Direct Buy

[Longsx3]

Does anyone use this? How does it work and what cost are involved?

We are buying a house (our first) and I need a refrigerator, dishwasher and possibly washer and dryer.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

We don't use Direct Buy. I thought about it but after reading horror stories on the internet, we decided to stay away. I think you're wise to research it before handing over any cash.

 

[barbeml]

Sadly, my co-worker fell for it. She FINANCED the $6,000 membership fee and has yet to get anythinng out of it. DB has never had the items she wants, and now they tack on huge fees and you have to arrange for your own pick up. She has a major kitchen remodel to do, and every contractor rolls his eyes and shakes his head when she asks if they can get the materials from DB.

Google them. They've had many names over the years and the horror stories are eye opening.

 

[disney junky]

For what you are looking at buying, it's not worth it. We were member from the early days of United Consumer Club. The initiation fee is quite expensive, $1490 for us ten years ago, which was good for two years and then $149 a year for eight. We just quit paying two years ago. I think the initiation fee is now over $2000. You won't save that money back with your appliances. Shop around locally and get a package deal. Over the years, we did purchase a lot of furniture, but since they don't deliver you generally have that expense. I also found that the selection wasn't all that great. There isn't much of a showroom here. From the time we joined, we were on our own. If we went in to look at the books, most everyone there were salespeople and there might have been two people to help you with your order. They added a website, but it was limited as to how you could use it. It really isn't like anything else. After awhile, I began seeing that shopping locally, figuring in their handling charges and the cost of moving the stuff myself, I'm not sure we actually saved much.

 

[jrsmom]

I think they have "relationships" with attorney generals in several states and not in a good way. The local consumer advocate on the local news says stay away.

 

[Longsx3]

Thanks, I really had no idea.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I wouldn't do it, esp for the things you want to buy. You need to buy local and have a warranty.

I could see saving $ on very expensive furniture, maybe.

Seems very scammy to me.

 

[pr surfer]

They are a scam

 

[Nancyg56]

I researched it and decided that it was a great way for me to lose my money. I would avoid it.

 

[Golf4food]

You could always buy lottery tickets.

 

[SC Minnie]

For appliances-- buy locally and shop around. Most stores will price match if a competitor has the same exact appliance at a lower price- Sears will price match plus 10%. Some may also give you discounts for buying mulitple items at once.

 

[barkley]

retailers are hurting right now-call around and ask for prices on the individual items, then ask what you can get them for if you buy them all. you may find that you can get a bidding war going between your locals.

a few years back we needed to buy an appliance. i went to a place in town that was having a sale-got the sales guy to write the model and price on his buisness card (he wanted to make sure i came back to him so he'd get the commission), took that to circut city or one of those other chain stores that advertised they would match any verified sales price and undercut it by like 5%-got that written on the circut city bsns. card. took circut city's card to a local retailer who always advertised that he would beat out any competator's price.

ended up with local guy undercutting circut city's price by 5% and throwing in free delivery. save hundreds and hundreds off what was an already good sale price at store number one