DirectBuy of Birmingham

Mark Ellenberger _{on Google}

Apr 11th, 2014

Wow… what a colossal waste of time. I went in with curiosity thinking that it was at least worth my time to get the free 7 inch Android tablet. Well, it might have been if the tablet actually worked! Understand that if you go in with the free tablet as your goal that you will walk out with a $2.00 (yes two dollar) tablet. I figured I would give it to my 8 year old to play with but it will not even run the most basic of children’s games (and has a battery life of about 15 minutes). But back to BD…
If some of the savings are true then it could be a good deal… IF… you were planning on spending over 10K in the next year on remodeling or refurnishing. For the average (frugal) buyer it is a little much to pay $4500 for the right to buy stuff at what “may” be a discount. Add to the price of membership the fact that they will not even let you sleep ONE night before deciding to hand over 5 grand of you hard earned money. (This bothered me). After their initial sales pitch about how much money you will save, they take you out to the “showroom” to give you some more ideas of the savings you can take advantage of by showing you some add cutouts that reflect the retail price and the BD price. One of the examples they had was what “appears” to be a Cabelas (An outdoor outfitter) add that shows a rifle scope that they claim costs $349 but they have a hand written piece of paper showing their price, $250, and your “savings” but it conveniently covers up the first digit of the actual price. Well, being a hunter and avid Cabelas shopper, and unless I am mistaken, the scope that they show actually costs $249 from Cabelas; $1 LESS than what they say is the manufacturer cost.
They were very reluctant to show us any of the actual catalogs but they finally handed my wife a “manufactures” catalog for Sealy matrasses (which we actually plan to buy in the next few months). I looked up a mattress to get some idea of the savings and just now found the same mattress on sale for about $100 less. Consumer reports has a free report that explains what they found when they sent a couple of “undercover” reporters in to check them out. They point out at least one item (a TV) that cost $500 more when bought through BD.
Based on this information I do not believe that their claim to be offering items at “manufactures cost” is accurate. If I had to guess, I would say that all they really do for you is provide ways to find really good deals on “some” items that you could find yourself with a little effort.
If you are going to go and check them out please just do your research first.
God bless; and trust your gut.