| NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA… | | | | Park Boulevard, Suite 190 in Harahan, LA, offers |
| They had visited the club simply to satisfy their | | | | consumers thousands of items including kitchen |
| curiosity about DirectBuy's unique concept, so when | | | | cabinets, flat-screen televisions, and major appliances |
| they read the letter telling them they had won and later | | | | from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized |
| listened to the voicemail left by Mike Seiler, co-owner | | | | suppliers. |
| of DirectBuy of New Orleans, they couldn't believe | | | | To assist members with their home renovation |
| their eyes or their ears. | | | | projects, DirectBuy of New Orleans employs product |
| "We didn't believe it at first," said Mr. Lomba. "We | | | | specialists who are specially trained in one of five |
| thought there was some catch to it – it wasn't until | | | | areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home |
| we had the check in hand that it really sunk in." | | | | Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and |
| "This whole event has had a great effect on the staff | | | | Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the |
| in the club," said Seiler. The club employees were able | | | | use of a children's play area, café, and a members' |
| to attend the champagne ceremony on March 13, 2010, | | | | lounge to relax in while shopping. |
| where the check was handed over to the couple. "It | | | | Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy are |
| was a very nice ceremony," said Mrs. Lomba. "We | | | | encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, |
| really appreciated the club doing all that for us." | | | | which is designed to educate families about |
| The Lombas' home had been damaged by Katrina in | | | | DirectBuy's unique business model. The Open House |
| 2005, so they had already rebuilt and refurnished their | | | | also helps consumers better understand how |
| home by the time they attended the DirectBuy Club | | | | DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup |
| Open House. But they still found a way to put their | | | | when purchasing brand-name merchandise. |
| winnings to great use. "We regret that we found out | | | | Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has been showing hundreds |
| about DirectBuy after we rebuilt our home," said Mr. | | | | of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save |
| Lomba. "But even after taxes, we have used the | | | | as they shop for virtually everything for in and around |
| winnings to pay off our mortgage and some lingering | | | | their homes – from furnishings, home improvement |
| credit card bills, and we are holding the rest in reserve | | | | and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, |
| to pay for our two sons' student loans." | | | | accessories, and much, much more. With more than |
| Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed | | | | 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its |
| more than a million dollars in prize money to both | | | | members access to more than 700 brand-name |
| members and non-members as part of their Home | | | | manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, |
| Makeover Program, designed to help consumers | | | | and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their |
| create the home of their dreams. | | | | authorized suppliers in Canada. |
| DirectBuy of New Orleans, located at 520 Elmwood | | | | |