• Report: #176169

Complaint Review: Direct Buy, DirectBuy, UCC Total Home

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  • Submitted: Tuesday, February 14, 2006
  • Last Posting: Monday, April 24, 2006
  • Reported By:Henniker New Hampshire
Direct Buy, DirectBuy, UCC Total Home
422 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury Massachusetts 01545 U.S.A.

INVESTIGATION: DirectBuy commitment 100% member satisfaction. DirectBuy recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (true or not) are issues that need to be addressed and if handled correctly can be valuable learning opportunities. Merrillville Indiana
*UPDATE: DirectBuy recognized by Rip-off Report as a safe business service. DirectBuy pledges their commitment to Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Program. A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. Direct Buy found to be the largest consumer buying club of its kind. Rip-off Report Verified Safe

*Consumer Suggestion:: call franchise relations


1Author 2Consumer 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, DirectBuy, UCC Total Home ripoff, unconscionable, fraud Shrewsbury Massachusetts

This is a very slick operation and needs to be stopped. The operation makes sense conceptually at first glance, but in reality, it has to be a scam to make the numbers work. I actually have to congratulate the architects of this operation since it is so well thought out and compelling. Like grifters or the "oceans 11" crew, they are almost likable, if they didn't have my money.

Would any former employees from this company specifically state how to rescind contract within 5 days? (dude from Idaho?) I am within the 5 day period but do not know what to do. I have sent my return reciept certified letter requesting refund. I realize that most of the comments are from people outside the 5 day period. Thank god for this ripoffreport.com's service since it has by far the most current postings available regarding this issue.

I truly wish that I had taken the time to research this "service." I run a contracting business and now what faith the consumer has to place in vendors and this service is a disgrace to all retailers, service providers, and all of humanity!

Rick
Concord, Massachusetts
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 2/14/2006 2:50:04 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/on-line-business/direct-buy-directbuy/investigation-directbuy-commi-mpc8a.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 Consumer Comment

Is it really a scam?

AUTHOR: Jason - Brentwood (U.S.A.)

I am a former employee of another DirectBuy location, and becasue they all operate generally the same, I may be able to argue against your statements.

You said that "it has to be a scam to make the numbers work." Why? The company profits from your membership...not the products you order. Any shipping or handling fees cover the actual shipping costs, the product inspections, and any other fees the center may incur (there is no margin/markup for them to be built into). When you attend an "open house," they tell you that if you don't have any moderate purchases to make, you may not benefit from the concept. If this was a scam, the company wouldn't be registered (and recognized) by the BetterBusinessBureau, a Fortune500 company, or in business for over 33 years.

In response to your question about rescending your membership, all you have to do is go to the center and tell them you would like a refund for your membership. They will give it to you (within the 3 or 5 day time frame).

My point is, DirectBuy is not a scam. It may not be a fit for everyone, but it is not a scam. There are hundreds of thousands of DirectBuy members, and the majority of them will tell you the same things I have.
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#2 Consumer Suggestion

Call Franchise Relations

AUTHOR: S - Thompson (U.S.A.)

Rick,

Call the UCC Direct buy headquarters at 219-73
6-1100 x119 and speak to a franchise relations person. Explain your disatisfaction and why you felt as though you were mislead and be very explicite. I actually found Jackie to be very interested in what was happening in Shrewsbury and quite polite and helpful. Even though they would like individual franchises to work things out with members, when I told them that the Shrewsbury store was giving Direct Buy a bad name and mentioned going to a public forum with my concerns I received immediate satisfaction. Direct Buy may be good for some but not those who are educated in the construction business.
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