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
[email protected] 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. =====================
NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED =====================
Direct Buy Prey on middle-class families Colorado Springs Colorado
When my husband and I first got married we were in the middle of buying a home for ourselves. We had seen the infomercials about Direct Buy and wanted to see what it was really all about and if they really did what they said they could do. We knew we would need to furnish the house and with beginner-family expenses we hoped this might be a way to get around the inflated prices at local furniture stores. We thought we might be able to take advantage of all of the other products & services later on when we were more established. So we went to their little seminar and everything sounded wonderful. What a great way to save money. So we signed the paperwork and were put into a financing program to buy our membership. That should have been a huge "slap-you-in-the-face" red flag to us. But we still thought that the program would help us out.
You see, less than a month had passed before we realized we could not go forward with the program. I had lost my job, my husband had just been in a motorcycle accident and just received orders to Iraq. So I called up the finance company and Direct Buy to arrange a termination to the agreement. Surely considering everything that had happened to us they would work something out with us. We had not yet used the membership so it's not like we were returning a used item. Their answer was no. We had already exceeded the "window" allowed to change your mind and there was no going back. We signed a contract and that was that.
That was 3 years ago. And to the date we have never ever purchased anything through Direct Buy. It would have been great if we had lots of money already. If I had needed a gourmet kitchen then I'm sure they could have helped with top-of-the-line cabinets and helping me find someone to put granite countertops in. But being that I'm not rich and have no need or purpose for expensive products and services, I would not benefit from DirectBuy. Middle-class growing families should steer clear if they would just like to save some cash. What I encountered with DirectBuy was products & services that I could either never dream of affording even if it was 40% off or could buy cheaper at a department or home improvement store. For example, I priced out vacuum cleaners Sears was cheaper. Another example, lighting fixtures - cheaper at Lowe's or Home Depot. One more, a crib for my son sorry but I will never pay that much for a baby's bed. I could never afford their furniture.
I never saw the benefits of DirectBuy and I sure as hell would not recommend them to anyone. I have paid over $3000 for a membership that I have never used nor been able to use. And as far as I can tell, I will never see that money again. Hope they rot.
Julia
Casa Grande, Arizona
U.S.A.