This Week's Top 5

Wanna know what everyone is reading? Here are the week's top 5 blog posts:

5. YTB Cuts Price To $99 And More Good News
4. TV And Steve Tell It Like It Is
3. Where's Waldo Coach?
2. How Can You Help Any Less?
and the number one blog post of the week........

1. It's Official: Senior Trip Is Screwed

NOTE: And Dr. Bob and Candi are still looking for credentials!

One Major Contradiction

NOTE: PLEASE SEE CORRECTION BELOW


For the past year or so, the buzz about MLM has been that the business (whatever that may be) is not about going out and getting business by advertising or by using search engine optimization. The concept is all about asking your friends, relatives, and acquaintances to visit your website and if the price is comparable to make the purchase. The claim is that it is all about the relationship.

The concept sounds simple enough; but, do these MLMs practice what they preach (pun fully intended)?

Now, I for one have a policy against soliciting business from friends and family. If they seek me out, great, if not, even better. I know an agency owner whose business plan was to solicit the wealthy friends of his parents. Well that did not work out so well.

But are the MLMs really working on any relationships in any of their business dealings? I have heard from RTAs that have quit because of the lack of support. YTB was all about relationships with Shanghai Springs and that went by the wayside. The 2 Fly Free program has now left the clients to fend for themselves if they want to use the program. The "Help" page has been further reduced with less options to contact anyone for help.

So where exactly is the relationship building? It is not with the clients. It is not with the recruits. It seems from a prior post, that YTB is inclined to utilize strangers and advertise on free classified boards like Craigslist.

If YTB was truly interested in selling travel and becoming the biggest online agency in thew world...wouldn't it make sense to...oh I don't know, direct people to your website? Why is there not an RTA locator on the main site? Do you know if you search "travel" on google, that YTB does not even show up once int he first 100 results? Seems like the largest online travel agency is falling short. Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia are all in there multiple times.

As an aside to the travel search, if you google "travel scam" YTB shows up in 43 out of the first 100 results. Orbitz did not show up at all. Expedia showed up once, and Travelocity also had no showing in the travel scam search.

Why is that?

Correction: It appears that a poor choice of words on my part in the last paragraph has many people confused. YTB did NOT show up in 43 OF the first hundred results. YTB showed up 43 times IN the first hundred results.

TV and Steve Tell It Like It Is

This is on the Southern Maryland Craigslist and apparently by none other than the newest Level 5 (?) Director TV Wilson. I will highlight the areas that should be of concern to YTB, but likely are not.

TV Wilson YTB Travel Business Steve Branch

---

Reply to: serv-650179571@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-04-21, 7:45AM EDT


Your Own Travel Agency with No license Required

Get started today. NO turn downs.


No background check for new dealers
No credit check for new dealers
No credit line needed for new dealers

We give everyone a chance. So get started today with your Travel
Agency

We work with retailers, resellers and wholesalers as the perfect
companion facility to maximize your access to the Vacation market.

Sell on eBay and clean up! Highest commissions in the industry

To start earning today

complete sign up at BigVacationSale.com



Sincerely,

Branch and Wilson Team
EVP Business and Product Development


P.S. How much longer are you going to dream about being your own boss
and providing a second income for you and your loved ones? How much longer are
you going to let them down - let yourself down? Or, worse yet, how long
are you going to keep letting that Clown of a Boss where you work control your
life?

Personally, I can not imagine why someone would not take advantage of
this opportunity. It's as easy as A,B,C.

With This Business Your Customers Will LAUGH At Bad Credit! And You will Profit From It.


BigVacationSale.com

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 650179571

Wow---seems like the DIRECTORS are encouraging people with bad credit to join. What's the deal with this? I posted the entire thing because it is likely to be removed pretty quickly. Oops--apparently the Pyramid Dwellers did not get the memo! For those who are interested, TV is on the left and Steve is on the right!

YTB Cuts Price To $99 And More Good News

I spent about 40 seconds googling Craigslist and discovered a whole bunch of new things about YTB. In the pasat, I have been accused of stretching the truth. This is certainly not the case here. These are Reps and RTAs advertising on Craigslist and we all know that YTB keeps strict controls over what is said and promised on various websites. We also know that everything that is put out on the internet is cleared by their legal department and assigned a super secret YTB approval number. And finally, I was told that their unofficial motto is "if it isn't true, don't say it." With the preponderance of the evidence, this all must be 100% factual. Here is what I learned today:

• There was a problem in Rhode Island, but no more
• If I attend a presentation, I can go to a condo of my choice anywhere in the world for free
• I can get free pizza
• I will be given free life and health insurance when I join
• I will get upgrades left and right
• There are many bargains to be had on the cost of joining

YTB (Your Travel Biz) Is coming back to RI. The old License to sell Travel Law has been changed. NOW is your opportunity to operate and own your own Travel agency and take advantage of the home based business tax benefits that WILL save you money on your Taxes. YTB WILL allow you to Travel WHOLESALE on your personal Travel saving you hundreds and even thousands off retail. YTB WILL pay you when anything is booked on your Personalized website and YTB WILL pay you to show the opportunity to others. I am a POWER TEAM leader in the company one of only a few in RI and I can show you how easy it is to benefit from this company. Take either 7 minutes and watch the short business overview on my home page fortunefamilytravel.com or the more involved explanation (22 minutes) on www.paycationexperts.com I guarantee once you SEE the opportunity it WILL make sense to you. I am looking for people who WANT to get involed in this BUSINESS. There is NO REASON to flag this ad because I only want to help people who want to help themselves. I can offer you a FREE Vacation if you join my team 8 days 7 nights condo anywhere you choose in the world if you decide to join my team.
I wish everyone a good day and GREAT Success.
I assure you this opportunity is REAL and my company is currently in the April/May 2008 Success magazine issue as a featured story. I have proof this WORKS! Do you want to talk to me directly? Email me your phone# and best time to call. I do this FULL TIME so ALL calls will be returned.
Thank You:
Power Team Leader:
Scott Fortune.

Well it seems there may have been some truth to the Rhode Island issue. But that is ok, because the rules have changed and YTB is poised to pounce on the consumers of Rhode Island. I thought the plea to not flag the ad for removal was interesting--has there been a problem with that? Is Craigslist busy with these ads? And if I join his team, can he get me the condo I stayed at on the Amalfi Coast last year? It might be a good deal.

If you join YTB tonight you will get a FREE Pizza, a Large one of your choice. You will get your own Travel agency website where Travel can be booked all around the world at very cheap prices, your website can order flowers too and car rental and hotels cruises, is super and you get the commission on everything booked, just like Travelocity, but you own it and you get paid big time. It's only $500 to get started so join right now and get your FREE Pizza.

Free pizza. Wow, join my downline, earn nothing but make sure I earn more and I will buy you a free pizza. I bet the line is almost as long as the vendor line outside of YTB,

REFERRING TRAVEL AGENTS WANTED 1.Compensation plan like no other 2. FREE Health Insurance 3. $150.000 Life Insurance 4. Residual income could be endless 5. Travel Agent benefits CALL NOW!! To schedule a travel party and receive a certificate for a 3 day 2 night stay at any one of 29 locations. To hear a presentation about the business, how you can get started and how to make money from your home. Gretchen Hubbard Port Orchard, WA 98367 360-620-5478 gretchensowntravel@yahoo.com

Free health insurance? Is this a new program? $150K life insurance. I hate to say it, but if this is true, I may just sign up with the next ad and take the free life insurance and health insurance. I am currently paying over $10K a year for my family's plan and if I can get it for $99 I may be all about it!

YOU COULD HAVE THE BEST WEB SITE BOOKING ENGINE FOR ONLY $99!!! THIS SALE IS GOING ON FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY!!! DONT DELAY GET YOURS TODAY

VISIT: www.passport2profit.biz
www.travelconvenient.com

AND CONTACT ME AT: 713-202-7545
OR EMAIL: bigmell3@yahoo.com

Wow--a discount of almost 80%. Like I said, I might be interested just for the FREE health insurance and the $150,000 life insurance. But then again, maybe it is best to hold out for the BOGO offer.

Learn How To: ➢ Own an unbelievable turn key business ➢ Travel the world for pennies on the $$!!!!! ➢ Take advantage of FAM Trips, Free First Class Upgrades, Hotel & Car Rental upgrades ➢ Income Tax Deductible Travel and home based business tax advantages ➢ Travel Agent Perks and more! ➢ Earn additional income PART TIME, health & life insurance with residual income A little curious? Call our 24-hour hotline for a brief 3-minute overview: 405-244-4085 Salvatore's Restaurant 1333 Boston Road Springfield, MA Tuesday ( Every) Presentation - 7:30 prompt Then check us out today at… http://www.AllenbyTravel.com (please review the investor tab and then the press releases on our company) On-line Booking Engine – open 24/7 for all Travel, Vacations Packages, Car Rentals, Cruises, Hotels, Flowers, Sporting Event & Concert Tickets, Golf & Spa Vacations, Travel Bridal Registry, Limos and much more – Vacation Packages specials (save 30%) and do check out the under $250 links on each page (2 nights hotel and air! ) when emailing ask about $1,800. Vacation Package Do you like to Hunt & Fish - visit this on-line presentation http://www.YourOutdoorBiz.com Guest of: Leighton Allenby Bring this flier with you and receive mini vacation accommodations ($400. Value) to a choice of over 20 locations from Florida to Hawaii! Bring a friend along for fun and they’ll receive one too! DATE: Tuesday's TIME: 7:30 p.m. LOCATION: Salvatore's Restaurant 1333 Boston Road Springfield MA

I see Leighton is still at it. Traveling the world on pennies to the dollar, getting free first class upgrades and travel perks and more. HE is also offering free health and life insurance. I guess with this and the tree business, he is a busy guy.

Team Travelmore, a YTB (Your Travel Biz) affiliate is offering a $100.00 rebate to join YTB now. Do not put off your home based travel agent career any longer. This $100.00 rebate is only valid until 05/31/2008. Get more information or join YTB and Team Travelmore, visit http://www.teamtravelmore.com

Well, when Bigmell3@yahoo.com is offering the same thing for $99, why would anyone go here. I mean, if it is the same product at the same, lower, or competitive price, why go anywhere else? I assume that Bigmell is offering the same services as Travelmore right? Sometimes it makes sense to scout out the competition.

And to think that a lot of Reps are still selling this program at $449.95! Wow, looks like Walmart has now come to YTB!

How Can You Help Any Less?

One of the major points this blog has been making since inception is that MLM really leaves the customer hanging out to dry and there is very little support if any. There have been several posts on tis topic, and probably hundreds of comments. Even recently, it was noted that YTB discontinued an "exclusive" program and offered no support to the customers who purchased into the program.

It has been mentioned that their help page on the RTA sites is a joke. One wonders if YTB might have listened to the criticism and made some changes. Well, apparently they were, and they did--but it was for the worse. The following was found on their "new and improved" help page:

Frequently Asked Questions
Problems with a booking?
Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions
Car Rental FAQs - Click Here
Cruise FAQs - Click Here
Hotel FAQs - Click Here
International Flight Search FAQs - Click Here

Having problems with a booking or reservation? If you are having problems with a booking, the best way to get help is to contact the support department of the vendor through which the travel was booked.

For example, if you have a question or problem concerning a vendor, please click a link below for information (or visit the vendor website for their contact procedure) and have ready the confirmation number you received when booking your travel.

Reservations booked through World Choice Travel (Hotels & Cars)
Online Help and Assistance for Car Reservations - Click Here
Online Help and Assistance for Hotel Reservations - Click Here

Vacation Packages
Travel Impressions - Click Here
Rockwell Tours - Click Here

Last Minute Deals
Online Help and Support - Click Here

Contact Us Thank you for choosing YTB Travel Network for your travel needs.

If you need help regarding a travel booking you have made, need help using the booking engine to purchase travel, or have other questions, please contact your YTB Travel Network RTA.

Thank you!

Copyright 2007 YTB Travel Network - All Rights Reserved - v2.0 - Privacy Policy FLA. Seller of Travel-Reg. No. St-33570 OHIO St. ID# - 8889162 IOWA TA# - 666 WA-UBI# - 602 141 482 HI-TAR# - 5851 NV#2006-0212 CA-CST # 2057620-40 (not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund)
YTB Travel Network: 618-655-9477: 1901 East Edwardsville Road, Wood River, IL 62095

So, again, they tell you to contact your RTA with any other questions--but no means to contact them on their site--not even by email.

And what happened to all of the other vendors? Did they get tired of handling consumer calls and paying YTB a commission? Did the other vendors terminate YTB? It is strange--there is not even a mention of cruise travel or cruise certificates.

It's Official: Senior Trip Is Screwed

From the reporter in Nashville:

From what I've heard, the trip did not occur for most of the individuals. Some folks were able to pay a little extra money and go on a trip. I haven't heard back from YTB representatives.

Well, now it seems that it is in the hands of the police. I wonder if that little extra money was arranged by YTB? But now they are not returning the reporter's calls.

Travel Weekly: A Letter To Mom By Richard Turen

Last Thursday, Richard Turen penned a fantastic column. I may even make copies and distribute it to my clients. Richard really lays this out well and clearly demonstrates exactly why someone who purchased the title of "travel agent"--referring, certified, or otherwise, is indeed nowhere close to being what they claim!

Dear Mom:

You once asked me when I was going to get serious and find a "real job." It has taken a few years, but I wanted to let you know that I have found something really useful to do with my life. Mom, I am a travel agent.

We travel agents have come out of the vocational closet now, and we are openly admitting what we do for a living. We are rediscovering our collective voice, and we have discovered a new pride.......

Please click link above to read entire column!

Memorial Day

Remembering those who have served and continue to serve......

The land of the free, because of the brave!

This Week's Top 5

Wanna know what everyone is reading? Here are the week's top 5 blog posts:

5. ADI? So, What's Up? Not Much!
4. Another Site Picks On YTB
3. The Next Press Release
2. Another Vendor Shuns YTB

and the number one blog post of the week........

1. So, Where's The TRAVEL Training Again?

NOTE: Still waiting for Candi May to come to offer some backup to her claims. Giving up on holding my breath.

Where's Waldo Coach?

Many have squawked about the corporate jet. I have said I feel it is unnecessary and an extravagance, but hey, it is their company and they will ultimately have to answer to their shareholders first--and then Coach can answer to a "higher being".

Others have said the TTAs are "obsessed" with the jet and it's whereabouts. Well, I hate to tell you it is not quite that sinister. As a matter of fact it is quite easy and does not consume any amount of time. A while back someone sent me (and I believe posted in a comment) a link to a service that will allow you to track the jet as it flies across the country to the various recruiting events. If you give them an email address, they will even send you alerts. Brainless really.

When you were little there was Where's Waldo...and now we have Where's Coach!

An Update From Tennessee

Well, the ship is set to sail on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. The last anyone heard from the RTA's husband was that he was taking care of it all--no worries. We also heard that YTB established an email address for people to contact them if they were scammed.

I just spoke with a reporter from the paper and apparently phones of the Andersons (both the RTA and the husband who was handling it all) have been disconnected and they are nowhere to be found.

Not looking too good for these seniors!

Another Site Picks On YTB

We have already determined that the MLM crowd does not like Robert FitzPatrick because he speaks opposite of what they have been told. That alone does not make his opinions and arguments invalid.

Last week, FitzPatrick released an interesting analysis on, you guessed it, travel and MLM. As with this blog, FitzPatrick has focused on YTB. As I have said numerous times, it is not YTB in particular, but the MLM model. YTB just bears the brunt of the force due to their size, their braggadocio, their publicly available information, and most likely their exaggerated claims,

As with Peter Stilphin, I completely agree with his assessment. But, here we have a professional that is NOT in the travel industry who is a world wide expert on network marketing and he offers an opinion that is, shall we say less than glowing. Some of the key points Mr. FitzPatrick presents include:

The key issues then are these:

• If the real business is about recruiting, the travel industry has been invaded by a fake travel business.
• If the scheme is an endless chain, nearly all consumers who join the scheme will lose money and the public has been misled by a fake "business opportunity."
• If whatever "travel" revenue the company generates is coming from the agents themselves, then the scheme is merely disguised as a "direct selling" business. It is in reality a pyramid scheme, using travel services, sign-up and website fees as the means for laundering pyramid money transfers.

The answers to most of these questions are clear and verifiable. According to YTB's filings with the SEC, 73% of all its revenue came from the $500 up front and $50 monthly fees. Another 10% came from selling the "agents" marketing materials and courses.

Only 14.5% of YTB's revenue came from commission on travel services that were sold.

Do the agents "sell" travel services to real customers or just buy from themselves? YTB does not disclose this. However, the SEC filings reveal that the mean average commission payment to YTB reps from travel services was only $44 a year. This tiny average payment would make sales to anyone other than themselves or immediate family unprofitable. Much anecdotal evidence also exists that YTB "agents" are in fact just consumers "buying for and from themselves".

Is YTB a viable business opportunity for consumers?

YTB also answers this question with numbers posted on its website, however, as with other MLMs, the data may not be clear to the average consumer. A little analysis reveals the following devastating facts:

• 0.37% of the total number of reps (1 in 300) got over 70% of the total commissions.
• The top 4% (4.037) of the Reps received 96% (95.66) of all Commissions
• The bottom 81% of the chain got no commissions at all.
• The bottom 96% (95.57) received a mean average commission of $13.91 per year or $0.27 cents per week.

When this data is merged with the information that YTB submitted to the SEC in its latest annual report for 2007, it reveals that only 14% of all commissions paid to the reps came from selling travel. All the rest came from enrolling other "agents." The mean average payment to all the sales reps was $310, but only $44 of this came from travel services sales. All the rest came from recruiting. And 96% of all commissions were transferred straight to the tiny group of promoters at the top of the YTB pyramid.

In summary, almost no YTB reps earned any money from selling services and nearly all the commissions that were paid for travel sales were transferred to the top based on YTB's pyramid pay formula - a money trap for consumers.

Pretty much right on the money I would say!

Some Insight On The DSA

"To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers."

That is what the mission of the Direct Selling Association claims to be. DSA--you know that organization that lends all the credibility in the world to Network Marketing Companies. Did anyone notice in their mission that the their primary missive is "To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies." Wow, does not seem like it is too interested in the consumer.


They also have a Code of Ethics to which all members must subscribe. This document is extensive and to be honest not the most clear thing I have ever read. But after reading a few short paragraphs, it became evident to me that several Network Marketing companies with which I am familiar--and one in the travel industry was simply not complying with the code.

So, just what does the DSA do with miscreants among themselves? When I asked, I got the answer I feared--not much. When I initially contacted DSA, asking about companies that do not comply, I was told I would have a response from the legal department in 10 days. Well, 45 days later, a member of their legal department--Dean Heyl. Aside from saying that he could not comment on the specific questions, he directed me to an obscure page on the DSA site that was not readily visible to most. It instructed me on how to file a complaint. In an attempt to actually see the process, I found a page detailing what to expect when you file a complaint. And here is where it becomes evident that the DSA will do nothing for the consumer.

In a nutshell, you follow these steps:

• To protect my anonymity, I am to mail, fax, or electronically send in the complaint to DSA
• Who then passes it on to an Administrator who is not an employee for impartiality
• Who then passes it on to the offending company
• Who then tells the Administrator why they feel their customer is wrong
• Who then sends you a letter saying that the company feels it was not in the wrong and thanks you profusely for using a DSA company.

Now I am not sure how an administrator (while not "employed by" but certainly contracted by the DSA) is impartial. And I am not so sure how my anonymity is insured when my complaint is passed from the mail clerk, to a secretary, to someone else, to the administrator, and finally to the person I am complaining about.

There really is not anonymity or honestly a chance of your complaint going anywhere. They are missioned to protect the companies that pay the exorbitant membership fees to fund their lobbying efforts in Washington. One would imagine that with travel, the annual fee must be substantial since it is such a "high ticket" item. One would imagine that the travel member companies are some of their largest members in terms of membership fees. One wonders if they might not have an "in" with the FTC right now and if that might change in January 2009?

So, Where's The TRAVEL Training Again?

Below, you will find the agenda for the Certified Referring Travel Agent Certification. This is the required training in order to receive the YTB identification card and is also required for the CLIA card.

The agenda is prefaced with this comment:

When we become the largest travel company in the world, one of the key reasons will be the Certified RTA program. This additional program will take your travel business to the next level by opening up additional income opportunities and providing you with world class training taught by YTB's top leaders at locations across the US.

As for the agenda itself:

Attendees will gain first hand knowledge of how to maximize the income and benefits of their YTB business from the company leaders. Classes are taught by YTB Directors. You will learn how to:

Earn substantial income from travel sales:

• Put your online travel agency on autopilot
• 10% override on all travel sold by RTAs referred by your PowerTeam Reps
• $500 and $5000 bonuses by helping those RTAs succeed

Save incredible amounts on your personal vacations and travel:

• Only Certified RTAs can apply for their CLIA card
• The proper way to ask for industry rates and upgrades
• Where to find, and how to book FAM trips

Dramatically and legally reduce your personal income taxes:

• Home-based travel business tax advantages
• Convert current personal expenses to tax deductible business expenses

The cost of certification is $149 and comes with a 2-Way Money Back Guarantee.

If you are unsatisfied for any reason, tell us at the end of the certification and receive a 100% refund.

Personally enroll 3 RTAs who become Certified RTAs and receive a 100% reimbursement.

Rep Training

The afternoon will be dedicated to additional training for all of the newly Certified RTAs who are also Reps with yourTravelBiz.com.

• Build a team of Reps that could lead to total and complete financial security.
• How the YTB copyrighted compensation works.
• The POWER of the PowerTeam.
• Real residual income.

Don’t miss out on these historic and business building events. You can register for the RTA Certification course nearest you in your Back Office. Just click on Company Events, then Certification Trainings.

I guess my questions are:

• Where do they fit in "travel" training into this?
• How are the Reps qualified to provide training?
• Why the focus on "how to ask" for perks?
• Where is the part about geography?
• Where is the part about agency accounting?
• Where is the part about client consultations?
• Where is the part about preferred suppliers and market share?
• Where is the part about handling problems when they arise?
• And I thought many said YTB was no longer charging for training--hence the decline in training revenue on their 10Q. Hmm, guess not.
  

ADI? So, What's Up? Not Much!

So, after all that big stink about the picture of a kid flipping the bird, the picture becomes a bit more clear. Mind you, no one was able to refute my contention that YTB did not acquire ADI. True to their tactics, the MLM crowd just deflected the conversation to a funny photo.

But as I said, Regina decided to get an answer and in the end..YTB did not acquire ADI. They may in the future, but for now they seem to be a vendor only.

You can find out the current version on Regina's other blog:

Apparently, there was indeed an announcement made about the acquisition of ADI by YTB at the Richmond Travel Training event. According to Jeanie Sharpless, the announcement was made by YTB Travel CEO, J. Kim Sorensen, and the founder and CEO of ADI, Curtis Edwards, who was there to confirm it. The problem, however, is that while this merger is on the planning table and discussions between the two companies are taking place, and maybe they are even close to finalizing the details... TODAY, it is still in the planning stages, and the acquisition has not yet been confirmed. In the excitement of the possibilities of this merger actually taking place, it was announced. It probably shouldn't have been, but it was. You know how excited we humans can get about things. Anyway, since more legal work must be done before it is a DONE DEAL, for now, the answer to the question at hand is "NO" YTB has not acquired ADI

Now, why on earth would a company announce a merger to a roomful of people when it is not a done deal. This is in Business 101--but with only 2 hours of education, I guess I cannot hold Scott accountable. But this apparently was announced by Kim Sorensen. And here we are a month later and neither ADI or YTB is willing to confirm it.

I have a hunch why it was "announced". In a word recruiting. Here you are in Virginia with a roomful of prospects and non-producing RTA and Reps. You need to do something to get them to sign up and to jump start their productivity. Tell them something--anything. And it seems that ADI was the straw that was drawn.

So, maybe YTB will acquire ADI at this point. Maybe they won't. But I am thinking that after a month, that there probably was no real announcement in Virginia--but now that many RTAs have gone on and broadcast it including some recorded telephone call...YTB may need to put up or shut up. And since the President of ADI is indeed an RTA this is probably the only way he is going be be able to make any money off of YTB!

This Week's Top 5

Wanna know what everyone is reading? Here are the week's top 5 blog posts:

5. The Opportunity Of A Lifetime!
4. The Truth About Income Claims
3. Big Industry Changes On The Horizon
2. Does Dr. Seligman Have A Sister? *

and the number one blog post of the week........

1. Strange Business This MLM

Apparently Seligman does indeed have a sister--no awards materialized!

NOTE: I will be traveling the first half of next week, so I will not be commenting, but there is plenty of content for you already scheduled and I am sure Kate can interject as well!

The Next Press Release

Here is my prediction of the next press release to be announced shortly:

YTB will offer free cruises to military and clergy.

Apparently YTB did a few full charters and not enough people love the Coach enough to cruise with them. So, might as well give away the stuff you already bought in hopes of some good PR. Maybe he can offer a cabin or two to the kids in Tennessee that were scammed by one of his RTAs. Just a thought.

Why do I think this might happen? Here is an excerpt from the 10K now that I have read it a little more deeply:

Cruise cabin inventory represents $2,254,496 in cabins held to be sold on two cruises set to sail May 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, net of a $1.7 million reserve. The cruise cabin inventory is comprised of the full value of the contracts with the cruise line and includes all cost directly related to the selling price of the cabins, including related taxes and fuel costs. The Company recorded this reserve since the Company has evaluated the inventory as of March 31, 2008 and believes it will not be able to sell the majority of these cabins before the departure date of each of the cruises.

What Is YTB's Favorite Color?

Hint: it's the color of their first quarter financial report which was released yesterday.

Here are the similarities to the annual report filed a little bit ago:

• Website sales and fees account for 79.5% of total revenue
• Travel commissions account for 12.5% (no real surprise there)
• Marketing income is 7%
• Miscellaneous is 1%

Pretty standard stuff.

On the expense side:

• 58.7% of the money earned went to the rep side of the business
• 9% of the money earned went to the travel side of the business --but they sell travel ;) ...really!

A comment that really stood out for me was that the training and marketing income DECREASED 10.5% over the previous year same quarter. Yet the number of RTAs (the guys who need training) INCREASED 67%. As I have been saying, they may offer training, but the adoption rate is dismal. There are currently 138,814 RTAs out there today.

Which brings me to the huge increase in the number of people that are bailing out on YTB. Last year, for the entire year, YTB had 66,910 RTAs quit the program. This is a simple calculation on page 12 of the report. Number of RTAs at the end of 2006 plus the number of websites sold minus the current number of RTAs. That gives you the number that bailed. They lost 5,575 RTAs per month last year!

Let's look at the first quarter of 2008. At the end of the year in 2007, they had 131,065 RTAs in the program. During the first quarter of this year, they added 30,893 (which incidentally is an 8% drop in recruiting from 2007) websites, which should effectively bring them to 161,958. However, they only currently have 138,814 RTAs. That means that in the past three months, 23,144 RTAs have dropped out of YTB. That is 7,714 per month or a 38% INCREASE in drop outs.

My speculation on why?

• Loss of IATA
• Loss of RCCL
• Continued bad publicity from RTAs scamming people
• Lack of qualified travel leadership
• The Olympic debacle
• The 2 Fly Free debacle
• The Piccolo debacle
• name your own debacle

OK--YTB reporters, start your cotton gins! Spin spin spin. Hint--don't try the "well we wanted to lose money and RTAs" line--it did not work when IATAN shot you down a second time, it won't work now.


PS: I forgot to mention that they posted a NET LOSS of $3.5 MILLION.

Another Vendor Shuns YTB

This is pretty self explanatory:

Summer Vacation Special

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Book & Receive 15% guaranteed commission
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Quote Promotional Code: MPND1
Toll-Free: 1-866-369-1977 Email: reservations@infinitybay.com
Valid for travel from April 29th - Sept 10 2008

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Family Rate $599 pp/quad occ/2 bedroom condo.
PLUS SPECIAL BONUS
FREE DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER!

Summer Vacation Package Includes:

• Deluxe Resort Hotel accommodations
• Airport transportation
• Welcome cocktails
• Breakfast daily
• Island tour guided
• Two boat taxi passes to West End Village
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• Infinity Beach Party night
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• Fully Equipped Kitchen
• Bonus Dolphin Encounter!

Roatan Vacations

Featuring one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Roatan is a paradise for divers, snorkelers, fishermen and beach lovers. Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort sits right on this powdery white, sandy beach that leads to sparkling, turquoise water and spectacular underwater gardens.

Infinity Bay also features the famous "L Dock", for the utmost convenience in accessing marine activities and transportation. Infinity Bay is easy to get to with several airlines offering great schedules and rates to Roatan. For more details and tips on traveling to Infinity Bay Resort click here www.infinitybay.com and then click on "travel tips" under the "About Roatan" tab.

Infinity Bay is easy to get to with several airlines offering great schedules and rates to the Islands. For more details and tips on travelling to Infinity Bay Resort check here

Call 866-369-1977 or e-mail reservations@infinitybay.com
and give reservations code: MPND1*
(*offer not valid for YTB agents)
Valid for travel from April 29th - Sept, 10, 2008

16% Hotel tax not included. Air transportation not included

The Truth About Income Claims

Here is an estimated income calculator for the YTB program. All you need to do is put in:

• The amount of travel you think you can sell in a year
• The number of people you feel you can recruit
• The number of people you feel they can recruit
• How much commission you think you will earn as a percentage

The spreadsheet calculates it all for you. Does not go below that level and does not take into any director bonuses, but it really highlights the money.

What I found very interesting was how little impact travel commissions or sales impacted the earnings. But boy when you recruit, you can see the difference. It was interesting--not surprising!

I kind of used the $3600 number for travel sales (the average per YTB) and then 10% commission and figured on 6 friends and family recruits each recruiting 6 more. I can definitely see why MLMs tend to ruin relationships. The top dog makes the money and the downline is so far removed. No wonder most don't make anything!

Anyhow, I uploaded the spreadsheet to a free hosting site. It is good for 100 downloads over the next 7 days. If there are issues, email me and I will send it to you if interested.

KC Chiefs Become Latest RTA

YTB has signed up the Kansas City Chiefs as their latest RTA. No doubt with the fan base, they will be a director in no time. YTB issued a press release this morning about the partnership. I do wonder how many of the fans will actually get the message about the "service" and how many will actually use it? It seems it would have been much more lucrative to handle the team travel as well as their official fan club. I am not sure who handles that, but I believe it might be All About Travel in Mission, KS.

But for now, congrats to YTB! Hopefully this RTA will produce as expected and this program will not be rescinded in short time as well.

What Happened?

First the Olympics, then Dickinson, and now this? What is going on, seems like nothing is as it seems at YTB! What is the reasoning behind this one? Maybe it was not exclusive? Maybe it was a rip off? Maybe it was impractical? Maybe as Ted Lindauer suggested it was illegal?

But the part I like the best is how YTB stands behind the programs it sold. For those who purchased the program, deal with LVI exclusively.

This was reported in this week's Biz Report!

YTB DISCONTINUES
YTB FLY FREE PROGRAM
YTB has discontinued the YTB Fly Free Program. The links have been removed from the website. While we will not be selling memberships any longer, those who have purchased the program will be able to use the balance of their 12 month membership through LVI exclusively.

Does Dr. Seligman Have A Sister?

I learned my lesson about posting baby pictures a few weeks ago, so I am not going to go there again while addressing another inconsistency in the rhetoric from YTB.

Recently, there has been a flurry of comments about how many TTAs are flocking to YTB because they have all "seen the light" and understand what a great program it is. I cannot dispute that they have some TTAs in their mix--they probably do; but I think I can call into question the curriculum vitae (that Latin phrase was for Dr. Bob) of the agents they claim to have. Last week, on the blog called Just Picture It Now, there was an entire post devoted to Candi May, who was a hot shot travel agent in Kentucky for decades before joining YTB.

Some of the claims made by this blog include the "fact(s) that Candi May:

• owned several Brick and Mortar Agencies back in the day
• she was the one who was winning all the awards
• isn’t some rookie off the street who knew nothing about Travel

I am very friendly with the owner of the largest travel agency in Kentucky (actually they are also the largest in Tennessee and Southern Ohio as well) and as hard to believe as it is--they have never heard of someone named Candi May owning agencies in Kentucky. No one seems to be aware of all these awards she won.

And while we are dealing with the "unbelievable", there is this excerpt from the blog touting her credentials:

A former client then asked her to take a look at a business, not for her, but for him.

What she did do was look at the public numbers, she looked at our Founders, and she looked at what other successful people were doing in this business. She also went up to meet the Founders personally.

YTB was a company that was actually capitalizing on the very same market shift that was causing her Brick & Mortar business to loose all this business.

OK, so let me get this straight to be sure I understand....a client comes into her office and says, "Candi, I am looking at buying an internet agency to compete with you--do you have an opinion?" Well, my opinion would likely have been "Get the hell out of my office." But apparently, Candi's answer was to say, "Let me check it out and get back to you," as she purchased tickets to fly up to meet Coach and Scott herself just to offer an opinion to a client who was looking to compete with her. Yeah---right!

This blog entry really raised some flags for me--as so many of the other blog entries do--ADI acquisition, Dr. Bob, etc. So I sent Candi an email asking about her agency. While I will not repost her email here, her response did not confirm anything about her experience. She referenced an agency owned by a relative, and then included several links to companies that are no longer in business. Nothing about her and her awards, nothing about her agency awards.

On a follow up, she indicated that a major travel company (I am choosing to not name them) paid for her to fly to their headquarters and she spent many days having them wine and dine her in an attempt to get her to join their ranks--which she declined. This too sat funny with me since I could not picture this agency being a major player in the Kentucky market. Well, after a quick email, I can confirm that this major travel company (I know the CEO) indeed did not pay for anyone named Candi May to come to their headquarters. As a matter of fact, the only "Candi" they have in their system of prospects, was a "Candy" from Michigan.

So, do we have a long lost reunion coming up pretty soon. Is Candi May, the good Dr. Seligman's long lost sister? So now do we have the trifecta of wrong information? Seligman, ADI and now Candi May! Can anyone add some shred of truth to the claims? Candi may have been all that; but it seems like maybe not!

This Week's Top 5

Wanna know what everyone is reading? Here are the week's top 5 blog posts:

5. Regina Osei Calling
4. Eye Am Rilly A Vary Goode Travell Agent.
3. Strange Business This MLM
2. Can Someone Ask Doug To Read This

and the number one blog post of the week........

1. The Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Coming up next week--more exaggerations, more corruption , and another opinion on MLM and Travel from an expert!

Strange Business This MLM

I just checked into a few of my "favorite" blogs and I noticed something peculiar. Most of the MLM characters are not relying on MLM to earn them a living. Maybe they see the light.

Regina Osei has her blog devoted to YTB; yet one of her other blogs is focused on selling leads to other MLM zealots. If it is such a good lead program and YTB is such a great moneymaker, why not just follow the self imposed advice and become a Level 10 Director and be done with it?

Doug Bauknight's blog is no different other than he is hawking self help books along with lead generation programs. Again, if it is such a good program, why the need for these other "opportunities". He even maintains another blog that is called Success Pro. It is blank--just like the book he wrote. What's up with that?

While not quite as bad, Gail's Travel blog also offers all sorts of lead generating links.

Didn't any of these people attend the seminar? The three I have attended plainly told me that earning money in YTB is as simple as asking everyone you see to go to your website and if the price is the same, lower or competitive, to buy from me. Apparently that is not working too well for YTB as there are countless schemes out there to supplement the program and to maybe try and get it to work.

What is interesting is the psyche of the folks that buy these supplements. YTB is not working for them, so they must buy or endorse a product from another YTB member who also does not have the program working for them. Kate blogged about some guy name Holton Buggs who says he has the secret and for $30 it can be yours. Well if the secret works, why are there only 136 directors in YTB out of 303,000 representatives?

It's too bad that I cannot sell cars to YTB people--they already sell them to themselves. But if I could, I bet I could make a mint preying off this mentality:

ME: Welcome to CarLand, YTB Family
YTB: Oh, thank you, we are looking for a car.
ME: Well this one is the one for you. It is only a one time fee of $499 and then monthly fees of $499 a month for 6 years.
YTB: Oh wow, what a great deal we will take it. Three weeks later, when YTB Family returns to the dealership:
YTB: This car is not working like you promised!
ME: Oh really? Well it likely is because you don;'t know how to drive it. It is not my fault.
YTB: Oh yes, you are probably right, we will have to work harder at how to drive.
ME: Well, you know, if you really want to learn how to drive that car well, you probably ought to invest in this car right here.
YTB: Oh really, why is that?
ME: Well, by driving this car, you will gain the experience you need to drive that car, and then when you are done with this car, you will be such a successful drive oif that car.
YTB: Oh that makes SO much sense. You are absolutely right. Boy are we lucky to have found you!
ME: Yes you are. Well, this car is only a one time fee of $4999--no monthly fee at all.
YTB: Thanks you so much for showing us what we were doing wrong, here's our credit card.
ME: Can I interest you in some flowers, a trip to Tahiti, or some camping gear?

So, what we have here is the weak preying on the weak. Very interesting concepts for sure!

The opportunity of a lifetime!

So I was doing a little surfing trying to learn more about the much talked about 90 day blitz that was supposed to produce a bumper crop of new YTB millionaires. While I couldn’t find anything new about the 90 day extravaganza, I did learn about a very interesting guy who seems to be making a crapload of money as the latest guru of YTB, Mr. Holton Buggs.

According to his numerous videos, Holton and his lovely wife were down on their luck, only 45 days from foreclosure and a quarter of a million dollars in debt. Miraculously, Holton found YTB and became a director in just 45 days!
In fact, Holton claims that by 2010 his downline will be responsible for 50% of the income that comes into YTB. And for only $29.99, you could be a millionaire just by purchasing Holton’s life changing video, Duplication Nation.

Given the amazing success of Mr. Buggs with YTB, not to mention all the EXTRA cash he is making off his video sales, this left me with a couple of questions.

First, if Holton can make director in just 45 days, then how is it that a super smart guy like Doug hasn’t made it in over 1200 days? Even a guy with a fancy web cam like Earl hasn’t made it yet. Hasn’t he seen Holton’s videos?

Second, Holton’s Cash Cow videos are only $30.00, but there were only 163 directors by the end of 2007. With the majority of YTB’s members making less than a high school dropout who operates the sour cream gun at Taco Bell, why did the Coach blow all that money on a plane for himself rather than buying the video for every single YTB member? Coach could have just “traveled like a travel agent” and got bumped to first class, couldn’t he? Then he could have had enough cash to buy a few thousand of Holton’s videos to share with the members. Oh just picture it now….

But after a bit more research we discovered that this was not the first mlm venture that Holton has been in. In fact, there are multiple internet sites that would indicate that Holton may have in fact been in some other mlms prior to YTB, and was kicked out for some of his questionable business practices.

If you want to jump on the Holton Buggs path to the easy life, you first must agree to the following:

• In the event that Holton Buggs is harassed by his former company in an attempt to hold him or any 3kmg leader liable for soliciting me, I will be willing to file a complaint with several regulatory agencies and testify in court on Buggs/3k Marketing Group's behalf as it relates to this non-inducement letter.
• In the event that any company tries to restrict my business trade, I will consider participating in a class action litigation suit for compensation due to harm caused to me by deceptive trade practice and harm to my reputation and business.

Even weirder, in the “contact us” part of the site, Holton asks if you would be willing to file a complaint with the FTC or AG. (Of course, now that the AG is in YTB, it wouldn’t be too hard to catch up with him to file a complaint, right Crystal?)

Could it be that the man who claims to have helped thousands find financial freedom, and will soon be responsible for over half the income generated by YTB, is headed for the State Penn rather than Penn State?

Regina Osei Calling

I just had a long conversation with Regina Osei and to be honest, there was nothing resolved and there still is a divide between the two sides. I think we both agree on this.

We discussed the industry, YTB, and of course my post about her blog entry and the infamous photo which seems to be turning into the Lewinsky "blue dress" of 2008.

I do want to apologize for taking such a harsh stand and calling her a liar. As it turns out, she may have been unknowingly passed along misinformation she received from a third party.

In an effort to confirm the veracity of her post, she told me that she has contacted YTB and they verified only that ADI was a vendor. When asked about an acquisition, they said she would have to contact whomever told her that for verification. She is currently waiting on a response from Jeannie Sharples. If YTB acquired them, I am not sure why they are deflecting the verification to a Director. I suspect that this entire thing was misinformation passed along the line!

Regardless, I do personally apologize for the name calling and appreciate the time that Regina took to speak with me this evening. Who knows, maybe with some time there might be some common ground. Hopefully we have our crossed emails straightened out!

Eye Am Rilly A Vary Goode Travell Agent.

For months travel agents have been making the argument that these untrained RTA’s are ruining the credibility of our industry. And each and every time this comes up someone starts spouting off about how YTB has Marc Mancini and CLIA and the RTA’s are getting training, blah, blah, blah.

What no one seems to get is that these untrained, uneducated are destroying the reputations of agents everywhere. The consumers and the press don’t know the difference between an RTA and a TTA, so when these stories are reported in the press it makes all of us look bad.

The “agent” who abused the trust of over 60 high school seniors couldn’t even spell the destinations that the cruise was stopping at!

If I were in YTB, I would be embarrassed beyond belief at this point. Do you really believe that you can be successful in the long run with a company that is doing nothing to prevent things like this from happening? And please don’t tell us that YTB is going to make it right by settling up with the students. As long as they allow anyone, “from Yale or Jail” you will continue to have these problems, and it will continue to have a negative impact on your ability to get people to join your downline as well.

Another vendor, APlus Tours, has dropped YTB due to this incident. Are you going to claim that you don't need them either?

More Law Enforcement Joins The Probe

Just this past weekend, there were lot's of updates on Cynthia Anderson. Now her husband says he is in control of the trips. What is that all about? Is he a RTA as well? Or is he just an Al Haig wannabe?

Another interesting question I have is how was this group ever booked on Carnival? A senior class trip is not something Carnival encourages and their policies for chaperones are pretty stringent. Unless of course these seniors are over 21 but..nah! Could it be that the RTA did not know the product? Maybe the training aspect of this program is falling just a wee bit short? This will be interesting to see how YTB makes good on this one.

Sheriff's Office joins trip scam probe The Daily News Journal

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has assigned a detective to investigate the claims of Rutherford County high school students who allege a Murfreesboro woman has scammed them out of $700 each for a senior trip.

In a press release Friday, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said a School Resource Officer at La Vergne High School has turned in multiple reports of students being defrauded of money by Cynthia Anderson of Murfreesboro.

According to Rutherford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dan Goodwin, those cases have been assigned to Detective Todd Sparks.

The press release states no warrant has been sought on Anderson by victims, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office or any other persons in connection with the alleged claims and she has not been arrested.

Students say they booked the trip through Anderson, who is a former independent marketing representative for Internet-based Your Travel Biz. Her husband, Kenneth Anderson, told The Daily News Journal that he has taken over responsibility for the May 25-29 trip on Carnival Cruise Lines.

YTB Chief Operating Officer Duane Vancil said Cynthia Anderson was terminated two to three weeks ago because she was not authorized to collect any money on behalf of the company. He said the company is now working with 20 to 25 students to refund their money.

Goodwin stated the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office understands that the "Murfreesboro Police Department is investigating claims made by Riverdale and Oakland High students."

The sheriff's office release goes on to state that it has an active 2003 bad check warrant against a woman named Cynthia B. Anderson, but it is not known if it is the same woman named by students.

Murfreesboro Police Department spokesman Kyle Evans said he will not comment on the case at this time.

"I will let the police reports speak for themselves," Evans said.

Rogue RTA Not A Stranger To Scams

While the travel world was abuzz with the news that Bob Dickinson took a seat on the Board of YTB and then recanted, some new news emerged about the rogue RTA in Tennessee. Apparently she now has an arrest warrant for an unrelated charge of bouncing a check--at a Walmart! Now, the last time I heard, most RTAs were rolling in so much money, that shopping at Walmart was beneath them, so I have to wonder.

Apparently, she went to the schools and promoted the trip. I believe this is one of the tactics YTB encourages its RTAs to do to gain business. Granted they do not recommend them to steal the money, but without a vetting process, they cannot be surprised that it happens

I love the comment by the husband when asked if she may have done something with the money that he did not know about. I think his response was telling in that he was totally involved as well. Apparently they are waiting until the trip does not materialize before charging her. I wonder if YTB is going to bail out this RTA in the name of good PR?

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Dozens of Midstate high school students said they were scammed out of thousands of dollars.

Police have issued a warrant for the woman the students said promised to book their senior trip.

Police in Rutherford County said the trip money remains unaccounted for, but the arrest warrant is for an unrelated bounced check.

Students said Cynthia Anderson and her husband Kenneth Anderson stole their Caribbean vacation. Police said it doesn't look like the trip is going to happen later this month.

Sixty-one students paid about $700 each to Anderson, a travel planner, for a trip to Jamaica. She and her husband were supposed to book the trip.

But police said $48,000 is now unaccounted for.

Anderson said his wife is hospitalized with stress.

Recently, police took out a warrant for her arrest stemming from a bad check she wrote at a local Wal-Mart.

Straight A Tours, a national travel agency that caters to students, said the Andersons still haven't paid for the trip. In fact, two checks bounced.

"I've been assured on a daily basis that the money will be here and to this date it has not been wired yet," said Michael Holladay of Straight A Tours.

"That's something my wife done. I really can't comment on," Kenneth Anderson said.

When asked if it's possible his wife did something with the money that he wasn't aware of, Anderson said, "No, she wouldn't do that."

The police aren't so sure. Police said they would like to question the Andersons.

Criminal charges could be filed if this trip doesn't happen later this month.

Kenneth Anderson insisted that the trip will take place. The students are supposed to leave May 24.

Right now, no one seems to know where the money is to pay for it.

Right now, police cannot press charges in this case, but the trip doesn't happen later this month, detectives will consider filing theft and fraud charges.

The vacation was not sanctioned by the Rutherford County school district. However, several parents said the local high schools allowed Cynthia Anderson to pitch the trip to students on campus. The school system director is looking in to whether that happened.

Tennessee Group and Carnival

Tomorrow and Wednesday will have some interesting info on the Tennessee caper. Over the weekend, I was speculating if there was a connection with Bob's bailing out on YTB and the RTA in Tennessee. Something just did not smell right to me and I wondered if there was a connection.

Well, apparently I was not the only one speculating as is evidenced by these posts found on the Yahoo Finance Pages:

Well, I do know this.. I know that Carnival, who he was chairman for, is investigating YTB at the behest of Carnival's largest "senior trip" planners after a YTB RTA scammed a number of students out of money for the cruise. The RTA alleged that she was told to book it all under her name so that the under 18 students would not be rejected. After YTB cancelled her RTA membership, they allowed her husband to continue with the account, and it appears that the trip will be going on. And it's not the first story of this.. that's the only thing I can think of. Maybe Carnival's about to turn off access to YTB and Dickinson found out about it?

And after a few posts, this clarification:

They're investigating right now who told her to do these things and whether or not she was in the wrong or not. In the end, the cruise line is investigating YTB and the company through which YTB apparently schedules class trips.. and the company that schedules class trips apparently has stated they will no longer work for YTB and has urged Carnival to do the same, and the students are still in flux about whether or not there will be a trip. This, by the way , is happening in Tennessee.

And finally this one:

Something to note is that she is claiming she was told by YTB to register under her name the students, because Carnival does not allow people under 21 to travel without parents/chaperones, and the trip was being advertised as an unchaperoned trip for 18 year olds.

Too bad Ted Lindauer seems to have been silenced, I would like to know his take on this. Again, this is from a message board and not confirmed at this point, but this whole Tennessee thing needs to be watched carefully. The comments in the messages sound exactly like something YTB might tell an RTA to get out of a jam. Perhaps someone on the inside at Carnival may have been involved--maybe someone that stood something to gain is YTB had this group. Hmmm, it's a mystery!

Can Someone Ask Doug To Read This?

I have been trying to solve the mystery of Dr. Bob Seligman for quite a few months. No one is able to verify any of his credentials. However, in my correspondence with Doug Bauknight, one of his favorite sayings (taken from Coach) was something along the lines of "if it ain't right, don't do it, if it ain't the truth, don't say it"--and I truly believed that Doug tried to live and operate by this rule.

I was surprised to read in his recent newsletter that he is promoting the Seligman audio call. As a matter of fact, he calls it "one of most powerful calls you've heard". With that endorsement, I am sure that Doug did indeed vet out this character and I invite him answer the question once and for all on this blog--just who the hell is Dr. Robert Seligman, PhD.?

Here is a copy of his most recent newsletter (I have taken out the HTML to make it more readable):

Want A Sneak Peak of The Convention? We don't know if you watch Good Morning America or not, but we wanted to give a "sneak peak" at what will be unveiled at the National Convention. Watch this news clip to see what Coach and Scott have in store for YOU! If you thought last year's Convention was amazing, you won't believe this year's incredible presentation. It's the MUST SEE, DON'T MISS event of the year!

Be numbered among the business builders, share the excitement, be a part of the awards and recognition, attend your choice of Training Seminars at YTB University on Wednesday and Thursday led by your field leaders, corporate team members, tax and legal professionals, and select vendors. YTB University is an EXCELLENT opportunity to learn how to build your YTB Business. NEW this year, you can register ahead of time for the classes held on Wednesday and Thursday with tickets to all the classes you want to attend. No more standing in line. No more disappointments that your class is full! But you need to register first! To get started, click the "Enroll in Courses" button found on the home page of your back office, or if you have already done so, you may view and edit your or your guests schedule by clicking the "View/Print Your Schedule" button.
Enjoy!
Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agents / Network Marketers

YTB Travel Network YTB Announces New Board of Directors
It's been an incredible month with the Annual Report coming out on to start the month of April. Our stock listing moving to the OTC in the middle of the month. Now to close out the month, we find that Burt Saunders, a Florida State Legislator who was introduced at the National Convention was named to our Board of Directors. But news of former Carnival President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Dickinson to the YTB International Board of Directors as well is a MAJOR addition and adds tremendous credibility to our company! Robert was also recently interviewed in Travel Trade about his appointment to the Board of Directors. You can find the Press Release and we have also filed with the SEC as to their Compensatory Arrangements for being a Board Member.

Rick Ricketts Training Webinar
Rick Ricketts Join Rick and the Team at the Your Ticket to Paradise Center in Clearwater, FL. There will be a 9am-12pm training session & a 1pm- 4pm training session. Rick Ricketts Training Day Saturday May 3, 2008 Both trainings are the same. Seats are limited for this training. There are only 350 seats available each session, You can get tickets starting on April 22nd for this event. Learn How:
* To Create a Duplicable Recruiting System
* To make the First Contact in your warm & cold markets
* To Close! Director's will be teaching their own closing techniques...
You don't want to miss this informative Training from THE Leader in YTB, Rick Ricketts!

LIVE WEBCAST JUST ADDED!
Rick will be doing the AFTERNOON Training via a LIVE WEBCAST so if you can't make the training in person, you can still enjoy this informative information starting at 1:00 PM EST from the comfort of your own home! This Webcast does require Windows Media Player (Available for both PC and Mac) When: Saturday, May 3rd 1:00PM Eastern, 12:00PM Central 11:00AM Mountain, 10:00AM Pacific Get your folks to this webcast with this leader and member of The Circle of Champions to learn how to build your business!

Promote and Feature Your Director
ParadiseNetwork.com has been built with you, the agent, in mind. This is the way it has started and the way it will always be. Now you can let prospects not only read about but also see Directors they will be working with. Video interviews are now up and running of Level 2 Directors Tim & Georgia Dominey AND Level 1 Directors Terry & Pamela Graham. The time to make the switch from that 'other' marketing system to ParadiseNetwork.com is now! You can sign-up and get the first 10 days for 99 cents. Then it is just $9.95 a month after that.

CRTA Certification Classes
Get to a CRTA Training this month! Plug in and learn something new. There are RTA's who have been to dozens of CRTA Trainings and it's no surprise that they are building their business. Take a look at the schedule and get to a CRTA this month!

GEM Team Red Carpet Announced
YTB Red Carpet Day!
The next GEM Team Red Carpet Day is May 13 . While we know that some can only go & come the same day, BUT if you really want to get the full effect, Rick Ricketts will have his group over to his house on the Monday afternoon & night before (May 12th) for a cookout, & usually a trip over to the Coach's house (The Riverhouse!) This will be a GREAT Opportunity to meet both Rick and Coach on their "home turf"! (We've got to tell you, it's SOME turf!) Several hotels to stay at right there around the Convention Center in Collinsville, Il., which is where Red Carpet Day is held. There is no charge to attend Rep Carpet Day or for the luncheon. Please provide the following information when you request your reservations: RTA Name, YTB ID #, Your E-mail Address, Your Phone Number And any Guest's Name. (Bring as many Guests as you like!) Please send this information to redcarpet@ytb.com to attend. When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive an e-mail confirmation detailing the day's agenda, and directions from the Airport to the Office. If you are planning to come on Monday and would like to join Rick and Coach, please confirm you're intent to come @ ytbgemteam@comcast.net.

Tools and websites that work We have found a number of websites with Company Presentations we would like to share with you. Feel free to pass these around and have your prospects watch these in the comfort of their own home. www.Travelproincome.com
www.Travelproinsider.com
www.Paycationexperts.com

We have also found what is likely one of most powerful calls you've heard Bob Seligman, phD

We want you to succeed! We hope these tools are helpful, and we encourage your input and comments at any time. We hope to see you as a success in YTB this month!

Speak with you soon Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agents / Network Marketers
YTB Travel Network

YTB Book of The Month
Each month we are going to recommend a book for you to read to help feed the mind and soul. We want you to be LEADERS and we believe it's important to always be learning and growing to help you take both your personal and professional lives to new levels. These books have helped us along the way and have impacted our lives with its message. It is our sincere desire that it will do the same for you. Order "Acres of Diamonds" Here Russell H. Conwell's "Acres of Diamonds" is this month's book of the month. Toward the end of his life, Russell H. Conwell (1843-1925) observed, "I am astonished that so many people should care to hear this story over again. Indeed, this lecture has become a study in psychology; it often breaks all rules of oratory, departs from the precepts of rhetoric, and yet remains the most popular of any lecture I have delivered in the fifty-seven years of my public life. I have sometimes studied for a year upon a lecture and made careful research, and then presented the lecture just once -- never delivered it again.

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Doug & Ronda
"If You Had More Time and More Money...What Would YOU Do?" Just Picture It Now,
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Just a few comments. There does not seem to be too much about travel in this latest newsletter; but he refers to himself indeed as a "travel agent". Apparently his wife is as well--well, I guess you got two ID cards when you signed up back in 2005.

For those who want to listen to Seligman, here is the link that was included in the newsletter:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=DQWxF&m=1ZrqKdfV79nofP&b=vGrSXyA2VAUELjaVSc6L4g

There is talk about the prop YTB is using at the convention as being featured on Good Morning America. Not sure this is accurate. There was a local news show that highlighted the statue and it likely was aired during a GMA break, but it was NOT featured on GMA.

What happened to "if it ain't the truth don't say it."?