HawthorneVillager.com

i have heard the same from people and actually have friends that are members. You have to pay everything cash, you don't get to physically see the item you are buying until it comes in and you can't return it....not my idea of "customer satisfaction".

Cindy

Hey

We were members of UCC Total home. It is in fact set up that you only pay cash, don't see the product until you get it and being it's considered a custom order, you cannot return it or get a credit or whatever.

It is really great Idea for those who take the time to do the researh on a product ie: bedroom sets - go everywhere you can to see the item they sell and then order through UCC. What you are actully buying is same price as retail, however you'd be getting a high quality. ie: bottom line bedroom set 1000 retail at brick ( just say ) would be middle to top of line bedroom set for 2000 at UCC.

We opted to not renew our membership - good thing was that we split with a friend and only paid half. I went with her husband to look at stuff (cause only memebers can get in) and then when we were ready to buy, we would get them to purchase it for us. Saved us in having to pay full membership - which isn't cheap either.

Gee

Just to let you know, the mississauga location accepts Mastercard. We are members and I understand the other opinions, but it was the best thing we ever purchased. That being said, we are first time home buyers and bought everything through them so we saved a ton of money. It is also unbeatable for hardwood and california shutters. What I'm trying to get at, you'll save a ton of money if you are buying a lot of things. Gee is correct that you have to do a lot of research, as you don't get to see the product. I don't mind doing the research for the amount of money we saved from it. It's definitley not for everyone though.

Hope this helps!

Sounds like another pyramid scam.

It's not a pyramid scam....rather a really good idea for those who are interested in paying a yearly fee to shop for better quality, and have the time to wait once a product is ordered. It can take up to 3 months to get your item.

Gee

It's basically just like you were a buyer at Future Shop. You order from a catalogue and pay the buyer's price. Then you would sell it at a retail price. The whole deal that Direct Buy worked out is that because there are so many members, we can buy at the same prices the big stores can buy at - like Future Shop. The membership is expensive yes, because that's the only income the centres make. Wich means you have to buy a lot to make up the money. We bought all our appliances, Frigidaire and LG, and our TV - Samsung plasma, among other things. We are also thinking about doing hardwood in our upstairs hallway. It does seem like a weird concept - I understand. At my fiance's work (where a few people are members) they joke about Direct Buy and call it "The Cult". Gee's right though, it can take a long time to get your stuff, and most of the items are delivered to the centre, not your home (except appliances and large items).

Hope this helps and gives you a better insight.

Cassandra

So it works this way.
You are paying 4000CAD over how many years?
You are getting something you are not able to see.
You are waiting for weeks to get it.
No delivery.
Didn’t they tell you to lure more members to make some profit/benefits?
The SCAM it is.

kfo95,

In response to your nasty message, I resent the fact that I can't answer somedoys inquiry without getting attacked, especially by someone who won't even leave their name. I posted a message to help someone make a decision about whether or not to purchase a membership at Direct Buy. I think most will agree that I was very honest about the pros and cons, and was honest that the membership is not for everyone. It seems as though this discussion board has become full of posts where people are being slaughtered for expressing opinions or giving information. For your information, I do not get paid to lure members - I could care less wether you join or not - I am saving MY money in the way I choose to do it. What I'm really confused about is why someone feels the need to be rude and insulting istead of simply posting a message stating that you don't like the idea.

Excuse me to anyone who is offended and believes that I'm trying to lure them to purchase a membership. I should have kept my experience to myself. I will from now on.

Cassandra

Hi Cassandra,

I found your post beneficial. I hope you'll reconsider continuing to share any other experiences you might have that you feel are relevant to what's being discussed on these boards.

Cheers,

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Mark

It is kf095, not kfo95.
I was not addressing even single word to any from this subject. It was not personal.

It was not nasty; sorry for some of you, some times negative opinion hurts.
But it was my own simple opinion. Nothing else.
Some time less words means more.
I will post more info about this subject later on.
All this SCAM is known for years outside from Canada. I knew this from ten or more years ago.

OK. Little more.
If you are invited for any presentation, open house does not matter how they named it for you. The real name of this is the brainwashing. Specially trained people’ll dope you. They are able to find the best luring tactics by analyzing of how you walk, talk and articulate. Their target is to make you to sign in the agreement. No matter if it for appliances or time-share. The main idea is to get you membership payments. I saw people who went to this kind of the meeting. They were acting like zombies after it for few hours.
You should know it is possible to cancel any kind of agreement from your side, but within few days after you signed the agreement. At least it is possible in Ontario.
Now for this particular case.
Cash and no returns. It makes it simple – it is something illegal. If you don’t care to be involved for something illegal to get your goodies you don’t need to read the rest of this message.
Cash – why you have to pay cash in the GTA? I never carry on any cash with me or at home. It was never a problem to buy and pay for anything here. Big or small.
Cash for them means the key to the illegal action. Which is double accounting (black cash) and money laundry.
Now if you are giving them cash in advance and have to wait for three months. You are giving them the credit. So they are free to use your money to invest for something quick. Most profitable criminal investment is for narco-trafficing. They are having your money for three months – enough to buy all ingredients, make it and sale it with the profit ten times bigger compare to your credit to them. After this they are able to buy any more expensive model of appliances you choose from them.
You have to pay the membership fee – it means they are securing this credit line from you. Because you are willing to spend certain amount of money for exact period of time, they will know how to manage their illegal business.
No returns, no delivery means – they are not authorized with any of appliances providers. They just buying it under company or personal ID name.

Normally 99% of the builders will provide appliances for detached houses.
Mattamy is only for towns and semis. This is ridiculous. My current house from another builder was set with appliances from the commercial department of the Brick. They have prices for one third lower compare to retail prices. As new homeowner you are able to buy it all from this department if you are having the single page certificate from the builder.

brainwashing? illegal business? investing your money in criminal narco-trafficing? Cash only? I'm pretty sure you can use debit card.

Are you sure we're talking about the same Direct Buy?

I haven't been to a Direct Buy presentation but no people who have. The pitch/presentation sounds similar to timeshare presentations.

Many people are members of Direct Buy. Some are glad, some aren't. But I don't think it's a criminal business that's investing cash in narcotic drug trafficing. But that's only my opinion. Your opinion & others may vary.

This is why initially I was so surprised to read from few posts at this subject about paying cash only. Of course, narcotics was one of the possible scenarios. Most of the times initial reason to accept cash only is to hide the actual company profit and by doing of double accounting pay much less taxes. I don’t know if it works in here, but in some countries in western Europe it is often for deals like hiring person to paint the house. It will be 400 Euro by cheque and 300 Euro if you are paying for same guy for same job by cash.

building on your post, Greg, I've got to admit that one of my BIGGEST pet peeves is when stores don't let you pay by debit, and politely offer that you can use their "private" bank machine on site, and pay a $3 service fee, plus your $1.50 fee from your bank......

Drives me NUTS!!!!! (But it IS good business sense for the companies, I guess, as they have to pay a percentage on debit transactions as well, so instead of paying on those transactions, they are now MAKING money on them.....doesn't say much for customer appreciation though....)

Jessica

From what I recall debit transactions cost the retailers a service fee per transaction as opposed to a percentage of the chargable total.

That's why many smaller places like the food courts at the mall add 25 cents to a transaction to cover their service charges on the smaller dollar totals.

I used to own a retail store a number of years ago and had some heated discussions with various banks over their oxymoron term 'discount rate' when they were charging me 2.5% per Visa/Mastercard transaction. I received no discounts, and neither did the customer.. it was the banks skimming the top.. but then that's how banks make money. Argh.

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