Directbuy Secretive, Pushy, and Scammers Cheektowaga New York

After hearing ads for Directbuy from a popular local Radio Station, I decided to log online and check them out. Of course nothing was stated about costs or anything as they just wanted you to submit information so they could contact you. I heard a lot of ads about saving money on buying goods and figured since I just bought a new home . . it was worth checking out. After they called me they informed me of a promotion where they were sending out a key at a chance to win a $25000 home makeover and will automatically get 2 door prizes no matter what.

Well we got our key and made our appointment for our private open house invitation and the following week we drove the 45 minutes to get there. Well after their 10 minute dog & Pony show, where he told me that almost everyone becomes a member and today alone they had 18 out of 25 people sign up, we were led to a room for the sales pitch. Of course they hawked massive savings by being able to purchase numerous goods "At cost", but of course I wanted to know what this was going to cost per year for their private & exclusive membership. I figured maybe a few hundred a year. When they showed the final number . . a whopping $3900 for the first 2 years, $150 for the 3rd year, and $190 for each year thereafter . . . I almost fell to the floor.

Well I finished listening to their sales pitch and we were led outside to see a cheesy example of a $3000 bedroom set that can be had for $700, all the while all the "Associates" hung around behind us ready to intercept anyone heading for the door. After a few more minutes me and my wife were lead to our table by our "Associate" and basically told we had to make a decision now if we wanted to become a member. I made him walk away while I talked with my wife. I am glad that she agreed with me that we were not about to drop $4100. He came back and I told him there was no way I was going to drop that kind of money right now. Of course we went back & forth about 5 times. He really REALLY wanted me to sign up. After a while I had enough and told him that no matter what he said or did I am not signing up and that we shouldn't waste each others time anymore and that I just want to try the Key and get our door prizes and leave. He left for a sec and got his "Manager" who came over and tried his spiel. After about 3 times going back & forth I finally had enough and slightly raised my voice and told him "I see your point and what you are trying to do . . but you do not see my point that I am not ready to drop $4100 right now". That was it. He quickly and hurridly said "OK . . let me show you out".

It wasn't that I finally got my point across . . it was that I raised my voice because he didn't want any other patrons to hear that they were pissing me off by being so pushy. Of course we got to try the key, which didn't even fit into the lock, and 2 cheesy door prizes and walked out laughing about this scam.

Pat Kenmore, New York
U.S.A.