Thinking about doing some home improvements? Maybe new kitchen flooring? Some cabinetry? I know I am. So as I sleepily watched a Presidential debate on CNN the other night, a commercial caught my eye. Not the first time I had seen it, but it has been a while. It’s for a company called Direct Buy. They shout from the rafters that they will save you up to 70% off retail prices for that flooring and cabinetry.
What they do not tell you is how high their membership fees are. I just finished reading a post on Consumer Reports that might give you the full skinny on the issue. How about almost $5000 for three year membership and then financing at 17.7%. Hmmmm. Here is a quote from the Consumer Reports article (they went ‘undercover at a Direct Buy location):
“….The fine print in the Direct Buy contract says you cannot return items, cancel orders, or terminate your membership. When we asked if, after plunking down $5,000, we could cancel and get a refund, a salesperson said, “You’ll have to check state law.” A review of New York state law revealed that the three-day cooling-off period for canceling contracts wouldn’t apply in this case….”
Makes me want to shake my head. Peace Out – 3C
0 responses so far ↓
1 Elaine Reese // Nov 20, 2007 at 12:18 pm
WOW, I’ve seen those commercials and wondered about that company. That’s really good info to have in case anyone asks. $5000 membership fee is unbelievable!
2 Carole Cohen // Nov 20, 2007 at 9:41 pm
I thought so too Elaine. And the fact that you can’t return anything once you purchase it is crazy.
3 Jay McGillicuddy // Nov 21, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I knew they had a membership fee and I was told it was around $ 3500.00. Reading the fine print is so important.
4 Carole Cohen // Nov 21, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Jay I have to wonder just how popular this company truly is.
5 Joel Libava // Nov 25, 2007 at 12:01 am
Carole,
Even without knowing that the membership fees were high, my skeptical self always felt after watching 2 long minutes of their info-junkials, that the company was full of it…..
Get a referral from someone LOCAL. That usually helps with fair pricing.
Joel Libava
6 Carole Cohen // Nov 25, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Best advice Joel! Not to mention the fact that then you can return or change your mind about what you are buying!
Leave a Comment