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The buying clubs this page is about are operations that charge substantial fees in exchange for the opportunity to buy near-wholesale prices. This is not about the Costco or Sams Club chains... these operations have annual fees that are usually no more than about $100, generally provide prospective customers with the opportunity to see the products and prices available, and don't need to use high pressure or deceptive practices to obtain members.

The M.O. of the buying clubs we're warning about charge hundreds to thousands of dollars for membership, promise significant savings but are typically reluctant to let prospective customers verify product availability and compare prices before making a membership decision, and often tell customers that if they don't become a member immediately following the presentation, they will not be allowed to become a member for several years. Talk about high pressure!

• http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/member_thoughtfortoday.asp?ID=104
• Wisconsin Office of Consumer Protection: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/buying_clubs.html
• http://www.mymoneyskills.com/visa/hk/en_US/smart_shopping/shopoptions.shtml
• Florida buying club statute: http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0559/ch0559.htm
• Missouri buying club statute: http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/C400-499/4070000677.HTM
• Midwest Direct, Inc.
  • Buying club complaints piling up (10/21/2001): http://www.kpcnews.net/special_reports/sweepstakesscams/sweeps22.html
  • Think call BBB before you sign (10/21/2001): http://www.kpcnews.net/special_reports/sweepstakesscams/sweeps23.html
• National Consumer Mart
  • http://www.consumeraffairs.org/scam_alerts/consumer.html
• United Consumers Club / UCC TotalHome / DirectBuy
  • http://formeraboutguides.com/investingcanada/library/weekly/1999b/aa110499.htm
  • http://www.resourcecore.com/UCC%20Art.htm
• Uniway: http://www.uniway.net/
• Cherry Tree Consumer Club: http://www.cherrytree.co.nz/
  • http://www.asa.co.nz/decisions/FULL/D03192.rtf

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Revision r1.2 - 11 Apr 2005 - 04:27 by EliMantel  Privacy Policy

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