When you go to the open house you are put through a fast, well rehearsed, smooth, presentation. You are wowwed with examples of savings on items that the presentor cuts from local advertisements. They do the math in front of you and tell you that you will save big on big ticket items like furniture. After the presenattion you are put one on one and undergo a rather high pressure pitch to close the deal.
What they fail to mention when they do their math, and what I believe constitutes deceptive practice, is that they do not mention the "8% handling fee." This handling fee is seperate from the freight fee. I bought several smaller priced items and I guess I didn't notice the "handling fee" or I thought it was a charge from the local center to "handle" the merchandise when it arrived.
We went to order a bedroom set and the handling fee ended up being close to $200.00 on top of the $500.00 freight charge. When I asked what the handling fee was exactly, I was told it was what "corporate" charged to process the order.
SCAM!!! Paperwork is paperwork! How much harder is it to type in a couple extra numbers or recite a few extra words over the phone. A fee to process the paperwork..?! What did my $5000 membership fee cover?
Regardless, this fee was never included in their slick presentation! Their pitch is you pay manufacturer prices plus the exact cost of shipping. They fail to mention that they take an 8% cut of your purchase!!!
It all worked out though... Turns out a local furniture company had the exact same bedroom set for only $92.00 more than the directbuy price and they would deliver and set it up versus me transporting the whole set from the direct buy center. That alone is worth the extra $92.00.
Bottom line... Directbuy is not worth it. You save pennies but is your frustration, time, and effort worth it..!?!?!
If anyone is forming a class-action lawsuit I want in!
Andrewmemphis, Tennessee
U.S.A.
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