Ucc of Canada

We've been a Vancouver member for about 8 years & the former UCC is now known as Direct Buy. The new owners are in business to get new members to join their system. When we joined the membership was $2400 & you get to buy everything at cost directly from the manufacturer. I've no idea what the memberships costs now but reading other reviews from members in the states it seems to range from $5-$6000.

My experience has been that they don't care whether you buy products through them or not. They have horrible customer service.

Here's how it works. You search through the manufacturer's book for your item & figure out the price & other fees & make note on a order sheet. It's very annoying because there is only one book per manufacturer so if you can't find their binder on the shelf, you have to ask other clients if they have the book & then wait til they are finished. Then you must wait for a clerk to take your order & there's only one or two clerks. It can take an hour to order one small item.

While ordering the items, you will find you are charged unexpected fees for handling, shipping, duty, & so forth. When we first joined, they would make note of the handling fees in the book. Now, you don't find out all the extra charges until you are placing the order. My last two orders have been twice what I've anticipated.

Another annoyance is the length of time to get your items. If you buy a Canadian product, it seems like you receive items in a reasonable time (2-4 weeks). If you buy from an American firm (which I never knew was American until I saw them charging duty & brokerage fees), then it can take over 3 months).

My last order was for 3 items. They called 2 weeks later to say the manufacturer has discontinued one of the items. So they will send me a cheque for the refund. I'm assuming the order has gone through & I will receive the item soon. A month later I call to inquire about my refund & am told the item has not been shipped & no refund until I receive my other items. This continues with 3 calls not returned. Over 3 mos later I have the 2 items but no refund.

Another problem, if you buy large appliances from them & it breaks down, you must find your own repairman. You can't return item to them. You must deal with the manufacturer's warranty on your own. You also have to pick up the appliance, they don't have home delivery.

They also no longer take credit cards. Pay by cheque only.

Too much aggravation. We aren't going to order from them anymore.

If you are remodelling your own home, then the aggravation might be worth the money saved. Otherwise, stay away from them. I've found Costco to be very similar in prices but you don't have the variety of products.