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Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense…Less expensive to run and tax credits and rebates make ENERGY STAR products a must.

OTTAWA, ON…

Most people want to know what they can do to make their dollar go further, particularly when purchasing household appliances. While most consumers have their eyes on the price tag, it really should be on how much it costs to power those appliances, and that’s where ENERGY STAR comes in.

ENERGY STAR is the international symbol of premium energy efficiency. Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) promotes the international ENERGY STAR symbol in Canada and monitors its use. Typically, ENERGY STAR products offer 20 to 30 percent savings on your energy bills.  DirectBuy of Ottawa, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, sells a wide ride range of ENERGY STAR products to help members save.

“The irony about ENERGY STAR products is the program itself was set up to combat the negative effect that running our appliances was having on our environment,” said Lise Girard, owner of DirectBuy of Ottawa. “While most people do want to minimize their carbon footprint, in today’s economy, it’s just as much about how much you can save by having appliances that run more efficiently.”

So, how much can you save by purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances? Here’s a small sampling:

  • Clothes washers – replacing a 10-year-old washing machine with a new ENERGY STAR machine can save a household more than $160 per year.
  • Dishwashers – ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and water than non-ENERGY STAR washers. That translates to more than $30 a year on your utility bill.
  • Refrigerators – a typical two-door, freezer-on-top refrigerator can cost more than $110 per year to run. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR can knock $30 per year off that, resulting in savings of nearly $400 in just five years.
  • Home electronics – the average household spends more than $100 per year powering electronics devices in “standby” mode. ENERGY STAR products use less energy when in standby.
  • LED Lighting – requires 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 25 times longer. According to Natural Resources Canada, LED lighting can last more than 25,000 hours than its incandescent counterparts or more than 22 years!

In addition to those savings, Canadians who replace their cooling or heating systems with ENERGY STAR systems are eligible for grants up to $5,000 from the federal government. Grant information can be found on the Office of Energy Efficiency Web site at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/.

Canadian residents who replace their heating systems might also be eligible for a Home Renovation Tax Credit for the 2009 tax year. The credit applies to expenditures more than $1,000 and less than $10,000, with the credit being no more than $1,350 per family. For eligibility guidelines, please visit the Home Tax Renovation Credit page on the Canadian Revenue Agency’s Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

“As a company that deals specifically in home improvement, we often hear the expression that this project will pay for itself, but that usually means at resale of your home,” said Girard. “When it comes to ENERGY STAR products, they literally do pay for themselves over time—without selling your home—and lessen the impact on the environment. That’s really an unbeatable combination.” 

DirectBuy carries a large selection of ENERGY STAR products and appliances at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members select the appliance that works best for their home.

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 locations all across Canada, 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 www.directbuycares.com. For more information on ENERGY STAR, go to

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca.

 

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 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.

Locations of DirectBuy by province are:

Alberta:

DirectBuy of Calgary Unit 17 3900 106th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-543-1620

DirectBuy of Edmonton, 10427 174 St. NW, Edmonton, 780-413-8242

British Columbia:

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, 604-552-5252

DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, 604-251-5822

DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd, Kelowna, 250-763-4130

DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, 250-412-0238

Manitoba:

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, 180-117 King Edward Street East, Winnipeg, 204-925-4190

New Brunswick:

DirectBuy of New Brunswick, 950 Mountain Road, Moncton, 506-384-3009

Nova Scotia:

DirectBuy of Halifax, 60 Williams Avenue, Dartmouth, 902-446-4355

Ontario:

DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest, 2500 Williams Parkway E Unit 37, Brampton, 905-793-0639

DirectBuy of Ottawa, 1392 Cyrville Road, Ottawa, 613-749-2700

DirectBuy of London, 4093 Meadowbrook Dr. Unit 108, London, 519-652-0552

DirectBuy of Toronto North, 205 Torbay Road, Unit #2, Markham, 905-948-1911

DirectBuy of Mississauga, 4120 Ridgeway Drive Unit 26, Mississauga, 905-608-9244

DirectBuy of Kingston, 1121 John Counter Blvd, Kingston, 613-545-1200

DirectBuy of Toronto East, 1735 Bayly Unit 17, Pickering, 905-839-7747

DirectBuy of Hamilton – Niagara, 589 Barton St, Suite 102, Stoney Creek, 905-643-8271

DirectBuy of Toronto Downtown, 20 Banigan Drive, Toronto, 416-467-0078

DirectBuy of Waterloo, 755 Bridge St. Ste. 14, Waterloo, 519-885-3231

DirectBuy of Windsor, 2705 Kew Drive, Windsor, 519-945-3200

DirectBuy of Barrie, 320 Bayfield Street Unit 63, Barrie, 705-719-2999

Saskatchewan:

DirectBuy of Saskatoon, 201 Robin Crescent, Saskatoon, 306-683-3490

 

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense…Less expensive to run and tax credits and rebates make ENERGY STAR products a must.Read More

James Zelasko receives DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle honors

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

Orchard Park resident James Zelasko, a membership director at DirectBuy of Buffalo, was recently awarded Achievement Circle honors by DirectBuy’s corporate offices for his dedication to helping introduce new families to DirectBuy club membership during the month of February—his 12th time earning this honor.

DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle recognizes the top performing membership directors and phone room associates at the more than 160 DirectBuy clubs across North America for their performance on a monthly basis. As a membership director, Zelasko is responsible for presenting the DirectBuy opportunity to prospective members, conducting tours of the DirectBuy of Buffalo club and answering questions prospective members might have prior to making their decision.

“It’s no accident that James has earned Achievement Circle honors 12 times. He’s very good at working with prospective new members and is a valuable member of our marketing team,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo, located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga.

Zelasko began with DirectBuy of Buffalo in February 2006. Prior to that, he had spent 23 years in retail furniture and flooring sales.

“DirectBuy is the best job I’ve ever had for many reasons, but mostly because I truly believe in the product,” said Zelasko. “DirectBuy not only helps families stretch their dollars to buy the things they need but it helps them buy the things they want, too.”

Zelasko resides in Orchard Park with his wife Susan and their five children. 

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 club membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

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

James Zelasko receives DirectBuy’s Achievement Circle honorsRead More

What you don’t know about retail markups does cost you…

MERRILLVILLE, IN …

These tough economic times have families and homeowners reevaluating budgets and looking for ways to reduce spending. One area a family’s internal audit might not take into consideration is how much more they spend by purchasing items they need at retail prices.

According to information from the 2007 U.S. Census, consumer retail markups range from 46.6 percent at furniture and home furnishing stores to 38 percent at department stores, and from 33.5 percent at building supplies and materials stores to 28 percent at electronics and computer software stores.

“When it comes to retail markups, many consumers don’t even realize what they are spending. And if they do, they often feel helpless. They don’t know there are alternative options to retail stores, so they opt to spend less rather than spend more wisely,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices. “You can’t stop shopping altogether. If you’re a homeowner, particularly if you purchased your home in the past few years, it’s difficult to spend less because you run the risk of your home running into disrepair and lowering the property value.”

In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders website, www.homeeconomics.com, families spend $12,332 during the first year after buying a home built in 2004 or later; and $8,927 if the home was built before 2004. For a non-moving owner, that figure was $4,420.

Even further evidence that homeowners are still investing in their properties comes from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In a recent report, the Joint Center projected that U.S. homeowners will spend $134.1 billion on home improvements in the third quarter 2009 and $137.2 billion in the fourth quarter 2009.

So, if consumers are still going to spend on home improvement, how do they escape costly retail markups?

“At our clubs across the U.S. and Canada, we enable our members to buy directly from the manufacturers. That eliminates the markup and gives them optimal value for their dollar,” said Shragal. “That’s why member sales are up at many of our clubs because, even in this difficult economy, people know they have to reinvest in their homes and want to get the maximum bang for their buck.”

DirectBuy clubs offer members the opportunity to save on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories. In addition, DirectBuy clubs boast teams of specialists and access to designers to help members with their purchases, as well as exclusive access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects.

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

About DirectBuy

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

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

What you don’t know about retail markups does cost you…Read More

From One Club to Another-DirectBuy Supports Boys & Girls Clubs…Donning Denim Makes a Difference for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana

DirectBuy's Patti Titus with children from the Merrillville Boys & Girls Club
DirectBuy

Merrillville, IN (May 19, 2009) –

Visitors walking in and out of the DirectBuy Corporate Headquarters in Merrillville were a little surprised to see employees so casually dressed on Friday, April 10, 2009. Wearing denim is not acceptable work attire for employees, but what visitors did not know was that DirectBuy employees were donning denim for a great cause. As part of a new corporate giving program, employees were given the opportunity to wear jeans to work in exchange for making a minimum $2 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana (BGCNWI). As a result, DirectBuy raised $1000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana. 

 

 

The donation provided by DirectBuy helps Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana to continue offering services to area youth. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana is able to provide its programs and services because of the generosity of donors and volunteers, such as the employees of DirectBuy,” says Greg Reinholt, development manager, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.  

 

DirectBuy’s Patti Titus, senior director of merchandise services, and Sara Shragal, public relations manager, visited the Boys & Girls Club in Merrillville on April 21, 2009 to present the $1000 check and meet the children and volunteers who will benefit from the donation. During their visit, Titus and Shragal toured the facility and stayed to lend a hand with math worksheets.

 

At the Boys & Girls Clubs, homework is a top priority, followed by educational learning activities, computer education, physical fitness and games room activities. The Club also teaches classes about leadership, and making good choices.

 

“The DirectBuy concept really goes hand-in-hand with the values of the Boys & Girls Clubs,” says Titus. “Both programs are focused on helping families achieve a better quality of life.”

 

Giving back to the community has become a regular activity for DirectBuy clubs across North America. At the corporate office, employees give to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Foundation each year, but with the new corporate giving program in place, DirectBuy plans on making a donation each quarter of the year.

 

For the employees at DirectBuy, like merchandise specialist, Pattie Jakubielski, the new program is a welcome addition. “It was definitely fun to see co-workers wearing their favorite pair of jeans,” said Jakubielski. “But the best part is that the donations are helping local youth.”

 

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

 

 

About Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Indiana

BGCNWI was founded in 1954 in Gary, Indiana. Currently BGCNWI operates six Club sites in six cities throughout Lake County Indiana. Serving more than 12,000 youth ages 6 to 18 years of age, BGCNWI provide Club programs and services that promote and enhance the positive development of boys & girls. The core belief of the organization, Board of Directors, staff, and donors is that all six Club sites provide youth with a safe place to learn and grow, teach youth to develop interpersonal relationships, to provide youth with life-enhancing programs and character and development experiences and last but not least to continue providing youth with hope and opportunity. For more information about BGCNWI visit (www.bgcnwi.org).

 

From One Club to Another-DirectBuy Supports Boys & Girls Clubs…Donning Denim Makes a Difference for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest IndianaRead More

DirectBuy of Winnipeg awards Home makeover to area resident…Winnipeg residents Balic Nihad and Merina Topcic plan to use their winnings to purchase the home of their dreams.

WINNIPEG, MB…

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, awarded $25,000 to Winnipeg resident Balic Nihad on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 as part of the company’s national Home Makeover Program.

With flowers in hand, Balic came ready to show his gratitude to the owners of DirectBuy of Winnipeg, and displayed much enthusiasm upon being named DirectBuy’s grand prize winner. “I am completely overjoyed,” he explained. “I still can’t believe I won $25,000. I would never have imagined anything like this happening to me.”

Balic Nihad and his girlfriend, Merina Topcic, plan to use their newfound fortune to purchase their dream home. Balic hopes to find a place in the same community in which he has made his home for the past 16 years after emigrating to Canada from Bosnia. 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 Contest, designed to help consumers create the home of their dreams.

Dwight and Lynn Till, who own and operate DirectBuy of Winnipeg, were ecstatic that they were able to help someone from their community realize their dreams. “I was very excited when I found out the Home Makeover grand prize winner was from our club,” co-owner Lynn Till explained. “The check presentation went wonderfully and I am happy that we could be part of this life-changing experience for such a nice couple.”

The DirectBuy of Winnipeg club, located at #180 – 117 King Edward Street in Winnipeg, offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 500 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design club where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Winnipeg 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 Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Winnipeg 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 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada, and more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in the United States.

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.

DirectBuy of Winnipeg awards Home makeover to area resident…Winnipeg residents Balic Nihad and Merina Topcic plan to use their winnings to purchase the home of their dreams.Read More

Polish off your spring cleaning…DirectBuy of Buffalo provides tips on stainless steel care.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

Mention “spring cleaning” and most people think of cleaning out the garage. Or perhaps spreading seed on your lawn or mulching your flower garden. Yet giving the interior of your home a thorough cleaning after a long winter indoors can pick up your spirits like the first 70-degree day of spring. DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, has some helpful tips on cleaning some of the toughest spots you might encounter during your spring cleaning: your stainless steel appliances.

“You’ll probably find stainless steel in the majority of homes nowadays on everything from refrigerators to stoves to countertops,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “In terms of keeping stainless clean, what you should NOT do is every bit as important as what you should do.”

For example, when cleaning stainless steel, you’ll want to completely avoid using the following:

  • Products containing chlorine
  • Steel wool or brushes
  •  Abrasive cleaners

For the most part, you can simply use soapy water and a soft cloth to clean your stainless steel appliances. For tougher stains, you may need to use a stainless steel cleaner and there are many types on the market today. You’ll just need to find one that works for you.

In addition, there are also a number of products on the market that can reduce the smudge-ability factor of stainless steel, a big issue if you have little ones. Zeps is one product that works well on smudges; Simple Human puts out a sponge mitt that’s also effective in removing and minimizing finger print marks.

Regardless of the type of cleaner you use, any residue left on the surface may permanently damage the finish. Always rinse off the surface after cleaning. If you follow the above advice and still have spots or stains, it may be caused by your water. Hard water can leave spots, but drying completely after cleaning will usually fix this problem.

“Stainless steel sure looks great, but it’s something that needs regular maintenance to keep it looking that way,” said Klinger. “By following the above steps and completely cleaning your stainless steel appliances at least once a week, you can prolong the beauty of your appliances for years to come.”

DirectBuy carries a large selection of stainless steel appliances at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen or bath 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 go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy 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.

Polish off your spring cleaning…DirectBuy of Buffalo provides tips on stainless steel care.Read More

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense.

CHICAGO, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, ILLINOIS …

Most people want to know what they can do to make their dollar go further, particularly when purchasing household appliances. While most consumers have their eyes on the price tag, it really should be on how much it costs to power those appliances, and that’s where ENERGY STAR comes in.

ENERGY STAR is the program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy consumption. Typically, ENERGY STAR products offer 20 to 30 percent savings on your energy bills. The DirectBuy clubs of greater Chicago, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, sell a wide ride range of ENERGY STAR products to help members save.

“The irony about ENERGY STAR products is the program itself was set up to combat the negative effect running our appliances was having on our environment,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County. “While most people do want to minimize their carbon footprint, in today’s economy, it’s just as much about how much you can save by having appliances that run more efficiently.”

So, how much can you save by purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances? Here’s a small sampling:

  • Clothes washers – replacing a 10-year-old washing machine with a new ENERGY STAR machine can save a household more than $145 per year.
  • Dishwashers – ENERGY STAR dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and water than non-ENERGY STAR washers. That translates to $30 a year on your utility bill.
  • Refrigerators – a typical two-door, freezer-on-top refrigerator can cost $100 per year to run. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR can knock $30 per year off that, resulting in savings of $350 in just five years.
  • Home electronics – the average household spends $100 per year powering electronics devices in “standby” mode. ENERGY STAR products use less energy when in standby.
  • LED Lighting – requires 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and lasts 25 times longer. According to energystar.gov, LED lighting can last more than 25,000 hours than its incandescent counterparts or more than 22 years!

“As if the tremendous savings ENERGY STAR products offer weren’t enough, the U.S. government also offers tax exemptions, rebates and other incentives for consumers to purchase more energy-efficient items like ENERGY STAR products,” said Vest. “As a company that deals specifically in home improvement, you often hear the expression that this project will pay for itself, meaning resale. Yet when it comes to ENERGY STAR products, they literally do pay for themselves over time.” 

DirectBuy carries a large selection of ENERGY STAR products and appliances at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members select the appliance that works best for their works best for their home.

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 four convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, 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/. For more information on ENERGY STAR, go to www.EnergyStar.gov.

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.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: 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.

Why ENERGY STAR makes dollars and sense.Read More

Curb appeal still holds appeal for homeowners…DirectBuy helps consumers with home improvement projects that deliver the most ROI.

MERRILLVILLE, IN …

One of the central motivations of taking on a large remodel or home improvement project is to increase the resale value of your home. Yet in a soft real estate market, is that still the case? If so, 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).

“You’d think because of the soft real estate market that the likelihood of homeowners taking on remodels would go down. It’s actually quite the opposite. According to the Spring 2009 RemodelorMove Remodeling Sentiment Report, a semi-annual survey of 5,000 U.S homeowners,68 percent of homeowners will remodel in 2009,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

So which home improvements projects have the best chance of recouping the homeowner’s investment? According to Remodeling magazine’s 2008 report, the home improvement projects you’re most likely to recover construction costs in a resale are:

●        Minor kitchen remodel (e.g. new cabinets) – 79.5% cost recouped

●        Major kitchen remodel – 76% recouped

●        Deck addition (wood)– 81.8% cost recouped

●        Bathroom remodel – 78.3% cost recouped

●        Siding replacement (vinyl) – 80.7% cost recouped

●        Window replacement (vinyl) – 79.5% cost recouped

●        Attic to bedroom remodel – 73.8% 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).

“What’s interesting about this report is even though home prices have fallen about seven percent nationally, the decline in value of remodeling projects has been under four percent. So, besides getting to enjoy the benefits of your remodel project while you’re living in your home, you are still getting good value comparatively,” said Shragal.

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.

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.

Curb appeal still holds appeal for homeowners…DirectBuy helps consumers with home improvement projects that deliver the most ROI.Read More

East Amherst resident Bruce Kiernan joins DirectBuy of Buffalo team as Membership Director

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently hired Bruce Kiernan, an East Amherst resident, as a membership director for the club.

As a membership director, Kiernan is responsible for presenting the DirectBuy opportunity to prospective members, conducting tours of the DirectBuy of Buffalo club and answering questions prospective members might have prior to making their decision.

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

A former mortgage broker and banker, Kiernan has served as a senior vice president at HSBC, a vice president with Wells Fargo and owned his own mortgage finance company in his 30-plus year career. It’s an experience that’s served him well at DirectBuy.

“There are a lot of parallels between my previous career and working with DirectBuy. As a mortgage broker, I helped people realize their dream of owning their own home. As a membership director here at DirectBuy, we provide members with a way to create the homes of their dreams and help them save a ton of money in that process and that’s pretty cool,” said Kiernan.

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 club membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

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

 

East Amherst resident Bruce Kiernan joins DirectBuy of Buffalo team as Membership DirectorRead More