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

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*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

Rip-off Report Investigation:

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

Rip-off Reports 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 DirectBuys 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 DirectBuys 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 Reports 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. Weve 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 DirectBuys 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 - UCC Total Home - United Consumers Club ripoff Chesterfield Missouri

Attended the open house on March 18, 2006, and were greeted by friendly staff who offered us bottled water and other snacks while we waited for the presentation to begin.

The presentation was 90% of a pre-scripted TV program that 15 people watched in a small room. The TV program was shortened into 3 seperate segments, which were interlaced with an actual salesman popping in to talk to us. He played his number game on an erasable board and hit us with the $4200 initial joining fee, but if we paid cash it would cut the fee to $3900. Then there was the continual yearly fee of $198 payed over the next 8 years.

We walked out of the presentation and headed back to our table for the one-on-one high pressure sales push. I explained that we do not make impulse buys and I felt this is similar to a time share sales tactic. I told the salesman that we were not building our house for another year and this membership would be a waste of money for that year.

The salesman continued to state we could buy clothes and other items and still save money. I explained we are a younger couple and they do not offer the types of clothing that we wear and this offer is useless for us at this point.

I apologized to the salesman for wasting his time and he jumped up, slammed his binder, and stated "Don't apologize to me, you are the ones who are wasting money". He quickly walked off and went over to another salesman and exchanged words. They both stared at us as we walked out the door.

Brandon
Farmington, Missouri
U.S.A.