A copy of an internal communication from YTB was posted as a comment on this blog and I felt it was important to bring it to the forefront. I applaud YTB for taking this stance. I also would say that it is a shame that it really needed to be said in any event.
This begins to address one of the concerns the "traditional" agents have with the MLM business model. It is progress, but there is a long way to go. Too bad it does not apply to Rufus and Earl from the farm on YouTube. I have said that if I were Coach, Scott and Kim, I would be livid that some of these people are representing "my" product. I think they are beginning to understand.
Like any business that utilizes independent contractors, YTB has no legal right to dictate anything in terms of how they run their business. When they begin to impose rules, the ICs become employees. The only recourse YTB has is to terminate the agreement with an offending RTA. ANd then you have a business decision to make--lose the RTA revenue or turn the other cheek.
Congrats to YTB for making a stand, I hope that you have the desire to enforce it. (This info was copied from a comment on another post. I have no verification if it is authentic, complete or accurate--but I have no reason to doubt it either.)
YTB TRAVEL NETWORK TRADE SHOW GUIDELINES
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU ARE REPRESENTING YTB!
TRAVEL TRADE SHOW ATTENDEES
ARE YOUR PEERS, NOT PROSPECTS.
Travel Trade Shows are non-solicitation events and selling of advertising, products, or services by agent delegates is prohibited.
Spouses or guests are not permitted unless they are a bona fide home-based travel agent. Event management reserves the right to qualify all registrants and allow or prohibit anyone from attending the show who does not fit the travel agent criteria.
Dress code is business casual. No t-shirts are permitted, logo or otherwise. Please do not wear blue jeans or shorts.
Professionalism and ethical behavior is expected of all RTAs attending Travel Trade Show events. No marketing is permitted by agent delegates. Be sure to be respectful of travel suppliers and other attendees. Exhibit a positive attitude towards suppliers and their products. Remember that your behavior is a direct reflection of YTB and any infraction of the above policies may harm YTB and your teammates. Violations will be addressed by YTB Corporate.
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation as we strive to become the largest travel agency in the world!
Thanks, John, for adding a post about this to your blog. It is authentic and I understand any reluctance. The only part of the email that I did not include referred to the two Trade Shows being promoted by YTB . . . one in Fort Lauderdale and one in Las Vegas.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm going to Las Vegas next week, and we'll see how many people actually take this to heart.
ReplyDeleteWell I have been personally contacting the organizers of the various shows telling them exactly why myself and many of my collegues were skipping their shows - and it directly related to them not enforcing any standards of behavior from the YTB group.
ReplyDeleteTold them they needed to decide which audience they wanted to cater to.
Sounds like maybe some of them listened to us and they layed down the law with the YTB management.
Thank you John for posting this. It is info that those of us who attended the travel trade shows already knew about. Now those RTAs who have never gone to one also know.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the others who post on this board regardless of their affiliation know that YTB seriously enforces how their RTAs (and REPs) represent the company as they... or I should say "we" since I am a YTB RTA strive to be the #1 travel company in the world. If doing it through network marketing is what it takes... so be it. I believe it's an awesome plan, and I am proud to be YTB! If I offended anyone here I do apologze. Nothing personal. I'm sure you all are outstanding people off the boards. I'm just standing up for what I believe in... and that happens to be YTB.
BTW ainsworth, the vendors have every right to cater to whichever audience they choose to. They don't need you to tell them what to do. It's called freedom of choice. Don't attack. i didn't shout here.
I highly doubt this will have any effect on the trade show. Posting a bulletin about what one "should" do and enforcing those same rules are completely two different things. My guess you will still have the same people wearing the same recruiting t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about recruiting and the cultish behavior of these people won't be changed by a "memo".
First people say it's a pyramid. Now they say YTB is a cult... LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat's next? Are you going to call out the National Guard? I just joined YTB 3 weeks ago. Is there going to be a raid on my house?
Well Tom--you only have a few week's experience....give it some time and then form your opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt is very cult-like. Look at the devotion shown to the leader that goes by a name other than his own--The Coach! Look at the refusal to acknowledge reality and to address legitimate concerns. Cult is not too far off.
ANd as for a pyramid--it sure is. As long as there is a product involved, it is legal, but it is a pyramid. If you recruit you are on the top of your little pyramid and those under you need to recruit those under you and so forth...
Once again a YTBer having issues reading what was posted. First they can't do the math, now I have one saying I said it was cult. I said "CULTISH BEHAVIOR".
ReplyDeleteSo they can't add, or read. Yeah real travel agents there. I wonder where the one that said the IATN and CLIA were the same card? Haven't heard from that one in awhile. Been they crawled back into the hole they crawled out of.
Proud to be YTB said...
ReplyDeleteBTW ainsworth, the vendors have every right to cater to whichever audience they choose to. They don't need you to tell them what to do. It's called freedom of choice. Don't attack. i didn't shout here.
Um, Proud, what the hell are you talking about? Again, another example of you not knowing how to read the postings here on the blog. I didn't say a word about vendors, and what audience they cater to. Go back and re-read what was posted, and by whom. All I said was that I am going to be at the show in Las Vegas next week, and I'm looking forward to seeing how many of your cohorts take this memo to heart as compared to the ones that were at the ASTA show in September. Damn, you really are a dumb as*, aren't you?
Tom, it doesn't mater what anyone says..just check an archived Business Report in your back office On Oct 5th, Print & Read This:
ReplyDeleteYTB Approved For DSA Membership
Press Release September 24th, 2007
Direct Selling Association Approves YTB International As New Member Company.
YTB International, Inc. YTB A Provider Of Internet Based Travel Booking Services For Travel Agencies And Home Based Independent Reps In The USA, Announced That The Direct Selling Association Has Approved Its Application For Active Membership In The Organization.
YTB Completed A One Year Pending Period Required For Full Membership In The Association. During This Time, The Company's Marketing And Business Plans Were Reviewed To Ensure Full Compliance With All Provisions Established By DSA's Code Of Ethics. YTB Joins The Elite Ranks Of DSA's More Than 220 Active And Pending Member Companies In The USA.
DSA Is The National Trade Association Representing Companies That Manufacture And Sell Products And Services Sold Directly To Consumers, Primarily Through An Independent Contractor Sales Force. Its Mission Is 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. Each DSA Member Company Pledges To Abide By The Code Of Ethics Standards And Procedures As A Condition Of Admission And Continuing Membership In DSA. This Code Of Ethics Speaks To Both The Consumer And The Seller And Ensures That Member Companies Will Make No Statements Or Promises That Might Mislead Either Consumers Or Prospective Sales People. The DSA Code Of Ethics Expressly Prohibits Pyramid Schemes, Deceptive Or Unlawful Consumer Or Recruiting Practices, Misrepresentation Of Earning Or Sales Potential, Inventory Loading And Unreasonable Entrance Fees.
Ainsworth --- do us a favor? When you are ar the trade show in Vegas, collect the business cards of all YTBers that you see that in your opinion are engaging in behavior contrary to the memo. Take pictures if you can. Post their names, email addresses and phone numbers here. We'll forward the information to corporate.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAinsworth --- do us a favor? When you are ar the trade show in Vegas, collect the business cards of all YTBers that you see that in your opinion are engaging in behavior contrary to the memo. Take pictures if you can. Post their names, email addresses and phone numbers here. We'll forward the information to corporate.
If I see any member of YTB violating this memo and the request of the "home office" I will definetly get photographic evidence of it, and more. But let me assure you, I will NOT post any of the personal information of those persons on this or any other open blog. Not only is it rude, but a huge violation of that individuals privacy. I am quite capable of forwarding the information to headquarters myself.
So be it, but if someone is handing out business cards in a public place, they have waived privacy rights as to the information on that card. (I'm a lawyer)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand if you allege an individual is engaging in improper behavior and then post the person's name, that's libel if the allegations are not true.
A lawyer involved with YTB! ROTFLMAO! Did y ou pay $499 and another $50.00 a month for your diploma! BTW Mr. Lawyer, my dh is a judge and said you don't know what the h*** you are talking about. He said your post would be great cocktail party fodder!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteSo be it, but if someone is handing out business cards in a public place, they have waived privacy rights as to the information on that card. (I'm a lawyer)
On the other hand if you allege an individual is engaging in improper behavior and then post the person's name, that's libel if the allegations are not true.
Well, anonymous, how about it's just rude? Would you want your name, e-mail address, and phone number posted on the internet by a complete stranger, waived right to privacy or not? I doubt it, especially since you seem to feel the need to go by "anonymous", and can't even come up with some type of screen name.
As I said, I am quite capable of sending any and all information to YTB in Illinois on my own. I know how to use the postal system, as well as UPS, FedEx, and/or DHL.
Thanks John...But I didn't recall seeing the top 33 list from Travel Weekly. Did I miss it?
ReplyDeleteYTB did not have to be forced to give the notice you post. They are the real deal and they will take care of business. Too much at stake.
As for me...I think maybe you have a personal agenda, perhaps because I was one of the first to call you on your misguided attacks on YTB.
Pyramid...I don't think so.
Online Travel Companies & Booking Engines, Marketed Nationally and soon Internationally, are a travel related product. NO? Soon (too soon for some here) Travel sales come.
I've already admitted that I'm not the sharp, trim, fast witted guy that you are. But that's just the point. If I can suceed with YTB "From The Farm" ANYONE CAN.
I doubt that Coach Tomer will kick me out of the company for following his guidelines...If it isn't true...Don't Say It.
Now Go Out There And Make It A YTB Day!
Top Leaders Total Monthly Incomes As Of May 2007 (Last names have been left out) Top Ten List
ReplyDeleteRon $263,327.02
Peter 166,265.36
Anne 149,478.87
Rick 148,423.87
Juliet 139,838.48
Camaron 117,964.76
Chantal 78,328.00
Jerome 68,183.00
Larease 64,919.04
Floyd 57,090.40
Vol 1, No 5 June 2007 YTB Leaders
Bulletin
Mr YouTube--
ReplyDeleteI hate to disappoint you but you first sent me an email on October 17th in response to a petition at which time it had already had nearly 1000 signatures.
You certainly were not the first to fly the YTB banner. It began back in July when I published my column on MSNBC.
But you know what, you are always behind a little bit so we will excuse you.
Please do me a favor and stop emailing me directly, I just forward it to your ISP and tell them that you are harassing me. If you have something to say--do it on YouTube or post to a public forum. I really have no desire to interact with you under other circumstances.
OK so why now is it acceptable to post monthly incomes when for the past few months it has been against the law?
ReplyDeleteLet me see the income of the ones that fall between 1000 and 1010
OK John and I'll do the same to your ISP..Don't mail me anymore either.
ReplyDeleteI think the last email I sent you asked you where you name was on the top 33 Travel Weekly list for 2007-2008. I wouldn't have bothered you, but I looked all over the list. I saw Al Gore there and several others...but no John Freneye, Jr. honestly just thought I had missed it or something...being on the farm and all.
RobertsResorts.Net
Oh, look. It's been over 12 hours since Proud misquoted something, and had it pointed out, and she has yet to retract or apologize. Yet, when someone else does the same thing, she all but demands an immediate apology and retraction. I guess Proud doesn't have to play by the same rules that she sets up for everyone else.
ReplyDelete"A lawyer involved with YTB! ROTFLMAO! Did y ou pay $499 and another $50.00 a month for your diploma! BTW Mr. Lawyer, my dh is a judge and said you don't know what the h*** you are talking about. He said your post would be great cocktail party fodder!"
ReplyDeleteA diploma makes you a travel agent? Weird, I have a history degree but don't refer to myself as a historian!
I agree that it would be rude to post all that information on here, that not the place for stuff like that. However, these people are handing out their websites which have all that info posted on them, so that's left up to them and their discretion.
Also, I looked at Mr. Boek's site. Who's this Virginia person? Is this not even his site?
The problem which I see in regard to Coach et all is that they were never in the travel business to begin with and they're literally flying (no pun intended) by the seat of their pants.
ReplyDeleteIt is progress that they're at least making an effort, but really, why can't the RTB's and RTA's just realize that they should be professional with anything they do. Why does someone have to point that out to people? I just don't get it sometimes. All for the sake of the almighty dollar :(
Also, I looked at Mr. Boek's site. Who's this Virginia person? Is this not even his site?
ReplyDeleteNo one rightly knows. Sometimes it's his wife, other times it's his girlfriend, sometimes she has a drinking problem and he's moving to Hawaii to get away from her, other times he isn't. EAB is like another person I know, that just can't seem to keep their stories straight. At least this other person doesn't claim to have a wife/girlfriend and then have ads on Craigslist for a new one at the same time!
Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteDid I say I was in YTB?
You said your dh is a judge. I'm sorry, but I can usually read through typos and figure out initials, but I don't know what a 'dh' is. Anyway, when your dh the judge has time (maybe between cocktails), can you ask him/her what is wrong with my statement, and post it here?
Ainsworth: you said "Damn, you really are a dumb as*, aren't you?" in a post yesterday. By your standards, that's not rude? Posting truthful information is?
the lawyer
EAB is YTB's Billie Carter.
ReplyDeleteOK, anonymous, hows this for ya. I refuse to put someone else's personal information on the internet. How's that? It's not my place to put someone else's e-mail address and/or phone number out in public, for any reason. If I have the information, I know what will be done with it, and can control what is done with it. If I put it out for all the world to see, then I have no control over what is done with it, and I will not be responsible for any misuse of said information.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, why am I justifying my decision to someone who feels the need to remain "anonymous"? At least I put my info out there for all to see.
Fair enough.
ReplyDeleteOkay - just a couple of observations...
ReplyDeleteI believe YTB has put out this statement on behavior as part of their raprochment (sorry - can't get the French spelling out correctly - but assuming you all know what the word means) with IATAN. It's an effort ot illustrate that they are willing to patrol for and control some negative behaviors. I suspect they are working very hard to get that IATA back - you know, the IATAN number that's not "very important" anyway?
I've been looking at YouTube and I CAN'T BELIEVE how many hundreds of YTB pitches are on there!!! And they are almost all full of the most egregious misstatements - it's almost unbelieveable. I wish the half dozen or so seemingly normal YTBers who have appeared here (and there have been one or two) would look at some of those and forward THOSE links to "Coach". You all should be ashamed to have anything to do with such people and I can't imagine wanted to be perceived as being "one of them"!
On the other hand, I have noticed that essentially not one YTBer has come to the defense of Earl!
Correct on all points!!
ReplyDeleteThat's because Earl can take care of himself...As you know. Plus I've forgotten more about relationship marketing than most of them will ever know. But not all of them.
ReplyDeleteViginia Roberts Is my girlfriend of 6 years. It's really none of your business but since you checked out the site thanks. I'm helping her build her business and income before I build mine. I guess you would call me her General Manager.
Also like to thank the other 90 or so folks that did the same today and the ones that viewed full presentations on our great company and it's opportunity.
Billy Beer...Earl Travel ???
RobertsResorts.Net
What a fool you are!!! People are looking at your "presentations" because they can't believe what a TRAIN WRECK you are!!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you equating yourself with "Billy Beer"? Those of us old enough to remember that know that's quite a "compliment"!!! To be called "Billy Beer"! Schmuck!!!
None of us are defending you because you are an EMBARRASSMENT!!!
YEAH!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all AINSWORTH...
ReplyDeleteI AM NOT A "SHE"!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many times in how many blogs do I have to say that before you and John understand???
Second, I'll clarify this so that you can understand. The vendors i refer to are Carnival, Royal Carribbean, Hyatt, Hilton, etc.
The audience are the travel agents that the "vendors" come to the travel trade shows to TEACH and TRAIN! Understand now?
I do apologize since I realize that it was that annonymous blogger who made that comment, and not you.
he'll probably ask us YTB people for our biz cards and then record them giving the cards to him. It sounds like something he would do, because he hates us so much!
ReplyDeleteAs for the "dumb" comments. I think you should look at yourselves, because throughout most of these blogs, I have disproved everything you tried to prove against YTB.
You are talking from "hear-say" because you are too ignorant to even find out where a meeting is and go attend one just for the sake of knowledge. I'm in YTB. I AM a DIRECTOR... therefore I know more than you!
Just so you know... I also make more money than you!
If our presentations are a trainwreck, then how come people are joining YTB even if we don't have an IATAN???? Why are some of them already travel agents before joining???
ReplyDeleteHmmmm....