Direct Buy, "Discount Buying Services", CA law
The following is not intended as a legal opinion upon which any reader may rely and shall not be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship with any reader. The comments are general in nature and subject to modification, depending on applicable facts and law.
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Direct Buy may fit with the definition of a "Discount Buying Service," defined as a legal or natural person who "for a consideration, provides or purports to provide its clients or the clients or members of any other discount buying organization with the ability to purchase goods or services at discount prices." (read Civil Code § 1812.100 and following provisions)
The statutory requirements create a minefield for unwary persons who provide Discount Buying Services. Failure to strictly comply can allow the consumer to avoid the contract and recover almost all fees paid to the company. For instance --
Discount Buying Services must give consumers a 3 Day Notice of Right to Cancel a contract. If the required format does not strictly follow the statutory requirements, the consumer may be able to cancel the contract until and unless the Service complies with the applicable statutes, even though more than three days have passed after signing the contract
Also, During the first year of membership of each member, on the request of the member, the organization must provide a full refund of membership fees, . . .without conditions other than the surrender or destruction of materials that allow the member to access or use the service [ Civ. Code § 1812.101(a)(2)(B)(i).
Hope this helps. JWLLAW