DirectBuy
Reviews and Complaints

On February 2, 2013 my debit card was charged for $300.00. I thought I purchased the Warranty on January 31, 2013. Never again did I hear from this company. Never did I receive an email or mailing from this company. I was questioning what was going on with the warranty and after months of medical issues that had arose in my life, I contacted them. They gave me some song and dance that I could reinstate my warranty, that was suppose to take effect in March of 2013 if I paid the premium from March to August. Which would total $900.00. Heck, they never sent me the info on the warranty, never and email regarding the warranty that I put a $300.00 deposit down on. That would be $1200.00 for a product that I never had and what if I did pay them? Would I ever receive anything from them? So I asked to cancel the warranty. Oh I got an email then. Telling me they would refund $50.00 of my down payment.
What a scam. I think if I was a man that called and hadn't shared that my husband was overseas at the time I went to purchase this, I may have gotten the product I ordered. But no, I was in the perfect situation for their forceful salesman to take advantage.
I will not sign and send back this document they sent me. I will pursue the BBB. This is a racket and they are making money hand over fist as I can see from the other comments on this site.

I have no problem with trying to save people money, but when it come to you telling me how i can and cannot spend my money is my business. I don't need another monthly bill weather it is 100 or 300 dollar a month it is still my money. The company contracted me through the mail and stated i will received a tablet 7' and 200 dollars in free meals. I states as long and i don't have to buy anything i would come she agreed and i had appointment the next day at 6:30 i had to listen to a 90 min. promotion pitch and i did then they became ruled and states if one hundreds was going to miss with your income then he more less said i did not need to be there. like i said the contracted me. And yes me and my husband have over a Eighty thousand dollars income . But it is our money we buying our house. Their is a saying you win some and you lose some. Just be happy you made it this far.

Everything they offer is over priced. Nothing you look up in the stores around here match, at least nothing that I can afford. The items are big money market items. Things rich people look for and buy. For example. They told me I would be able to buy things out of the places I shop. Like lowes, home depot wrong. What they should have said is the store you shop in have to have what we sale. Biggest scam I've never bought anything from them. I haven't even gone back for orientation. I figured I'd go back after buying something since most of it you have to pick up but, I can't find a D** thing to buy. And even though I haven't even gone to the orientation they haven't called but that hasn't stop them from taking my money every month. The owners should be ashamed to even stay in business.

Purchased a warranty from Ryan Dunn @ DBW in March 2013 for my brand new car. Read all reviews ahead of time so required DBW to send me an email confirming that if I canceled before a certain date that I would receive 100% of my funds tendered back. I got this email. Text shown below.

From: Ryan Dunn [mailto:[protected]@directbuyautowarranty.com]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 2:04 PM
To: '[protected]@gmail.com'
Subject: Cancellation

Hi Drew

If you would like to cancel the coverage before the coverage start date of 3/22/2016, you will get a full refund for all your funds tendered.

Thank You

Ryan Dunn
Senior Underwriter
Direct Buy Warranty
33 Wood Ave South.
Iselin NJ 08837
www.DirectBuyWarranty.com

Ph: [protected] Ext 8817

After receiving a strange call and reading more I decided on April 11th to cancel. DBW said that could only be done via a form. I got the form and it had language in it that I would only get $25 back. I called them before I submitted the form and said I had an email from their Senior Underwriter stating I would receive a full refun dof my $300. They said it was standard language and not to worry about it as I had the email.

On April 12th I get a refund for $25. I call in and eventually speak to a Johanna in Customer Service who said that they are not a rip off company and she will get it to accounting who will call me back within 1 day. Of course that never happened. Today I called and spoke to Sam Edwards and he read me the agreement. Tried to talk over me but I persisted and explained about the Ryann Dunn email shown above. He said they wanted to see it and that I would hear back.

Be VERY careful of this company. I will update this forum when I hear.

Drew Alexander

We were sucked in paying $5, 130.00 to Direct Buy Syracuse, NY. First solicited by Direct Buy by phone and mail. Once inside you are burdened with a false sense of security by them telling you that if you don't sign you can't come back. Promising low costs and gifts, none of which transpired. Called Beta Finance 3/1/13 to get a copy of our contract (paid off) and was told by Mindy that she could not do that stating that my husband was the initial signature. I told her I was Paul, is she really in a position to know who is calling?I will file every complaint (including the AG's) that I can. I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!

salesman implied we would save a lot of money. made it sound like we were stupid not to buy the membership. we had to take his word that another place would have charged double for the product. Also he said the prices on the flooring included shipping and installation . I went to website to order hardwood flooring and they do charge for shipping and handling. it's cheaper at Lumber Liquidators, by far. I had to make a decision and there is no 3 day cancellation . I need my money back. I lost my job.

I bought into Direct Buy after being given a presentation that showed me everything was below cost of everywhere else because it was at manufactures cost. Not so! I have yet to buy anything from there because it is toooooo high! I have tried to get out of my contract and they say I cannot. I want out! They are a scam! I have already paid them alot of money for NOTHING! Now they want to mess up my credit!

Direct Buy is a scam! Now I'm stuck paying a bill for $185 per month and I haven't even used the membership. I tried to cancel my membership after I was constantly begged to join and was told that I could not cancel. After talking to another representative later on I was told that I called too late to cancel the membership. Really! Now I'm stuck with paying a monthly bill to Versa Finance and I do not want the membership to Direct Buy. I do not see the major savings that they offered at the time for you to join. If anyone knows a way to get out of this mess, please let me know. I'm all for the class action suit!

I worked for DirectBuy for over 10 years, in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and California. First it was called United Consumer's Club then, UCC Total Home and finally, it's DirectBuy. When I began working for the "club" the 10 year membership was $1500 and today it's over $5000. Their business model, while flawed, is simple, sell memberships to generate revenue.

You (the consumer, invited to take a tour based on being selected as a finalist in some "sweepstakes") will be shown incredibly low "cost" pricing on all kinds of consumer goods. You'll be told that you have to make a decision today as to whether or not you want to become members, due to the confidential pricing you've just been shown and the fact that the manufacturers will only allow you to see them once (as non-members). This is not true. There is no such agreement between DirectBuy and any manufacturer. It is DirectBuy's own internal policy, aimed at closing the deal while you are still high on the ether of "confidential" cost pricing. The $5000+ contract (which does not include annual renewal fees, shipping fees and handling fees on all members' purchases) is worded to protect DirectBuy from disappointing you (with your expectations of realized savings) and, most importantly, from refunding any and all membership dues. Once you're in, you can't get out. I can tell you with absolute certainty that unless you're planning on furnishing a home (with high-end, high-dollar improvements) in the near future, you will be disappointed in DirectBuy's performance. The promises made in the pitch are absent from the contract. Read it carefully before signing. Once your state's rescission period passes, you own it. And if you stop paying for it (whether you've used it or not) DirectBuy will send the account to collections, negatively affecting your FICO. Just look around the web, there are 10 negative posts for every 1 positive.

In fairness, if you're a well-heeled consumer who doesn't mind shopping from catalogs, waiting 90-180 days for your purchases to arrive and saving a net average of 23% on those big-ticket items, then DirectBuy might be worth a look. However, if you're like me and the instant gratification of free next-day delivery is worth a few extra dollars, then save the $5000 and have fun shopping the retailers' sales!

You should know that I'm not a disgruntled employee, quite the contrary; I made a great living working for DirectBuy. I simply grew tired of coaxing people into joining that truly had no business doing so. That's why I say the business model is flawed. DirectBuy's clubs are 100% franchised and, as a result, each individual franchisee is responsible for the health and success of their respective club. Well, by the time they cover the rent, utilities, marketing, insurance, salaries, commissions, payroll taxes and benefits, they have to try and make a little profit of their own. After all, it's why they bought the franchise. So, the only revenue stream they have (since they don't profit from merchandise sales) is by selling more and more memberships. Do you think there's a stronger focus on sales or servicing members after the sale? I'll give you a clue: there are an average of 15 full and part time employees working at any given DirectBuy franchise. Out of those 15 people, 2 are dedicated service staff. The rest are in sales, telemarketing, accounting, reception and, of course, the owner. If you attend a pitch, ask 'em some real questions... "How many stores have failed in the US and Canada since United Consumer's Club was founded back in 1973?" or, "How many members decide to re-join the club after the 10-year membership expires?" or, "Has DirectBuy ever polled the members to gauge their satisfaction with the club's services?" "No? Why not?" and maybe even take a list of items you're interested in buying soon along to the pitch with you and have them show you the net savings (be sure to write down model #'s so you're comparing apples to apples). If that savings adds up to more than the net cost of the 10 year membership and you've factored in DirectBuy's shipping, handling, sales tax (many online purchases remain exempt, it varies by state) then go for it.

Otherwise, buyer beware!

I received a "Gift" Certificate from Best Buy for a "free" tablet or netbook or blueray or video camera. All I had to do was redeem the "certificate" and send in $39.95. I filled everything out, read the instructions and sent a copy of my drivers license as required and a check for the $39.95 as there were no other instructions on how to pay or any place to fill out for a credit card. I received a letter in the mail today that states that personal checks are not accepted as an appropriate method of payment and my certificate is now NULL and VOID for "Not adhering to all terms and conditions". What a crock...They never intended to send out anything in the first place. Major SCAM! Direct Buy promises these things and if you don't sign up for a membership you just wasted your time and the promises go out the window.

They con you into financing a membership, set the financing up with versa and then tell you it is "none cancelable". This is wrong!

I have purchased their policy 4 months ago and recently few things in my BMW started to malfunction. I brought it to the BMW dealership where they ran a diagnostic and determined that my car had an oil leak caused by a broken oil filter housing gasket and my manual gear shift override which was not functioning, needed a gear selector lever replaced. Direct Buy has denied payment for the gear selector lever under pretense that it's not completely broken and the car still drives on automatic mode. The Claim Rep actually had the gull to ask me "how did you get the car to the dealership?" and when I said that I drove it there, he exclaimed "you just proved my point -- if you could drive it to the dealership, it's not broken and we do not cover partially malfunctioning parts"
Side note: The Direct Buy Representative was exceptionally condescending and rude in his tone and conversational demeanor.
Further more, regarding the gasket: he said that they don't cover gaskets but as a curtsey to me they will take care of it this time and pay for the gasket and 1 hour of labor which is 2 hours short from the dealership estimate to replace the part.
NOW: it states in the coverage contract under all 3 sections of Engine, Transmission and Cooling system coverage sections that GASKETS AND SEALS ARE COVERD with no fine print of any sort anywhere in site. Basically, this DB rep. is now trying to tell me that they are doing me a favor by covering the $15.00 part with insufficient amount of labor that it takes to install it. The Gear Selector Lever was estimated at $1, 774.00 dollars. So basically the amount that I have to pay for the gear lever + the difference in labor for the gasket replacement + the diagnostics would equal the amount that I paid for this SCAM of A WARRANTY (which was $1, 999.00)
I decided, OK cut my loses immediately, return this FRADULANT WARRANTY and use the money to repair the car. How naive was I; Upon receiving cancellation request form from DB, I was prompted to sign a form that stated I were to be reimbursed $1, 474.25 out of $1999.00 that I paid for it. There was absolutely no explanation as to what happened to $524.75 that they took off the price I paid for the service I never used.
Upon reviewing Cancelation contract I realized two things: ONE is that you can return your policy with in the first 30 days from purchase only paying $25.00 for the processing fee but YOU CAN"T USE THE WARRANTY DURING THE FIRST 30 DAYS of this so called grace period. TWO: After 30 days you may still Cancel the contract but "the refund will be the lesser amount calculated as a time prorated amount based upon the time since the contract was purchased " -- quoted verbatim from their contract.
So it seems to me that the first 3 months are especially expensive as they cost a quarter of the entire 4 year warranty. At this point I had a "HALELUJA MOMENT" and realized: that is how DIRECT BUY makes their money. As no person in a right mind would keep this warranty after the first time they would try to use it. And since one can't use the warranty in the first 30 days when the cancelation fee is only $25.00 they have created a convenient money making loophole by not clearly stating the fees that customers would be charged if they choose to cancel the policy after they have a chance to actually try it.

Direct Buy warranty is a total rip off and they should not be allowed to continue their scheming business.
Direct Buy Auto Warranty IS A TOTAL FRAUD!

Direct Buy / Asley Furnuture.

Long waiting time, unrealistic shipping cost. . Irresponsible customer service
For $300 item shipping cast is over $350.

We ordered a Storage bed for $300 through Direct Buy website. The manufacture is Ashley Furnuture. At the end with shipping handling, duty and tax it came to around $850.00. since I was in a rush I decided to order regardless of the price.
Order was placed on January 12th. 2012. after several phone call, direct visit to the Direct Buy store finally I was able to pick up the Bed on April 20th.
Over three month after I placed the order we pick up the bed . But there is a Railing is missing and without that we can’t assemble the bed. Now they ordered it and as of today it is going to take another few weeks since it is back order.
I spoke to Direct buy and wanted to cancel the order, they stated I can’t cancel it. I ask to refund the unreasonable sniping cost, they are blaming Ashley.
It is not fair to charge over $350 to something they couldn’t deliver on time.

But Direct Buy or neither Ashley furniture is not taking responsibility and I have to wait until I receive it.
Paying over $5000 membership fee and $350 yearly renewal fee I expect more fair treatment than this from direct Buy.

DirectBuy is committing fraud through deceptive advertising. Thier advertisement indicated that we were to receive a New 7” Tablet complete with Android O/S, Camera and Wifi as well as receive a $100 or $200 Restaurant Dining Card (Valid at Many Area Restaurants). On Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 3pm, we attended the 90 minute information session at the Sunnyvale showroom. After the information session was complete, we decided that becoming a member was not something that we could afford to do at the time. We informed the staff and declined the membership. We then approached the receptionist to receive our promised promotional items only to be informed that there were none available. The young lady said that a shipment was expected later on in the week. We were told that our name would be placed on one of the tablets and that we would receive a call to let us know when we could come pick it up. After repeated calls to the showroom, as of today, we have not received our promised promotional item. We’ve only received the “run-around”. Thier advertisement baits in customers with the promise of a receiving an item. Yet, it does not state that the product is in limited supply. Therefore, they are violating the law.

directbuy of fort mill specializes in high pressure sales tactics, and will do or say anything to get a person to sign up, cost is $5000, then after 3yrs its $190, they say, (ben martin franchise owner), that they are bbb Accredited, and are not at all. ben will lie through his teeth. there prices aren't what they say they are, there is a contract people have to sign, which states that memberships can't be cancelled, and been martin himself will tell you that to your face with all the smugness and arrogance befitting the [censored] that he is, they will finance you if you don't have the $5000 in your pocket, with a high interest rate through a company called beta finance, which is wholly owned by example corporate, and beta finance is an aggressive finance company with the reputation of a bad third world country.

this company should be investigated by us dept of consumer affairs, the IRS and a vice squad, the walk a fine line between illegal and legal practices, if a person goes to the bbb website, look at the difference between directbuy corporate, and the individual store . you will see a huge difference. example:Southern Piedmont/Charlotte, NC BBB > Business Directory > Buying Clubs & Group Purchasing Service > DirectBuy of Fort Mill
BBB Business Review
overviewcomplaintsdirectionsWhat is a BBB Business Review?This Business is not BBB Accredited
DirectBuy of Fort Mill
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
2180 Carolina Place Dr Ste 103, Fort Mill, SC [protected]
[protected]@directbuyfm.com
http://www.directbuyfm.com

B-On a scale of A+ to F

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BBB Accreditation
DirectBuy of Fort Mill is not BBB Accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.
Reason for Rating
BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered DirectBuy of Fort Mill's rating include:

Length of time business has been operating.
Factors that raised DirectBuy of Fort Mill's rating include:

Complaint volume filed with BBB for business of this size.
Response to 4 complaint(s) filed against business.
Resolution of complaint(s) filed against business.
BBB has sufficient background information on this business.
Customer Complaints Summary
4 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 4 closed in last 12 monthsComplaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising / Sales Issues 3
Problems with Product / Service 1
Billing / Collection Issues 0
Delivery Issues 0
Guarantee / Warranty Issues 0
Total Closed Complaints 4

Complaint Details | Definitions | BBB Complaint Process | File a Complaint
Government Actions
BBB knows of no significant government actions involving DirectBuy of Fort Mill.

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BBB has nothing to report concerning DirectBuy of Fort Mill's advertising at this time.

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Additional Information
topBBB file opened: 06/12/2009
Business started: 02/01/2012
Type of Entity
Corporation

Incorporated: February 2012, SC

Contact Information
Primary Contact: Mr. Ben Martin (Franchise Owner)
Mr. Chris Beile (Member)
Mr. Rand Falbaum (Member)
Mr. Jerry Letendre (President)
Ms. Miranda Martin (Franchise Owner)
Mr. Carl T. Miller (Franchise Owner)
Related Businesses
BBB-West Coast Florida Ben Martin owned this company in Florida.

Number of Employees
20

Business Category
Buying Clubs & Group Purchasing Service, Home Design & Planning, Home Furnishings

Alternate Business Names
DBFT, LLC

Industry Tips
Buying An Unbuilt Home
Discount Buying Clubs: What You Order is Not Always What You Get
Dont Forget to File for Rebates
Directions | Enlarge
LocationsX1 Locations
2180 Carolina Place Dr Ste 103 Fort Mill, SC [protected]-8950Directions

Industry Comparison ChartXThe information in the table below represents an industry comparison of businesses which are of the same relative size. This is based on BBB's database of businesses located in Southern Piedmont/Charlotte, NC. Businesses may engage in more than one type of business. The percent of time the business engages in a type of business is not accounted for. There is no known industry standard for the number of complaints a business can expect. The volume of business and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by BBB.
Buying Clubs & Group Purchasing ServiceHome Design & PlanningHome Furnishings
*DirectBuy of Fort Mill is in this range.

X Types of Complaints Handled by BBBBBB handles the following types of complaints between businesses and their customers so long as they are not, or have not been, litigated:
Advertising or SalesBilling or CollectionProblems with Products or ServicesDeliveryGuarantee or WarrantyWe do not handle workplace disputes, discrimination claims or claims about the quality of health or legal services.

X BBB Complaint ProcessYour complaint will be forwarded to the company within two business days. The company will be asked to respond within 14 days, and if a response is not received, a second request will be made. You will be notified of the company's response when we receive it (or notified that we received no response). Complaints are usually closed within 30 business days.

X Industry Tips for Buying Clubs & Group Purchasing ServiceBuying An Unbuilt Home
Discount Buying Clubs: What You Order is Not Always What You Get
Dont Forget to File for Rebates

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NEVER sign up for this corrupt company! We were foolish enough to think that we were building a new home so it would be a great savings - wrong! My first encounter with them was to order my plumbing fixtures and doors - the plumbing fixtures all came in (eventually with a back order and wait time). The doors are a different story - we met with the representative on numerous occasions and had our plans - we told him we wanted a masonite front door - our plans called for a double door (no side lites). We even provided him with a picture of what we wanted - then our french doors (we provided another picture) - we wanted prairie glass in them. The garage door - once again he had our plans and he ordered a 20' door for a 16' opening. When the doors were delivered we received a single door for the front door (wood 3'x8' and we needed a 6'x8'). The door cost us $1, 748.00 and now they won't take it back. We have no use for that door. The french door came with regular glass in it - we kept it just for the sake of not switching out and of course the garage door now they owe us money for the difference in size. He got nothing right on the order and the sales people won't return phone calls or help us in any way. They are the worst excuse for a business that I have ever dealt with - HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU NEVER JOIN THIS SCAM - BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS!

We attended an open house at Direct Buy today. We were promised several gifts for listening to the presentation. The woman who called herself the owner made a professional presentation and we were impressed with the products and service. But, when we were told of the very expensive membership fee, my wife and I decided not to join. The owner was furious with us and told us we were making a big mistake and were very foolish for not becoming members. She was so insulting and angry that we did not stay to receive the promised gifts. The longer we were there, the madder and more abusive she became. I would warn anyone to stay away from the open house at Direct Buy in Richmond, Virginia.