Don't make our mistake
Complaint
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.
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
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I know that a lot of us would love to have someone investigate the presentation, equiped with our information.
BUT...on the other hand, I think that you should stay home on Sunday and have quality time with your wife and your new son. All the money that the organization makes, and they won't even provide a day care service for a couple of hours. OOPS! I probably just gave them a new idea to help them perfect the scam. You know, the db site readers, who report to db.
If I were you, I would just keep warning as many people as possible, and referring them to this site.
BUT, if you do go, we would love to know as much as possible about the catch to the trial membership.
Let us know what you decide.
I am so proud of everything that you have done. You absolutely inspire me.
The way that you can talk about your experience and your feelings is very significant, because many of us have expressed how stupid we felt,
BUT, when others read & follow your progress, they will feel a bit of hope to reach out and try to get help from us and admit to friends and family about how they have been victimized.
I am so glad that you have family support now, also. I hope that that it brings your family and friends closer to you.
I hope that you keep up your energy enough to keep on fighting.
On page 1, there is a response from Roger and another one from "Suggestion" both have excellent points in response to the db answer to your complaint.
DB's response in INSANE. It is completely ignoring your proof.
The gov't bureau has got to see right through it.
PLEASE don't give up, it's time for one more letter to respond to the insanity. I think the 2 letters on p.1 should give you the answers that you need. Please stay with us.
I am glad that you are back.
PLEASE keep warning people and referring them to us, and warn them about this new trial membership that they are trying to trick us with.
Also, it has helped others when we share how we felt when we started, and how our feeling improved as we made progress, like you & Rita did.
We have another story from another Ontario scam at the end of this site. A very long letter. Give us your opinion...
Thanks for the update of info about Erin. Things happen for a reason, & sometimes good things happen to compensate for the hardships in life. She became famous by accident, but the good thing about her, is the fact that she did not investigate to become famous. That is another thing that I share with Erin. I am not brave enough to go public because I do not want any fame, just a little "fortune" to help me through some financial hardships.
I am sure that you will find someone who will publicly testify vs. db.
You are very lucky that you were warned to avoid the scam, so keep passing on the info. Thanks!
I have just finished catching up with most of you.
Hi Terry, I'm glad I caught you in time, I know that you were in a hurry,but it's a good thing that you did a last minute check before you mailed your letter. My internet was out, so I responded to you first because I knew that your time limit was urgent.
Over the last few pages, I have responded to:
Tom --D in Illinois ---Rita----- & Dawn---
HOPE to hear from everyone soon.
I will try to tackle the letter from BEX over the next few days...it's a lot of details, but I will do my best.
Anyway, my husband and I were getting ready to buy a home. When we first began looking for a house we thought of getting ourselves into a fixer upper. We saw the infomercial for DirectBuy and thought it sounded interesting. Needless to say we went to an open house and were given the very intense and high pressured sales pitch. We wanted to go home and think about, but were told we had to make our decision right there and then, or else we wouldn't be allowed to come back. Feeling helpless, and as if our hands were tied we (for the moment) thought it would be something we would truly use. When I was told that our purchase price is going to be $6917.18 for the membership, I wanted to run out the door, and tell them to forget it. However, the lady was very intense and made it as if this was something we HAD to do (plus we were in the very back of the store with no way to make a quick escape....kind of like being cornered) So we folded, and bought into the sales pitch. We felt instant buyers remorse and to this day that feeling is only getting worse.
Now, fast forwarding four months, we finally got our house. We ended up with a house that needs a few things here and there but no major renovations. We now have been thinking about getting a washer and dryer for our house and would like to use our DirectBuy memebership. However, now that we are looking into buying, we realize that this whole thing was just a big mistake. How could we have been convinced to do this? So we have only been members for less than five months, and we don't see how we are ever going to be able find the time to buy what we need (with a store that is two hours away), and not to mention that then we have to wait for 6-8 weeks to even get our purchase; which we have to come and pick up two hours away.
Now we have this huge debt hanging over our heads (we paid the full amount on our credit card.... thank God it has a 0% interest rate), plus the money that we could be using to buy the items we need, is just not there because of the fact that we have to pay down this debt.
Honestly, if I knew that I would use it more often than not, I would swallow the huge membership fee and enjoy what it has to offer; but at the time of purchase I never realized how inconvenient this entire membership was until now. They made it sound so easy to buy, plus you get online access to their inventory; which to this day we are still waiting to receive they were supposed to give it to us via mail or email and it never happened.
So not that this whole situation sucks already, it keeps getting worse. I have been doing some research and reading other experiences, and I feel worse about being in this situation....although I have to say I am glad we were not the only ones to get scammed. :) I get more outraged when I read other post and realize that they got their membership for less..... what's the deal with that!
Anyway, I want to cancel my membership and don't know how I can. We signed the document stating we only have three days to cancel... so is this iron clad or is there a way out? I know in an earlier post you said each state is different. Please o Please help,
Thanks to you all and Trudy,
Grace
Hello, I have a proposal for you and your husband. You currently have what we call a Gold Membership. We have a Silver membership that may be better for you and your husband. You could purchase this at a much lower price and get the windows at a lower price as well. There are not quite as many manufacturers to shop from but it could be ideal for yourself and your young growing family. Please let me know when i can speak to you over the phone about this and i would be glad to discuss this with you.
I'm not going to respond till I get your advice Trudy, you are the expert! After reading through this entire site you really are amazing to dedicate your time to all of us. Thank you.
NO CONTRACT IS "IRON CLAD" especially when is made by our "lovable DB"
I will try to ease your mind a little at the moment until I have more time to go into more detail.
Google "Calif Consumer Protection Act"
Go to: California consumer protection law
Guide to ...
1st click: Consumer protection law**
1st para: "contract law" **DEFENSES: MISTAKE, DURESS & FRAUD
& UNCONSCIONABILITY
AFTER you read it a few times, start writing notes for yourself to help you detail your case...
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THIS IS YOUR DEFENSE, if you go to some of my earlier letters you will know my other RULES...REG'D Mail ...Inc. that you will only accept correspondense by mail...When I have a bit more time...I will help you soon. Don't worry, you do have options if you organize properly..
I was hoping that you would not have put names & addresses ...for confidentiality reasons. At least when people read this, they will understand why.
I also wish that you could have shortened your details because it is taking forever to read, I'm still not finished.
But I just read the response they gave you & I hope that you realize that you have so much incredible power right now.
When others read this, they will see more clearly how much db caves in when they are challenged.
They are willing to offer you practically anything to keep your money, willing to break the conditions of the contract (IN THEIR FAVOUR) but they are still not being specific about what they will offer you...so they are so vulnerable to you that it is almost funny.
REMEMBER THEIR MOST POPULAR OFFER IS:
"...WHEN CAN WE TALK ON THE PHONE..."
SO, they can tape record it, illegally,
so they can document "word for word" what you say & intimidate you into accepting some other "SOLUTION" that they pressure you into believing is another one-time offer,
they use fear techniques, like Roger explains in his letter about the definition of "SCAM" -..you have to accept the deal...because they will get you in trouble for trying to break the contract...
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Or "When can you come in talk..."
REMEMBER THAT IS HOW THEY CONNED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE...
AS ROGER SAYS "DB" stands for "Double-Babble"
THE Verbal Con- the 1st thing that they are specially trained in...
NEXT, Withholding the password/online access to prices
THEN, Deliberately filling out the order form,
then tell you about 3 to 6 weeks later, that it is out of stock..or disc.
They instruct their INSTALLERS, to delay service for as long as possible
***While they make interest on your membership fees...
BEAUTIFUL, NOT DECEITFUL, NOT FRAUDULANT, ALL DONE WITH A CONSCIENCE
& OF COURSE, DONE WITHOUT ANY UNDUE PRESSURE TO JOIN....
Bex
Glad you're back. You are helping by joining Trudy in giving "first hand" advice to other victims of this obvious scam. By spreading the word to family and friends (and they'll tell two friends, etc.) we hope that exponentially people will stay away and DirectBuy will go out of business.
I truly believe that we can all use our past experiences (good and bad) to help others. Thanks for joining us in fighting this cause!
Thanks for sharing your story. You should consider yourself saved from losing nearly $7000 on empty promises. Once DirectBuy has your money, they run away with it and all you get in return is a bunch of defective, out of date merchandise. My wife & I joined at the Signal Hill location and had nothing but headaches. The reason I'm on this site is to warn people to stay away! Thanks for helping!
When were you 1st told about a GOLD or SILVER membership. It appears to be a new trick.
Send a REGISTERED letter outlining facts below.
It is deceitful to offer changes to the conditions of the contract, due to the fact that I have co-operated with every demand.
You have used deceit and misrepresentation of every aspect of the contract.
Your actions are contrary to the Consumer Protection Act of Ontario.
I am filing my complaint with them, and I am immediately demanding a RESCISION of the contract and a full refund, in the method that our membership was paid for.
I will not under any circumstances speak to you by telephone, I will not meet with you and I will not accept any correspondence by e-mail.
June 24th, meeting was your last opportunity to get the "full disclosure of the Facts.." since the reps knew that is what db wanted from them.
We co-operated fully, and if you claim that you still do not know all the facts, today, August----, then this is negligence and incompetence on your part. I am not responsible to provide you with details indefinitely.
Please include my refund along with my confirmation of the Rescision of the contract, immediately. Your letter should be post-marked no later than Monday, August 17,2009.
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When you made the appt., you stated your decision was based on the cost of windows, that you urgently needed before winter.
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May 30th, 2009
You brought 2 quotes as they asked. They were misleading and negligent not to make sure that their company info was up-to-date.
They should have contacted Arcor to discuss their "mistakes",since they admitted knowing that Arcor has given over-priced quotes before. DB did not even demanded that Arcor have their binder in the showroom.(NO STANDARDS)
The price of windows that you calculated from the Triwin binder, was agreed upon by the sales rep. You figured that the amount of money you would save on windows, would pay for the membership. The rep helped you to calculate to gain your trust.
When you asked if the price was Brick to Brick or Retrofit, he did not know and did not try to find out. (Leaving out essential information)
He admits discussing installation fees and confirmed that since the price was under $5,000.00, that the extra charge would be $800.00.
June 4th -Orientation
June 6th -You left messages for 2 reps, for the window quotes.
June 10 -You called again, spoke to both reps asking for prices again.
June 19 -E-mailed request again, & sent copy to owner.
*Finally received Arcor quote, $14,000.00 dollars, plus extras
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June 23 -Received Quote from Twiwin, just over 6,400.00.
BEX, can you please explain how the "...additional $6,600.00 installation
costs..." was shown to you, that you had calculated with the Triwin binder to be $800 dollars..because I just want to clarify it, before I jump to conclusions. (was it a new addition to the e-mail quote?
I interpret your explanation like this:************************************
The new quote from Triwin appears to be $6,400 + $6,600 for installation.
The new total quote would then be $13,000.00 dollars.??????????????????????
approx. the same price as your quotes, NO SAVINGS
-make sure that you have printed out copies of all e-mails
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After receiving Triwin quote, you went back to check the binder, again. You found that the front page had been replaced, and that installation now costed extra.
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The other problem was the ORDER FOR BRAKES FOR CAR:
June 4th - AT your orientation, you filled out a form to order brakes.
Do you have a copy to confirm the date ordered?
June 17th - You called, spoke to Isabelle to find out about your order.
She said she had not heard from the company. Shortly after,
Someone else called, saying that:
THE COMPANY TOLD THEM THAT THEY DID NOT PROVIDE BRAKES.
The response was 2 weeks later, and YOU HAD TO CALL THEM.
*Before they put an order in, NO ONE WAS OBLIGATED TO CHECK.
AGAIN, NO Co. standards, rules or obligations to members.
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June 24th -Your hand-delivered letter requested a refund in full, you followed up by e-mail & asked for resolution by Friday June 26th.
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June 24 - Their e-mail response was that they would meet with both reps.
They want you to produce your quotes, again & compare the quality of the windows that you quoted, & compare it to the reps quality.
THIS PART OF THE ESSENTIAL MATERIAL FACTS WAS CONVENIENTLY OMITTED FROM THE INFORMATION DISCUSSED WITH YOU, BEFORE JOINING. (Misrepresentation)
NO INFO was offered to you about the quality of their windows, either.
They want a meeting with both of you, the owners & both reps.
The other part of their solution is: FOR YOU TO START ALL OVER AGAIN,
A WHOLE MONTH LATER, KNOWING THAT YOUR WINDOWS ARE URGENT.
NOW, ALMOST 3 months, later, and there is still no service & products delivered to you. BREACH OF CONTRACT.
You only have a written "PROMISE" to give you what you want.
June 24 -You respond repeating that you would like a refund.
June 24 -Owner answers...cannot cancel without FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE FACTS...and she DEMAMDS that you agree to their "meeting" expectations.
July 8 -You met with owners and reps, & repeated you want your $$ back.
They insisted on continuing the price comparisons.
After meeting -E- Mail from owner, still demanding details...hardware, etc. that they had never offered to you as part of the original price.
The reps did not give you the detailed total price at the meeting.
July 12 -You answered with the details & asked for response by July 15th.
July 17 -Owner had not heard from Arcor yet.
Arcor had the chance to produce the quote in writing, JULY 8th.
COPY this letter as your main letter to send to Consumer Protection Bureau of Ontario. They state all of their empty promises and they make up a new "we'll beat the price by 10%"
ALMOST ALL RETAIL STORES DO THAT IMMED. NOT 3 MONTHS LATER.
July 25 - repeat of same quote from Arcor- Co. cannot even fill the order , do not even have all the windows needed. (Are there any details...hardware etc.?)
They demanded this from you and did not return any of the things that they have asked you for. Very Deceitful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck... anything unclear, please ask... but you knpw that db will probably read this before you finish writing it, but it must be in writing.
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OR am I to put in all of your summed up info? Sorry, I just want to understand completely at what is the best way to do this.
I'm going to check at home all my info to answer your questions.
thanks,
Bex
I am so happy to see your progress and to see you becoming stronger in every letter.
PLEASE do not forget that db is specially trained in intimidating, & coercing the new members. They are professional con artists and they took advantage of you.
You took your feelings of embarrassment & turned it into power by reaching out. You might like to ask the lawyers' that you talk to, if they might know of some senior citizen agencies to report db intimidation and abuse.
Just an idea I just thought of. It is always up to you now.
MAYBE You should write a speach on EMPOWERMENT, for your family reunion.
Always ask and share info.
Use the 1st part that you refer to, to send to db.
I made 1 mistake. July 24 -remove the word "MEETING" -REPLACE with "It"
"It was your last..."
ADD: It was your (db) obligation to demand the prices and details from your window companies. You should have answered and responded to me.
You delayed me further by making me wait 2 more weeks, to have an unnecessary meeting. At that time, the details were still not available.
The 2nd half of the letter is your outline for your complaint to the Consumer Protection Branch...details in letters to Dawn, also in Ontario.
Don't forget to find the answers for my questions, because they will part of the complaint to the Branch. Good Luck.
We have a new letter from Rita on page 1.
She is making great progress. She got a letter from her consumer protection agency, saying that they have "demanded" a response from db.
Rita has reached out to family and told the lawyers in her family.
Well since we know that DB is watching, they better read the responses to Rita on page 1. I QUOTE "WAKE UP DB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"