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

NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

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

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

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

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

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

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS…

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

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

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

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

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

About DirectBuy Club

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

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the United States, and more than 500 in Canada.

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

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

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

DirectBuy Featured at Response Expo 2010

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, AND MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA…

David Lee of DirectBuy

David Lee, director of marketing for DirectBuy Corporate in Merrillville, Indiana, recently spoke at the Response Expo 2010 at the Hilton San Diego Bay Front in San Diego, California.

During the three-day expo, Lee, along with Eric Franchi, senior vice president of business development for Undertone Networks, delivered a presentation on generating leads and closing sales. As part of this exclusive session, Lee and Franchi focused on how DirectBuy Club leverages online ad networks as well as  direct response television, print, and radio ads to generate leads and ultimately sales.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to speak at Response Expo 2010. As a featured case study, we were able to share some of our tested and proven strategies in regards to managing a diversified marketing matrix,” said Lee. “Additionally, we offered insights on the importance of monitoring and optimizing campaign results through a number of metrics including lead scoring.”

The keynote speaker for the Expo, held from May 11 through 13, was Sir Bob Geldoff, founder of BandAid Trust. A member of the Boomtown Rats, one of the early punk/new wave bands of the 1970s, Geldoff is best known for his humanitarian efforts in coordinating the LiveAid concerts in 1985 and 2005 and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on numerous occasions.

Presented by the Direct Response Marketing Alliance (DRMA) and Response magazine, Response Expo 2010 brings together key decision-makers and industry leaders from the corporate marketing arena and direct response spectrum. In addition to its roster of speakers, Response Expo 2010 featured a full track of educational sessions, a bustling expo hall floor of exhibitors, and numerous networking events.

“This year’s Expo was phenomenal. Being able to exchange ideas and network with many of the best and brightest minds in the direct response industry is invaluable,” said Lee. “I know that the information I received will help DirectBuy’s marketing efforts moving forward. Hopefully, the attendees of the DirectBuy case study will be able to apply some of the insights they received from us as well.”  

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

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

DirectBuy Featured at Response Expo 2010Read More

A kitchen cabinet makeover for under $20.

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

When it comes to improvements to your home, replacing your kitchen cabinets is one project that offers the best return for investment dollars at resale. For many, the price of new cabinets may not be in the budget. Nevertheless, if you want to give your kitchen a bit of a new look and would prefer not to paint, bleaching your kitchen cabinets offers a cost-effective alternative.

“Bleaching your kitchen cabinets gives them a bit of an old world look,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park. “This aged, rustic design is often part of Tuscan kitchen decor and works well with wrought iron and ceramic accessories.”

With just a few supplies, you can transform run-of-the-mill cabinetry into a unique work of art. Most supplies for this project can be purchased at your local home improvement store. Then it’s just a matter of following some simple steps:

  • Cover any areas that you don’t want bleached (cabinets or otherwise). Newspaper should suffice.
  • While wearing gloves, pour a gallon of household bleach into a clean bucket, then dip a sponge into the bleach. Wring out the sponge so that it is damp, but not dripping. You can also use commercially prepared wood bleach for this project.
  • Apply the bleach to a small area of your cabinets that’s out of sight. This will be your test area. If you like the look, apply to the rest of your cabinets. Be careful not to saturate any area too much to avoid streaking.
  • Allow the bleach to dry completely, then lightly sand the cabinets with fine-grade sandpaper. Wipe off any dust and residue with a clean cloth.
  • Finally, apply a coat of clear polyurethane sealer with a paint roller or paintbrush and allow it to dry completely.

“Bleaching your cabinets can create an entirely new look for your kitchen in just a few short hours,” said Sell. “Just remember to take the proper precautions when working with bleach. Wear goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and skin and open a window or vent so the bleach smell doesn’t overwhelm you.”

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

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

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

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

A kitchen cabinet makeover for under $20.Read More

A 10 in the Twin Cities. DirectBuy of St. Paul celebrates 10 years in business.

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA…

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

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

“Minnesotans are open-minded people who are not afraid to change the way they do things if it makes sense. Case in point, when we opened the Club Jesse Ventura was our governor and 10 years later, Al Franken is one of our senators,” said Roger Pfiffner, owner of DirectBuy of St. Paul. “DirectBuy makes sense for consumers because it helps them stretch their dollars further. Ten years later, that still holds true.”

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

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

Conveniently located at 4444 CentervilleRoad, Suite 130 in the St. Paul suburb of White Bear Lake, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

A 10 in the Twin Cities. DirectBuy of St. Paul celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

Five more than okay in OKC. DirectBuy of Oklahoma City celebrates five years in business.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

For five years, DirectBuy Club has been offering consumers in the greater OKC area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings, and accessories.

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

“We’ve had a wonderful five years here in Oklahoma City,” said Brandon Parker, owner of DirectBuy of Oklahoma City. “It’s been particularly rewarding to see how DirectBuy has been able to help its members save literally thousands of dollars on their home improvement projects and home furnishings in what’s been a very difficult economy for many people.”

In addition to helping members, Parker also had the opportunity to hand over a $50,000 check to Moore, Oklahoma resident Kelly Clarkson, winner of DirectBuy Club’s Home Makeover contest.

“We’re used to helping people save money but to put actual cash in somebody’s hand, especially somebody who really needed it, that was quite a thrill,” said Thompon.

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

Conveniently located at 8330 Glade Avenue in Oklahoma City, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Five more than okay in OKC. DirectBuy of Oklahoma City celebrates five years in business.Read More

Lake in the Hills resident Sara Sosa celebrates 10 years with DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates

DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates' Sara Sosa and Dave Kushner

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL…

When most high school seniors look for an after school job, they are not typically thinking about a career. As Sara Sosa has proved over and over again during her 10 years with DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, she is the exception.

“I attended a DirectBuy open house and came away completely inspired by this company that helps save families literally thousands of dollars and create the homes of their dreams,” said Sosa. “I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. The fact that it’s been 10 years is rather amazing.”

Beginning in the service area as an appointment setter in the spring of 2000, Sosa rose through the ranks to her current title of member director. As a director, she’s responsible for leading the Open House tours (like the one that so inspired her) and explaining the benefits of a DirectBuy membership to families.

 “Not only is she my right-hand person, but Sara has been one of the leading membership directors in the United States,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates. “Sara is extremely self-motivated and has a great attitude. Her success with DirectBuy is a total reflection on how she goes about her job.”

In fact, Sosa’s longevity with the company is only trumped by Kushner, who opened DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates 11 years ago.

“Dave and all the people here at DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates have just been incredible to work with and have literally been like an extended family to me,” said Sosa. “That’s kind of fitting since I’ve experienced some of life’s biggest milestones—getting married, becoming a mother, buying a house—while working at DirectBuy.”

Raised in Algonquin, Illinois, Sosa currently resides in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy Club offers manufacturer-direct pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy Club also offers design, delivery, and installation services.

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 Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

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

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

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

Lake in the Hills resident Sara Sosa celebrates 10 years with DirectBuy of Hoffman EstatesRead More

DirectBuy’s Top 10. DirectBuy of New Orleans celebrates 10 years in business.

HARAHAN, LOUISIANA…

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

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

“When you think of all that’s occurred in our little part of the world since we opened our doors, including a natural disaster of epic proportions like Hurricane Katrina, reaching our 10th anniversary is a monumental achievement,” said Mike Seiler, owner of DirectBuy of New Orleans. “We’ve literally saved our members thousands upon thousands of dollars and that’s something we’re tremendously proud of.”

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

“Besides the savings and helping some of our members rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, we have had a number of unique opportunities, most significantly, handing over a $50,000 check to the winner of the DirectBuy Home Makeover contest,” said Seiler. “The positives of the previous 10 years have us extremely excited about what’s to come in the next 10 years.”

Conveniently located at 520 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 190 in Harahan, Louisiana, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy’s Top 10. DirectBuy of New Orleans celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

Big 10…DirectBuy of Springfield celebrates 10 years in business.

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI…

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

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

“As the ‘show-me’ state, Missouri is the perfect place for a DirectBuy Club,” said Tracye Corbin, owner of DirectBuy of Springfield. “We’ve shown our members how to literally save thousands of dollars on their home improvement projects and home furnishings and that’s something we’re tremendously proud of.”

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

“The economy of the past decade has taught consumers to stretch their hard earned dollars and get optimum value,” continued Corbin. “As the economy is showing signs of improvement, we’re excited to bring the DirectBuy opportunity to more and more people in the Springfield area.”

Conveniently located at 1265 East Lark in Springfield, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Big 10…DirectBuy of Springfield celebrates 10 years in business.Read More