jmb@cbdkc1.UUCP ( Jim Brohard 45820 x4880 RAA) (11/04/85)
I just joined the United Consumers Club this weekend. They have 'stores' throughout the United States. Through this organization, members are supposed to be able to purchase items for the same price that retailers pay. It costs a fair amount of money to join, but I expect to save most of the dues on the purchase of a camcorder (a video camera and recorder in one unit). I wanted to ask other members about the UCC. Are the prices as good as they say? What problems, if any, have you had? Have you found better prices on identical merchandise somewhere else? Why do they use such a hard-sell? If it is such a good deal, it doesn't seem like they would need to use these tactics. For example, if I didn't join that night, I would never be able to join in the future. They didn't want me to look at the catalogs and then go to stores to compare prices. I don't usually spend money when it is a 'buy it now, or the opportunity is lost' scheme. Please note that I *DID* join, and so far have no reason to suspect any foul play, (except for the sales tactics). Please mail directly to me. If enough people show an interest, I will post some follow-up information. Thanks, Jim Brohard cbdkc1!jmb P.S. How do you know what your path is for people to mail to you? I think mine is cbosgd!cbdkc1!jmb.
fred@mot.UUCP (Fred Christiansen) (11/07/85)
> I wanted to ask other members about the UCC. Are the prices as good as they > say? What problems, if any, have you had? Have you found better prices > on identical merchandise somewhere else? Why do they use such a hard-sell? > If it is such a good deal, it doesn't seem like they would need to use these > tactics. For example, if I didn't join that night, I would never be able > to join in the future. They didn't want me to look at the catalogs and then > go to stores to compare prices. I don't usually spend money when it is a > 'buy it now, or the opportunity is lost' scheme. > > Thanks, > Jim Brohard > cbdkc1!jmb there is a comparable outfit around here called Doralco. they gave us the same kind of pitch: super-hard sell, said flatly we had to be real dumb to pass up such an opportunity. the up-front membership fee was nearly $1000. they showed us around their showroom. i have a decent memory for remembering prices. i can do just as well or better at LaBelle's, Service Merchandise, or Federated Group, which are all national, open stores, especially if i buy when sales are on. as far as video and camera equipment is concerned, nothing can beat New York city shops and mail order, however. furniture was a different story. but it was all expensive, high-margin stuff (so no wonder they could really drop the price!) that i'm not into anyway. -- << Generic disclaimer >> Fred Christiansen ("Canajun, eh?") @ Motorola Microsystems, Tempe, AZ UUCP: {seismo!terak, trwrb!flkvax, utzoo!mnetor, ihnp4, attunix}!mot!fred ARPA: oakhill!mot!fred@ut-sally.ARPA Telephone: +1 602-438-3472