We used to be members but let it lapse after we built the house. Anyone have any idea what the membership renewal costs in 2013 are now??

We have looked at direct buy before, but were put off by the high membership fee. Are the savings that much that it is worth the cost of membership?

I considered it too a couple of years ago and I think the fee was about $7K. So you need to have a major project to save enough to cover the fee and then some.

I don't know for sure but I believe they price their membership based upon what you tell them your household income is.

I haven't got proof but they quoted me more than a friend of mine and less than another over a 1 year period. (This was consistent with our household incomes).

If you do end up going there I would lie about your income and say you both earn minimum wage or something like that.

CBC Marketplace did a program on Direct Buy a few years ago:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows...ID/1354329110/

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/t...mise/main.html

Not something i would get involved in. There are plenty of deals around to save money, without having to pay a franchised business a huge fee for the privilege of shopping there. I believe if there is a problem with a product, you cannot take it back to Direct buy, you have to deal with the manufacturer.

only worth doing if you are building a house or complete reno as the annoyance and buggeration factor is off the scale! However, the savings are (not on absolutely everything) incredible. Just found out the Ottawa office has closed as gone bankrupt which pretty much says it all! Run by morons with not a common sense cell between them. Ahh well, Lowes it is!

Have a look at Home Depot. We just bought a set of appliances in some sort of annual sale at prices better than available in Buffalo with the option not to pay for some extended period (a year, 18 months, some long, long time).

without mentioning certain manufacturers ....when i came to Canada i drove OTR working on a milkrun for a couple o yrs from MB -SK- AB delivering kitchens or,windows or furniture .and the same stuff that was delivered to Direct buy in Edmonton ,Calgary,Saskatoon ,also went to Home hardware & home depots!!
jimmy

IME, having reno'd 2 houses and built another here it's still not worth it. I'd rather deal and haggle with a local supplier. List prices for appliances in the most recent kitchen I installed were negotiated down by over 40%. Direct Buy offered less choice, and what you potentially saved in a slightly higher discount you more than spent with the membership fee.