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MEDIA ADVISORY – Important Notice Concerning Recent Press Release Issued by InsuranceLeadz.com

GULFPORT, MS….

NAPAA has recently learned of a press release from InsuranceLeadz.com that it believes includes inaccurate information.  Specifically, the release states: “Allstate Endorses Fast Growing Lead Generation Company for Its Quality, Conversion Rates.”  NAPAA is not aware of any endorsement by Allstate, and it believes this statement was made in error by InsuranceLeadz.com. InsuranceLeadz.com is an affiliate of Cyber Technology LLC.

As the remainder of the press release states, NAPAA did recently enter an agreement to add InsuranceLeadz.com to its national leads source list.  However, NAPAA did not authorize, and had no prior knowledge of, this statement concerning Allstate.  Indeed, immediately upon learning of the statement, NAPAA’s Executive Director Jim Fish contacted InsuranceLeadz.com to ask that it take corrective action.

NAPAA does not make statements on behalf of Allstate.  NAPAA does not condone mistakes of this type, whether willful or negligent.  On the contrary, NAPAA finds such conduct irresponsible and unprofessional.

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.

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Why hockey is best viewed from a “man cave”…

VANCOUVER, COQUITLAM, VICTORIA, AND OKANAGAN, BC…

In your dad’s day, the stereotypical man’s domain, or “man cave,” was the workshop in the garage. Today, the man cave is often the basement den or office. When it’s time to watch the Canucks and the resident “caveman” wants to entertain other cavemen and their better halves, he’ll likely realize that his sanctuary might need a little upgrading. DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center, has some pointers for making your man cave guest-friendly for the regular season and upcoming NHL playoffs.

“While being able to get away from the rest of the house and watch a game in peace may have been the genesis of the man cave, what might not have been taken into consideration initially was the desire to someday invite others to watch the game with you. And setting up a space fit for entertaining guests is something a lot of men may want some assistance with,” said Jade Allen, owner of DirectBuy of Vancouver.

So what items might today’s cave-gent need to complete the perfect indoor tailgate party?

  • Kegerator – a man-cave essential for a beer-drinking crowd
  •  Wide Screen TV with HD; surround sound speakers optional but highly desirable
  •  Sectional sofa to accommodate multiple visitors; reclining chair with cup holders for the host.
  •  Full-size built-in bar area or free-standing, mobile bar station
  • Tile or wood flooring that’s particularly resilient to potential spillage
  •  Pool table, air hockey or foosball for between-periods recreation
  •  Mini-kitchen with microwave to reheat buffalo wings.
  •  Home gym equipment—e.g. treadmill, elliptical—to work off the excess calories consumed during man cave weekend marathon.

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need to create the perfect man cave no matter what your favorite sport might be at prices direct from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. If you know what you want but don’t know how to pull it all together, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and professional designers well versed in the art of designing the perfect recreational space, while keeping you on budget.

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.

Why hockey is best viewed from a “man cave”…Read More

Many returns on home improvement… DirectBuy helps consumers with home improvement projects that deliver the most ROI.

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

When you take on a home improvement project, your objectives are generally two-fold: 1. to enhance the quality of your life and; 2. increase the value of your home on the market. Yet which home improvement projects actually “pay for themselves” or increase the value of your home the most? DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers some insights into the home improvement projects that deliver the most return on investment (ROI).

“Because of the soft real estate market people are staying in their homes much longer than before. Consequently, people are taking on more home improvement renovations to increase their enjoyment of their homes as well as increase the value,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County in Naperville.

So which home improvements projects do you have the best chance to recoup your investment? According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 report, the home improvement projects you’re most likely to recover construction costs in a resale are:

●        Minor kitchen remodel (e.g. new cabinets) – 83 percent cost recouped

●        Deck addition – 85.4% cost recouped

●        Bathroom remodel – 78.3% cost recouped

●        Siding replacement – 83.2% cost recouped

●        Window replacement (vinyl) – 79.3% cost recouped

●        Attic bedroom remodel – 76.6% cost recouped

These numbers reflect a national average, with some home improvement projects coming in higher or lower in different parts of the country (e.g. in Chicago, siding replacement will recoup more than the national average; most likely the higher value of siding in a colder climate).

By enabling its members to buy directly from manufacturers at wholesale prices, DirectBuy gives consumers an even greater chance to recoup construction costs at the time of sale. Taking it one step further, DirectBuy also provides members with connections to contractors providing installation services, generally at a discounted rate between five and 20 percent, to improve even further the likelihood of recovering construction costs.

“When you take on a project in your home, it makes you feel like you’ve got more of a stake in the property. So, where before people would only make improvements to get a better price at resale, now they do it because it’s what they want in their home. That makes a big difference in how you view your home and your quality of life,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park.

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs 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. With five 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.directbuychicago.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. 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 five 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.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, 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.

Many returns on home improvement… DirectBuy helps consumers with home improvement projects that deliver the most ROI.Read More

No place like home (and garden) show…DirectBuy of Buffalo to exhibit at the Buffalo Home and Garden Show.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently announced it will be exhibiting at the 2009 Buffalo Home and Garden Show, to be held at the Buffalo Convention Center, February 28 to March 8.

The Home and Garden show is one of western New York’s largest consumer shows of its kind and will feature more than 500 experts and thousands of new products in the areas of home, gardening, remodeling, home décor and more. With a well-earned reputation for enabling its members to save hundreds and even thousands on home improvement projects in all those areas, DirectBuy of Buffalo will be exhibiting at Booths 301 and 416.

“The Buffalo Home and Garden Show is a great opportunity to introduce DirectBuy of Buffalo to a broader local audience,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “I’m sure anybody stopping by our booth will get a sense that DirectBuy offers a whole lot more than just saving money on your home improvement projects.”

In addition to the exhibits, the Buffalo Home and Garden Show will feature a guest appearance by HGTV’s Shane Gallant from Designed to Sell. Also, the show’s promoter, Marketplace Events, is holding a raffle for entrants to win two tickets to the Denver Home Show and the opportunity to meet Ty Pennington of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Pennington recently inked a three-year deal to be Marketplace Events’ spokesperson.

For more information on the 2009 Buffalo Home and Garden Show, you can visit www.buffalohomeshow.com.

Members of DirectBuy have access to thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from hundreds of top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Since DirectBuy offers brand-name merchandise with no traditional retail markup, members are able to save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on purchases for their homes.

To assist with home renovation, DirectBuy members also have access to licensed interior designers and product specialists who are specifically trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

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, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. 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.  

No place like home (and garden) show…DirectBuy of Buffalo to exhibit at the Buffalo Home and Garden Show.Read More

DirectBuy of Cool Springs awards member $50,000 home makeover

Brentwood, TN…

DirectBuy of Cool Springs, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, is set to award $50,000 to one of its members at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2009, as part of the company’s national Home Makeover Program. The celebration will be highlighted by the presentation of an oversized check to Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia by the club’s owners, Steve Blume and John Langley.

Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia joined DirectBuy of Cool Springs in November of 2008, and was in the midst of remodeling his home when he was informed he had won DirectBuy’s grand prize. “This is the first time I have won anything, and I was shocked,” he said excitedly. “I really can’t believe it. I am still speechless.”

When asked about his plans for his newfound fortune, Menchaca-Garcia said he will continue to make smart, budget-conscious improvements to his home with the help of DirectBuy to maximize his return on investment when he decides to sell. To go along with new flooring and fixtures for his bathroom, he has added a new roof and is planning a full kitchen remodel, complete with new windows and appliances.

Rogelio is currently active in the military and was formerly deployed in Bosnia. He now works as part of a special program called Wounded Warriors – a not-for-profit organization that provides tangible support for soldiers to help them on the road to healing.

“We work with soldiers who may have been wounded overseas while serving our country,” he explained. “Our objective is to help them rehabilitate with the goal of returning either to active duty and/or the community.”

Steve Blume and John Langley, who own and operate DirectBuy of Cool Springs, were excited to be able to help one of their members realize their dreams, and felt it was especially meaningful that it was a community member who had served our country overseas.

“We always have imagined how awesome it would if someone won the Home Makeover Program from our showroom, but for it to actually happen in our club is incredible,” co-owner Steve Blume explained. “I have come to know and respect Rogelio Menchaca-Garcia. He’s a wonderful person – exactly the caliber of person you want and hope will win. Everyone at our showroom is so excited and happy for him.”

Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than $450,000 in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Program, designed to help consumers create the home of their dreams.

DirectBuy of Cool Springs recently relocated to a brand new, 25,000 sq. foot showroom, conveniently located at 1005 Flagpole Court in Brentwood in the new Mallory Park development. The franchise was among the top ten United States franchises in annual merchandise volume purchased by members in 2008. Additionally, the club boasts an A+ rating from their local Better Business Bureau, attracting members who drive as much as four hours to shop there.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Cool Springs employs 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 of Cool Springs members also have exclusive access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed 12 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.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Cool Springs 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. 

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 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 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.directbuycoolsprings.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy of Cool Springs awards member $50,000 home makeoverRead More

AAFD partners with Health Analytics, Inc. (HAI) and First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), to provide affordable, quality healthcare solutions

SAN DIEGO, CA… 

American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) recently entered into a strategic partnership with First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a leading full‑service third-party benefits administrator for health plans, and its sales and marketing partner, Health Analytics, Inc. (HAI), to develop a selection of AAFD‑specific healthcare benefits plans, competitive in both price and design, to meet the diverse needs of its membership.

“Providing affordable quality health care solutions as a valued benefit of AAFD membership continues to be a high priority for the AAFD,” said Peter Hanson, president of AAFD. “AAFD Health Benefits has been enthusiastically received by our membership and our affiliated associations and we have every confidence that our new partnership with Health Analytics, Inc. (HAI) and First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI) will fulfill our vision and goal of a health care program that will continue to be a unique and compelling benefit for AAFD members.”    

FSAI provides comprehensive administrative services, including benefit plan design, network development, and cost management services. In addition, FSAI offers its clients the most innovative wellness and disease management programs in the industry. As an AAFD branded partner, FSAI recognizes the importance of providing its members with proven healthcare solutions, exceptional service, and cost-effective programs tailored to meet their individual needs.  

“First Service Administrators, Inc. and HAI are honored to have been chosen as the exclusive branded health program for the AAFD and its members,” said Chandler J. Rapson, CEO, FSAI. “Using FSAI allows AAFD the ability to control their health benefit plans to meet the needs of their growing membership base at an affordable price.”

For more information about AAFD and the benefits of being an AAFD member, please visit http://www.aafd.org.

About the AAFD
The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, the AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised locations throughout the United States. The AAFD has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.
The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark

Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.
For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

 

AAFD partners with Health Analytics, Inc. (HAI) and First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), to provide affordable, quality healthcare solutionsRead More

Eat your heart out…Capture your Valentine’s heart with a home-cooked meal

NORWELL, MA…

Flowers, candy and cards. While this may be the big three on Valentine’s Day, having a romantic meal at your sweetie’s favorite restaurant ranks right up there, too. The crunch of the current economy has many couples opting to eat in on Valentine’s Day. According to love expert Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating–one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide—that doesn’t necessarily mean romance has to take a backseat.

“Cooking a romantic meal for your loved one can be every bit as romantic as going out. In fact, if you put some imagination into it, staying home for Valentine’s Day can put some extra spice into your relationship,” said said Falzone.

So, what can you do for a Valentine’s Day meal at home? Falzone offers some of the following suggestions:

●        Surprise your partner with breakfast in bed. Even a morning cup of coffee served with toast cut into heart shapes can be a gourmet meal when served in bed.

●        Dress up for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Just because you’re not going out, doesn’t mean you can’t have a formal dinner, complete with soft music in the background, candlelight, etc. Being at home also makes it easier to slip into something more comfortable later.

●        Adorn the table with rose petals leading a path to your Valentine’s Day card and/or gift.

●        Buy a bottle of his/her favorite wine and have it chilled (if white or blush) in a bucket at the table. Better yet, have champagne on the table.

●        Serve the aphrodisiac of your choice as an appetizer: chocolate, oysters, caviar, honey or strawberries.

●        Cook your partner’s favorite dish for dinner; if you don’t cook, most grocery stores have pre-cooked meals that simply need to be reheated.

●        Pick out a dessert for your partner, and vice versa, and feed it to them with their eyes closed.

●        Buy your significant other’s favorite massage oil and give him/her a foot and/or body rub to close out the “date”.

“There are many advantages to staying in on Valentine’s besides giving your bank account a break. Most obvious, without the distractions that going out on a Saturday night, the day/night can really be about you and your partner. And that’s truly what the holiday was meant to be about,” said Falzone.

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region. 
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Georgia (Savannah); Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel, Mishawaka); Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio) and Virginia (Falls Church).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford and Normal); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas and Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

Eat your heart out…Capture your Valentine’s heart with a home-cooked mealRead More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates celebrates 10-Year Milestone

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL…

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

As the leading members-only showroom and home design center, DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates offers manufacturer-direct pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all 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. 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,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates.

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

“Our 10 years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families in the greater Chicago area create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community and as a contributor to local charities,” said Kushner. “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 Hoffman Estates 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 and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 2200 North Stonington Ave in Hoffman Estates, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

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. 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 five DirectBuy showrooms 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.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the five DirectBuy showrooms serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, 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.

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates celebrates 10-Year MilestoneRead More

Why do-it-yourselfers should start planning deck projects now.

Sara Shragal of DirectBuy
Sara Shragal of DirectBuy

MERRILLVILLE, IN…Baseball, the sound of the first lawnmower, flowers and trees in bloom, and the roar of a circular saw from a neighbor’s backyard. In the dead of winter, these sights and sounds seem quite far away. Yet for those do-it-yourselfers planning to build a deck as their big home improvement of the spring, it’s the perfect time to get started.

“In the spring, a lot of folks see the weather start to get nice and want to jump right in to that first big home improvement project—them and everybody else. With a deck, it’s not that simple. It requires some legwork before you can start building. That’s why starting the planning process now is critical to getting a deck built in time to enjoy it for most of the nice weather months,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

Many cities and towns consider decks a permanent structure, thereby requiring building permits and an on-site inspection and subject to setback regulations (distance of buildings from property lines). Decks can also be subject to regional building codes. Doing your homework by checking with your local municipalities first can help you avoid delays or, worse, be forced to tear down your new deck once it’s built because it’s not up to code.

Besides paperwork, you’ll also need plans. There are many resources online, including some with free designs, like www.deckplans.com. Most home improvement stores offer some level of design assistance. DirectBuy has designers on staff who assist members as well as connections to building professionals who provide design services, usually at a discounted members-only rate.

Finally, there’s the matter of the wood and tools. For a wood deck—with you buying the materials and doing all the work—you can expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $7 per square foot on wood; up to $20 per square foot for a composite deck. For tools, you’ll need a:

  • Chalk line
  • Circular saw
  • Combination square
  • Framing square
  • Hammer
  • Hand saw
  • Level 
  •  Power drill 

“As you can see, building a deck may seem like a straightforward project, but there’s a lot to it. By planning now, during the middle of winter, you can be ready to go once the weather improves,” said Shragal.

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. 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.

 

Why do-it-yourselfers should start planning deck projects now.Read More