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

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*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

DISrespect of the "retail community" is the central theme in DirectBuy's sales pitcy. They claim all retailers are ripping off consumers thru outrageous markups.

They want only one kind of consumer in there-- poorly informed. Most people know for example that no one EVER pays full MSRP for furniture. Anyone with a TV or newspaper must see week after week the furniture stores are always having major discounts for some reason or another. In addition I would imagine you could negotiate the price of a major furniture purchase similar to buying a used car.

What is DirectBuy?

DirectBuy is private members-only showroom and design center where members can purchase goods without paying retail markup. With more than 130 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada.

What does it mean to buy direct?

When you purchase merchandise through DirectBuy, you buy directly from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers at confidential insider prices, much like retail stores do.

Is DirectBuy like a warehouse club?

Not at all. Though many of our members also belong to warehouse clubs. At DirectBuy, the product selection is more extensive, featuring thousands of brand-name items found in major department and furniture stores. We also offer members the ability to custom-order furniture and cabinets, as well as arrange for delivery and installation.

How do I become a member?

Call and make an appointment to attend an Open House. At the Open House, information about the savings, member services and extensive selection of brand-name merchandise is described in great detail, so you can make the most informed decision about whether DirectBuy is right for you. There is no obligation associated with attending the Open House.

How long does an Open House last?

You should plan to spend about an hour and a half with us. This includes time for you to see everything and to have your questions answered.

Do I have to make an appointment?

Yes. Our showrooms are open only to members. For a showroom tour, you will need to make a reservation and we will provide you with a Visitor's Pass. Once you're a member, you're welcome to stop in any time. Call 1-800-DirectBuy or visit www.directbuy.com to find a showroom near you.

How much is the membership?

Membership dues are confidential until you attend an Open House and take a good, honest look at what DirectBuy has to offer and you understand how a DirectBuy membership can work for you. During your first showroom visit, we'll present you with membership options and costs. There are several membership plans available, and pricing depends upon the type and length of membership.

Can I become a member of DirectBuy anytime after attending an Open House?

We ask for your decision after attending an Open House. This policy is in place out of respect for our members, manufacturers and the retail industry. It prevents consumers from asking traditional retailers to match DirectBuy prices.

Why don't you list the names of your manufacturers?

DirectBuy carries more than 700 brand-name manufacturers in the U.S. and more than 500 in Canada at insider prices. We ask that current and prospective members not share our prices or information about our manufacturers out of respect for the retail community, which could be pressured by consumers to meet our prices.

What is DirectBuy?

DirectBuy is private members-only showroom and design center where members can purchase goods without paying retail markup. With more than 130 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada.

What does it mean to buy direct?

When you purchase merchandise through DirectBuy, you buy directly from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers at confidential insider prices, much like retail stores do.

Is DirectBuy like a warehouse club?

Not at all. Though many of our members also belong to warehouse clubs. At DirectBuy, the product selection is more extensive, featuring thousands of brand-name items found in major department and furniture stores. We also offer members the ability to custom-order furniture and cabinets, as well as arrange for delivery and installation.

How do I become a member?

Call and make an appointment to attend an Open House. At the Open House, information about the savings, member services and extensive selection of brand-name merchandise is described in great detail, so you can make the most informed decision about whether DirectBuy is right for you. There is no obligation associated with attending the Open House.

How long does an Open House last?

You should plan to spend about an hour and a half with us. This includes time for you to see everything and to have your questions answered.

Do I have to make an appointment?

Yes. Our showrooms are open only to members. For a showroom tour, you will need to make a reservation and we will provide you with a Visitor's Pass. Once you're a member, you're welcome to stop in any time. Call 1-800-DirectBuy or visit www.directbuy.com to find a showroom near you.

How much is the membership?

Membership dues are confidential until you attend an Open House and take a good, honest look at what DirectBuy has to offer and you understand how a DirectBuy membership can work for you. During your first showroom visit, we'll present you with membership options and costs. There are several membership plans available, and pricing depends upon the type and length of membership.

Can I become a member of DirectBuy anytime after attending an Open House?

We ask for your decision after attending an Open House. This policy is in place out of respect for our members, manufacturers and the retail industry. It prevents consumers from asking traditional retailers to match DirectBuy prices.

Why don't you list the names of your manufacturers?

DirectBuy carries more than 700 brand-name manufacturers in the U.S. and more than 500 in Canada at insider prices. We ask that current and prospective members not share our prices or information about our manufacturers out of respect for the retail community, which could be pressured by consumers to meet our prices.

I also applied for a customer service/call center position last week. Went on the interview and was told by Rick that he would like me to start and that I would get a call back in about two weeks to follow up.

He obviously changed his mind because yesterday, he had someone named Katy from member services call my home to inform me that they had filled the positions and I would not be hired and thanks for my interest, good luck with my job search.

Not an issue - a company has the right to change its mind.

THE ISSUE - This individual left this message with my 13-year-old daughter!! My daughter does not have a "grown up" voice and is clearly a child! My daughter, being polite, explained that I was not home and could she take a message.

For goodness sake - who in their right mind or with one ounce of integrity, professionalism or a conscience would leave this kind of message with a child - who was VERY upset by this message! Why not just say - "Ask you mother to return my call This is the most outrageous, unprofessional and morally reprehensible action I have encountered in my 23 years as a workforce professional.

My daughter calls me in tears on my cell phone and I of course call the company back immediately to demand an explanation and this woman doesn't have the nerve to get back on phone and someone named Gary provides no acceptable explanation or apology, and when I ask to speak with Rick, I am told that he is unavailable and cant talk any further.

Likewise Nancy, I am much better off not to have my resume tainted with the likes of this company. God does look out all the time.....And to think, I had five people committed to become members with this company once I came on board....thank goodness that this did not happen.

During my interview Rick talked about his teenage daughter....I wonder how he would like it if someone called his home and left this kind of message with his child.

I had answered an employment ad and Rick called and left a message to call him to discuss the details of the position. I returned his call four times and left messages and he never returned my calls.

Ironically this was a custmer service position and I hoped this was not company standard policy. I had hoped they did not treat their customers in this way. After reading several reports regarding Direct Buy I see this is an issue. In retrospect I suppose I am better off.

I have been searching for a long time for employment in the design industry and was initially very dissappointed of course. I do not take a job search lightly as it is my livelyhood. Afterall a 30 second return call to just say never mind or whatever could make a world of difference and let a person get on with what they need to do, right?

So thank you for your insight and I am once again reaffirmed GOD is in control and there is a reason for everything.