Cape Cod

ROCKLAND, MA…

Turn on the news today or glance over the headlines and all you see is doom and gloom: bailouts, down markets, home foreclosures, etc. On top of that, you hear of retailers going out of business and national companies reporting huge losses. Interestingly, even in these times of financial hardship, a locally owned company in Rockland is going against this trend. Serving the South Shore and the Islands since 1986, DirectBuy of Boston South has seen many turns of the economy, and more than ever people are buying more with less money.

“Believe it or not, the increase in member production and purchases, both in dollar volume and quantity, is largely because of these troubling economic times,” said owner John Massaria. “Consumers need to make every dollar count. By enabling our members to buy directly from more than 700 national manufacturers, suppliers and local vendors, DirectBuy saves consumers an average of up to 45 percent or more by eliminating markups. People are telling others and the proof is in our numbers.”

Those numbers include some pretty impressive increases, particularly in today’s economic climate, such as:

• In 2007, Members averaged $450,936.39 in orders per month; in 2008, the average was $540,568.21 per month (16% increase in dollar amount of purchases)
•  In 2007, Members placed an average of 326 orders per month; in 2008, the average was 366 orders per month (11% increase in monthly purchase orders)
•  DirectBuy of Boston South has shown a 23% percent increase in kitchen and granite sales in 2008, as compared to last year. 
• DirectBuy of Boston South posted a 19% increase in new memberships over the last five months (April through September 2008) compared to the same time period last year

And during Massachusetts sales tax-free weekend in August, in which DirectBuy of Boston South is only open on Saturday, the numbers are even more telling:

• Tax Free Day 2007: 369 orders in one day, totaling $430,544.49 (average of $1,166.78 per order)
•  Tax Free Day 2008: 470 orders in one day, totaling $679,210.72 (average of $1,445.13 per order)
• 23% increase in orders, 34% increase in dollar amount ordered
•  DirectBuy of Boston South saved its members approximately $305,644.82 in retail markup in just one day

DirectBuy franchises offer members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by purchasing wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. In addition, DirectBuy boasts a team of designers to help members with their purchases and gives them access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects. DirectBuy’s local contractors such as Mike Tarpey (617-828-5075), Rinaldi Builders (617-759-1313) and Green Star Builders (617-872-8388) have all seen increases in home-improvement renovations and installations as well. 

Local stores also work with DirectBuy to afford huge savings to members, and that keeps the stores busy as well. According to the owner of Hancock TV & Appliances, Joe Palumbo (617-472-1710), “the relationship with DirectBuy has helped us realize our best year yet in more than 63 years.”

Another store showing increases with the help of DirectBuy members is Snow & Jones Plumbing, located in Norwell and South Yarmouth. Owner Barney Jones (781-878-3312) said that purchases from DirectBuy members have helped him see a huge increase over last year. Barney said, “the buying power of DirectBuy members is a powerful one and helps us stay busy. Members save money and we keep our stores humming.”

Although each DirectBuy location is individually owned, DirectBuy Inc. is an international company. In the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2008, members purchased 1.1 billion dollars in merchandise network-wide. That’s a 20.6 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. In the same fiscal year, DirectBuy Inc. grew from 143 locations to 165, a 15.4 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. In the area of membership sales, the company had the second best year in its 37-year history.

So is it all doom and gloom for businesses and consumers? Absolutely not. Consumers are realizing, now more than ever, that they must change the way they buy goods in order to make their budgets work. Members on the South Shore are increasingly looking towards DirectBuy of Boston South to shield themselves from inflation and recession.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House in the Rockland location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.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 name-brand manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having selection and choices not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South opened in 1986 and prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local supplier services and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in learning more can call DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or visit www.directbuybostonsouth.com

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