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No place like your home for the holidays (and guests)

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

One of the wonders of the holiday season is how it brings family and friends together—especially those loved ones who live far away and you haven’t seen in a while. If you want to do a little more than roll out the proverbial red carpet, there are some relatively quick and inexpensive home improvement projects you can undertake before guests arrive.

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the prospect of guests coming over for the holidays,” said Mike Georgeff of DirectBuy. “The truth of the matter is that with a tweak here and a little refreshing there, you can transform your home into impressive accommodations for your guests.”

Some quick and easy home improvement projects to take on prior to the holidays include:

  • Paint: If you’ve got the time, a new coat of paint will do wonders in upgrading the look, feel and appeal of your guest room or bath.
  • Window treatments: Changing the appearance of your windows with blinds, valences, shades and curtains is an inexpensive way to add color to a room. To quickly give your room that holiday feel, simply tie some red ribbon around your new curtains.
  • “New” furniture: While there may not be time – or a budget – to buy new furniture before the holidays, you can instead give your existing furniture a facelift using new slip covers or consider having one or two favorite pieces reupholstered.
  • Linens: A new comforter, sheets and pillow shams can instantly jazz up a guest room.
  • Shower curtains and bath towels: Again, something new not only makes guests feel welcome, but makes you feel better too. And while you’re working on the bathroom, regrout and repair or replace any broken tiles.
  • Clean your gutters: Buildup in your gutters can lead to wet basements and slippery sidewalks, possibly endangering the safety of company.
  • Outdoor motion sensor lights: Your guests may not have visited your home in a while, if ever. Installing motion sensor lights along your sidewalk enhances their safety and adds a deterrent for potential burglars when you’re out of the house during the holidays.

“Creating a welcoming look and feel for guests doesn’t take an extraordinary amount time or money,” said Georgeff. “By undertaking just a few of these home improvement projects, you can give your home a mini-makeover and create a welcoming environment for your company.”

DirectBuy offers many products to help your home look better and run more efficiently during the holiday season and the rest of the winter months—all at direct insider prices. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

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

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 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.

No place like your home for the holidays (and guests)Read More

The “new” faces of franchising…Difficult economic times bring out franchisees from various walks of life

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

You’d think the worst economic times since the Great Depression would discourage budding entrepreneurs from going into business on their own. Yet with corporate layoffs, record unemployment rates, shrinking nest eggs and a number of other variables, many entrepreneurs are seeking franchises as a safer track to owning their own business—and that’s attracting franchise owners from a variety of backgrounds.

“It used to be your franchise owners drew more investor-types—celebrities, pro athletes and others with deep pockets looking for a turnkey operation,” said Peter Hans, CEO of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc., a franchisor and creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England and Puerto Rico. “The economy has turned a number of franchise owners our way, either as an appealing option to corporate life and a shrinking job market or as a lifestyle option.”

Some of the areas attracting new franchise owners include:

·         Corporate casualties and refugees

·         Retirees

·         Working mothers

·         Veterans

·         Students

Gerry Pelissier, a Resort Maps franchise owner creating a new map in Dennis-Harwich, Massachusetts and with an existing map in Chatham-Orleans, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, represents one of the new faces. A former executive in the corporate world, Pelissier found owning a franchise; Resort Maps in particular, to be an appealing option. “Back when I was 28 years old, I had the drive and the entrepreneurship in my blood,’’ said Pelissier, who was the founder of a double drive-thru gourmet coffee business that he successfully franchised and then sold to Chock full o’Nuts. “I just turned 50 this year and I said to myself, ‘Let’s not create a new wheel.’ There’s a lot less risk in purchasing an existing franchise.”

David and Mary Kay McLane, owners of Resort Maps’ Charleston, South Carolina franchise, represent another of the new faces: retirees.

From central Pennsylvania, David and Mary Kay purchased a second home in Charleston in 2006. Since that time, both David, a clinical psychologist, and Mary Kay, healthcare and retail sales, retired from their respective careers. Yet early on the two realized they were not quite ready for full-time retirement.

“Resort Maps is a great business opportunity for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s a great product that provides a great vehicle for advertisers to showcase their businesses while offering invaluable service to people visiting Charleston,” said David McLane. “The other main appeal of the Resort Maps business opportunity is that it fits our lifestyle and gives us a chance to meet and know more people in the Charleston community.”

Resort Maps began creating and publishing maps in the northeastern U.S. back in 1986. In an effort to continue the company’s growth and simultaneously maintain the quality of the product, Resort Maps became a franchisor in 1993. Since adopting the franchise model, Resort Maps has grown steadily to more than 90 maps distributed across 20 states as well as towns and cities in England and Puerto Rico.

Adds Hans, “We’re probably a little different than most franchise opportunities. It’s the charge of our franchise owners to find advertisers for the map in their territory. The time frame for which the franchise owner finds those advertisers is totally up to them. So they’re not stuck in the 9-to-5, Monday through Friday, 12 months a year grind. An opportunity like that fits into the lifestyle of many of the new faces: retirees, couples, recent graduates or even current college students.”

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 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please 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), 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 Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

The “new” faces of franchising…Difficult economic times bring out franchisees from various walks of lifeRead More

Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, especially the cabinets, it’s easy to get hung up on looks. You have to remember, however, that you still want your new cabinets to be functional as well. To that end, DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recommends sliding cabinet doors as a functional and attractive alternative.

“Sliding kitchen cabinet doors work in a similar fashion to sliding patio doors—on a grooved run–only on a smaller scale,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. So if you’re tired of the bumps and bruises from running into a cabinet door that someone left open – which is very common – installing beautiful kitchen cabinets with sliding doors is a great way to go.”

Kitchen cabinetry with sliding door fronts tends to work best in contemporary, modern, or Asian-inspired designs. Clear glass doors present an appealing alternative, giving you the opportunity to display your dinnerware or barware.

Sliding doors are also available in wood cabinets and often provide a clean and/or linear design that can dramatically enhance the appeal of your kitchen.

“Beyond all those benefits, sliding kitchen cabinet doors offer an added bonus in that they nest inside the cabinet when open but don’t take up any additional storage space, added Klinger.

DirectBuy carries everything you need for a kitchen remodel at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen that works best for their home.

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.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations 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.

Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.Read More

Home safety for the upcoming holiday season.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

Sure, you may not have gotten around to carving your Halloween pumpkin, but the holiday season will be here before you know it. To that end, it’s never too early to start preparing your home to be safe during the holiday season. That’s why DirectBuy, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, is offering some home safety tips to help homeowners get a head start.

“According to the National Safety Council, 45 percent of all unintentional deaths occur around the home. Add holiday items to the mix—lights, trees, candles, guests, etc.—and you up the ante on things that could possibly go wrong,” said Mike Georgeff, of DirectBuy. “By taking a few extra precautions, you can make your home that much safer, not only for the holiday season but the rest of the year.”

Some easy, cost-effective measures to improve safety in your home include:

  • Regularly testing your smoke alarms and installing smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home — especially near sleeping areas.
  • Using insulated tape or plastic clips to hold outdoor lighting; be sure to keep electrical connectors off the ground and away from metal rain gutters.
  • If your gas fireplace’s glass panel is cracked or broken, you’ll want to repair or replace it before using.
  • Replace your furnace filter regularly during heating seasons.
  • Keep candles away from your Christmas tree. If you’re going with a natural tree, select a freshly cut one, which are more resistant to ignition.
  •  Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and get rid of any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders, or loose connections. Be sure to unplug the light string when replacing light bulbs, too.
  • Use a timer for your outdoor lights, turning them on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour. For indoor lights, never leave them on when your house is unattended or you are asleep.
  • Never connect more than one extension cord together; instead opt for a single cord long enough to reach the outlet without stretching, but not so long that it can get easily tangled.

“The holidays are a special time of year that help foster memories that can last a lifetime,” said Georgeff. “By taking just a few precautions to be safe during the holiday, those memories can be for the special times you had and not a preventable tragedy.”

DirectBuy offers many products to help your home run more efficiently during the holiday season and the rest of the winter months—all at direct insider prices. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

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

About DirectBuy 

For more than 38 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.

Home safety for the upcoming holiday season.Read More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Southeast Denver celebrates 10-Year Milestone

ENGLEWOOD, CO…

For ten years, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver has been offering consumers in the greater Englewood area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings and accessories.

As the leading home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.

“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors 10 years ago is a little hard to fathom,” said Gerald Reif, owner of DirectBuy of Southeast Denver. “Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. And that’s got us even more excited about the next 10 years.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design 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 in the greater Denver area create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Reif. “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.”

Since 1999, DirectBuy of Southeast Denver has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 6950 South Tucson Way, Suite L in Englewood, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Southeast Denver 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, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy 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 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the United States, and approximately 500 brand-name manufacturers and their 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.directbuycares.com.

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Southeast Denver celebrates 10-Year MilestoneRead More

Having a Bear of a time getting football tix? DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County host raffle for football tickets.

CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

Are you ready for some football? If so, we’ve got your ticket – two tickets actually – to be a part of the action, as DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County are celebrating the football season by raffling off two tickets to the Chicago Bears versus St. Louis Rams game on December 6, 2009.

“Chicagoland residents love their football and their Bears,” said Mark Perry, DirectBuy of Lake County’s Managing Partner. “We’re really looking forward to this month-long celebration of what’s truly become America’s pastime: the game of football.”

Fans who attend an Open House at either DirectBuy of Chicago North or DirectBuy of Lake County will automatically be entered into the drawing and also receive a piece of authentic NFL apparel, while supplies last. The promotion officially kicked off on October 27 and runs through November 26, with the winner being announced on November 30, 2009.

“In this part of the country, football is a bit more than just a game. It’s an event, a happening. Unfortunately, not everybody has access to or can afford to buy tickets,” said Brent Gilliland, Managing Partner at DirectBuy of Chicago North. “We set up this special raffle to celebrate the Bears’ promising start to the 2009 season and to give fans an opportunity to be a part of what we hope will be a very successful year for them.”

While the raffle itself will award two tickets to a Bears game to some lucky fan, DirectBuy also offers everything else football fans could possibly need to watch the game from home — flat screen TVs, recliners and home theater seating, even kegerators for your den or entertainment room — at direct insider prices from your favorite brand names. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the “man cave” or entertainment room that works best for their home.

Fans can also enter by sending their name, address, phone number and e-mail address on a 3 x 5 index card to DirectBuy, Attn: Mike Georgeff, 8450 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers. With several convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), 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, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.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 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 160 locations throughout North America.

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

Having a Bear of a time getting football tix? DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County host raffle for football tickets.Read More

How to create your dream green home

ORLANDO, FL…

Outside of Barry and Susan Sitkoff’s home sits six cans of recyclables and one bag of trash, however; their passion for living green goes far beyond their curb appeal. As a hydrogeologist at NASA, Susan walks the walk of an environmentalist, routinely performing environmental cleanups and assessments as part of her job. So when it came time for Barry and Susan to build their new home, green was the natural direction—it was just a matter of how.

“Green homes are healthier, safer, more comfortable and cost less to operate,” said Susan Sitkoff. “They connect people to the land and community around them.”

In May of 2008, the Sitkoffs officially began the process of building their dream green home. It started by attending a green building workshop at DirectBuy of Orlando South where they learned about the different green construction methods and products available. Having already researched retail pricing for their green products, the couple saw the significant cost savings they would experience with a DirectBuy membership and sought membership that same day.

“For the most part, everybody wants to live greener, but there’s a cost associated with that,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando South. “At DirectBuy, our members are buying directly from the manufacturer. That can result in significant savings on green products up front so you can run your home more efficiently and save on energy costs on the back end.”

With the assistance of DirectBuy’s product specialists, the Sitkoffs made their purchases with quality and efficiency in mind and created a “greener than green” dream home. Here’s what went into their dream green home:

Walls – Constructed with Eco-Block, an insulated concrete form containing three inches of foam on the outside, three inches of foam on the inside and a solid three-inch concrete core. Building with ECO-Block can save homeowners up to 50 percent on energy cost. Eco-Block has other significant benefits, including: reduced noise transmission; resist the growth of mold or mildew; can be built to any seismic or hurricane-storm standard; and has an up to a four-hour fire resistive rating.

Attic – A closed cell foam was installed on the roof deck while an AC feed and return were installed in the attic without roof vents to prevent energy loss and allow the Sitkoffs to use their attic as living space – something that is virtually unheard of in Florida.

Windows – Double-pane, Low E windows were installed throughout the house. Double-pane windows (not to be confused with double-hung windows) have two panes of glass, and can reduce heat loss by 50 percent or more. In addition, the Low E glass used (the E stands for emissivity) minimizes the impact of direct sunlight by reflecting heat back to its source. The Sitkoffs further reduced the impact of direct sunlight by designing their home with north and south facing patios.

Garage Door – A steel-back insulated garage door with R-15 insulation was used to provide excellent thermal performance. R-15 high density insulation consists of more fibers per square inch, resulting in a higher R-value per square inch in less space than standard insulation products.

Toilets and Faucets – The Sitkoffs installed low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets  that should reduce water usage by 50 percent.

Water Heater – A gas on-demand water heater was installed instead of the typical hot water heater that continuously heats the water in the tank. A tankless hot water heater, like the one installed, can reduce energy usage while making hot water available by turning on the tap.

Appliances – Their gourmet kitchen was equipped with all Energy-star rated appliances, including a 48-inch dual fuel (electric oven gas range) with a six-burner top and a warming drawer to provide heat with less power than the oven to keep food at a perfect temperature.

Lighting – All of the lights have dimmers or Eco-bulbs. Eco-bulbs have the following benefits:  

  • High power factor means less distortion on the electricity network
  • Last up to twice as long as other energy-saving bulbs
  • Reduce green house gas emissions
  • 15,000 hour life – the equivalent of either 14 standard bulbs or three average energy-saving bulbs.
  • Recyclable packaging
  • Very low amalgam content used in production

Flooring – Carpeting with recycled content was installed, as well as natural stone (travertine floors and bathroom tile with granite countertops for the kitchens and bathrooms). Natural stone flooring and tile are sustainable choices that will last many lifetimes.

The Sitkoffs completed their dream green home in June of 2009. Since moving in, they spend $100-$150 less a month on electric than their neighbors with the same size home.

“We might have spent a little more to build green but in the long-run, we will save substantially,” said Barry Sitkoff.

And the greening of their dream home is far from over.

“The next thing on our list to buy is an energy rated washer and dryer that will reduce power usage even more,” said Susan Sitkoff. “And the next big project will be installing rain barrels to capture rainwater to use for irrigating our planned greenhouse. We will continue to look to DirectBuy for all our green products.”

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs across North America have 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. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the home of their dreams.

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, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy 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 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the United States, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and their 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.directbuycares.com.

How to create your dream green homeRead More

Agent group expects a flurry of filings from improperly classified workers… Allstate ‘independent contractor’ agents turn to IRS to clarify their status.

GULFPORT, MS….

For most, Independence Day occurs on July 4. For Allstate agents who believe they’ve been misclassified as ‘independent contractors,’ the hope is that day will  come much sooner as dozens, if not hundreds, of Allstate agents file IRS Form SS-8 to determine whether they are independent contractors as Allstate proclaims, or have been misclassified all along.

The filings come on the heels of a recent petition drive started by an unidentified Allstate agent. The National Association of Allstate Agents (NAPAA)—a non-profit group representing the rights of more than 13,000 Allstate agents—published the petition in its most recent quarterly magazine. In the same publication, the group also published a hypothetical, example of the IRS Form SS-8.

“We prepared this hypothetical example based on the information we gathered from Allstate agents over a period of several years,” said Jim Fish, NAPAA’s executive director. “We believe that agents are being deliberately misclassified and we intend to expose this injustice in any way we can.”

In 2000, Allstate Insurance converted the majority of its sales force from employee to independent contractor status. With the change in status, many of those agents anticipated liberation from the requirements of being an Allstate employee. Now, almost a decade later, Allstate agents are still waiting for their independence, hence the interest expressed by a number of Allstate agents in filing an IRS Form SS-8.

“We anticipate the IRS and President Obama will receive thousands of petitions, said Fish, “When the SS-8 forms are filed, we expect that Allstate’s behavior will be heavily scrutinized by the IRS. If nothing else, this intense scrutiny may change Allstate’s behavior for the better.”

Allstate agents certainly aren’t the first independent contractors to be treated like employees without the accompanying benefits. In 2007, after filing a class action lawsuit demanding parity with employee drivers, current and former FedEx independent contractor drivers were elated when Judge Robert Miller of the U.S. District Court in Northern Indiana certified them as a class. This action has opened the door to similar cases involving independent contractors who are treated like employees.

“It was reported that the IRS plans to audit more than 6,000 companies for employment tax issues. We’re hoping the volume of Allstate agents filing SS-8 forms and the simmering discontent among agents over the misclassification issue will help push Allstate to the top of the IRS list, so we can finally resolve this long-standing problem,” added Fish.

For more information on the National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, you can visit their Web site at www.napaausa.org or call (877) 269-3474.

About National Association of Professional Allstate Agents (NAPAA)

Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, NAPAA is a non-profit organization whose members are predominantly insurance agents under contract with Allstate. In addition to offering a variety of benefits and services, NAPAA further serves its members by acting on their behalf and speaking with a distinct and unfettered voice on a wide range of issues. To contact NAPAA, please visit its Website at www.napaausa.org or call (877) 269-3474.

Agent group expects a flurry of filings from improperly classified workers… Allstate ‘independent contractor’ agents turn to IRS to clarify their status.Read More

Back to the drawing board on your kitchen remodel… A “chalkboard” and exhaust fan can enhance your kitchen remodel.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the more expensive home improvement projects you can undertake. It’s also a project that recoups more of its cost at resale than most others. According to DirectBuy of Buffalo, there are some extra touches you can give your kitchen remodel to further maximize the value of your new kitchen.

For example, many new kitchen remodels include wall space painted with chalkboard paint. This gives families a great space to keep important lists, and dates, especially since chalkboard paint is easily cleaned with an eraser or damp cloth. 

“The kitchen has become the hub of activity and an information center for the household. So, rather than force a dry erase board into a spot, creating an area from the get-go is a far more convenient approach,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “In addition to being a message board for the family, it can also be the wall area where it is finally okay for little Jimmy to draw his favorite pictures.

Adding an exhaust fan to your kitchen is another nice touch to a kitchen remodel. Exhaust fans not only help eliminate obnoxious smells from your kitchen; they can be a beautiful design accent as well. 

“Most exhaust systems are available in different materials such as wood or stainless steel which can coordinate nicely with your cabinetry or countertops,” added Klinger. “So in addition to getting rid of unwanted smells from last night’s seafood dish or the peas you accidentally burned, you further accentuate the beauty of your remodel.”

DirectBuy carries everything you need for a kitchen remodel at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen that works best for their home.

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, country-club 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 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.  DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations 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.

Back to the drawing board on your kitchen remodel… A “chalkboard” and exhaust fan can enhance your kitchen remodel.Read More