Breaking News: NCL Was Actually Owned By YTB (Or Vice Versa)

According to this YTB Blog Site, it appears that NCL was not just a vendor, but they were actually a part of YTB. This fact was apparently ommitted from any of their Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, but was disclosed in this latest "News Update".

Other new information gleaned from this latest release include:

• Princess Cruise Lines will now be sailing from Baltimore, MD
• Carnival Cruise Lines loves to make money in this economy
  
• Kevin Sheehan (President and CEO of NCL) is reportedly being fired for his poor decision
• For cruises anywhere (other than on NCL, RCCL, Celebrity, or Azamara and to Hawaii) please contact the company
  

And since the post will be removed in a matter of minutes, I am posting it here:

News Update

Norwegian is no longer a part of our company. They chose in this economy to drop us as a vendor for them. Don't really no why they did drop us but I guess more cruises going to the others . All these companies going out of business and companies looking for business. Well I guess their CEO will be fired soon. So if you want a cruise anywhere I will be able to help you with that. But not on Norwegian. Because my blog is an honest one you can read the details on www.thefactsaboutytb.com

But we do offer other cruise lines that love to make money in this economy. Living on the east coast I was interested in doing some group cruises from Baltimore on Norwegian but now I won't be doing that. Because I wanted closer ports people can drive too. And guess what Carnival, Princess is going to get a lot of my business.

Traveling Mom

Posted by Dine In at 10:50 PM 0 comments

What's Wrong Right With This YTB Advertisement?

Edited for spacing and additional info. See bottom of post.

Job Details
Christian Online Travel & Shopping Mall Work at Home Website
Your Home, Any State, United States

Date Posted: 1/6/2009

Job Category: Work At Home

Education: Any

Min Pay Rate: $5,000.00

Max Pay Rate: $450,000.00

Job Type:Part Time

Job Code:

Company Name:A PEACE OF HEAVEN TRAVEL

Department:Travel Agent Work at Home Part Time

Contact:Sheri and Lawrence Leduc

Email:Please login to view

Website:Please login to view

Job Description:OWN YOUR VERY OWN CHRISTIAN ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY WEBSITE & NOW YOUR VERY OWN E-COMMERCE SHOPPING MALL & START EARNING 70% COMMISSIONS TODAY. NO RESUMES ARE REQUIRED, ONLY SERIOUS BUSINESS MINDED PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS WORKING PART TIME AT HOME, OFFICE OR INTERNET TRAVEL & SHOPPING MALL WEBSITE ALREADY DESIGNED & DONE FOR YOU & READY TO GO IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES.

YTB INTERNATIONAL, INC. FACTS & WHO WE ARE:

*Christian Owned & Operated since 2001 By a retired pastor & his son

*YTB is a United States publicly traded company

*Travel Weekly Power List is out and YTB is Ranked #26 overall, and tied for the LARGEST GAIN of everyone on the Power list with $414.5 Million in Travel Sales

*The Direct Selling Association has approved the application for YTB as a member of it's prestigious organization

*Because we care about our people YTB offers guaranteed issued health insurance to all RTA agents

*YTB launched our business into Canada, Bermuda and the Bahamas in early 2008

*YTB provides an income disclosure statement to provide transparency to our operations

*YTB Travel Network (YTBTN) was awarded the Top Agency Producer Award for their sales revenue with Princess Cruise Lines for the 2007 year

*YTB Wins Carnival’s Pinnacle Award

*YTB is Platinum with Apple Vacations Inc.

*Magazine lists YTB in top 10 franchises in the Travel Industry

*Saturday Evening Post chosen Coach (owner of YTB) to be on the cover

*ONGOING TRAINING

*SPECIAL TO GET STARTED NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2008 TRAINING PRICE WAIVED (A $149.00 VALUE) + 2 FREE MONTHS ARE WAIVED-TOTAL VALUE OFF $250.00

Our Partners

*Travelocity

*Dell

*Staples

*H & R Block

*Sprint (which all give a very big discount when you become part of the company) *Restaurant.com (purchase your own gift certificates at 50% & get paid commission)

*Aisle 19 (600 + Retails stores like Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Macys, Sams, etc...paying cash back, no sales tax + commissions on your own purchases & others you invite to your website *Hotels.com

*UPS

What our travel, entertainment & NOW E-COMMERCE RETAIL MALL company is doing for us & what it can also do for you & your family:

1. I am able to stay at home as a wife & mother because of our travel business & pay for all the extras + take several vacations a year.

2. Getting back over $15,000.00 from IRS for 2008

3. We can also drive our cars and receive 55 cents per mile when we drive anywhere to talk about our business.

4. We can travel as a travel agent and receive courtesies, perks, travel wholesale, free local visits to theme parks, etc....receive continous upgrades

5. We receive 70% commissions on everything booked or purchased from our website paid to YTB

6. WOW! Now our own online e-commerce shopping mall was just added to earn cash back + commissions, no sales tax & no shipping from many retailers HAVE YOUR OWN SITE UP AND RUNNING TODAY IN 5 MINUTES. IT'S THAT EASY!!! http://apeaceofheaventravel.paradisenetwork.com/join/

Here is our travel booking site to see what you also can have like ours to refer others too if you decide to have your own travel site: CHECK IT OUT: WWW.APEACEOFHEAVENTRAVEL.COM

CLICK ON THE EXTRAS TAB AT THE TOP OF THE HOME PAGE & SEE WHAT YOU CAN HAVE LIKE OURS, COMPARE PRICES: SEND FLOWERS & GIFT BASKETS (GORGEOUS), HOME DECOR, FOOD, RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR 50% OFF, APPAREL & ACCESSORIES, CONCERT TICKETS, PARK THEME TICKETS, OUTDOOR FISHING & HUNTING EXCURSIONS, GOLFING PACKAGES & MUCH MORE...AND GET PAID COMMISSIONS ON EVERYTHING YOU PURCHASE OR OTHERS YOU REFER TO YOUR SITE!!! AND NOW, YOUR VERY OWN AISLE 19 RETAIL ECOMMECE SECRET SHOPPING MALL ALSO INCLUDED FOR FREE. CHECK THIS LINK OUT! http://thesecretofaisle19.com/ THE BEST PART IS YOU DO NOT NEED TRAVEL AGENT OR E-COMMERCE EXPERIENCE NEEDED...JUST POINT PEOPLE TO YOUR ONLINE TRAVEL & NOW E-COMMERCE MALL WEBSITE & THEY MAKE ALL THEIR OWN PURCHASES LIKE THEY ARE ALREADY DOING AND ONCE THEY SEE WHAT YOU GET THEY TOO WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN THEY HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE. TOTALLY COOL AND THE BEST PART IS YOU EARN EXTRA MONEY & SAVE MONEY ON WHAT YOU ARE ALREADY PURCHASING BY HAVING FUN, NO SELLING OR QUOTAS TO MEET!! EVERYONE LOVES TO TALK ABOUT THEIR VACATIONS AND

*NOW MAKE ALL YOUR WALMART, TARGET, MACYS, SAMS, PETSMART + 600 OTHER BRAND NAME STORES AND EARN CASH BACK & COMMISSIONS ON ALL YOUR OWN SALES, WITH NO SALES TAX & IN MANY CASES NO SHIPPING + ANYONE YOU INVITE TO YOUR SITE. NOW IS PERFECT TIMING FOR GETTING INTO YOUR OWN ONLINE TRAVEL & NOW E-COMMERCE MALL ONLINE BUSINESS...IT'S THE WAY OF THE FUTURE...YTB IS GETTING READY TO EXPLODE GET ON THE GROUND FLOOR NOW!! WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU BEING A PART OF OUR TEAM!

GOD BLESS, SHERI & LAWRENCE LEDUC

http://www.christianjobs.com/Job/15241/

EDIT: Corrected spacing. Also, if you follow the last link (just above), there is a phrase in that ad that reads:

Our Partners who believe in us:
*Travelocity *Dell *Staples *H & R Block *Sprint (which all give a very big discount when you become part of the company)
*Restaurant.com (purchase your own gift certificates at 50% & get paid commission)
*Aisle 19 (600 + Retails stores like Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Macys, Sams, etc...paying cash back, no sales tax + commissions on your own purchases & others you invite to your website
*Hotels.com
*UPS

Interesting...no mention of any travel companies that believe in them!

Return Of A Favorite

Well, Traveling Moms is back and as ill-informed as ever. This time, she goes by the moniker "Dine In"--I suppose for all those dining options her YTB site now offers!

But apparently she never got the memo about NCL. Someone left a comment asking about an NCL departure from New York:

Can you get me a price on THe Norwegan Dawn sailing from New York? I do not fly and we can drive up there or take the train. Does the train take me to the cruise ship?

And she replied:

I posted some info on the cruise from new york that is the only one this year. And you have to get back home from Miami. It is 14 days and they do have some amtrak deals.

And here is the link to the post about the fabulous deal someone can buy from her YTB site on NCL. Note that she didn't answer all the poster's questions and the one she did, she got wrong. No, the train does not go directly to the port. And of course the Norwegian Dawn has weekly departures from New York in May, June, July, August, a little bit in September and all of October. But why expect someone from YTB to know this?

I imagine this might be one of the myriad of reasons NCL tossed YTB overboard. The 92,000 RTAs that they have remaining are (as a whole) pretty clueless! Good job Traveling Moms!

PS: YTB Compliance, I thought you talked to her? Do you need a refreshed list of non-compliant sites?

The Reps Make A Buck Any Way They Can

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YTB's Response To NCL

The following notice was just sent to Coach's Corner members 30 minutes ago. 

Important Notice re: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

YTB Travel Network has been advised that Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has elected to discontinue accepting new reservations from YTB or its agents. More than a year ago NCL elected not to renew YTB's contract and reduced commissions by almost 40% to our RTAs - thus the decreased sales activity. NCL offers an excellent product and the dissolution of our relationship is unfortunate, however NCL is not a Preferred Supplier of YTB.

During these difficult economic times it is important that YTB and our Affiliates and RTAs focus on our Preferred Suppliers (such as Carnival)
for all of our travel needs. A complete list of YTB's Preferred Suppliers is accessible from your Travel Portal.

All commissions owed by NCL to YTB for any passengers who booked prior to January 20, 2009 will be paid to YTB. All existing reservations booked prior to January 20 will be serviced as per the usual course of business for final payment. Of course YTB will continue to provide service to the passengers booked prior to January 20.

If you have any questions about any vendor on this list, please contact YTB's Travel Support.

Thank you.

Breaking News: NCL Terminates YTB

Well, it seems that another MAJOR vendor has kicked YTB to the curb. NCL has terminated their agreement with YTB. When Will Carnival wake up. Story developing and more to come!

According to Travel Pulse, NCL will no longer accept any reservations from YTB or any of its so called "agents".

Norwegian Cruise Line has ended its business relationship with YTB International, a controversial company that provides Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives. Many industry observers consider YTB to be a “card mill.” NCL will no longer accept new reservations from YTB or any of its affiliated agents. NCL will continue to service existing YTB reservations booked prior to Jan. 21. NCL on Jan. 5 also stopped accepting reservations from independent agents affiliated with Joystar. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara ended their relationship with YTB in October 2007. For more information, visit www.bookncl.com or www.yourtravelbiz.com.

I also have it on good authority that another major tour operator has declined to renew their preferred agreement with YTB and has cut their commission levels from 16% to 10%. All this despite a reported $13M in sales for 2008. More on this development as it becomes available.

Is Illinois Preparing To Make A Move On YTB?

I have a feeling that the State of Illinois, who is currently investigating YTB, may likely be taking this to the next step soon. Maybe now that Lisa Madigan is done with Rod Blagojevich, now she can have her office pay a little more attention to YTB. I did notice that both she and Jerry Brown were at the Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama last week! I wonder if they had a chance to grab a bite to eat and talk shop and swap notes?

The Profile of an MLM Executive

This is from Peter Stilphen and is really quite on the money. For additional copies, please send $500 and $49.95 a month...  But seriously, to read more, please check out Home Based Travel Agents Online.

We continue to hear about the multi-level-marketing activities of the people in this business. Usually,it is never in a "good light" and one, especially me, wonders why this sleazy profession is still around. You just need to "Google" MLMs or card mills and you will bring up the sites that are pro and con about this subject. Also try www.scams.com or www.ripoff.com.

I've often wondered who these individuals are that get into this business and why they do it. Armed with my own psychoanalysis credentials, I decided to do some research. I have great credentials. I have seen two episodes of Dr. Phil's TV show, and I stayed once at a Holiday Inn Express. Here's what I discovered.

MLM executives were actually born with a rare gene known as "ripyouoff". The gene brings out various traits almost at infancy. We learned that babies born with this gene were the ones who cried incessantly in the nursery just to receive attention. Their huge ego will be with them all through childhood and last until they are incarcerated, chased from the State or the Devil decides to take them once and for all.

During their childhood years it was not uncommon to see a resourceful MLM practitioner have several businesses. Many of them began a business at a very early age. They had newspaper routes, sold lemonade in the front of their house or even sold girl scout cookies. What made these individuals different was that they had to have another version of the same business and felt the more involved they could get people, the more money they could make.

The kid with the bad gene was more apt to water down the lemonade to increase profits or even to recruit other kids to sell his newspapers paying each kid a tiny percentage of what he actually received from his employer. Same with the girl scout cookies. Recruiting each girl scout and rewarding them based on bringing in additional recruits until he ran out of girl scouts. This worked for a short while, just as todays MLM venture works for a short while.

I discovered that most all MLM executives have had no other business experience other than multi level marketing. It's probably because they couldn't hold down a regular position because their only goals were to get rich quick. Have you ever been curious as to why these same executives have wandered from one MLM activity to another? The reason is that eventually they run out of recruits for a particular product, the State's Attorney General shuts them down for operating a pyramid or the game just gets old. MLM executives do not care about the product they are supposed to be selling as it's all about recruiting and creating a huge pyramid.

MLM executives are generally very lonely people. The reason is that during their life of deceiving and BS..ing their family and friends and the public, they have lost these people in their lives. Have you ever gone to a Pet Smart store and seen the unfortunate dogs and cats sitting in their cages crying out for adoption and love and to your surprise, saw a cage that read "Lonely MLM Executive Needs Good and Loving Home- Completely re-trained." Please adopt that dog or cat instead.

Do you really believe the MLM executives now involved in the travel business care about travel? Of course not. It's about how much money they can make recruiting and the size of the toys they purchase that's important to them. Take a good look at the fools that follow them. It's all about greed and that MLM executive knows it and will take you for all you are worth.

The next time you are at an MLM convention make a statement. Stand up during a speech, flip the speaker the bird and yell out "I'm outta here."

YTB Speaks To The Press In Texas Fails To Heed December Policy

Did Becky Brown fail Reading 101? She must have, because speaking to the press (or even having an original thought) it is specifically prohibited according to Section 3.9 (Page 17) of the December 15th missive. But Becky spoke with the Beaumont Enterprise anyhow and had this to say on the travel industry and the economy:

Becky Brown, an agent with YTB Travel Agency, said she has not seen business decline with the economy, and she doesn't expect it will anytime soon.

"The travel business has done well," Brown, who said she's booked more trips in the last six weeks than she did in all of 2008, said. "It's cheap to travel right now."

However, considering the average sales levels of RTAs, selling more travel then you did last year is not a difficult thing to do.  And is she employed with YTB? I think that is another violation!

Even More Blah Blah Blah From A YTB Supporter

And the drivel continues from Endless Drivel Travel......

It isn’t just about where I can get the best percentage commission.   If all I wanted to do was book cruises…I would just go get a job doing that.  Chasing a higher commission split is not unique to those in the travel industry, and though some will do just that…I am not one of them.

Plenty of business to go around my friend…and yes…the high I experience being my own boss is incredible with no employees and with no overhead is awesome.  As an independent contractor, I gladly pay a monthly service fee, which is in fact reimbursed, for YTB to handle my licensing fees, E&O and all the paperwork.  

And now I see that a new twist lie has been tossed into the mix. YTB now handles all licensing fees, E&O, and all the paperwork. Are you sure about that? I Have a source that says otherwise!

More Blah Blah Blah From A YTB Supporter

Round two from Bob Cushman from Endless Journey Drivel Travel.

 

As you are probably aware, many network marketing companies have tried to do what YTB is actually doing, and none have succeeded.  Our travel sales are proof of our success and impact.  YTB didn’t cause the paradigm shift, the internet did.  All we did was recognize an opportunity to capitalize on the consumer fulfilling their travel needs on the internet instead of calling a travel agent.  The only thing Barry Dillar (Expedia) got wrong was the power of word of mouth vs. advertizing.  Simple as that.  What YTB has done is take that model and put the relationship back into the transaction.

Sure it was disheartening to see the California AG filed a lawsuit, (key word ‘accusing’ ) but YTB wasn’t surprised it happened…they were only surprised it took them so long.  Who do you think put pressure on the AG to do so?  It will be amicably settled, just like the one before it and the one previously filed in Florida and the one in Rhode Island.   Just like Art Williams took on the entire insurance industry, as Primerica Financial Services and refused to give in to those who vigorously opposed them…YTB too will ultimately prevail.  If you were to read Art Williams’ latest book, “Coach, the A.L. Williams Story…you would see the parallels.

Sure sales are down…as they are across the entire economy and just like other companies; YTB has taken appropriate measures to compensate.  I served our great country for 22 yrs, and have learned the meaning of loyalty, commitment and the values that determine a great leader.  What I believe is not important; I look to a person’s actions which reveal true intention.  Yes, there are those like yourself who believe YTB is a cult and/or some illegal pyramid scheme.  Professional Network marketers are a rare entrepreneurial breed, and the ones who have chosen to build the foundation of YTB will be justly and richly rewarded.  Controversy is just part of what our CEO calls Success Tax.

I am right here; aware, informed, educated and taking action.  I will continue to build relationships with my clientele who will book with me.  I will also continue to share the YTB opportunity with others who seek a genuine home based business opportunity.  YTB isn’t for everyone…but many do want to learn how to: earn commission on their own personal travel and that of their friends, family and co-workers - save money on their travel - and take advantage of the legal tax benefits that are available to those that work their business with a clear intention to earn a profit.  Our Founders along with our legal department will continue to vigorously defend our rights to do so.

Who needs IATA or even IATAN?  RCCL "DEMOTED" Lisa Bauer for the decision to not do business with us because we did $13 Million in business with them before they made one of the biggest mistakes EVER!  In response, we sold more cruises in ONE DAY with Carnival, setting the record for the ENTIRE INDUSTRY (not just MLM) for the most cruises EVER sold by one agency in a single day. 

If I were you, I would be careful of what you say because you might have to eat your words later. 

YTB Forgot To Give Endless Journey The IATAN Memo

Apparently YTB has not spread the word about the loss of their accreditation with IATAN. Endless Journey Travel is apparently as clueless about YTB as they are about the travel industry in general. And judging from their RTA number, they are a relatively new addition to the YTB ranks. I wonder why YTB is not telling them the whole truth? Please extend warm wishes to the newest member of the D.A.D. And considering you are in Sacramento, CALIFORNIA--you may mow be changing your name to John Doe 79!

You surely must be ignorant and arrogant to think YTB is some illegal pyramid scheme and will simply go away because some within the traditional travel industry wishes so. YTB will continue to train and educate its sales force, and agents and will continue to build relationships with its vendors and customers. The travel industry does not solely belong to self proclaimed overseers, and surely the time has come for these truths to become self evident. I am proud to be network marketing professional and I have earned my CLIA credentials and working on my IATAN, of which several of our agents have already earned. Who do you think is now the #1 re-seller of Carnival Cruise Lines? Those who see a paradigm shift such as that, which YTB represents, have four choices: Ignore Ridicule, Oppose or Embrace. It is clear which you chose.

Deceptive Recruitment

I recently read a story about the less than ethical recruiting tactics that Primerica utilizes to find fresh meat for their MLM scheme. The story involved an unemployed middle of the road white collar worker who was called in for a "job interview". He bought a new suit, traveled 90 minutes to the location, paid to park, only to find out that it was no job offer, but a ruse to get him to sign up as a Primerica Rep.

Apparently the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Shirl Garcia of Gotta Get Away Travel is advertising for a "Paid Internship" on InternWeb.com.

Regardless, YTB is a supposed business opportunity. Portraying it as anything else is deceitful. Anyone applying to this job is not interning for anything. They are signing up to pay $500 and $49.95 a month for the opportunity to earn $106 a year!

My Apologies

I know that readers of this blog have been following the saga of the Statue of Liberty and I am not sure how I missed this last month.  But as they say...better late than never! And a giant 150' foam shout out and thank you to ChrisN from scam .com for finding this for me!

The last time we joined Lady Liberty, she had just completed her $30,000 analysis that indicated that this donation from YTB to the City of Hammond, IL would cost the city millions just to erect. Realizing that they may have received the short end of the torch, the City placed Lady Liberty for sale on eBay.

Unfortunately, there were no bidders to the minimum bid of $150,000. So now it looks like Hammond needs to figure out the best way to dispose of her--some have indicated that disposal might exceed $100,000. Maybe they can try Craigslist. Or maybe YTB can call Carnival Cruise Lines and see if they want to be the first with a Foam Fake Statue of Liberty at sea.  Just a thought!

It seems that YTB has been able to pull a fast on on the City of Hammond, just like it did the 138,000 RTAs that bought into their scheme!

To recap, the statue was built by a company owned by a pair of Tomers and a Sorensen. The publicly traded YTB cut a check to the privately held company for $6 million (or maybe it was $8 million) for the statue--according to television reports this did not include shipping. But shipping may have been free since UPS was sponsoring the convention. But anyhow, not knowing what to do with the hunk of foam, YTB donated it to the City of Hammond and likely took a healthy tax deduction because this was a tribute to fallen heroes. Now the city has paid $30,000 for an engineer to tell them that in essence it is a piece of foam and is in no way suitable for public outdoor display.

Good one Coach...you sure got them!

So Much For Tossing The Suit Out

Well, I am not sure who to believe? In one corner you have the blessed few RTAs that have received special permission to continue their blogging and Craigslist efforts and then you have the Madison County Record.

One group informs me that the Class Action lawsuits against YTB have no merit and "as a matter of fact" have already been dismissed. To them, they do not even exist!

Yet the Madison County Record says that the two suits have been consolidated and on they go!

I am inclined to believe the reporter from the paper. But it seems that the Class Action suits are not the only ones moving forward. Apparently notices and subpoenas are flying out of the Attorney General's office as well. I wonder if they have contacted John or Jane Doe 1-100 yet?  Maybe they can find a good defense attorney in Aisle 19?

More Trouble For YTB's Board of Directors

2008 did not seem to be the best year for YTB's Board of Directors. Bob Dickinson was in, and then out. Burt Saunders was in, and then out so he could "consult" with YTB. John Simmons was just plain out.

This Board has a record of approving all sorts of shady inside deals. YTB bought a plane from a Board member, their land is secured by notes from a bank formerly owned by a Board member (that was seized by the Feds last year), and the actual land they own was purchased form a Board member.  Then there is the whole deal with Beryl Martin being owned by Lloyd "Coach" Tomer, Scott Tomer and J. Kim Sorensen. You remember that company, the privately held one that built a $6 million dollar styrofoam statue for YTB--the publicly traded company (YTBLA).

It seems missteps are all over the place and 2009 does not look to be any different. Apparently the land company owned by two of their Board members is being foreclosed upon. Yes, it seems that Clay Winfield and Tim Kaiser (who have mysteriously dropped out of contact) are in a bit of trouble. I wonder if any of the YTB properties are affected?

But if this is the type of leadership and direction that YTB attracts to their Board of Directors, one has to wonder about the company as a whole. I have not counted but I have to guess that 90% of anything YTB touches ends up in some sort of controversy. Pink sheets, Dickinson, statue, earnings, Olympics., California's Attorney General, Class Action lawsuits. When will it end?

Now that Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois is done with the Rod Blagojevich scandal, maybe she can turn her attention this. Remember YTB claims to have upwards of 112,000 paying RTAs and over 300,000 Reps. Now they have just added a new MLM to their line with Aisle 19! Lisa Madigan--are you listening?

This Is What It's All About

There is an interesting conversation going on over on WAHM.com right now. It started off talking about how online travel bookings increased by 17% in 2008. It was started by a Traverus agent, who did not note that the article also stated that while bookings increased, satisfaction decreased by a comparable percentage. He also didn’t note that TTA’s use the Internet on a regular basis to make bookings via supplier websites. But that is not what I want to talk about here. What I want to discuss is what the discussion has evolved into. It has gotten to be a discourse on what to call a person who works in the travel industry. Is it an agent or a consultant, and what do you call a person who is just starting out.

There are many differing opinions, all of them good. Personally, I call myself a consultant. Webster’s defines a consultant as “one who gives professional advice or services”. That’s what I do. I offer my professional advice to a client on what would be the best options for them, and then I service them by making the booking, and handle all the business transactions that arise from that booking. But what really caught my eye in this “sub-topic” was a quote from someone involved in a travel MLM, WorldVentures. He stated:

”Agents” shouldn’t be used at all in MLM UNLESS they have met the criteria to actually be agents. This is why WV took “agent” out of the terminology of its members titles until they actually were able to meet the criteria. We went from “Referring Travel Agent” to “Leisure Travel Consultant” which was a great move IMO. I do sell travel, but I just point them to my site. I make no bones about the fact that I don’t want to deal with getting certified and all that. For me, having a team is what I prefer. Kudos to all of you that choose differently. That is what makes America great, we can choose what avenue to take.”

This person admits right here, that while he is involved in a travel MLM, he has no desire to get any type of travel certification or “all that”. He’s all about “having a team”…..in other words, recruiting.

So, the conversation goes on a bit, bantering back and forth between “agent” and “consultant” when this person chimes in again with this

“It is splitting hairs at this point. Dies it really matter seriously? Traverus has taken the step to do the right thing by changing the agents to consultants. (RTA to RTC) The thing is that the traditional agents will never be 100% happy with any change short of the mlm companies being shut down. Getting hung up on what to call yourself is kind of silly don’t you think?”

This, is exactly the point that we are fighting about; one point of this blog. This “right of entitlement” to all of the privileges and perks afforded to travel agents. The perks given to people who work in the industry actually selling travel, people who work at it. Here is a person who, admittedly, says he sells travel, but doesn’t work at it, he only gives people a web address and tells them to do it themselves. He doesn’t consult, he doesn’t act as an agent, and says he has no interest in doing so. When confronted with this, he states that he is “in the business to build a team, not in the business to try and get travel “perks””, yet when pressed a bit further, admits to getting and taking them.

This person states that the TTA community will never be happy until all travel MLM companies are 100% shut down. I say not true. I say that traditionalist and MLM’s can co-exist, but within the MLM’s there has to be a complete and total separation of the travel side and the recruiting side. If you want to be a marketer for the MLM company, fine and dandy. But don’t expect to receive any type of travel perks. Don’t tell a supplier that you are “affiliated” with a travel company and expect or accept any type of discount, unless you are actively selling travel. If the travel MLM’s of the world want to be truly accepted by the traditional community, then this is the change that must come about. Yes, there are those out there in MLM’s that are all about selling travel, and want to be treated with respect, but as long as they are in the MLM’s that have not made the changes sought, then they will remain tainted. Unfortunately, it’s called guilt by association.

A lot of this also falls onto the vendors. Until the vendors stop offering perks to any and everyone affiliated with these companies, the problem will remain. TTA’s need to make a stand. TA associations need to make a stand. Those in travel MLM’s that are serious about selling travel need to take a stand. Because the scenario I have described above is what the fight is all about.

In And Out: A Former RTA Speaks

This was sent to me from a former RTA. Completely unedited in her own words. It should be noted that this agent is now working with a host that is not only supportive and knowledgeable, but they are also a Virtuoso Agency!

YTB…Why we Got In? How We Got Out?
Anonymous

I have always wanted to be in business for myself…always. And I have tried many “business-in-a-box” scenarios. Most of these were MLM of one form or another. The recruiting part was never for me. I was always most interested in the product sales side of things but inevitably those attempts didn’t work for me because they required a lot of time and money invested for little or no return on that investment…and storage and delivery and demonstrations or “parties”, that while very entertaining, did not a business make. So along came a friend touting this great “new” business idea. An opportunity to provide a service and earn a living doing something I’d always enjoyed doing personally. It didn’t require any training and anybody could do it successfully with minimal effort but there again was that whole MLM thing. So while I was intrigued I had to pass. I just didn’t want to get started on something where the success of it depended on my ability to get others to join the business rather than purchase my services.

Well the issue of YTB came up again when my business partner heard about it and decided it would be a good idea. We’d sign up but just for the travel side…if we managed to recruit a couple of folks that was fine but that’s not where our focus would be. After all we had been assured that YTB was 2 businesses not one and that we could turn a tidy profit without ever recruiting anyone. Yeah right! (sarcasm) So we took the plunge! We were travel agents, at least that’s what we hoped but building a travel business when no one in your up-line knows what the heck they’re doing is next to impossible. Why? Because there is no such thing IMHO as being a competent travel professional without training…formal or OJT. Without training from someone who understands the business you can’t even meet the bare minimum standards to service your customers efficiently.

I was lucky. I took my 1st CLIA class and loved it. So I took another and another which led to books and online academies etc. So I was learning and the more I learned the more I realized how little I knew and how much less my up-line knew about the actual travel business than I did by that point. But I was eager to learn.

Then there was IATA. And then I had a group, a very nice sized group that wanted to take a cruise but they were only interested in Royal Caribbean. I could not interest them in any other line since they wanted to sail on The Freedom of the Seas and of course RC had terminated any dealings with YTB. So here we were a fledgling business and we had to refer our largest ever group 100 cabins to a friend who wasn’t with YTB. Now I needed to figure out how I could make my dream work without ever being eligible for an IATAN card or without being able to sell one of the largest and most popular cruise lines.

So one day I stumbled on TRO …literally. Naïve newbie that I was, I didn’t even realize there was any controversy between MLMs and “real” travel agents until I tried to enter one of the “closed” forums. I was working very hard trying to build my travel business…trying to be a good travel agent…and I was being told I wasn’t really a travel agent at all. All I wanted was access to resources that would help me. My feelings were so hurt. I wrote John and Richard and basically begged for admittance. I was prepared to do it without TRO if need be but I hoped they would see that I wasn’t a recruiter. I was a travel agent-in-training and needed them. I guess that did it.

Once I had access to other threads I was able to understand what the problem was and it helped me to take a good hard look at my “host”. And I didn’t like what I was seeing. Why had no one told me about the value to my business of group cruises or group tours? Why had no one told me I could book travel through other vendors? Why had no one told me…well a lot of things?

John and Richard were there to answer my questions. John patiently walked me through the pros and cons of both business models. He never attacked or belittled me. He seemed to understand that I really just didn’t know there was another way. He was the first person to explain the term “host” to me and explain that there were many. He even directed me to previous threads to research what others said about their hosts!

So today my partner and I own our own CLIA affiliated agency AND we are hosted by an excellent, supportive, and knowledgeable host…2 of them actually. We have done more business in the last 5 months than in the 2 ½ years we were with YTB. So now you know why we got in….and how we got out! 

Blockbuster Ho Hum Announcements From YTB

Here are the 10 ho hum announcements from the "Tailgate Party of the Century!" This was an extra long call and featured tons of pre-recorded applause and a few people positioned to look like a lot at the car dealer next to YTB. Of course it was replete with the required weekly homage paid to Coach, Kim, Scott, and Andy.

1. YTB’s Trip of a Lifetime Sweepstakes
-Enter to win a trip for two to Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour in the Bahamas!
-Register all your friends and family by clicking on the Trip of a Lifetime Sweepstakes banner on your booking engine. (Uhm, this is illegal you cannot register people to receive mailings and for contests without their permission. Have you ever heard of the Can SPAM Act? But this does make sense since YTB specifically states that any client or prospect entered into the system belongs exclusively to YTB)
-The more people who register for the sweepstakes from your travel site, the more chances you have of winning the trip for yourself! (And the more people YTB will have to solicit for whatever they want in the future.)
-Continue to register every month for the next Trip of a Lifetime! (And we will feature a new sweepstakes every month!)

2. Mark your calendars for the First Tuesday Travel Parties!
-Host your own Travel party the first Tuesday of every month! (Per the call, this will be followed by an "opportunity meeting", so make sure that your guests are aware that you are not only inviting them to learn about travel, but that they are going to get the pitch to join a pyramid scheme.)
-A live webcast will announce the winners of the Trip of a Lifetime Sweepstakes and the details of the next sweepstakes prize!
-Each travel party will be themed (such as "Springtime in Paris") according to the feature destination of the Sweepstakes.

3. YTB Great Escapes
-Find the best travel destinations on the planet for an unbelievable price!
-Travel Site Owners, login to your Travel Portal now and click on the YTB Great Escapes banner to take advantage of these fantastic travel destinations!

4. All new FAM Trip to the Bahamas!
-Take in the sights and sounds of the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour on this spectacular FAM trip February 6-9, 2009!
-This trip normally costs up to $800. But, your price on this FAM is only $340 per person based on double occupancy (This is really not a FAM at all. This is a negotiated group rate. However, most RTAs likely do not know the difference. Plus YTB makes commission)
-Includes private beach party, shore excursions, diving, snorkeling and
much more!
-Sign up now! Only a limited number of rooms are available!

5. "Taking Care of Business" at the 2009 Convention
-With this year’s theme, we’re going to show the world what "Taking Care of Business" really means in a Rock and Roll atmosphere!
-Register now in your Back Office for only $125 per person!
-Don’t wait! Price goes up April 1, 2009! (Coach pleaded with everyone and said everyone ought to bring 8 to 10 guests with them because you simply cannot know YTB until you attend this meeting.)

6. Coach’s Specials extended!
-There’s still time to take advantage of the half-price Affiliate Special and the extras included in the RTA Special!
-Don’t wait! Coach’s Specials end on February 28! (I guess the initial program was not too successful. On the call they did not specify an ending date and said it woudl be going forward till further notice...well I guess this is the notice.)

7. New Sizzle Call in English and Spanish!
-Get your prospects on the line now!
-3 minute call gives exciting overview
-Dial toll-free 1-800-985-1858
-Press 1 for English and 2 for Espanol (This was an interesting segment. We were told that it was a 90 second call, not a 3 minute call, but Scott suggested that you ask everyone you see if they have 90 seconds. And if they have any interest at all, you can invest in giving them the DVD or the magazine, otherwise move onto the next person you see. He said there was no reason that everyone you see can't call this line. It is now in Spanish and it is now toll free. There is nothing to lose.)

8. New DVD with Spanish Subtitles!
-Let’s Get Started is the 10-minute version of the Affiliate Presentation on a DVD with optional Spanish subtitles.
-Get your copies today from Shop YTB! Sold in packets of 50 for $50 plus shipping.

9. Blockbuster Announcement- Aisle 19
-Travel Site Owners --Tell all your customers about YTB’s exciting new partnership with Aisle 19, the "cash back portal" that works with 600 retail stores such as Walmart, Target, Old Navy, Macy’s and many others to earn cash back on your purchases.(They neglected to mention that this is also available to EVERYONE and also for free, so there is no value add to the proposition)
-Aisle 19 is by invitation only, so start spreading the word today and earn commission on virtually all your referrals’ purchases! (Coach called a play and said all reps will now be able to sell travel stores left and right because of this. He said to expect your downline of 10 to grow to one thousand in a few weeks. Good luck with that! Please take not that this effectively installs YTB/Coach as the top pyramid sitter in Aisle 19 with a HUGE downline. Actually a pretty ingenious way to come up with some quick cash.)
-There will also be commissions paid to the PowerTeam Leader and six generations of Dream Team.(The pitch to give your customers is to be happy. When they ask why you are so happy, tell them you made money when they purchased on your mall. Then explain how they can make money. Good luck with that too!)
-To access your Aisle 19 "cash back portal," simply visit www.aisle19.com/login.aspx where you will be prompted for a username and password. For your user name, simply put YTB (all capital letters) in front of your YTB username - for example: YTBjohnsmith. Your password is YTB (also in capital letters) in front of your YTB password - the one you use to log in to your Back Office and Travel Portal. For example: YTB12345. From there, begin shopping and earning cash back on your purchases!(Coach called another play. He challenged everyone on the call or listening at the tailgate parties across the country to go out in the next 48 hours and shop online, get your discounts and earn a commission. Coach, judging from your drop in RTAs it appears they cannot afford the $50 a month to you, why do you assume now that they can just go out and spend surrepticiously to further line your pockets?)

10. $6,000 Guarantee Goes Live in Canada on Friday, January 16, 2009!
- Watch for details to come!

Finally, The Truth Emerges

Enter The Shopping Mall (Exit Travel?)

The word on the street is that YTB will be announcing tomorrow that they are adding an "E-Mall" to the RTA sites comprised of 1600 "E-Stores".  One director is quoted as saying:

I have been in YTB for 28 month and what we will be announcing and going "LIVE" with tomorrow is truly the most mind bending addition to the value of your position with the company

Well, I guess we will find out for sure tomorrow but I imagine it will be sold as something new and different. But at this point it sounds an awful lot like Market America (another MLM that has the term "scam" associated with it) which has been around for a LONG time.

I wonder if this is not a last ditch effort to retain the few RTAs that they have and preface an exit from travel? I wonder if their new potions, lotions and mall sales will be included in their "travel" sales for next year? But if they are actually selling more product and earning more income from product it may legitimize them a bit. But I think it is a little too late for Jerry Brown!

More YTB Recruiting

And another message. What is funny is that this came from someone that I know for a fact is not in the Louisville area and has never owned a legitimate travel business. I guess many people want to emulate Candi May and all of her awards. (Pardon the graphic, could not find a Top 9 list graphic. Maybe YTB needs to come up with one more reason.)

NINE REASONS I JOINED YTB & YOU SHOULD TOO!

1. THE FUN OF TRAVEL:
 I have been in the travel business for over 20 years.  I have owned and operated Travel Agencies in the Louisville KY and surrounding areas.  I witnessed first hand the market shift from the traditional travel agent to the internet.  I figured "if you can't beat them……join them"  I love travel and vacations, and could picture myself enjoying the product.  I figured if I didn't end up selling YTB, it would still be worth what I paid for the vacations. How could I lose?

2. LOW START-UP COST:
I was impressed by the LOW amount of cash necessary to get involved in YTB. Most businesses cost many thousands of dollars to start and you have to take over equipment leases, be saddled with Yellow Page advertising, weekly payrolls, inventory and accounting. The business ends up running you instead of you running it, yet it never would produce the kind of money YTB does, and I would have to work three times as hard.

3. FLEXIBLE HOURS:
I realized I didn't want to be tied down to a 9-to-5 job, or put in all the overtime hours required to make a small business succeed. I want to have money and the time to enjoy it. I set my own hours with YTB, and make sure it never interferes with my social life.

4. HIGH INCOME:
Lots of part-timers are making $500-$1,000 a week. Full-time YTB people can make even more.  I have been at this for one year and I am EXTREMELY PLEASED with my income.  Plus there is NO stress.   My upline is pulling down about $200,000 a month with YTB, and if you talked to him, you'd see that he is just like you and me.  We work this like the real business that is is.  We just follow the system and make the phone calls.

5. LOW STRESS = HAPPIER LIFE:
I was attracted to YTB because I wanted a very low- pressure business. No time clock to punch, no manager to answer to, no employee problems to deal with or inter - office squabbles to settle. Now I work when it fits MY schedule. I have time to spend with my friends and family. My friends tell me I smile a lot more than I did this time last year.

6. GOOD SUPPORT & TRAINING:
I liked the fact that while YTB is an independent association and you don't have to answer to anyone but yourself, there is also a good training and support system in place to ensure success. My director worked with me to make sure I made sales when I first started.

We did conference calls with clients to help close sales, and still do today. We continue to share techniques and leads. I was introduced to other successful YTB people in order to raise my confidence level in the early weeks.

With my Director's help - the same kind of help I'll be giving you - I was able to get the system down in a matter of days.

7. NETWORK MARKETING IS GOOD
People don't like multi-level marketing because you have to hit up your friends and relatives, or nail signs on telephone poles and wear a button that says "Ask Me How!"
   
In MLM you have to build a huge downline before you make any money, and often have to keep buying product. Unless you get in at the top you're wasting your time. It seems like all your hard work is making people up the ladder rich while you wait for little tiny checks that take forever to arrive. Not so with YTB.

It's a level playing field, and someone who has been in the business for five years has no advantage over someone who's been with YTB for only a few weeks, except that they're more experienced.  This Product sells itself.  Every one Travels!  You don't have to over sell the produce or the opportunity.

8. WORK FROM HOME OR ANYWHERE:
I wanted an opportunity that wouldn't make me a prisoner to an office. I can work from home, or travel and work on the road. All I need is a phone, a laptop computer, and I'm completely mobile. I wanted the flexibility to travel whenever I feel like it. Even cruise ships have Internet access these days, so I can combine YTB with my vacations.

9. EASY SELL:
I hate nay sayers, and refuse to be one myself. With YTB I talk to people who are serious about working from home in a business of their own, so I don't have to be a salesman. I liked that idea from the start. All I have to do is show the power of the program to people who are waiting for my call, and the opportunity sells itself.

Your Typical YTB Recruiting Message

I received this email the other day. What do you think?

Why would I want to do YTB?

I continually talk to people about YTB and sometimes get this blank stare like "why would I want to do YTB?" I began asking myself why. I have wondered if YTB is for everyone…or maybe just a select few. As I determined the answer to my "why?" question, the answer to myself inspired me!!

I found the answer!!! For anyone wanting to improve the quality of their life, YTB is the answer! YTB is allowing my family to live the life we always wanted! I have two boys that are the center of my universe. As a parent working in a traditional job, I was always stressed and hurrying from one place to another. Most meals were eaten in the car. Family time consisted of driving to and from school or the football field or band practice.

YTB will bring your family back together, will once again allow you to spend quality time together, watch your children grow up, will enable you to enjoy each others company, have family vacations. (Most of you know how passionate I am about this subject and can go on and on forever! :-)

The work I enjoy with YTB is the most rewarding work I have ever done! I get to travel to places I have never been, and meet great people from those places. My life has been enriched so much by the people I have met. Work consists of telling everyone I meet that YTB is the greatest opportunity they will see in their lifetime. I'm not a salesperson, but I believe strongly in this company and I try to convey that to the people I talk with. I trust the founders of this company! The department heads are the top in their field! I have confidence that YTB will always make decisions with the Reps' best interest in mind. That is such a wonderful feeling….to know that the people in control of your company have your back!! And who wouldn't be interested in being paid every time they go on vacation, traveling better for less, and saving money on their taxes?!?!?! It is so easy to tell people about YTB!!!

YTB is an opportunity for anyone who wants to make a change in the life they are currently living. The greatest part of the YTB opportunity is that you make money by helping other people become successful!

It amazes me that some people in YTB are not treating their business seriously. They are squandering the rare opportunity to be in the right place at the right time! They are ignoring the opportunity at their fingertips to change their lives forever!! My life is forever changed because I chose to work YTB as a business and pay the price for a few years. I went to every meeting. I went to the conventions. I listened to the conference calls. I listened to Coach and Scott. I talked to people continuously about YTB. And now, my life has changed. I'm typing this in my home office wearing pajamas and fussy slippers, for goodness sake!!

You only have one life to live, and living it for a salary, trading your time for a few dollars, or owning a business that is sucking the life out of you….that's no way to live. Our families are counting on us to make better decisions than that. How about a little advice? Stop right now!! Stop making excuses!! You didn't meet with someone today to show them the DVD? Why not?!?! That is a conscious choice to do the wrong thing, to stay where you are in life and not do the proper activity to get ahead. God wants you to have much more. Your family wants more.

Your boss smiles every night knowing you will never get to the top of their pyramid because he/she is leveraging you and your precious time. You can build your way to the top in your YTB business, and nobody can stop you but you. Read this letter 20 times and ask yourself what you are going to do. I will pray for you to make the right decision for you. If you are serious about YTB, I will be here to help you along with the rest of your team. You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Time is ticking. The opportunity is NOW!! It is not too late, but it all starts with stepping up, and reaching out to your upline. Choose your own pace, but just move forward! Ready to go to Coaches Corner? Ready to be a Director? Well go then!! I'll be the first person to congratulate you when you get there!!

Happy New Year and Keep Dreaming,

Hey Compliance Department....

Here's another one for your random checks. And as an added bonus, it appears this blogger might be in the running for John Doe #87 as he (or she) appears to be based in the San Diego area judging from a recent post and the fact he reads the Union-Tribune. I am sure that claims like these will support YTB's defense come September!

If you are a baby boomer about to retire, already retired and doing nothing with your retirement time then come travel, have fun that's what I like about it, I don't have to do any hard work, it works for me, and having my money work for me, is better than getting another job after retirement to pay the bills. The Travel Industry is a $7 Trillion Dollar industry right now, and $3 Trillion was made by this company alone YTB (Your Travel Business) who by 2019 intends to be number one in this industry, you even get a written guarantee from the owner about being a home based business referral travel agent, I thought is there more I need to learn, but it came with video's, dvd's great I use my time as I please and make money. Have fun and travel is a great idea not for all but for the few that it could be there is not another opportunity that has as many benefits, life insurance, travel discounts for you, that's not demanding.

But I see a member of YTB has already commented on the blog, so if you want to see it, act fast.

More Independent Views

I just discovered a somewhat dated post in another blog that does a good job analyzing YTB. And the blogger posted a recent update as well.

This guy is not in YTB, he is not in the travel business. He just took a look at the opportunity for what it was worth and commented on his findings.

No spin from either side here. What do you think?