DirectBuy And Beta Finance Credit collection Harrassment Collinsville Illinois

After a year since our falling for Direct Buy's scam, we'd like to help warn others of the false advertising, misrepresentation, and poor business practices they are guilty of. Let me say up front that if anyone wants to help form a class-action suit or petition the state's Attorney General's office (We're in Illinois, the DB showroom is in Collinsville), let us know. The email is DEDiec@Charter.net. (Any lawyers in the house?)

After getting several sales pitches at home shows over the years, we finally decided to attend an open house and see if they could help us save money building and furnishing our new house. We were told that they could save us huge amounts in all the products we needed, including building materials and construction labor (mostly through their partnering contractors and suppliers in the area). We wanted to think about it before joining and see what brands and prices were offered, but they said that was impossible - we had to join then and there, and only then could we see their catalogs. As we were getting ready to walk, they suddenly offered a 1-week grace period for a non-refundable deposit of $200 (Looking back, I'm amazed we didn't see all the warnings). We agreed, paid, and left to dream of all the savings we would enjoy.

Several days later, we returned to find the showroom closed and cleaned out. After tracking them down to another town and a new showroom, we tried again to see the brands and prices, but we still had to pay or finance the $4200 2-year membership (financing cost an extra $250, but they didn't tell us that an additional 18% APR would also be charged). We still hadn't seen the light, so we made the down payment ($200 more) and asked to see the catalogs. Nope, not until financing was approved - wait another week or 2.

Finally, we were allowed to actually see what they had, but were left on our own to find out about added fees (usually 8%), shipping charges, no deliveries or refunds, and no warranties other than the manufacturer's. Armed with our scribbled notes from hours of showroom research, we proceeded to search for retail prices to compare. The results: (1) other than at high-end stores, we found equal or lower prices almost everywhere, especially on flooring, a major part of DB's showroom. Almost everyone was cheaper, usually about 15%, especially ProSource, another buyer's club catering to contractors, lifetime membership: $25. (2) doors and windows, another large part of DB's displays, but only available thru local cooperating distributors, as long as you talk to a specific rep: talking to the designated rep anonymously got me a better price than telling him I was with DB! (3) I'll admit that most appliances and plumbing fixtures were about 5% cheaper at DB, but many that I had seen on the manufacturer's website were not available thru DB, but were in stock locally.

As a result, we decided that we would be better off without a DB membership, and asked politely to cancel. Not only were we told that was impossible, but we were immediately treated like criminals and our membership was cancelled. Since we have not gotten any products or service from them, other than the hours we spent on showroom research, there should be no reason why our account can not be cancelled and our debt erased (We have also been told that payment in full would NOT re-activate our membership, even if we wanted to!) Instead, we are now being hounded by first their finance company, Beta, and now a collection agency, name unknown (and only on the phone, mainly at work, with nothing received in writing!)

Those of us who have paid for or charged a membership for nothing in return should have some sort of legal grounds against Direct Buy, and we are willing to take on this fight to the end. If you agree and know how, please contact us, if this site will allow it.

Don Alton, Illinois
U.S.A.