YTB Professionalism, Part 2

Well, maybe if you actually use your daughter you are a more professional.

Update

Both of the videos highlighted yesterday have been pulled by YTB. Hmm, what does this tell you?

YTB Professionalism

Nothing screams professional like a family propped on a kitchen counter and a kid eating a banana!  TTA-2  YTB-0

YTB Travel Team Soaring Away @ Yahoo! Video

All Of These Stars? Really?

Wow, who would have known that all of these sports and entertainment stars were in YTB? I wonder if they are aware of it? OR maybe they are just using their images.

I thought you were not able to display those big old checks like Peter Jensen is doing with the big fake $250,000 check?  Does a few years of free agency and a stint in Europe qualify you as a "star" in the NFL? Not sure on that one?

One glaring inconsistency is that this video was posted a few days ago and the recruiter is definitely on a RCCL ship, but more likely than not, he paid full price to be there!  Remember, YTB cannot sell RCCL!

Video Week With YTB

Last week one of our commenters made a video on YouTube regarding his opinion of YTB and their management. Firemedic has been ranting ever since that it shows the "professionalism" of the traditional travel agent. He claims that it even benefits YTB because (he alluded) they would never do anything like that. You can go back in this blog to find many examples, but this week, I am highlighting some new videos.

This one is a Maryland RTA that is looking for people to join her downline (I thought RTAs sold travel and Reps sold downlines...) but apparently she does not understand the deal and claims that you earn 60% commission (not 60% OF the commission) and further explains that she gets an additional 50% commission off of the sales of her team. In the words of Old Score Keeper (who apparently has dropped out of YTB) TTA-1 YTB-0

Just An Opinion From An Average Joe

Here is an opinion from an average Joe who was solicited to join YTB and his analysis of the pyramid scheme. He is pretty right on. Some of the comments from his blog, Your Daily Remedy:

First of all, let's think about the presentation. Why is she doing a FREE presentation? Well, it's because anyone who signs up under Heather, is money in the bank for both of them!


Well, if I made a Peach Pie with Nectarines instead, sure it wouldn't be a peach pie, but it sure would taste, smell, and do everything pretty close to what a normal peach pie would do. It may not be "technically" a pyramid scheme, but it damn sure acts like one.


In the presentation, it sounds like you'll be making EASY money for the rest of your life! Well if it was so easy, then why is it that something like 94% of YTB agents make less than $90 per year?


So in order to make any serious money (or even semi-serious money) you can't really rely on booking travel, unless you book a TON of it. People aren't going to find your webpage on google since there's about 200,000 other YTB travel pages (unless you get tons of people to shamelessly link to you). You might be able to convince your family or friends to book through you, but if you're like me, you like to check a few different websites to get the best deal. I usually check a few (including a friends YTB page), and although they're competitive, I can usually find cheaper rates elsewhere.


At the end of Sabrina's presentation, I remember she said something like, "you have an option now to change your life. In one year, you can be in the same place you are now, or you can make a change that will affect the rest of your life." Convincing indeed. But you have to keep in mind that 94% of us are not going to be any different except maybe a few hundred bucks in the hole, but we WILL be contributing to her retirement fund! That's not a knock on her, but she's not doing this presentation to change YOUR life...she's doing it to enhance hers.

In his blog, he discusses a Director from California (Jane Doe #45?) Sabrina Dagostino. This young lady is remarkable in all that she has accomplished in a few short years. From her site she lays claim to:

• Owning and operating a helicopter transportation system
• Owning and operating a full service real estate and mortgage office
• Co-owned and operated The OC Cruiser (a bus transportation company)
• Owned and operated a a waterfront Martini Lounge
• Holding an Engineering Degree
• Holding a Real Estate Brokers license
• Possessing a Law Degree and being registered to practice law in the state of California

All this at age 28. Not saying it is not true, just that it is remarkable. Maybe she knows Dr. Seligman. He exaggerates as well!

A Commenter's Opinion

One of our very own commenters has published a video on YouTube explaining his position on YTB. Pretty well reasoned piece if you ask me.

They Just Don't Get It

Here is an excerpt from the Biz Report from last week. All day TRAVEL training and the best they can come up with is 9 directors (recruiters) and "several" RTAs and 2 vendors--one of which is not even about travel?

As my son might say....WTF?

All Day Travel Training
Saturday, September 27, 2008 -- Sacramento, California
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Red Lion Hotel, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95815 (916-922-8041)
Meeting Room: Martinique
Tickets available at the door. For more information call 775-336-9360

Link to order tickets for the Saturday event: http://traveltrainingsacramento.eventbrite.com

Guest Speakers:
Andy Cauthen, President, YourTravelBiz.com & COO, YTB International, Inc.
Level Four Director Andrew Lakey
Level Two Director K.Ross Johnson
Level Two Director Kevin Fitzgerald
Level One Director Mike, The Travel Guy
Level One Director Dan Neitz
Level One Director Jon Myers
Level One Director Shawn Dougherty
Level One Director Charlie Fulton

Several RTA guest speakers who have been very successful selling travel will give their tips along with many vendors including:
Joe Jarvies - Shanghai Spring Tours
Colin Slade - How2Trainer

Why MLM instead of Host Agency?

For the last couple of years, there has been much debate, some of it civil, but much of it not, about the Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) travel businesses. Much of this debate has centered on how professional or not the MLM agents are. This has been due to the lack of knowledge exhibited, behavior at travel trade shows and conferences, and other things. Unfortunately, I have witnessed the same from some traditional travel agents.

So, at least for the purposes of this post, I'd like us all to ignore those aspects of the debate. What I would like to focus on is why do people choose to be part of an MLM travel company rather than become an independent contractor for a host agency. My thesis is that it is all due to the money that can be made for recruiting more and more people to the business. It has very little to do with selling travel, or any other product for that matter. I note that some people call this "selling travel stores" rather than "recruiting".

The typical MLM travel company charges an initial sign-up fee to join as Referring Travel Agent (or some similar name), and then a monthly fee for a travel booking website. In order to comply with laws that regulate MLM companies, they usually have a companion position, available for free, called a Representative (REP or something similar) whose job is to sell those RTA positions. The way the REP makes money is that they get a part of the sign-up fee and possibly part of the mothly fees. In addition, they get bonuses based on the number of RTA positions that they sell, and those of the REPs that are under them sell. The RTA makes money by getting people to book their travel through the website they are renting. In exchange, the company gives them a percentage of the commissions on that travel sale. It is important to note that while there is no requirement for an RTA to also be a REP, generally they are.

What I would like to know is how many people that become RTAs would actually stay with their MLM company if the REP positions and the bonuses were eliminated? Suppose there were a company that would allow you to become a Travel Agent simply by paying a one-time fee of $495 and a fee for a booking website of $49.95 per month. You would earn 60% of all commissions the company earned as a result of travel sales through your website. Since this is MLM, we'll even consider that you would also be paid 10% of all commissions earned by those that you directly recruit to join the company. Would those of you that are RTAs or the equivalent with YTB, Traverus, World Ventures or others want to be part of this company? If so, why? If not, why not?

Suppose there was a Travel Host Agency that would allow you to become a Travel Agent for free. They would give you a travel booking site using the same booking engine as the company above, also for free. You would earn 80% of all commissions the company earned as a result of travel sales that you make through your website. Since this is not MLM, there would be no override for anyone that you recruit. Would you rather work with this company or the MLM? Why?

Remember that for the purposes of these questions, I am assuming that back-office support, training for agents, and all other aspects of the two companies are equal. I am only focusing on the compensation plans. I am not saying that agents shouldn't be trained. I'm just leaving that out of this particular discussion.

Personally, I can't believe that anyone would want to pay an up-front fee of any amount, a monthly fee of any amount, and give up 20% of commissions earned for something they could get for free. Perhaps the lure of the 10% override would do it. But how many people could be recruited that would be willing to pay an up-front fee, a monthly fee, and give up 20% of commissions earned when they could get the same elsewhere for free? I would think the answer is that not many people would choose the MLM described over the host agency described.

So, why do people join the MLM travel companies? Obviously, it is all for the recruiting fees and bonuses. They are exposed to the dream of a large down-line of people doing their work for them, while they collect the recruiting bonuses that get larger and large, the bigger their downline gets. The focus is not on selling travel. If the selling of travel (or some other product) were not there, the whole thing would be an illegal Ponzi scheme. Like any of those schemes, the bulk of the money goes to the founders and those that got in very early. Those that get in late generally do very poorly, unless they can find some new untapped source of new recruits.

The bottom line of all this, is that I would like any MLM "travel agent" to explain to me is why they stay with that company, if all they are really serious about is selling travel? Please explain it only in terms that refer to the compensation you get for selling travel, vs. the expenses you have. Leave the recruiting bonuses and fees out of the equation. If you can't give me an adequate explanation of why you would not do better with another more traditional host agency, then I must assume that the only reason you stay with the MLM company is because of those recruiting bonuses. That would prove my thesis.

It would also prove to the travel suppliers that the MLM travel companies are not really about selling travel. They are really about recruiting, and a little about rebating commissions to themselves and family members for personal travel. Maybe then, they would wake up and stop doing business with those companies.

Note: For those that cannot read, this is another guest post (JF)

Moron Or Idiot?

This is an excerpt from the most recent Biz Report:

Lauri then introduced Scott, who was welcomed with a rousing round of applause and standing ovation. In his usual eloquent form, Scott recapped the blockbuster announcements from the Convention, spoke candidly about the California lawsuit, and outlined his vision of how YTB will be the emerging driving force of travel in the future. Juliet St. John then offered sage advice on how to build a huge organization by maximum exposure using your business cards, and emphasizes the soundness of participating in the $6,000 Success from Home Magazine Guarantee program.

Now I have to ask, when faced with nearly $200 million dollars of lawsuits, one of which is being spearheaded from the Attorney General of the largest State in the Union, is Scott Tomer a liar? Or is he really that stupid?

Hopefully the remaining independent people on their Board of Directors (are there any?) see this, because they need to ask why their CEO is talking "candidly" about a potential business crumbling lawsuit with a bunch of prospects and a bunch of INDEPENDENT Reps and RTAs. If he is not, why is he lying to these people that he is trying to recruit.

Any CEO worth his salt, would simply say that they cannot comment on it at this time.

CRTA Versus First Class

Lately on this blog and on different forums there has been some discussion and disagreement on the CRTA Class.  Way back in 2007, when I said that the YTB meeting I attended had nothing to do with travel, I was told by Doug and others that in order to learn about the travel end I needed to go to the CRTA class.  I was told this was the place where YTB trained the RTAs and "certified" them which enabled them to receive their YTB Identification Card.

I went. Another TTA went, and as expected, not too much about travel. A lot about recruiting.

Now it seems that YTB has reacted again (sensing a theme here with the reactionary corrections) to criticism that it was not about travel and renamed it First Class Training.  I am sure that gets them off the hook in some sense.

But unless the class has changed content (and I hear it has not changed considerably), it most definitely is NOT about travel training.  I quote from the RTA Certification Class manual:

KEY OBJECTIVES
Learn to

• Make money selling travel
• Save money on your taxes
• Travel the world as an insider
• Earn money by building a REP sales team

Now of the 64 pages in this manual, 10 pages were remotely devoted to travel. Most of them were simply rehashing the program--if your mother buys travel who is she going to buy from.... and of course the travel like an insider.  The remaining 54 pages were about recruiting,

So there is no way to tell me this is travel training. At the meeting I attended, CLIA applications were handed out and the attendees were told to fill them out and simply send them back to HQ with a check. There was no mention of any testing at all--maybe it was required or maybe (as I had heard) they had a special deal with CLIA.

So, what is so different at First Class?

Basic Math

$8.50 - $0.53 = $7.97

A Challenge For YTB

Is anyone brave or honest enough to accept it and report back?

Attend an "industry" trade show. Do not disclose your affiliation with YTB. That means hiding the bling, the lime green shirts, the bowling shirts, the Hawaiian shirts, and the branded merchandise. Tuck in or turn around your credential. Approach 10 suppliers who do business with YTB and say the following after perusing their booth for a few seconds:

"Boy, that is something about YTB."

And see what they say. Note what they say. And then let us know.

It is a good test. We are not saying "Boy" is good or bad, Are we talking about they way they operate? The fact that they are #26 on the TW list? The 6000 cruise certificates sold last November? The boot from IATAN or RCCL? Or the AG and other suits.  Just let the supplier voice their opinion. You just start the concersation.

If anyone needs info on "real" travel events, let me know!

YTB Travel Training. An Oxymoron??

While attending the ASTA show in Orlando last week, I happened to meet a very nice man named Frank at a networking break. Frank seemed like a nice enough guy who was still working his full time job, but wanted to be a travel agent full time. He had booked a cruise online a time or two, and felt that he was now qualified to be an agent.

So he went out and found a host agency that would let him sign up with no experience for only $495.00 and $49.00 per month. He had lots of questions for myself and fellow agents at the show, and was desperate to learn more about the industry. Apparently his host agency really focuses on recruiting, but doesn’t offer any real travel training. Here are some of the complicated questions he had…

What can I do to compete with Expedia?
Where do I get pricing from?
What's a host agency?
What's a supplier?
What's a wholesaler?
Can a supplier be my host agency?
Wait! Different host agencies get different commission rates?
What's IATA?
What is errors and omissions insurance?
Where can I get travel training?

Yes it seems that even the most basic stuff had eluded this poor guy, despite the fact that he otherwise seemed to be a fairly intelligent human being. By the end of the three day show we had helped him find a new host agency, introduced him with exciting resources, like Path, ASTA, IATAN and others.

I have to wonder, given the basic questions this guy had, is there any kind of travel training at all going on over at YTB?

Holton Buggs & YTB: The Party's Over

Remember the white knight that was going to save YTB last year. Phil Piccolo was the biggest and best and recruited so many new RTAs that he landed the #1 spot on the Coach's Birthday Bash?  Remember when Coach was done with him (and had his recruits) he tossed him to the gutter? Not saying that is not where he belonged, but...)

Now this year, enter Holton Buggs. He was made director in about a month and was touted as the fastest rising star in YTB. Holton even had a huge part in the convention last month teaching everyone how he is so successful in the MLM world.  Well apparently old Coach got what he needed and has tossed Holton to the curb as well.  Boy this sounds like an MO of rYTB. Pull in the heavy recruiters and then keep the recruits and toss out the recruiters before you need to pay them the big bucks.

Here is my email to Holton:

Holton--

I am impressed with your fast success in YTB. I have been looking into YTB for a while and just yesterday heard that you had left. If that is true, I may need to reevaluate.

Thanks
John

And here is his somewhat cryptic reply:

Yes,

I did not resign.  I am no longer working that business.

Holton

Suppliers....Is This What You Want?

The following was posted on a public message board called WAHM.  My question to the suppliers that read this blog is really quite simple.....is this your intent when you create a perk or a benefit for a travel professional?

To the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club...do you really think you are going to get some decent business from these "agents" when their average annual sales are less than $1600 and primarily to themselves? Do you want your resort overrun with "agents" approaching your paying clients advising them that they too could have had 2 free nights and a $89 per night rate? To me, it seems like an bass-ackwards way of marketing your property--unless you are rebranding as a Motel 6.  It also makes you wonder how much support you will receive from legitimate agents that do produce legitimate sales. I hear the Westin Diplomat is also very nice!

All RTAS want to stay at a 5 star resort for 2 days FREE.  This is what we have with YTB.  You should take advantage of all the benefits we have as a travel agent.  Read the instructions carefully when booking and enjoy.

The new Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club is ready to amaze you following a $100 million  transformation.  New golf, luxurious new guest rooms and suites, renovated Willow Stream Spa, new dining options including Michael Mina's BOURBON STEAK and a new family-friendly tropical paradise featuring a lagoon-style pool, lazy river, waterslide, tennis and so much more. . . the property is a sight to behold!  Come and discover for yourself how this truly outstanding resort has gone from great to amazing.

Special Offers for Fairmont FAmous Agents to experience the new resort! Two complimentary nights with breakfast.  Up to 3 additional nights at $89* Plus $89* green fees.  To take advantage of this special Travel Agent offer:

Go to *www.fairmontFAmous.com*  and create your Fairmont FAmous account.

Click "make a reservation at the Fairmont Famous rate" and book your stay at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. Once your reservation has been confirmed, please email *tir.reservations@fairmont.com*
to request the rate for the first two nights be converted to complimentary and up to 3 additional nights at $89.  *Valid June 1- September 30, 2008 with a 90 day advanced booking window.  Offer limited to one stay per agent.  Prices in US dollars based on Fairmont room single or double occupancy.  Subject to availability.  Taxes and resort fees will apply for additional nights.  Golf green fees include cart and forecaddie but does not include $20 suggested caddie gratuity.  Restrictions apply. *Blackout Dates:* August 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 and September 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13

This is a fantastic offer to go, inspect the property and refer clients who are looking for an upscale experience.

I have already enrolled in the Fairmount Famous Travel Agent program, taken the travel agent course, passed the exam and am ready to book an inspection stay.  BTW, they prefer a CLIA #. 

Gaylord Palms Rate

If anyone is going to traveling to Orlando for the Funshine, you want to be sure to take advantage of the special rates offered by the Gaylord Palms Resort for three nights beginning September 11th.

• $99 per night special travel agent rate. IATAN Card Required
• $149 per night double occupancy booked in your GDS
• $149 per night double occupancy booked directly with the resort
  
• $169 per night double occupancy special YTB Funshine Rate
• $229.23 per night double occupancy booked on your YTB Referring Travel Agent website
  

 So, how woudl YOU like to book your stay?

Coach and "The King"

Apparently at one time Coach had a connection with "The King"--yes Elvis Presley. In yet another failed scheme he apparently purchased his plane with the thought of charging $300 admission for a tour of the plane. But of course that was not all. With the admission you were also able to sign up to become a rep for a gasoline additive called “Add-a-Tune".  Well, to make a long story short, Texas Attorney General shuit them down, partners were in trouble with the IRS and SEC, plane was repossessed. This was back in 1978---does history have a way of repeating itself?

Did Coach tell all of the minions about this failed attempt?  Read all about it here in the St. Louis Post Dispatch!

More Insight On The Attorney Resignation

In reviewing my notes from Ted Lindauer, it seems that John Simmons' firm was also overseeing the legal department and had appointed Andrea Clagg as director:

In the following months my administrative department received additional personnel, including the appointment of CFO John Clagg’s wife, Andrea, a non-attorney, as the Director of Legal Services. My compliance recommendations continued to be ignored.

In early August, 2007 I learned that John Clagg was giving various compliance directives to his wife. Neither John nor his wife were discussing these matters with me before acting on them. I objected noting to Coach that neither John Clagg nor his wife were qualified to make legal compliance decisions and the decisions they had made were wrong ones. Coach refused to stop the Claggs from making compliance decisions and refused to reverse the erroneous compliance decisions they had made....



After the Convention Coach informed me that local attorney John Simmons was being engaged as overall General Counsel for YTB International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. I met with John Simmons on several occasions in August to review my compliance and other recommendations previously provided to Coach in several memos. On September 7, 2007, John Simmons asked me to temporarily vacate my office at YTB so it could be modified to house two attorneys. That evening I received an email from John Simmons welcoming me to his new legal team.

Several days later, while working at home, I received an email from Thad Leach, a local attorney who is part of the new legal team. Mr. Leach’s email contained one sentence and stated that YTB had decided that it was no longer in need of my services.

I wonder if John Simmons had seen some of the same stuff Lindauer had seen. I wonder if it was a resignation or a termination. After all it seems that YTB does not need ANYONE meddling in their business.

What is interesting is that John Simmons actually owns the River House. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Coach only "owns" it if the YTB stock trades at $2 or more for 90 consecutive days.

And even the local papers are suspicious of this latest development. According to the Alton Telegraph:

Prominent local attorney John Simmons has resigned from the board of YTB, the controversial travel sales firm, but Simmons and the company management are choosing their words carefully.

I am not sure we will hear more on this--attorneys are notoriously tight lipped, but I imagine that this will not be the ;ast "independent" Board member to leave. After all, Bob Dickinson bailed on day one.And as go the RTAs (currently under 120,000 I understand), so go the Board members.  But I am not sure Coach and Scott can effectively say "We don;t need no stinkin' RTAs." After all they are the ones that support the pyramid.

Calling All Suppliers

Ever wondered about the "training" that goes on at a YTB First Class Training (formerly called Certified Referring Travel Agent Training) class?  I have been and one of our readers sent an excellent report a few months ago.

Why not do some of your own investigation and see for yourself the caliper of travel training that is provided. You might be surprised. Here is a list of the trainings that are coming to a town near you:

September 8
Cabo Rojo, PR
Atlanta, GA

September 13
Costa Mesa, CA
New York, NY

September 14
Indiatlantic, FL

September 20
Houston, TX
Charlotte, NC
Liverpool, NY
Dania Beach, FL
Collinsville, IL
College Park, GA
Dearborn, MI
Indianapolis, IN
San Antonio, TX
Myrtle Beach, SC

September 21
Las Vegas, NV
Burlingame, CA

September 27
Richmond, VA
Dallas, TX
Nashville, TX (maybe they mean TN)
Atlanta, GA
N. Wichita, KS
Newark, NJ
Austin, TX
Honolulu, HI
Arlington Heights, IL

September 28
Clearwater, FL

Why not take a few hours and see what the talk is all about. There is no cost and you will be able to hear all of the Direcotrs tell you all about being a travel agent.

Even The Board Is Fleeing

One of the few independent Directors (corporate, not IMRs) has realized that a a Board member his input is ineffectual.

From the SEC Filing late this afternoon:

John D. Simmons resigned from the Board of Directors of YTB International, Inc (the "Company"). Mr. Simmons resignation was prompted by his belief that as a general matter he could not effectively influence the practices of the Company's management. Mr. Simmons has not furnished the Company with any written correspondence concerning the circumstances surrounding his resignation. Mr. Simmons was considered an independent director by the Company and was a member of the Company's Investment Committee.

Wow, so now we have the RTAs, the Reps and now the directors of the company bailing out! I bet Bob Dickinson is enjoying a nice glass of wine and toasting his good fortunes!

This is the guy who Coach made a deal with on his house. I am guessing that the attorney did not like the paper asking questions and saw the writing on the wall and decided to get out while he still is able. I wonder what this means in terms of Coach's continued residency.

Banking Woes Spell More Trouble For YTB

According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the banking woes of Meridian Bank may indeed spell more trouble for YTB.  As has been noted int he past, the two companies are linked very tightly and Meridian has been the primary source of funding for YTB.

Now with a virtual "stop sell" in place, they are no longer able to offer those interest only loans. And with the lawsuits and legal issues pending for YTB, I am pretty sure there are few (if any) banks that will take on the risk of loaning them money.

As the Dispatch pointed out, YTB has about $600K in cash (as of June 30) and with $25M earmarked to California, $100M earmarked to the one class action suit, and just operating expenses, that $300M is practically gone--and legal expenses for defense (which I believe are non recoverable even if they prevail) are not even included.

Some interesting points from the Dispatch article also seem to emphasize my point about YTB being reactionary and operating on the illegal side of the line till caught:

• In January, three weeks before state regulators finished their report on Meridian, YTB paid back $500,000 of that loan.
• Then, in July, after the FDIC's order was issued, YTB refinanced the remaining $2 million balance at a higher interest rate and began making regular monthly payments.
  

Just more things that make you go hmmm

The "World Famous" Red Carpet Speech

In case anyone has not heard this (or parts of it), this is a link to Scott Tomer's "world famous" Red Carpet speech. This is the bait he dangles at the home office when the Reps bring in the prospects to buy the program.

The guy talks a good talk for sure and he is obviously an expert at his craft--too bad his craft is not travel.

A Most Influential Snub?

How do you explain this snub? Carnival assembled a panel of influential travel agency industry executives to discuss the industry and they did not invite one of the most influential men in travel?

Boy, it seems Carnival has slipped up lately...no Pinnacle Award....no Most Influential.....I wonder if the business provided to Carnival was maybe just not that good of business.

Here's the list...and from what I see, each of these folks carry way more influence than J. Kim Sorenson!

Members of the forum are: Roberta Christman, AAA Northern California, San Francisco; Brad Anderson, America's Vacation Center; Sandy Cleary, Cru Con Outlet, Boston; Anthony Hamawy, Cruise.com, Ft. Lauderdale; John Keen, Cruise consultant, Charlotte, NC; Vicky Garcia, Cruise Planners, Coral Springs, FL; and Michael Drever, CruiseShipCenters, Vancouver.

Also, Ross Spalding, Cruise Value Center, East Brunswick, NJ; Koreen McNutt, Expedia, Seattle; Joyce Landry, Landry & Kling, Coral Gables, FL; Makis Xenatos, Liberty Travel, Ramsey, NJ; Jackie Friedman, Nexion, South Lake, TX; Ed Rudner, Online Vacation Center, Plantation, FL; Marcia Rowley, Our Vacation Center, Phoenix; Filomena Andre, Signature, Los Angeles; Mark Jacobs, The Cruise Line Limited, North Potomac, MD; Ken Lorey, Travelocity, Boston; Emerson Hankamer, Vacations to Go, Houston; and David Crooks, World Travel Holdings, Boston.

Does The Incest Ever End?

What would you say if your bank was served with a "cease and desist" order for "unsafe or unsound banking practices"?

Does the name Meridian Bank ring a bell? This is the company that is owned by a YTB Board Member. The same one that was recently called out by the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

I wonder what unsafe or unsound business practices these might entail---loans and house swaps with an alleged pyramid scheme perhaps?

An Outsider Looks In

Apparently, the St. Louis Post Dispatch is taking an interest in YTB as well. In this investigative piece, the reporter delves into selling dreams and the delivering of nightmares.

What I thought was interesting is the "loan" to a director to develop a "recruiting center". It certainly does not bode well for a company that insists it is a "travel" company. But hey, it's all good, there is a gold Lexus with the name TOMER on the plate out front.

More Shady Deals

According to ANOTHER article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch it seems that ole Coach may indeed lose his house again unless he can get the stock up to over $2 a share for 90 consecutive days.

But hey, he still has that multi million dollar home in Naples.

When will the RTAs and Reps realize that they are being scammed and taken for fools? 130,000 of you pay $600 a year for nothing in return, yet the man who has now bought a jet, several companies, two homes, multiple exotic cars, and who knows what else. Wake up folks, there are a few getting rich off this shady deal called YTB and it ain't most of you!