2008.09.24
Buying direct
The doors are open at Direct Buy, a new store on Electric Road in Southwest Roanoke County, near Texas Steakhouse. But not everyone can walk inside and immediately start shopping. You first must be a member to shop at this retailer selling furniture, appliances, home décor, jewelry, stemware and other home-related products.
Direct Buy says that its items are less expensive than at mainstream retailers because they are sold directly from the manufacturer. That means the products do not have mark-up fees attached to them.
Brock Wilson, co-owner of the local Direct Buy, would not reveal the cost of a membership. Instead, he encouraged interested consumers to schedule an open house appointment to learn all of the necessary information. That includes finding out the membership fees.
People with a Direct Buy membership from another location still can shop at the Roanoke County store. Direct Buy has more than 160 locations in the United States and Canada.
Wilson and his wife first became Direct Buy members when they lived in Chicago, prior to their move to the Roanoke Valley in 2001.
On some days, Direct Buy's doors open later than traditional retailers. On Tuesday through Thursday, its hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the store opens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.
I have a friend who went to a presentation there recently who said that the membership fee was around 7K. The presentation itself was very high pressure (think timeshare vacation pitch) and she was told that if she didn't sign up right then and there that same night that she was banned from coming back for 7 years. Heck of a business model if you can pull it off.
Comment by Carrie — September 24, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
If $7,000 is the actual fee, this is probably not the best timing to open up a Direct Buy and high pressure sales pitches are not favored, either.
Comment by John Gallagher — September 24, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
A quick search on the net reveals direct buy is a big scam...
Long term costs are much more than the high up front costs...and what kind of business pressures people to join with a threat?
Comment by NoDirect — September 25, 2008 @ 1:42 am
The place is a scam. What Carrie said is largely correct. Google DirectBuy and the first 500 results are links to complaints.
Comment by Charles — September 25, 2008 @ 8:04 am
You'll have to keep us posted on this one Jenny, I'm very curious!
Comment by Jamie — September 25, 2008 @ 9:46 am
42 pages of complaints, quite interesting.
Comment by Informed Consumer — September 25, 2008 @ 10:14 am
It definitely reeks of a scam to me, or if not a scam...at least a horrible deal. I was incredibly skeptical when i heard their ads on the radio of direct manufacturer prices...because I knew they had to get people somehow in order to make money. Seeing the super-high membership fees, shipping fees, handling fees, and other nit-picking ways they can nickle and dime their customers, I'll avoid them entirely. I'm pretty sure I can get almost anything they sell from Lowes, Home Depot, or some other retailer for the same price or less just by doing traditional negotiation with sales staff if I feel the price isn;t fair, or by using any of a number of legitimate discounts that are usually available.
Comment by Other John — September 25, 2008 @ 11:55 am
I had caution flags flying like crazy as soon as I read Jenny's statement that the man wouldn't reveal the cost of membership!! My experience is that whenever that happens the seller is asking too much/it's a bad deal! I'm glad for Jenny's posting and the comments, I won't even waste my time stopping there. (I don't even shop at Sam's Club and that cost is chump change in comparison!)
Comment by Dennis — September 25, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Any time someone refuses to tell you the cost up front, run!
Comment by Henry — September 25, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Why in the world would anyone want to pay to shop? Are the prices that much better than anywhere else? I have never heard of this outfit before, not sure how it works or if it is worth it.
Comment by Pat — September 26, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Interesting, my experience was that it was not high pressure at all. The up front cost - which was less then $6,000 - was pretty big but I made it back in my first project and have continued saving. I will say the if you aren't planning on doing a remodel or buy a fair amount of stuff it's probably not worth it. PS - If your purchases are a big screen TV or low end appliances not much savings there. Cabineets, flooring and FURNITURE were big savings.
Comment by Lisa — September 26, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
For $7,000 they better be giving the merchandise away. I've seen their ads on TV for quite some time now, second rate ads so I could only draw the assumption that they were a second rate company. Booo Hissss
Comment by Di — September 26, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Really the consumer complaint sites say it all. high pressure sales pitch, if you don't join at time of presentation you can't join for 7 years!!! isn't that the definition of high pressure. Do it now or never again. Then if you join for $7,000 you get to pay about 20% above manufacturer's wholesale pricing for "handling". Wonder if the people in their local ads are really local members???
Comment by Ann — September 27, 2008 @ 10:41 am