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J.P. Licks’ Frozen Yogurt X Gets New Name

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J.P. Licks is announcing a new name for their specialty frozen yogurt previously known as “Frozen Yogurt X”. Congratulations and a big Thank You goes out to Gay Ferguson of Mission Hill who came up with the name… “YoTango”. It’s clever, catchy and descriptive of the flavor and its taste and impact on the palate, like a Yo(gurt) Tango(ing) in your mouth!

Last summer, J.P. Licks introduced their non-fat tart and tangy yogurt as Frozen Yogurt X. They ran a “Name that Yogurt” contest. Gay’s “YoTango” was selected from hundreds of entries as the most fitting name for J.P. Licks’ Kosher frozen yogurt which is non-fat, contains millions of probiotic bacteria, has less sugar, no cholesterol and is easily digested by the lactose intolerant. “YoTango” is also loaded with calcium and contains active cultures which include lactobacillus bulgaricus and lactobacillus acidophilus. It’s mind boggling that something that tastes so good could be so good for you too. Why, it’s downright healthy.

Gay’s winning entry has earned her a cup of “YoTango” every day for a year, which thrilled Gay. She’s been buying a cup every day since she first tasted it and quickly became addicted. Gay estimates this will save her $1437.19 this year. Needless to say, she is ecstatic with her prize and J.P. Licks is ecstatic to have a customer like Gay.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 27 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston. They have won, literally, hundreds of awards over the years. Most recently, J.P. Licks has received six “Best of Bostons” from Boston Magazine; 10 consecutive “Best” awards from the Boston Phoenix Reader’s Poll and three consecutive “Bests” from The Weekly Dig magazine. The Weekly Dig also awarded J.P. Licks with a unique “Pukiest Ice Cream Flavor Ever Created” award for their Tabasco ice cream flavor. J.P. Licks was also chosen as Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year” in 2007.

Additionally, J.P. Licks roasts their own fair trade and organic coffee beans in the Jamaica Plain store AND they cater ice cream parties, too. Visit the website at jplicks.com for even more information.

J.P. Licks’ Frozen Yogurt X Gets New NameRead More

Service Net and DirectBuy partner to offer extended service plans to members

DirectBuy partners with Service Net to provide extended warranties to members throughout the United States and Canada.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise direct from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, recently partnered with leading service management company, Service Net Solutions, LLC, to provide extended service plans to their members.

DirectBuy members now have the opportunity to purchase Extended Service Plans that will provide them with coverage and protection for up to five years on hundreds of brand-name consumer electronics, fitness equipment and major appliances. The Extended Service Plans will also provide members with coverage for power surges, power spikes and mechanical failures, as well as a program that may reimburse members for food losses on refrigerators and freezers. Most products covered by Service Net’s Extended Service Plans are also available for onsite repair, where applicable.

DirectBuy offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. At 160 showrooms throughout the United States and Canada, DirectBuy members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

“We are focused on enhancing the relationship between DirectBuy and their members to maximize the value of the relationship,” explained Service Net’s President Chris Smith. “We’re confident in the positive impact we can make – and look forward to several great years of service to DirectBuy’s membership base.”

Founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1996, Service Net has grown rapidly into one of the nation’s top service contract and warranty marketing companies, and now underwrites and administers extended warranty program for many of the world’s most recognized brands and their respective product lines. Many companies now turn to Service Net for flexible and innovative service solutions because of their expertise in not only building brand loyalty, but also in creating unique programs to meet their clients’ needs.

“DirectBuy’s offering of Service Net’s Extended Service Plans reinforces the value we offer to our members. An extended service plan provides the member with the peace of mind that if they have a product failure, there’s a support organization to address it,” explains DirectBuy Vice President of Operations John Meyer. “Just as we enable DirectBuy members to buy their appliances and electronics at manufacturer-direct prices, we now offer Extended Service Plans at those same direct prices, and the savings are considerable.”

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy also offers access to interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy members also have access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed twelve room settings – created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy – using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

Service Net
SERVICE NET is a service management company focused on enhancing the relationship between their clients and their customers to increase brand loyalty and maximize the lifetime value of their relationship. They deliver a full range of industry-leading service solutions including warranty management administration, extended service programs, customer service support, service network management, claims processing services, and service contract underwriting. Service Net provides these services for a variety of manufacturers, retailers, buying groups and distributors and currently support over five million consumers worldwide. Service Net serves several Fortune 1,000 companies in the consumer electronics, home appliance, PC products, and HVAC industries.  Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Ind., the company maintains sales offices in Denver; Hartford, Conn.; and Irvine, Calif. For more information, please go to www.servicenet.com.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Service Net and DirectBuy partner to offer extended service plans to membersRead More

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Honors Founder & Business Leader Herb Rodman

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Herbert E. Rodman, CPA, the founder of Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists of Newton, Mass., and a well-known business leader, recently passed away.

Over the years, Mr. Rodman, who was a longstanding member of the Mass Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, witnessed many changes in the industry – from the early days of pencil and ledger to today’s online tax filing.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Rodman, a graduate of Boston University, worked as a CPA and helped many businesses in the New England area prosper. He founded the company in 1961 and for a number of years, Mr. Rodman ran the company by himself from his Boston office. Many of his clients were small, family-owned businesses. Mr. Rodman’s personality lent itself to small business. He was patient and liked to get to know his clients; their motivation and their goals. He was also creative on the tax side and gave good advice.

A number of clients have been with Rodman & Rodman since Mr. Rodman’s early days including: Tom McCann of Commonwealth Films; Bob Mirabito of Mirabito Insurance; Jerry and Stu Kawadler of National Maintenance; Russ Anderson of Southeastern Metal; Ed and Jim Rapoport of Honorcraft; Warren Gomberg, Les Rudnick and the Spiliakos, Taylor, D’Attilio, Alepedis, Tenn, White, Voto, and Hughes families.

Today, Rodman & Rodman operates from offices in Newton and Braintree and has a staff of 20.  Despite the size of the company, the family tradition continues. Mr. Rodman’s son Steve Rodman, who has been the company’s president for several years, shares his father’s philosophy of getting to know their clients as well as their motivations and goals and the company continues to help small to mid sized businesses reach (and often exceed) their expectations.

Although Quickbooks and other accounting software programs didn’t exist years ago and things were done differently, in many ways, Rodman & Rodman has remained the same. They are still wholly dedicated to looking after clients’ best interests.

“All who knew Herb respected his professionalism, knowledge and abilities as a CPA. Most would also say that those were not even his most admirable traits.  Herb was a warm, caring person with a wonderful sense of humor and an engaging personality,” said John McGovern, CPA, ABV, CVA, a Partner at Rodman & Rodman. “Herb built a strong company based on solid principles that has continued to grow steadily over the years. We’re all proud to be a part of the Rodman & Rodman team.”

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, Mass. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact Jen Reading at (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Honors Founder & Business Leader Herb RodmanRead More

Why you can’t bank on consolidating your loans.

MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS…

In tough economic times, many small businesses are looking to consolidate loans and credit card payments. While taking out a single line of credit and consolidating other debts might sound like a good strategy in theory, it puts all your debt with one lender. According to Itamar Chalif, president of Atlantic Capital Solutions, it’s a strategy that can backfire in a major way.

Atlantic Capital Solutions, based in Middleboro, Massachusetts, helps small businesses across the country find funding and lines of credit to buy or lease equipment, expand, or make other improvements. Often times, those businesses turn to ACS after a bad experience with a lender. In a number of cases, those lenders have been institutions the business had used for years.

Says Chalif, “We’ve heard some pretty horrible stories recently. One involved a business owner who had already made 24 payments on a $52,000 loan when he inquired if he could rewrite the loan to take advantage of lower interests rates. The bank offered to rewrite the loan if he put $5,500 towards the principle. The business owner declined and thought nothing more of it. The next day, he received an e-mail from the bank requesting the balance of his loan, $14,000, be paid off upon receipt. This was after the lender drew $20,000 out of his personal and business accounts. [after 24 payments, the balance on the loan was $37,000]. Adding insult to injury, he had to pay late fees on all the checks that were written and bounced because he did not know the bank depleted his accounts until it was too late.”

Adds Chalif, “Another story that’s equally disturbing involves a business owner who had been in business for more than 20 years, with total annual sales exceeding $3 million. He had excellent credit, excellent cash flow and a great net worth. For the past six years he had a $250,000 unsecured line of credit with a local bank. One day his banker invited him in and said ‘you are one of our best clients, you have been paying your loan on time, you cycle over $3 million a year through our bank and we really appreciate your business. However you have two choices: (1) provide us with collateral of $250,000 or (2) pay off your line of credit.’ The bank wasn’t completely cold-hearted. It did give him 45 days to pay off the line of credit.”

Tales like these aren’t designed to keep people from seeking lines of credit. Far from it. Says Chalif, “The idea is to diversify so that if you should somehow fall prey to one of these lenders, it doesn’t wipe out your bank accounts or, worse, put you out of business.”

To that end, ACS offers small businesses a number of solutions to getting financing and lines of credit, including:

●        New and used equipment leasing/financing

●        Small Business Administration (SBA) options

●        Non SBA solutions for start-up businesses

●        Commercial mortgages

●        Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause (TRAC) leases

●        Lines of credit

●        Working capital loans

●        Business acquisitions

●        Factoring (accounts receivable funding)

Offering professional, one-on-one service, ACS helps small businesses sift through the fine print that goes along with many financing options so that the best interest of the business owner is protected.

Based in Middleboro, Massachusetts, ACS works with clients locally and nationally, including:

●        Business owners, controllers, CFOs and other decision-makers.

●        Entrepreneurs contemplating the purchase of a business, franchise or start-up.

●        Equipment vendors

For more information about Atlantic Capital Solutions, Inc. and its range of services, you can visit http://www.AtlanticCapitalSolutions.com or call 508-718-5520 to set up a complimentary initial consultation.

About Atlantic Capital Solutions

Atlantic Capital Solutions has helped business owners, entrepreneurs, CFOs and other decision-makers find the right financing option for their organization. ACS works with a broad spectrum of lenders and institutions and is therefore able to offer a variety of customized programs for its clients, including: new and used equipment leasing/financing; commercial mortgages; Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause (TRAC) leases; lines of credit; working capital loans; business acquisitions; and more. For more information about Atlantic Capital Solutions and its range of services, you can visit http://www.AtlanticCapitalSolutions.com or call 508-718-5520 to set up a complimentary initial consultation.

Why you can’t bank on consolidating your loans.Read More

Destined for crate-ness! Boston Pack and Ship creates niche with customized crates for smaller shipments.

BRAINTREE, MA…

There’s the old expression “good things come in small packages”. At Boston Pack and Ship, a small load packing and shipping specialist for the past two decades, “good things happen with small shipments. Particularly when it comes to building customized crates for awkward-sized items.

“Most manufacturers ship items in bulk, even if it’s 1,000-lb. item. Very rarely do you see a shipment of one or two pieces. So, when companies have one or two items of that size to be shipped, it requires a customized crate to be built. That’s our forte,” said Joe Fell, co-owner of Boston Pack and Ship.

Building the crate is sometimes only half the job. For larger, more awkward-sized items, an onsite trip is required to measure the piece to be shipped to give a more accurate estimate. In most cases, Boston Pack and Ship’s staff will pick up the item for shipping and bring it back to the warehouse to build the crate.

“We build all our customized crates on site here in our workshop. Many times, the Boston Pack and Ship pick-up crew are the ones building the crate. That can make a big difference because the person building the crate has a better idea of the fragility of the shipment,” adds Fell.

For more fragile items, Boston Pack and Ship employs foam-in-place technology or closed cell foam to keep the item from moving within the crate during shipping. These technologies essentially create a casing for the item being shipped, which can be used again and again should the item need to be re-shipped to multiple locations.

Boston Pack and Ship serves both commercial and residential customers. Products being shipped can range from medical equipment and computer servers to delicate artwork and grandfather clocks. Typically, these items are of high monetary and/or sentimental value with a timely arrival being every bit as important as a safe arrival. Case in point, Boston Pack and Ship built a custom crate for a local artist’s large iron sculpture of an eagle commemorating the crash of Flight 93 on Sept 11.

Boston Pack and Ship offers multiple U.S. shipping options including ground and air delivery to a terminal for pickup or inside delivery. International options include air or ocean with door-to-door or door-to-port delivery. Full declared value is available on both domestic and international shipments. Pick-up of items to be packed and shipped for delivery is made by appointment.

For more information on the breadth of Boston Pack and Ship’s services, you can visit the company Web site at www.bostonpackandship.com. For a free quote on an out-of-state or international move or shipment, please call (800) 400-7204.

Small load specialists

Formerly known as The Packaging Store and now repackaged as Boston Pack and Ship, these small load specialists have been a trusted strategic partner of many movers in eastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Boston Pack and Ship employs custom crates and packaging and foam-in-place solutions to pack and ship everything from artwork to heirlooms, computers to antiques to both out-of-state and international destinations. Known for its fast and efficient customer service, one call is usually all it takes to schedule a pickup for a door-to-door or door-to-port shipment. For more information, visit www.bostonpackandship.com or call (800) 400-7204 for a free quote.

 

Destined for crate-ness! Boston Pack and Ship creates niche with customized crates for smaller shipments.Read More

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield to Honor Frank and Heather Hynes at Gala

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The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield will honor former State Representative Frank Hynes and his wife Heather at their annual Gala and Auction which will be held on March 7, 2009 at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston.

Frank Hynes served as State Representative for the 4th Plymouth District serving the towns of Marshfield and Scituate for 26 years and 13 terms. He served on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. Mr. Hynes is a former member of the Plymouth County Advisory Board and the Marshfield Advisory Board and served on the Board of Selectmen from 1980 to1983. Many folks are familiar with his weekly cable access program “Open House with Representative Hynes” that aired in Marshfield and Scituate. Both the Massachusetts Nurses Association as well as the Massachusetts Municipal Association have honored him as “Legislator of the Year”.

Mr. and Mrs. Hynes will be honored by the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield for their support of and dedication to the Boys and Girls Club and families in the area.

Approximately 350 people are expected to attend this year’s dazzling Gala and Auction which celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield and also serves as a major fundraiser. At last year’s Evening Under the Stars Gala and Auction, more than $40,000 was raised in support of programs for more than 4,000 youths in the area.

The evening’s events include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entertainment, a silent auction and a live auction.

“We can’t say enough about Frank Hynes’ work on Capitol Hill and what he has done for the Boys and Girls Club through his leadership on the Ways and Means Committee. We’re privileged to have Frank and Heather as part of our Board of Directors and are pleased to be able honor them at our Gala in March,” noted Greg Jackson, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield.

For more information about the Gala and Auction or to purchase tickets, visit the website www.marshfieldboysandgirlsclub.com or contact Shawn Costa, Director of Development at the club (781) 834-CLUB (2582).

About the Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield’s purpose is to establish a safe haven for recreation, which includes a variety of supervised activities for greater than 4,000 youth (between the ages of 6 to 18 years old) within the town. The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield has five Core Areas: Character and Leadership; Education and Career; Health, Sport Fitness Recreation and Life Skills; The Arts; and Technology. These Core Areas serve as the foundation for all programming.

As a privately-funded, non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield relies tremendously on the generous philanthropic support of individuals.  Financial gifts assist in providing the financial strength necessary to continue the club’s mission “to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens, as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders.”

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, please contact (781) 834-CLUB (2582) or visit the website at MarshfieldBoysAndGirlsClub.com or write to the club at P.O. Box 311, Marshfield, MA 02050.

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield to Honor Frank and Heather Hynes at GalaRead More

DirectBuy of Buffalo hires Don Zappia as marketing manager

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, recently hired Don Zappia as a marketing manager.

Zappia most recently worked for a networking marketing firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to that he owned and operated Simme’s Martini Bar & Restaurant in Lancaster, New York. Zappia attended Medaille College in Buffalo.

“Don’s been a great addition to our staff. He brings a lot of energy to the table and has a passion for the value DirectBuy brings to our members lives,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.

As a marketing manager, Zappia’s responsibilities include oversight of the phone room marketing efforts, lead generation and lead follow up.

“DirectBuy brings an entirely new way to shop for thousands of people and I’m extremely excited to help more people discover the unique opportunity DirectBuy offers,” said Zappia, a Buffalo resident. “Not only do we help people save, but this is a really fun place to work. Mark is a great boss and the people here really do make it a pleasure to come to work everyday.”

Married, Zappia resides in Amherst with his wife Lori. 

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit

www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy showrooms throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

 

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DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver nominated for Tri-Cities Chamber’s business excellence award.

VANCOUVER, COQUITLAM, VICTORIA, AND OKANAGAN, BC…

In offering consumers an entirely new way to shop by buying directly from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver strives for excellence. Recently, the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce acknowledged that effort with DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver’s nomination for its business excellence award.

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver was nominated in the Business of the Year category. The criteria for that category is:

  • A Tri-Cities business employing 35 or more;
  • has made an outstanding contribution in economic development, innovation and community services;
  • displays a positive social conscience;
  • and whose key figures are leaders in the business community.

“There are many wonderful businesses in the Tri-Cities community doing phenomenal things. I know it sounds like a cliché, but being nominated is an honor unto itself,” said Peter Ruetz, owner of DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver.

“DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver has been a leader not only in business, but in the Tri-Cities communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. In particular, their work with the SHARE program to help physically and mentally challenged individuals assimilate into the workplace has been exemplary. They are a most worthy nominee for the business excellence award,” said Jill Cook, executive director of the Tri Cities Chamber.

Winners of the Business Excellence Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 31 at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club. The Business Excellence awards other categories include: Outstanding Small Business of the Year, Legacy Leadership, Newsmaker of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Innovative Spirit.

For more information, people can contact the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce at 604-464-2716 or by e-mail at info@tricitieschamber.com.

Since 1971, DirectBuy franchises have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also offers members a Rolodex of installers, many of who are DirectBuy members, who can help members create their dream kitchen, bathroom or any other room in the house.

With four convenient locations in the greater Vancouver area (Victoria, Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Kelowna), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 500 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Vancouver area since 1997. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 604-552-5255, or visiting www.DirectBuyBC.ca. 

Locations of the four DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Vancouver area are: DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, British Columbia V5M 4P7; DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 6R2; DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd., Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 7J8; and DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 1P7.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver nominated for Tri-Cities Chamber’s business excellence award.Read More

DirectBuy offers gemstones, jewelry for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and other special occasion gifts.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

When you think of DirectBuy, most people think of home improvement projects and big-time savings for members by enabling them to buy directly from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. What’s not as well known is the variety of items members can buy from more than 700 (500 for Canada) top brands. That long list includes gemstones and jewelry, an item of interest for many consumers around Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and birthdays.

“The beauty of gemstones is not just in how nice they look, but what the stones symbolize. For example, garnet is the birthstone for January and for second anniversaries and represents strength and vitality. So, even if you don’t know much about jewelry, you can select a gemstone as a gift based on its meaning and the recipient will be touched by both how it looks and the thought behind it,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

Some of the more popular gemstones, and their corresponding meanings, include:

  • Emerald – green, birthstone of May and the 20th anniversary gem; represents serenity.
  •  Diamond, colorless or pale, the birthstone of April; represents courage and true love.
  • Sapphire, available in any color (red with deep blue is most popular), the birthstone of September; represents peace and happiness.
  • Ruby, red, the birthstone of July; represents love and wisdom.
  • Pearl, white with iridescent pink, but available in a variety of colors; birthstone of June and the 12th and 30th anniversary gem, represents modesty.
  •  Aquamarine, medium blue with a touch of green, the birthstone of March; represents trust, harmony and friendship.

In addition to gemstones, DirectBuy also carries a variety of jewelry, ranging from high-end and everyday watches to engagement rings, lockets to bracelets.

“We’ve earned our reputation for helping people build the homes of their dreams at low, insider prices. With our selection of gemstones, we can make birthdays, anniversaries and, yes, Valentine’s Day a special memory with our gemstone and jewelry selections,” adds Shragal.

In addition to fine gems and jewelry, DirectBuy offers everything you might possibly want to give for a present at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. If you do need some assistance in selecting a gift, DirectBuy employs product specialists and designers, who are at your service.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy offers gemstones, jewelry for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and other special occasion gifts.Read More