's not over... You have them in a vulnerable position now, that's why they are trying to attack me...I hope you can laugh a little when you read the comments to you.  


    TO SATISFIED CUSTOMER:  Why don't you inform your db location, so maybe someone might come to Rita's defence.   Shouldn 't someone at db be protesting S.C., aren't they making the good locations look bad?
  • 0
    Aziza
    Hi Trudy,

    My wife and I just joined last friday and realized we've made a big mistake. I called them the very next day to cancel but they said you cannot cancel because our NY 3 DAY LAW does not apply to them. It's been three days since we signed up. I can't find your letter with the instructions on how to cancel. Please re-post if you can. Thank you.
  • 0
    rita
    Aziza,
    In case Trudy does not log on today.  STEP ONE is to immediately send the manager of your DB a registered letter.  If you read notes from Trudy to me and to several others on this site -- she has walked all of us through all the steps.  Some people have been successful and others have not -- I think it has a lot to do with the management of your local DB.  Some managers may be trying to improve, thus are  giving unhappy buyers their money back; the other managers are NOT refunding and evidently do not care at all whether buyers are displeased.  Hopefully the DB you signed a contract with is not the same DB that swindled the disabled daughter and her elderly father.
  • 0
    Trudy
    Hi Aziza

    You must post-mark your REGISTERED LETTER by
             Tues.  4th of August. Keep photocopies and receipts
             SATURDAY IS A BUSINESS DAY IN NEW YORK STATE
    MUST by directly to Owner/Director      Signed by all names on contract
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Google:                       Consumer law help manual  
    Click on title same as above     "      "   "   "
     "    " CONTRACTS  - Validity
                         Signed under duress, coercion, oppression and/or undue influence -reasons to cancel  (explain the pressure you felt...)
    As far as you knew, a 3 day cooling-off period would apply to all contracts,
             Did you receive your "password" (access to their prices)  during the 1st 2 business days... if not, breach of contract
    ------------------------------------------------------
    On p.21 of this site, there is info from someone else in New York, he includes a link to click on, leading to DCA para. 5-34-
    If your contract says "NON-CANCELABLE"--
    Contracts can be cancelled, unless you agree to a non-cancellation fee, must be written into contract
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Does your contract state : "No refunds"
                   LAW IS   :  NO CASH REFUNDS MAY BE DECEPTIVE IF the db
    MISREPRESENTS the goods, their performances, and their characteristics
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Quickly find proof of some cheaper retail  products to add...(if possible)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ask for a RESCISION and a full refund,
    Inc. that Response must be in writing only, within 10 business days.
    ADD       You will not accept phone calls, e-mails or any other form of unsecured communication.
    Any questions, please ask a.s.a.p.
    You need to do this fast because you need this proof in writing of your attempt to rescind...for possible further action.
  • 0
    Trudy
    Hi Rita
    Thanks for your advice to Aziza, I just responded to him.
    I have responded to you on page 1, a few days ago & there are several interesting responses to you.   When you read them, let me know...
    Stay in touch, I wish there was more I can do, but whenever I think of something, I will respond a.s.a.p.
    Please don't give up.

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