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originally published at http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=Forum&report=Subtopic&SubtopicID=00031888&firstrecord=0&finalrecord=14

Unregistered
Unregistered
Posted on 24 Jul 2003 at 08:51.17 PM
Type:Education
Company State:TX
Company Country:US_United States

UCC/DirectBuy sells memberships for its revenue, expenses and profit. UCC/DirectBuy sells these memberships for several thousand non-refundable dollars. Each franchise, while somewhat independent, must follow the UCC/DirectBuy model and continually depend on the parent company for instruction, procedure and legal assistance. The marketing method that UCC/DirectBuy uses to sell these memberships is to offer consumers lower prices on merchandise than non- members would be able to find. The challenge of the sales force is to convince consumers that retailers are making a profit by selling merchandise. The salesperson then needs to persuade the consumer to believe that they have been taken advantage of by retailers and that UCC/DirectBuy will allow the consumers to purchase merchandise for the same price as retailers. The next step is to lead the consumer to believe that UCC/DirectBuy does not have a profit margin on these purchases.

The salesperson also needs the consumer to believe that UCC/DirectBuy carries such a wide variety of merchandise and that those prices are lower than any non-member would find, based only on a scripted, tightly controlled sales presentation, because those attending the sales presentation are not offered a chance to research what the salesperson has presented. As soon as the presentation is completed, the consumer is faced with a now or never decision, solely based on information provided by UCC/DirectBuy.

Once a consumer joins, UCC/DirectBuy will not voluntarily refund the fees and cancel the membership under any circumstances.

I have found that UCC/DirectBuy does not offer a guarantee on anything of value. It seems that some people may have saved more on their purchases than the membership cost, but what seems a better indication of value for me, is the many members who have not saved enough to cover their membership fee. The risk is further compounded by the no refund policy and the apparent structure UCC/DirectBuy has built to constantly defend UCC/DirectBuy.

There seems to be little way of determining what sort of value UCC/DirectBuy can be for any individual family without joining.

I can not see any other reason to join UCC/DirectBuy, except for lower priced merchandise. If UCC/DirectBuy cannot guarantee lower prices, then what good is the membership?

My conclusion is that UCC/DirectBuy is a risk that smart consumer should avoid.

Unregistered
Unregistered
Posted on 26 Jul 2003 at 07:33.21 PM
Company Country:US_United States

Unregistered
Unregistered
Posted on 29 Jul 2003 at 09:03.01 PM
Company Country:US_United States

We'll skip the appointment.

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