Direct Buy - Trinity Innovative Enterprises, Unethical Business Practice, Illegal Contract, Terms not discussed, Nasty, harassing business practices, Allentown Pennsylvania
On Saturday October 28th, 2006 my partner and I went to a Direct Buy Seminar after being solicited by phone. We were given the hard sell by the robotic A**(((REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES))) like woman and guarded by the rookie salesperson. We were given a hard sell and decided to cancel the membership after a few days of deep thought.
I wrote a letter on Monday, October 31, 2006 and mailed it directly as well as immediately cancelling the charge on my credit card in the amount of 750.00. I phoned the scam artists and attempted to tell them that I didn't want to do business with them and didn't want to be a part in their scam and was told that I had exceeded the "3 days" on the contract to change your mind. I indicated to them that we were there on Saturday and Sunday and monday were their closed times and that this was within the 3 day time.
I also indicated that the sales guy never disclosed this...their response was "it is in writing on the contract" and their expectation is that I am going to pay this 5491.00 anyway. The woman was rude (I believe her name was Peggy) and condescending. I have to admit by the end of the conversation, I used some inappropriate expletives and told her I would see them in court if I had to. I have copies of my letter sent.
My credit card company is working with me to ensure that they do not access my account further. They indicate a "notice of cancellation form" which is allegedly attached to the membership document...this is non existent.
My intent is to file a complaint with Tom Corbett of the Attorney General's Office, the Better Business Bureau as well as fighting this in court if need be. I can play hardball too.
The business practices enacted within this corporation are unethical, illegal and immoral. Any contract though signed is not legally binding if the terms therein and thereof were not discussed by the seller or representative of the company. Do not take their verbalizations as truth as well as they indicate in their contract "No Oral Promises or statements not contained in the membership agreement shall bind of obligate the club."
I will make sure that I send the message to those I interact with professionally and personally to avoid doing business with any DIRECT BUY agency and/or agent.
Marie
Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
sorry, from this Rallowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address eport.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Delilah
Ft Lauderdale,Florida,
U.S.A.
I have never had a problem - we have saved money
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, July 31, 2009
We have been taking full advantage of our membership.
?
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
employee bias and more
#13Consumer Suggestion
Mon, January 21, 2008
First and foremost let me just say that within every industry or business sector there are bad seeds. I'm not saying all Direct Buys are bad, but they are all modeled the same. So it leads me to believe it comes to the owner's character and the way they conduct business.
Of course you are gonna put the company that is your bread and butter in the best light. But I really know better cause to make a long story short, let's just say that I know a h*ll of a lot more than the average consumer and more than the company wants me to know. I can say that I have never said anything publicly about it, but I really think its about time to let people know that if they believe in the Direct Buy system are lost sheep.
If you believe the hype, then I would like to sell you some property on the moon. Like all stories you see on tv, realize that there are always success stories, like the couples on TV who say they saved over $50K or so remodeling their house. First of all, what percentage of people have that money to spend in order to save? Secondly, the only time you "save money is buy ordering high ticket items that the normal consumers usually don't buy. As for the 5% service fee, that's another cash cow for the owners. Plus at the seminar, they don't tell you how long you have to wait for your orders. Worse off, if the order is wrong, you just can't exchange it right there and then. You actually have to wait that long time again for that same item, which by this time it is ordered correctly.
There are so many things about this company that I know. The irony is that they made the mistake by letting me know. I will try and help people not get scamed as a consumer.
Marie
Sweet Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
where is the rebuttal I was notified about in response to this report?
#13Author of original report
Fri, January 11, 2008
My issue with this company was resolved and my money was refunded IN FULL. However, they are deceptive and predatory in their attempts to lure and seduce members into an exploitive contract. Additionally, to add to the lure, the cancelation time is never addressed as it should be with a consumer nor is the consumer able to address cancelation after the lure within a timely manner as per the contract, given the fact that this business is closed on Sunday, Monday which leaves the short time (their 3 day time) impossible to meet and satisfy. Additionally, you are unable to do this appropriately by phone.
My efforts were successful given that I sent a CERTIFIED letter immediately; had documentation and canceled my credit card. I returned the loan book and papers unopened and marked "refused". I did initiate a dispute with a consumer agency which did assist in the clear resolution of this matter. Their people are abusive and deliberately attempt to intimidate and harass the consumer in a condescending manner as they continue to reiterate "I'm trying to help you..." with the falsehoods in the statement as they are not trying to help...just to force you into paying and feeling trapped into paying. Stay away from these ripoffs. I am grateful to have found this site which has assisted me with making better decisions in other matters.
Marie
Marie
Sweet Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
where is the rebuttal I was notified about in response to this report?
#13Author of original report
Fri, January 11, 2008
My issue with this company was resolved and my money was refunded IN FULL. However, they are deceptive and predatory in their attempts to lure and seduce members into an exploitive contract. Additionally, to add to the lure, the cancelation time is never addressed as it should be with a consumer nor is the consumer able to address cancelation after the lure within a timely manner as per the contract, given the fact that this business is closed on Sunday, Monday which leaves the short time (their 3 day time) impossible to meet and satisfy. Additionally, you are unable to do this appropriately by phone.
My efforts were successful given that I sent a CERTIFIED letter immediately; had documentation and canceled my credit card. I returned the loan book and papers unopened and marked "refused". I did initiate a dispute with a consumer agency which did assist in the clear resolution of this matter. Their people are abusive and deliberately attempt to intimidate and harass the consumer in a condescending manner as they continue to reiterate "I'm trying to help you..." with the falsehoods in the statement as they are not trying to help...just to force you into paying and feeling trapped into paying. Stay away from these ripoffs. I am grateful to have found this site which has assisted me with making better decisions in other matters.
Marie
Marie
Sweet Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
where is the rebuttal I was notified about in response to this report?
#13Author of original report
Fri, January 11, 2008
My issue with this company was resolved and my money was refunded IN FULL. However, they are deceptive and predatory in their attempts to lure and seduce members into an exploitive contract. Additionally, to add to the lure, the cancelation time is never addressed as it should be with a consumer nor is the consumer able to address cancelation after the lure within a timely manner as per the contract, given the fact that this business is closed on Sunday, Monday which leaves the short time (their 3 day time) impossible to meet and satisfy. Additionally, you are unable to do this appropriately by phone.
My efforts were successful given that I sent a CERTIFIED letter immediately; had documentation and canceled my credit card. I returned the loan book and papers unopened and marked "refused". I did initiate a dispute with a consumer agency which did assist in the clear resolution of this matter. Their people are abusive and deliberately attempt to intimidate and harass the consumer in a condescending manner as they continue to reiterate "I'm trying to help you..." with the falsehoods in the statement as they are not trying to help...just to force you into paying and feeling trapped into paying. Stay away from these ripoffs. I am grateful to have found this site which has assisted me with making better decisions in other matters.
Marie
Marie
Sweet Valley,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
where is the rebuttal I was notified about in response to this report?
#13Author of original report
Fri, January 11, 2008
My issue with this company was resolved and my money was refunded IN FULL. However, they are deceptive and predatory in their attempts to lure and seduce members into an exploitive contract. Additionally, to add to the lure, the cancelation time is never addressed as it should be with a consumer nor is the consumer able to address cancelation after the lure within a timely manner as per the contract, given the fact that this business is closed on Sunday, Monday which leaves the short time (their 3 day time) impossible to meet and satisfy. Additionally, you are unable to do this appropriately by phone.
My efforts were successful given that I sent a CERTIFIED letter immediately; had documentation and canceled my credit card. I returned the loan book and papers unopened and marked "refused". I did initiate a dispute with a consumer agency which did assist in the clear resolution of this matter. Their people are abusive and deliberately attempt to intimidate and harass the consumer in a condescending manner as they continue to reiterate "I'm trying to help you..." with the falsehoods in the statement as they are not trying to help...just to force you into paying and feeling trapped into paying. Stay away from these ripoffs. I am grateful to have found this site which has assisted me with making better decisions in other matters.
Marie
Alex
Wesosville,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
It is all in black and white
#13UPDATE Employee
Fri, January 11, 2008
the "scam" you talk about is in the contract on the back where you, as the new member must sign. if you initaled there and did not read that you have 3 days ( first day ending on the day you signed ) then it is your own fault. This is a great company if you are looking to redo or build a home. i personaly have saved over 9,000 in just doing my cabnets there. We try to be as friendly as possible, but if you take our perfesional attitude the wrong way then again it is your falt. So a reminder to everyone READ BEFORE YOU SIGN!
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Is this true?
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
Marie writes:
" Any contract though signed is not legally binding if the terms therein and thereof were not discussed by the seller or representative of the company"
It isn't my understanding that the terms of a contract have to be orally discussed. That is why you are supposed to READ the contract.
If every term in a contract MUST be verbally disclosed for the contract to be valid, then wow, it seems like a huge amount of contracts, signed every day, would be invalid.
This would also render millions of agreements that are done through the mail or online invalid as well, wouldn't it? I'm thinking of credit card agreements, specifically, in that light.
Can anyone provide an answer? Thank you.
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Is this true?
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
Marie writes:
" Any contract though signed is not legally binding if the terms therein and thereof were not discussed by the seller or representative of the company"
It isn't my understanding that the terms of a contract have to be orally discussed. That is why you are supposed to READ the contract.
If every term in a contract MUST be verbally disclosed for the contract to be valid, then wow, it seems like a huge amount of contracts, signed every day, would be invalid.
This would also render millions of agreements that are done through the mail or online invalid as well, wouldn't it? I'm thinking of credit card agreements, specifically, in that light.
Can anyone provide an answer? Thank you.
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Is this true?
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
Marie writes:
" Any contract though signed is not legally binding if the terms therein and thereof were not discussed by the seller or representative of the company"
It isn't my understanding that the terms of a contract have to be orally discussed. That is why you are supposed to READ the contract.
If every term in a contract MUST be verbally disclosed for the contract to be valid, then wow, it seems like a huge amount of contracts, signed every day, would be invalid.
This would also render millions of agreements that are done through the mail or online invalid as well, wouldn't it? I'm thinking of credit card agreements, specifically, in that light.
Can anyone provide an answer? Thank you.
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Is this true?
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
Marie writes:
" Any contract though signed is not legally binding if the terms therein and thereof were not discussed by the seller or representative of the company"
It isn't my understanding that the terms of a contract have to be orally discussed. That is why you are supposed to READ the contract.
If every term in a contract MUST be verbally disclosed for the contract to be valid, then wow, it seems like a huge amount of contracts, signed every day, would be invalid.
This would also render millions of agreements that are done through the mail or online invalid as well, wouldn't it? I'm thinking of credit card agreements, specifically, in that light.
Can anyone provide an answer? Thank you.
Dominick
Holland,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Has Anyone Ever Won
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
Has anyone ever successfully went to court to break the contract for bad service, or whatever, and gotten there Membership fees back from Direct Buy?