Direct Buy

So I was looking for furniture stores in Bakersfield (we need to buy a couple couches and a mattress) when I stumbled upon DirectBuy. I thought the premise of their online sales pitch made sense. Essentially they buy from manufacturers and sell to members without the mark up. They make their money off the membership fees. So, I figured, it must be like Costco.

Yesterday I filled out the online info request but midway through it required I select a time to visit. I wanted Jen to accompany me so I did not complete the form, but I thought it odd that they so quickly tried to bind me to some time slot when all I wanted was a little information. Today a cheerful friendly salesman called to ask if he could send me materials and get me out to the warehouse to see what great deals they can offer. He testified that I could save 25-50% off items bought through DirectBuy. I agreed to let him send me materials. I also asked about the membership price; however, the salesman explained that he was not permitted to share it over the phone. Suspicious, I thought. It reminded me of the time share pitches I've attended in the past where they refuse to give you a price until they've sufficiently wowed you with their product. It is a sales tactic I don't care for, but I do understand it.

So, I did a google search on this company to see what the price would be and if people liked their service. Holy Bedposts Batman! I routinely google search for reviews on anybody and anything I encounter just to see what the world thinks of them, and I've never seen such universally hateful comments about a company.

To begin, the membership price (shhh... dont tell anybody, its a secret) is $5,000. For this, they tell you, the company will save you bundles of money on every purchase. They hope that you wont do the math and realize that it would require tens of thousands of dollars worth of purchases before you made back the loss on the membership fee. But this is only the beginning. They have terrible customer service (routinely do not answer or return calls) and won't let you return or exchange anything you bought. Most disturbing, they employ a over the top high pressure sales approach, according to the reviews I read. Apparently, they get you to visit the warehouse, show you furniture and other products without prices, except for a couple selected items with big savings. If you ask to see the catalog, with prices, they refuse. There they subject you to a 2-3 hour sales pitch, and then tell you that you must decide right then. They explain, if you leave the store you will never be permitted to join--its now or never. One review I read said that the would-be members had to open their cell phone and begin calling the police before the sales crew would let them leave the building. About half of the reviews I read said it was a rip off and the other half said RUN (in capital letters) away from this scam.

So the moral of the story is, don't join DirectBuy.

And on a final note I should point out that the entry on Wikipedia even states that DirectBuy's attorney has filed cease and desist actions against blogs that spoke ill of the company, so don't be surprise if this posting disappears later because I don't want to pay for an attorney to defend my first amendment right to freedom of speech. If all that is true, this company really is evil.