Video Report: DirectBuy
Are buying clubs like DirectBuy a good deal? Our new video (right) details the experiences one of our reporters had at sales presentations for the nationwide buying club.
Although some readers commenting on our earlier story on DirectBuy have noted that the club’s prices are competitive, the video includes an interview with one DirectBuy member who found consistently lower prices elsewhere.
If you’d like to share your own experiences at buying clubs with other readers or discuss the pros and cons of these clubs, visit our forum for home shopping.—Gian Trotta
Essential Information: You can save money on cabinets, appliances, and other big-ticket items without committing to a buying club. And, remember, another way to save on appliances is to take advantage of the rebates and tax credits and tax holidays from local utilities and state governments.
Posted by: Caroline | May 22, 2008 5:49:54 PM
This man obviously did not go with high-end merchandise. I think they tell people up front that the savings ARE in the high-end ranges. However, as a designer, I seldom see people these days opting for white appliances, non-wood nor laminate flooring, etc, as this man did. I would like to see more videos on this, could you not have someone who WAS satisfied and went with high-end products, the pictures could then be contrasted with this person's purchases outside of Direct Buy. I wish I could purchase most of my clients needs from Direct Buy, (and pocket the difference?) Really I do suggest that they purchase their own memberships. I do understand that the store itself may make a difference, so that was a good warning in your first article.
Posted by: Roddy | May 23, 2008 3:37:14 PM
We joined DirectBuy. It pays to be prepared for your visit and certainly in our case we were allowed to do some spot checks of prices on our initial visit. Big savings on high end items are possible. I had researched some shower fittings (Grohe etc) and a Kohler infinity bathtub and came with the best prices I had found on these and DirectBuy beat them handily. When our tiling contractor found out we'd got our tiles from DirectBuy he warned us that if we were short he couldn't get extra tiles as cheaply as we'd got the original batch! You need to be on the verge of spending a lot but if you are you can certainly make the membership pay.
Posted by: Wayne Donofrio | May 25, 2008 9:07:55 AM
In the June 2008 issue of Consumer Reports magazine the article concerning dehumdifiers needs revising.
The Kenmore Model # 54701 sold by Sears should be judged "not acceptable",in my opinion.
I purchased one of these dehumidifiers in 2004 and now I am replacing it.
Like many other consumers I had problems with the unit when it was less than two years old. The fan motor had to be replaced, and now the coils ice over, making this unit basically useless.
Check the "reviews" section on this model at the Sears website.
You will find many other consumers with similar stories of problems with this particular model.
I am surprised that CR has given this model such a good rating.
I hope that the Danby unit that I have just purchased will last a lot longer than this Sears unit.
Posted by: J. J. Jodele | May 28, 2008 2:27:58 PM
I've joined thinking the same as everyone else…but be ware!
1. They have made their profit up front, so there is no stimulus to provide any service. 2. When you do place an order, it takes them days to place the order from a company because they wait for a “full load” order.
3. You have to pay shipping and sales tax!
4. You can get a very similar deal on line and not have to pay the sales tax…and get it instantly!
5. The hidden problems are that if/when you buy something from DirectBuy, you sign a contract that you will not return any of the items! At a store or online you can always return it.
6. If you are a subscriber of Consumer Reports, you are looking for a great value or quality…you are not right for DirectBuy because, most of the time, they do not have a contract with that particular company you have researched and will get very frustrated with them when you can’t even order the product.
7. Everything is cataloged on paper!!!! It is very painful to find anything!
The few dollars you might save from DirectBuy will easily be burned up with not able to return products, long wait times (6 to 8 weeks) and having to pay shipping and sales tax.
This is not worth it for anybody.
Posted by: Tom Smith | Jun 30, 2008 9:32:59 PM
This is one of the poorest articles I have ever seen and I am shocked that Consumer Reports would put their name on it! The man's kitchen was not very nice, it had low end appliances, floors and counters....I don't know what to make of the cabinets, not even IKEA quality. There is no mention of product numbers to do an apples to apples product comparison. Something strange is going on at consumer reports. They need to review their junior reporters work prior to releasing to the general public. I have lost respect for teh Consumer Reports Brand.
Sincerely,
Tom Smith
Posted by: DanRestelli | Jul 12, 2008 8:12:55 PM
We just joined Direct Buy. After reading numerous complaints regarding Direct Buy, we researched it very carefully. In Arizona you have three days to cancel the contract, so we did our homework.
We are in the process of building a high end home. One area we checked were the appliances. I was worried that the Direct buy cost would be no less than our contractor proce. When all was said and one, savings on the appliances will be about $3500. We also checked flooring and found at least a 15-20% savings over the contractor price. Cabinets are about !5% less.
Of course, the weekness is, as others have said, they do not offer any after sale support. They are very clear that you are acting as the dealer.
Hopefully everything well go well.
Posted by: Lisa LaMunyon | Aug 5, 2008 8:52:27 PM
My experience in Fairfield, CA was low pressure and very pleasant. The presentation and people helping me were courteous and patient letting me look up and ckompare anything I wanted including looking on internet discounters to compare BEFORE I signed up. My savings on almost everything I have purchased has been significant although on an item here or there the savings will be not that big. In fact, I even found one Sony game system cheaper on clearance at the store. One thing that I alwyas do to is use get my rebates and tax credits on all the items I buy where they apply. I highly recommend DirectBuy to anyone that is remodleing and wants the nicer quality stuff or has to buy a lot of furniture or flooring. I did really well in these areas and I shopped long and hard before buying.
Posted by: Derek Pierce | Sep 2, 2008 1:33:39 PM
I worked as a Director for Directbuy for Five years. If you are building a home and can wait weeks and even months for products, Directbuy could save you money. If not, do not join. It's not worth all the trouble involved, in my opinion.
Posted by: Nancy | Sep 6, 2008 12:49:45 AM
DirectBuy Sued! A federal lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court in Hartford against the national high-end DirectBuy franchise operation, accusing it of falsely telling prospective clients that they are getting furniture, appliances and other household products at manufacturer prices. In a lawsuit filed by attorney Seth R. Klein of Hartford, DirectBuy is accused of hiding the fact that DirectBuy receives rebates from manufacturers which are not directly passed on to their members, who pay as much as $7,000 to join for two or three years. The lawsuit, which seeks to be certified as a class action representing thousands of present and former members of the more than 100 franchises, was filed earlier this month. It follows a column on DirectBuy that disclosed the rebates, which are kept secret from its members and from those it entices to join through high pressure sales techniques. DirectBuy officials had no comment on the suit but had said earlier that it uses the millions of dollars it received in rebates to the benefit of its members. We will see what a jury has to say about that.
Posted by: Robert Whitlach | Oct 10, 2008 9:09:22 PM
My wife and I have found some good buys being members of this club. Our last transaction has ruined us for life though. The local showroom delayed entering our order so that our annual membership expired. They then told us we had to renew our membership for us to order the furniture we wanted. I am a reasonable person and would have accepted the fact if the membership had actually expired, but come on.... we were several days ahead of our expiration date... I can't trust Direct Buy anymore.
Posted by: Christopher | Oct 15, 2008 3:32:39 AM
I have been a DirectBuy member now for a little over a year. I was hoping that video would be useful, but it appears to be one sided. The guy in it obviously shopd for bargins, and has awful taste. Everything in his home looked cheap, from the formica counter tops to the crappy open hinge cabs he had. White appliances?
Some people are just fools. I have saved twice the cost of my membership buying NORMAL things like a TV here, a sofa, even a new stainless fridge. I am not RICH by any means, but I don't decorate my house like the guy in the video either.
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 17, 2008 11:27:45 PM
Just came home from a sales presentation. Their prices are not cheap. The comparison prices they are using are not real. I caught them on items I just purchased in the last year. One is a chair they claim is worth over $2,000 but you can get it for an extraordinary price of $792.00 - sorry but I paid $800.00 for it at a high-end furniture store - they would have saved me $8.00 (well I guess I didn't pay any 'handling' fees at the furnture store so perhaps it may have actually cost more). They want $129 for a Keurig coffee maker that I paid $99 for but they claim others charge $199 - I don't think so.