• Report: #203734

Complaint Review: Direct Buy Of Scottsdale - Michael Rickets

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  • Submitted: Monday, July 31, 2006
  • Last Posting: Monday, August 27, 2007
  • Reported By:Phoenix Arizona
Direct Buy Of Scottsdale - Michael Rickets
1435 N. Hayden Rd. #101 Scottsdale Arizona 85257 U.S.A.

INVESTIGATION: DirectBuy members can feel safe, confident & secure when doing business with Direct Buy. DirectBuy 100% commitment to member satisfaction helping them realize their dreams through exceptional customer experiences & unparalleled savings, service, & selection. Commitment to Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, ..A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence. Merrillville Indiana
*UPDATE: Direct Buy partnered with world-renowned customer service authority Maritz Corporation to assist them in customer feedback & improving policies & procedures. Rip-off Report Verified Safe

*Consumer Comment:: good experiences with direct buy


2Author 4Consumer 0Employee/Owner

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Rip-off Report Investigation:

EDitor’s UPDATE: Positive Rating and Recognition has been given to DirectBuy for its Commitment to Excellence in customer service.

Rip-off Report’s investigation of DirectBuy uncovers an ongoing commitment to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect the company will always work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any complaints or concerns in the past, present or future. DirectBuy pledges to help members and guests realize their dreams through exceptional customer experiences and unparalleled savings, service, and selection.

The Rip-Off Report Investigation revealed a demonstrated commitment by DirectBuy to providing excellent customer service and resolving customer issues. They achieve this through several means, including a recent partnership with customer service experts to actively survey their members and guests and make changes that improve their processes and ensure a uniform exceptional experience for every customer. To address the most common concerns, DirectBuy recently started offering free trial memberships at participating club locations, as well as additional tiers and terms of membership to meet a broader range of household budgets.

The Investigation also showed that DirectBuy members are renewing their memberships at record rates, indicating members are still very satisfied with the value they receive through DirectBuy’s home furnishings and home improvement products and services. DirectBuy is one of the largest consumer buying clubs of its kind, and we are convinced they are dedicated to using feedback from customers to continually improve their policies and procedures.

One DirectBuy executive explained about their many changes stating, “We have a team of service support specialists available specifically to address concerns from members and guests who visit Rip-Off Report. We want to ensure that their experiences with DirectBuy are positive, whether they join or not." Should you require this assistance, please contact them at DirectBuyHELP@directbuy.com Provide your name, the date of your issue, and the name of the location you visited. If you are a member, please include your member number if available.

Given DirectBuy’s commitment to excellent customer service, they were alarmed by some of the complaints lodged with Rip-off Report. Rip-off Report found that most complaints about DirectBuy were made by non-members who were critical of the cost of membership and the policy that a decision about membership must be made the same day of the open house visit. The policy is there to protect the manufacturers. It ensures their confidential pricing cannot be used by non-members to negotiate better deals with retail stores, thereby protecting the best possible pricing to members. The policy has not changed, but as stated above, new tiers and terms of membership are being offered at participating club locations

DIRECT BUY recognizes that complaints posted on Rip-off Report (true or not) are issues that need to be addressed and if handled correctly can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Rip-off Report’s Investigation DirectBuy has made the necessary organizational changes to allow their members a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a total overall commitment to customer experience. As one senior executive stated, “We have learned that even the most committed companies can make mistakes, but if you really pay attention, you can learn from them. We’ve adjusted policies to please both members and manufacturers, and we hope that anyone who has further suggestions on how we can improve our services will contact us with their ideas.”

In summary, after our investigation, which included discussions with DirectBuy Senior Management, Rip-off Report is convinced that the company has been and is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.

Read about DirectBuy .. see their websites and the services they have to offer.

Read more about DirectBuy’s Commitment to Excellence and Total Consumer Satisfaction and why consumers should feel safe, confident and secure when doing business with a member of Rip-off Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. ..yes, a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.

Read about Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program,..A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. this program works.

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NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED

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Direct Buy Of Scottsdale - Michael Rickets Deliberate missrepresentation of product prices Rip Off! Don't waste your money! Scottsdale Arizona

After joining Direct Buy of Scottsdale, I was presented with prices for a product that with the supposed savings was considerably higher than any other store I had looked at. I was supposed to be saving, yet found that I was being taken advantage of. Not only has this company lied but they have denied access of my spouse into the store even though they are a memeber. There may be savings somewhere but none that I have found. Don't waste your time or money. Direct Buy is a Rip Off! You will pay more for products from Direct Buy.

David
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 7/31/2006 9:04:14 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/buying-clubs/direct-buy-of-scotts/investigation-directbuy-membe-8yc5e.htm.

Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
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Updates & Rebuttals

#1 Update By Author

Direct Buy of Scottsdale is a RIP OFF! Don't waste your money!

AUTHOR: David - Phoenix (U.S.A.)

It only took two months to get an appointment for my kitchen design. I waited another week to find out that with my promised 70% savings, I would still have to pay thousands of dollars more for a kitchen from Direct Buy. This did not include my membership fee. The overall and discounted cost was outrageous.

I have tried to meet with the owner but with no success. He wanted a comparison of prices but has refused to meet with me. He denies access to my spouse even though she is a memeber. Direct Buy is a RIP OFF!

Don't be taken by this scam. Even the Better Business Bureau after my complaint to them about Direct Buy, states that my issue has been resolved. (The BBB is an unreliable source).
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#2 Consumer Comment

Fight back against Direct Buy

AUTHOR: Jennifer - Chandler (U.S.A.)

You said that you already submitted a compliant with BBB, join me in fighting Direct Buy Scottsdale by submitting a compliant with the Attorney General's office.

I have cancelled my contract in writing as per the contract (the cancellation policy was never reviewed with me), am disputing the credit card charge, I have filed a compliant with the BBB, and submitted a compliant to the Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.

Please submit your compliant to the Attorney General as well. There is power in numbers!

http://www.azag.gov/consumer/complaintform.html
http://www.azag.gov/

If Direct Buy works for some people, then good for them. I just want my money back. I paid $990 toward the $5000 membership fee. I want my money back and I will fight until I get all of it back!
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#3 Consumer Suggestion

Direct Buy not for most

AUTHOR: Eddie - Fountain Hills (U.S.A.)

I have been a member of Direct Buy, formally UCC for about 7 years. I joined the company on the basis that I was building a new home and saw that Direct Buy offered many of the things that I would need to complete my home. At the time I joined, the fee was $2,500 and I knew that if the savings were correct, I would recoup that money in no time. I did save substantial money on things like carpet, some furniture and some high end plumbing fixtures.

Today, the company is asking $4000-$5,000 for new memberships and I find that absolutely insane. If you need to finance the membership, then you shouldn't be joining.

They boast 800 plus manufacturers, yet you really only save on the big ticket items like furniture, some flooring, and window treatments. All the other stuff is fluff and you will better off buying it on the net or locally. Many of their manufacturers may offer a dozen different design suites, yet Direct buy may only offer 2 of those suites. You are not told that until after the fact.

The 8% handling charge does go to the owner and is supposed to cover merchandise if it comes in damaged and must be reordered. The Scottsdale Direct Buy goes even further by charging this 8% handling fee for local outside vendors. If you want to go to the local tile store and order $5,000 worth of tile, then you get standard contractor price plus 8%. Any individual that knows how to shop can do much better then that.

The other point is that many of the Direct Buy vendors are not manufacturers, but distributors. It is easier for any company to set up an account with a distributor rather then directly with the manufacturer. This is where you lose your buying advantage.

In conclusion, joining Direct Buy works only for those individuals that plan on spending over $25,000 on merchandise. Anything less then that doesn't justify the exhorbinant membership fee.
Good luck and spend wisely.
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#4 Consumer Comment

It seems that everyone who has had a "good" experience is building or remodeling

AUTHOR: Jill - Cincinnati (U.S.A.)

AIf you are spending thousands to remodel your home or you're building and buying high-end fixtures and appliances, I can see how you may see some savings. And if you regularly flip homes, I can see where you would realize tremendous savings (and profit from the flip on high-end items). And, in that instance, the $4500 (or more in some places) fee would be worth it.

But the people who have been Burned by Direct Buy aren't flippers, they aren't remodeling, they aren't building. Or, if they are remodeling, they are doing it ONCE and any savings they may realize are negated by the $4500 membership fee. For instance, $4500 could buy some high-end windows or a new furnace, retail.

Plus, you can only remodel so much. Meaning, sure, i could (supposedly) save 80% on the high-end, best of the best stuff.. but if my house is 92 years old and only worth so much, in my area, why put in high-end fixtures that may increase the value of my house but, not enough to justify the cost of the fixtures.

or, for that matter, why pay $4500 to get a good deal on a Plasma TV when i can just BUY a plasma TV with that $4500 and have money left over?

Direct Buy IS a scam. It's a scam because, although it works for a small minority, it does NOT work for the vast majority. and, as a matter of fact, it's a colossal waste of money for a majority of subscribers. Just like Amway, Primerica, etc.
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#5 Consumer Comment

Good Experiences with Direct Buy

AUTHOR: Jincc - Cave Creek (U.S.A.)

Just wanted to say that I've had good experiences with Direct Buy. When I went to the initial presentation I was told 'you may be able to find better prices elsewhere depending upon the product. For instance, electronics and lower end furniture may be priced better elsewhere". As a consumer I'm aware that large warehouse operations such as Costco and Best Buy can sometimes get less than manufacturer prices on products. Sometimes that savings is passed on to the consumer.

Savvy can save money at Direct Buy. I've purchased a high end leather sofa, a built in bbq and a dinette set. I priced the same items at local retailers and Direct Buy had a better price (much better with the leather sofa). With some items such as a kitchen sink and faucet I got a better price on the internet.

Overall, I'm satisfied with Direct Buy as I've already recouped my membership price with the savings I've received.

However, as with anything, you have to be a savvy shopper and do price comparisons.
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