DirectBuy, any opinions about this company.

[MrInvestor]

I've been seeing the infomercial about this company on TV for the last 2 years and want to know if any MB members have joined this company for rehab material?

I've done a Google search and seem to see a lot of negative opinions about this company but mostly about the membership fee and sales tactics but wanted to know if anyone had anything good to say?

Any tradesman here who are members utilize this companies claims of being able to save 40-60% off on higher end cabinets, granite counter-tops, hardwood floors, home furniture.

Thanks, I hope I posted this in the correct forum

[TommyOH]

Funny you brought that up. My wife was just watching that last night and asked me about it. I've seen them on tv for a while now, but never joined. I'd be interested to hear if anyone deals with them as well.

[Debbie]

Ironic....Hubby wanted to check it out, especially for the new home.

Then, we found out bad news about DirectBuy....

It costs $4500.00 to join for three years, then $100.00 per annual. It takes 6 to 12 weeks to receive the products.

A short time ago, my Mom's collegue had the misfortune of joining DirectBuy. It's a major headaches for her and her hubby. They told my Mom to run, not walk but run away from DirectBuy.

Look for more information, er, negative information about DirectBuy via Google.

[dealmaker]

Wow! I figured it would be bad, I had no idea how bad though.

My wife had asked about it a couple of times, we kind of assumed that the percentages they were talking about had to be bogus, we have a pretty good idea of what it costs to manufacture and ship items and it seemed pretty bizarre.

As to the cabinets; heck the only way to go is to get a SKILLED CABINET MAKER. I'm not sure what that costs in other parts of the county, but we have a guy building and installing (this does not include a painter staining) some kitchen cabinets for us. We're getting the following;

1 60" W X 44" H, 5 door cabinet

1 24" W X 44" H, 2 door cabinet

1 15" W 30" H, single door, floor cabinet (to put trash can in)

1 24" W 8" H, drawer

This is costing us less than $1200. It does not include hardware, using stuff from cabinets we took down, and like I said staining will be extra. You can kind of extapolate those numbers and see how much per linear foot it might cost to do a kitchen.

As for the granite, well they guarry that stuff almost in my backyard and I can get "some" shades that are local a bit cheaper than stuff that comes from Brazil of Italy. But the fact of the matter is that finishing it is very labor intensive. By finishing it I mean getting the high polish on it. That's why some imported stuff ends up costing LESS than some local (rarer) shades that come out of the ground within 3 miles of my house! And of course the installation is quite dear!

It sounds a bit like a time share, you'll pay a lot more than you'll ever get out of it!

dealmaker

BTW, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

[k6saunde]

So, where do most of you buy your appliances, cabinets, fixtures etc?
Home Depot?
Lowes?

If so, how do you go about getting contractor pricing with these companies?

Or do you mainly stick with the smaller independant stores that may be able to work you a better deal because you will be buying often from them?

Any tips on where and how to buy would be appreciated.

P.S. Already been looking at lowes and home depot for their close out and discontinued items.

[Tim]

One of the best places to shop for bargains for rentals or rehabs is your local Habitat for Humanity store. Yep, they have a store in most major markets for things that are donated that can't be used in their homes. You can get some amazing bargains on high end and inexpensive merchandise. For example, a friend of ours was remodeling their own home in an exclusive country club area here in Atlanta. They needed a chandelier for their three story entry. (Yeah, I wish I had that kind of money too!) They found the exact one they were considering purchasing from a high end lighting outfit in Atlanta. They were willing to pay $3875 plus tax. They found it at the Habitat store in Stone Mountain for, get this, $350. With the money they saved they bought four matching wall sconces from the high end lighting store and the total was still less than the original $3875!

[Debbie]

Sure wish we have that HoH store! :SM002:

[stallingsorg]

i manage a kitchen project for my brother and we use home depot. we bought appliances, special order a (american woodmark) cabinets and a (mission prairie) front entrance door.

how do you go about getting contractor pricing with these companies?you can get a pretty good idea how much cabinets installation will costs you via home depot. home depot quote me $1,200. so i found and negotiable a professional installer's through friends, neighbors and associates for $400.

also we found a local professional installer through a friend, that order, having custom made granite counter-top and install sink fixtures from a local wholesaler for a great price.

it all about having a plan, budget, finding, bidding and negotiable.