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Report: #98285

Complaint Review: Directbuy - Calgary British Columbia

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  • Reported By: High River Alberta
  • Author Not Confirmed What's this?
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  • Directbuy directbuy.com Calgary, British Columbia Algeria

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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
=====================

Directbuy Ripoff screwed and tattooed Calgary Calgary

Yet another ripoff. We went to the presentation and were wooed and pressured into the sale. we took the option of 900+ dollars up front and 450 per month for the 4 months. we called the very next morning and cancelled. We were told we had 72 hours to cancel. The conversation on the phone seemed to go well and was told that would be sufficient.

Fast forward 1 month. We received our cards in the mail upon returning from holidays. WHAT A SHOCK. We immediatley called to verify what had happened and all I got from the Franchizee owner was this play stupid attitude and got nowhere with him (Peter). All he told me was if I wanted my money back, I would need to seek a lawyer. Now this is what I call proffesionalism (sarcasm)

John
High River, Alberta
Canada

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 07/09/2004 05:20 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/directbuy/calgary-british-columbia/investigation-directbuy-commitment-100-member-satisfaction-directbuy-recognizes-that-co-98285. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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Updates & Rebuttals

REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
1Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#1 Consumer Comment

Canadian Court Rules Directbuy violates Consumer Protection Act, the Sales of Goods Act, and The Trade Practice Act

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

POSTED: Saturday, July 10, 2004

A Canadian court found the membership agreement untenable and unenforcable because it violated the Consumer Protection Act, the Sales of Goods Act, and The Trade Practice Act. Read this at at paragraphs 13-20 of the ruling.

http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgments/pc/2002/01/p02%5F0197.htm

With the UCC Totalhome/Directbuy Membership Agreement violating all this law, you may be able to get your money back in court.

Warning to others! Directbuy is a scam that use to go by the name UCC Totalhome. Before that they were known as United Consumers Club. They are trying to get consumers to buy a non-refundable, non-cancellable "membership" contract costing $3000 or more, payable in advance. You are led into this trap by thinking that by paying $3000 (or more) membership fee (in advance) that you will get better prices - that you will be able to buy at "cost." But there are no guarantees.

The National Post news article got it right when they reported:

"Another fine print stipulation stated: "No oral promises or statements not contained in this agreement shall bind or obligate the club."


News Net 5's expose on what was then UCC Totalhome (now DirectBuy) found out:

"But UCC's contract states: "No oral promises or statements not contained in this membership agreement are binding."


There are no guarantees that you will be buying at "cost" and there are no guarantees of savings whatsoever. Since the "membership" fee is non-refundable and non-cancellable, should you not realize any savings, oh well, too bad - no refunds!


Buyer beware this scam!

Here are some links to more information about them-

http://www.nationalpost.com/financialpost/story.html?id=19E244B1-7DD0-45A2-B66D-7883F94E1DB4

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/services/ucc/

http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/video/programs%5f2001%5f02/ucc%5fqt%5f020306.html


http://www.newsnet5.com/news/335540/detail.html

http://www.wbz4.com/lyons/local%5fstory%5f063165203.html

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1229/4780642.html

http://archivesearch.wtnh.com/news/ct/ct090497.html

http://formeraboutguides.com/investingcanada/library/weekly/1999a/aa062399.htm

http://formeraboutguides.com/investingcanada/library/weekly/1999b/aa110499.htm

http://formeraboutguides.com/investingcanada/library/weekly/2000b/aa122100a.htm

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/frames.cgi?1594

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/frames.cgi?0511

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/frames.cgi?2148

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/u/unitedconsumersclub%5ftoc.htm

http://forums.moneysense.ca/thread.jsp?forum=3&thread=1229

http://plex.us/outbursts/marx%5fmotivation.html

http://martinsquest.com/personal/UCC%5fTotalhome%5fDirectbuy.htm

http://forums.delphiforums.com/ucctotalhome/start

A NY court found the membership contract "grossly unconscionable" and that "Club membership is nothing more than a cleverly disguised method of selling nothing but hopes and dreams."

http://www.mlmlaw.com/library/cases/mlm/state/nyniemiec.htm

A Canadian court found the membership agreement untenable and unenforcable because it violated the Consumer Protection Act, the Sales of Goods Act, and The Trade Practice Act. Read this at at paragraphs 13-20 of the ruling.

http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgments/pc/2002/01/p02%5F0197.htm

Paragraph 8 is where they said they aren't required to give any service after the sale. Yes, see for yourself they used it in court to try to save themselves.

http://www.sconet.state.oh.us./rod/documents/2/2002/2002-ohio-3806.doc

UCC blames the member for the delay in receiving merchandise for over 4 months! Read it for yourself at paragraph number 33!

http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/documents/2/2004/2004-ohio-2426.doc

Lawsuit shows lack of moral and ethical conduct by UCC/TH/DB franchisee Darryn Fossand.

http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/archive/ctapun/0405/opa031376-0511.htm

BEWARE:

The contract specifically states:

There are no merchandise returns.
There are no refunds if not satisfied.
Merchandise is sold without warranty.
There is no after sale support or service.

http://free.hostdepartment.com/d/directbuyinfo/

http://free.hostdepartment.com/d/directbuyinfo/MembershipAgreement.htm

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