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Your new travel guide…Kelly Miller opens Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Maps franchise.

Resort Maps' Kelly Miller

BETHLEHEM, PENNYSYLVANIA AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of nearly 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Kelly Miller as the owner of the new Resort Map to be published for the Lehigh Valley. The map will include all key destinations in the Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown areas.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. The Best of Lehigh Valley map will highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants, festivals and fairs, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services in Lehigh Valley. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

“There’s so much going on in the Lehigh Valley right now with the development of local sports teams, casinos, festivals and other locally owned businesses. That’s not only drawing interest from the locals but tourists from all over,” said Miller. “There aren’t any maps that cover the attractions of this area and showcase what local businesses have to offers. Our map will help locals and tourists alike discover the Lehigh Valley.”

A lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, Miller graduated from Northampton High School and Cedar Crest College. In addition to owning a Resort Maps franchise, she is a notary and tag agent for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Wind Gap. Miller resides in Bethlehem Township.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity and the potential for additional maps within and around the Lehigh Valley,” said Miller.

Slated for a fall 2010 distribution, The Lehigh Valley Resort Map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just out for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops as well as at many non-advertiser locations throughout Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley Resort Map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to over 100 areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Map, you can e-mail Kelly Miller at kellym@resortmaps.com or call 610-401-7796.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Twenty million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guide…Kelly Miller opens Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Maps franchise.Read More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Nassau County celebrates 10 years in business.

WESTBURY, NY…

For 10 years, DirectBuy Club has been offering consumers in greater Nassau County a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings, and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Nassau County offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers.

“We help consumers stretch their dollars and create the homes of their dreams. Even after 10 years that doesn’t get old,” said David Pena, owner of DirectBuy of Nassau County. “Ten years later we’re just as excited about this opportunity because DirectBuy makes even more sense for consumers than it did when we opened our doors.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“Our 10 years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families create the home of their dreams, but also to establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Pena. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Conveniently located at 200 Shames Drive in Westbury, New York, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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.

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Nassau County celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

DirectBuy of Puget Sound’s Matt Martin receives Service Professional of the Year honors.

DirectBuy of Puget Sound's Matt Martin

LACEY, WA AND MERRILLVILLE, IN…

 DirectBuy Club, the leading home improvement and home furnishings club offering direct insider prices, recently announced at its International Sales & Service Conference in Dallas, Texas that Matt Martin, a Lacey resident and service manager at DirectBuy of Puget Sound, had been named DirectBuy’s Service Professional of the Year.

Candidates for the Service Professional of the Year award are nominated by their peers, supervisors and franchise owners and are graded on their role in providing an exceptional member experience by going above and beyond for their members. Martin achieved the highest grade among service professionals from more than 150 DirectBuy Clubs across the United States and Canada.

“Matt possesses three key attributes that make him a successful service professional. He’s a hard worker, dedicated and has a big heart. He’s the epitome of what we strive for in serving our members,” said Dimitri Olympidus, owner of DirectBuy of Puget Sound. “Matt puts himself in the members’ shoes with every situation, good and bad.  As a result, members pick up that he is genuinely interested and committed to them. This breeds a culture of service that is second to none at our club.”

Olympidus presented Martin Service Professional of the Year award on stage at the Conference, where he received a commemorative plaque for this achievement.

“I am very honored to receive this award and the recognition that comes with it,” said Martin. “From day one, it has been my goal to provide an exceptional level of service to our members and I have had the pleasure of working with a fantastic team in Puget Sound.  I have also been blessed to have the support of our owner Dimitri who has given me all of the tools to make this team so strong.”

Martin started with DirectBuy in 2007. In his role, he oversees all aspects of DirectBuy of Puget Sound’s service department. A graduate of the University of Oregon, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business. Martin resides in Lacey with his wife Christie and their two daughters.

DirectBuy of Puget Sound offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. 

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy of Puget Sound, conveniently located at 8719 Commerce Place Drive Northeast in Lacey, Washington, offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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 of Puget Sound’s Matt Martin receives Service Professional of the Year honors.Read More

DirectBuy of Syracuse receives Top Customer Service Award at International Conference in Dallas, Texas.

EAST SYRACUSE, NY AND MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy Club, the leading home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently announced at its International Sales & Service Conference in Dallas, Texas, that DirectBuy of Syracuse as the 2010 Top Customer Service Star Rating Club.

DirectBuy clubs have the opportunity to be recognized as a Top Customer Service Star Rating Club based on the results of a customer service survey that goes out monthly to new and old members, as well as to consumers who visited a DirectBuy location and declined to become members, regarding their experiences with DirectBuy. The survey measures all clubs according to DirectBuy’s Service Theme and Standards, from the appointment-setting process and new member orientation all the way to problem resolution and renewals.

“DirectBuy of Syracuse achieved a 5-Star Customer Service Rating for five of the six quarters of the qualification for this award. They narrowly missed having six straight quarters of 5-Star Ratings by just .02 points!” said Patti Titus, DirectBuy Corporate’s Senior Director of Merchandise Services. “That speaks to how focused they continue to be in delivering the absolute best member experiences each and every time, and also stands as a testament to the talents of their team members.”

DirectBuy of Syracuse owners Maurice King and Melina Cholmondeley accepted a commemorative plaque onstage at DirectBuy’s International Sales & Service Conference.

“We take customer service very seriously at DirectBuy of Syracuse. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve,” said King. “This award really is a testimony to our staff. It is a team effort all the way as we strive to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous selection and savings.”

DirectBuy of Syracuse offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. 

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy of Syracuse, conveniently located at 6804 Manlius Center Road in East Syracuse, offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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 of Syracuse receives Top Customer Service Award at International Conference in Dallas, Texas.Read More

DirectBuy of Minneapolis awarded Top Renewal Club of the Year honors.

BLOOMINGTON, MN AND MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy Club, the leading home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently announced at its International Sales & Service Conference in Dallas, Texas, that DirectBuy of Minneapolis had won the coveted Top Renewal Club of the Year award.

The Top Renewal Club award is presented to the DirectBuy Club with the highest percentage of renewals for both first-time members and subsequent renewals. DirectBuy of Minneapolis achieved an 83.7 percent renewal rate for 2009.

“Every Conference, DirectBuy of Minneapolis is always near the top in all our service awards. Last year they were DirectBuy’s Service Club of the Year for 2008, and this is their third year placing in the Top 5 in Member Renewals,” said Joe Tayon, DirectBuy Corporate’s Director of Merchandising-Home Improvement. “These accomplishments are truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of their staff and the commitment of the owners to build a strong service culture.”

DirectBuy of Minneapolis owners Darryn and Dana Fossand accepted the award onstage at the conference.

“Service is the key to retaining your members. Working to constantly improve customer service is something our service staff takes very seriously,” said co-owner Darryn Fossand. “This award really is a testimony to our staff. It is a team effort all the way as we strive to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous selection and savings.”

DirectBuy of Minneapolis offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions, and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. 

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy of Minneapolis, conveniently located at 2090 W. 98th Street in Bloomington, is a 12,000 sq. foot showroom that offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design club where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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 of Minneapolis awarded Top Renewal Club of the Year honors.Read More

Power to the people… Social buying gives buying power to the consumers, but is this really a new trend?

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

In addition to becoming a daily ritual for millions worldwide, social media sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter have spawned additional trends. Most notably, group or social buying. But is this really new trend or simply a different spin on what membership clubs like DirectBuy, or wholesale membership clubs like BJ’s, Costco, and others have been doing for decades?

For those of you not in the know, each day group buying sites like Groupon.com, LivingSocial.com, and many others advertise products or services at deeply discounted rates. Usually the offerings are for a specific geographic region (e.g. – a day at a local spa); however, the discount only becomes valid when a pre-determined number of buyers has been reached.

“The Internet has made the world a much smaller place and it’s helped consumers realize that there is strength in numbers and they do have far more bargaining power than they realized,” said Mike Georgeff of DirectBuy. “The irony is that it’s a power consumers have had for years through DirectBuy – and not just in a certain geographical area or on certain products.”

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped its members save literally thousands of dollars on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories – by purchasing direct from hundreds of brands. The similarities between DirectBuy and the social buying craze end at buying power. At DirectBuy, members have access to:

  • A wide range of products to choose from, while social buying sites typically offer only one product or service per region per day.
  • Product and design specialists to answer questions and make suggestions that will help them to complete their projects.
  • Professional design, delivery, and installation services.
  • No quotas needed to make a purchase. For example, if members want to buy a new refrigerator, they do not need a certain number of members to also commit to purchasing the very same refrigerator.
  • A no retail mark-up model. DirectBuy Club members pay a membership fee to have access to these savings, as opposed to paying retail markup on every product, resulting in significant savings. For many members, particularly those planning a home renovation project, the membership fee is recouped in savings fairly quickly, and in many cases, several times over.

“We saved more than 50 percent on the purchase of our bathroom fixtures, shower, and toilets,” said Jason and Laura Gilbert, members of DirectBuy of Chattanooga. ”That was a savings of $1000 over our membership dues on our first purchase.” “

While DirectBuy’s form of group buying has nearly four decades of staying power, it remains to be seen how the newest crop of group buying Internet portals will fare. Still, it has changed the landscape for consumers.

“Gone are the days when 10 percent off coupons are going to raise people’s heart rate,” said Andrew Begley, a social buying blogger on Sitewire.com. “Admittedly, the extreme 50-80 percent off deals seen on Groupon are not likely a viable long term play, but businesses should consider this option in terms of volume selling, inventory liquidations, net new customer acquisition and as loss leader.”

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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.

Power to the people… Social buying gives buying power to the consumers, but is this really a new trend?Read More

Love Story II…How to get back into the dating game after a long marriage.

NORWELL, MA…

They may have been the inspiration for the movie Love Story, but after 40 years of marriage, Al and Tipper Gore are calling it quits. Unusual that a couple married that long is getting a divorce? Not as much as many might think.

“You’ve heard the 40 is the new 30? Well with people living longer, 60 is going to more like the old 45,” said Paul Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the world’s largest online dating and  matchmaking services. “At 60, people realize they could live another 20 30 years and they make the choice not to stay in an unhappy marriage rather than ride it out.”

While some people may divorce at a later age to get away from their current spouse, it begs the question of whether there can be a sequel to Love Story?

“Yes, yes and yes,” said Falzone, once divorced and now happily remarried for several years. “Being older and going through a divorce really is no different than somebody who’s 30. It’s not a life experience you wanted, but it happens. Now, after licking your wounds, you’re ready to get out there and see if you can find a Love Story with a happier ending.”

For many, it’s not that easy. It could have been years, even decades since you last actively sought a date. So, where do you start?

Falzone recommends:

●       Going slow – perhaps it’s a cliché, but a divorce is a life-altering event and you do need some time to heal.

●       Avoid the bar scene – Getting out with friends and co-workers as a way to re-enter the social scene but don’t do it as a way to meet potential dates.

●       Get fit – Being ready to date again means feeling good about yourself. Starting an exercise program or going to a gym can begin that process of feeling good about  you again.

●       Be wary of dating at work – it’s natural for you to be close to people you work with, particularly if they’ve helped you through a tough time. Just be careful before entering into a relationship or even dating somebody at the office.

●       Networking – While being set up might not be your idea of getting back into the dating game, if you’re looking it couldn’t hurt to let people in your social or professional network know that you are interested in meeting new people.

●       The ex – It’s safe to say that dwelling on the ex will not do much good in dating new people. Just remember that you’re dating again for you, not to get back at him/her or to find somebody before he or she does.

●       Take your time before introducing your dates to friends and, especially family – if you think your divorce is an adjustment for you, it’s also one for family, friends and your children—even if they’re adults. Wait before introducing your date to them.

“No matter what your age, no matter how long you were married, getting back into the dating game doesn’t have to be scary. It can actually be an exciting time of your new life but you want to do it for the right reasons and be able to enjoy it,” said Falzone. “Take it slow, be open and upbeat, and you can find love again.”

For a free copy of Paul A. Falzone’s book “eLove: A Singles Guide”, please visit www.elovesuccess.com.                                                                                                               

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With matchmaking offices in 21 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Northbrook, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Kentucky (Louisville); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.

Love Story II…How to get back into the dating game after a long marriage.Read More

A 10 in Naperville. DirectBuy of DuPage County celebrates 10 years in business.

NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS…

For 10 years, DirectBuy of DuPage County has been offering consumers in the greater Chicago area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings, and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of DuPage County offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices.

“A lot has changed in our 10 years in business,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County. “For example, if you said ‘green’ 10 years ago, most people thought you were talking about color. Now, being green is about energy efficiency and environmentally friendly, and that’s one area we’ve been able to help our members by providing the resources to make greener purchases.”

In addition to its regular schedule of kitchen and bath remodeling seminars, DirectBuy of DuPage County recently began hosting green energy seminars for its members. The most recent seminar focused on ways members could take advantage of the government’s rebate for trading in older appliances for new, energy efficient models. To recognize their members’ green efforts, DirectBuy of DuPage County donated 100 trees to the Arbor Day Foundation’s “Replanting Our Nation’s Forests” program.

Beyond its informational programs and the tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“DirectBuy Club helps our members stretch their dollars further. That’s become very important as homeowners are investing more in their current homes rather than testing a tricky real estate market,” said Vest. “Our tenth anniversary is a great time to reflect on the members we’ve been able to help in that regard and to look forward to how many more we can help in the coming years.”

Conveniently located at 1864 High Grove Lane, Suite 124 in Naperville, Illinois, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

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

About DirectBuy Club

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 or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

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

A 10 in Naperville. DirectBuy of DuPage County celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

DirectBuy of Little Rock rises to the top, wins top awards at DirectBuy’s International Conference

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS…

For the more than 1800 attendees at DirectBuy’s 2010 International Sales & Service Conference – held in Dallas, Texas, May 23-26 – the three days of awards, education, and team-building sessions were informative, inspiring, and energizing. But for the 20 representatives from DirectBuy of Little Rock, the 2010 Conference proved magical, as the club not only took home DirectBuy’s most prestigious honor, Club of the Year, but they also wrapped up the company’s Rising Star award, presented to new franchise owners who demonstrate excellence in their first year of ownership.

Never before in company history has a franchise taken both honors in the same year, and to top it off, DirectBuy of Little Rock also earned Top 5 Sales Club of the Year honors and a 5-Star Customer Service Rating award. “Conference was wonderful beyond all of our wildest dreams – we knew it would be exciting, but it was very meaningful and humbling to share it with our staff,” said Phil Schmidt, owner of DirectBuy of Little Rock. “We achieved what we did as a team, and it was an incredibly emotional experience for all of us.”

To earn Club of the Year honors, a DirectBuy franchise must demonstrate excellence in customer service, business operations, and membership sales. Since taking ownership of the franchise in April of 2008, franchise owners Phil and Paula Schmidt and Rand Falbaum have shown unbridled enthusiasm and dedication to helping families through DirectBuy. “Without a doubt, Little Rock, the franchise owners, and their staff have earned these awards through hard work and commitment,” said DirectBuy Corporate Executive Vice President Bart Fesperman. “They are true go-getters and innovators and have a passion not just for helping members, but also their community.”

DirectBuy of Little Rock is now preparing for the year ahead, setting their sights high for personal achievements and team accolades at next year’s International Sales & Service Conference. “We’ve worked hard to become a successful club by making sure our members’ experiences exceed their expectations,” said Paula Schmidt. “We always invite member feedback, and will continue implementing improvements and additional benefits as our members let us know what they want.”

Since opening in 2008, DirectBuy of Little Rock has helped consumers enjoy savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 10303 Colonel Glenn Road, Suite 1-0, Little Rock, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where members finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

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

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has been showing hundreds of 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the United States, and more than 500 in Canada.

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

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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 of Little Rock rises to the top, wins top awards at DirectBuy’s International ConferenceRead More