Released on: October 23, 2008, 4:15 pm

Press Release Author: John Massaria

Industry: Consumer Services

Press Release Summary: Turn on the news today or glance over the headlines and all
you see is doom and gloom: bailouts, down markets, home foreclosures, etc.

Press Release Body:
ROCKLAND, MA...
On top of that, you hear of retailers going out of business and national companies
reporting huge losses. Interestingly, even in these times of financial hardship, a
locally owned company in Rockland is going against this trend. Serving the South
Shore and the Islands since 1986, DirectBuy of Boston South has seen many turns of
the economy, and more than ever people are buying more with less money.

"Believe it or not, the increase in member production and purchases, both in dollar
volume and quantity, is largely because of these troubling economic times," said
owner John Massaria. "Consumers need to make every dollar count. By enabling our
members to buy directly from more than 700 national manufacturers, suppliers and
local vendors, DirectBuy saves consumers an average of up to 45 percent or more by
eliminating markups. People are telling others and the proof is in our numbers."

Those numbers include some pretty impressive increases, particularly in today's
economic climate, such as:

● In 2007, Members averaged $450,936.39 in orders per month; in 2008, the
average was $540,568.21 per month (16% increase in dollar amount of purchases)
● In 2007, Members placed an average of 326 orders per month; in 2008, the
average was 366 orders per month (11% increase in monthly purchase orders)
● DirectBuy of Boston South has shown a 23% percent increase in kitchen and
granite sales in 2008, as compared to last year.
# DirectBuy of Boston South posted a 19% increase in new memberships over the last
five months (April through September 2008) compared to the same time period last
year

And during Massachusetts sales tax-free weekend in August, in which DirectBuy of
Boston South is only open on Saturday, the numbers are even more telling:

# Tax Free Day 2007: 369 orders in one day, totaling $430,544.49 (average of
$1,166.78 per order)
# Tax Free Day 2008: 470 orders in one day, totaling $679,210.72 (average of
$1,445.13 per order)
# 23% increase in orders, 34% increase in dollar amount ordered
# DirectBuy of Boston South saved its members approximately $305,644.82 in retail
markup in just one day

DirectBuy franchises offer members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home
furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and
accessories by purchasing wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. In addition,
DirectBuy boasts a team of designers to help members with their purchases and gives
them access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects.
DirectBuy's local contractors such as Mike Tarpey (617-828-5075), Rinaldi Builders
(617-759-1313) and Green Star Builders (617-872-8388) have all seen increases in
home-improvement renovations and installations as well.

Local stores also work with DirectBuy to afford huge savings to members, and that
keeps the stores busy as well. According to the owner of Hancock TV & Appliances,
Joe Palumbo (617-472-1710), "the relationship with DirectBuy has helped us realize
our best year yet in more than 63 years."

Another store showing increases with the help of DirectBuy members is Snow & Jones
Plumbing, located in Norwell and South Yarmouth. Owner Barney Jones (781-878-3312)
said that purchases from DirectBuy members have helped him see a huge increase over
last year. Barney said, "the buying power of DirectBuy members is a powerful one and
helps us stay busy. Members save money and we keep our stores humming."

Although each DirectBuy location is individually owned, DirectBuy Inc. is an
international company. In the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2008, members
purchased 1.1 billion dollars in merchandise network-wide. That's a 20.6 percent
increase over the previous fiscal year. In the same fiscal year, DirectBuy Inc. grew
from 143 locations to 165, a 15.4 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. In
the area of membership sales, the company had the second best year in its 37-year
history.

So is it all doom and gloom for businesses and consumers? Absolutely not. Consumers
are realizing, now more than ever, that they must change the way they buy goods in
order to make their budgets work. Members on the South Shore are increasingly
looking towards DirectBuy of Boston South to shield themselves from inflation and
recession.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor's Pass to attend an
Open House in the Rockland location by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at
781-878-8846 or by visiting www.directbuybostonsouth.com.

About DirectBuy
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 name-brand
manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members'
hard-earned money to go much further, while having selection and choices not
available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South opened in 1986 and prides
itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local
supplier services and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members' dream
projects a reality. It's a comfortable setting, where you finally have the
financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of more than
160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in learning more can call DirectBuy of Boston South at
781-878-8846 or visit www.directbuybostonsouth.com



Web Site: http://www.directbuybostonsouth.com

Contact Details: DirectBuy of Boston South
11A Commerce Road
Rockland, MA 02370-1055
781-878-8846
directbuy@mail.com