One Day Sale

In answer to the RCI decision, one of the MLM companies, YTB, has decided to have a one day sale to support Carnival Cruise Lines, who did not follow along with RCI.

Well, I am not sure how successful this will be; and am not sure any real numbers will be available, but I do know that the way this is being handled just strengthens the position that MLM and travel does not mix!

I have spoken with several people that have called and the level of incompetence is staggering. Just a small sampling of the responses people received when calling to inquire about a cruise on their special toll free number:

• YTB offered a cruise certificate but was not able to discuss any restrictions
• YTB "agent" had never cruised and no one in the office had not either (she thought) and recommended the customer just go to a website and get all the answers
• YTB said to call a RTA to book a cruise. When told we did not know an RTA and wanted to book it now, the YTB "agent" put the prospect on hold and never came back

And that is just three examples. I wonder what is going to happen to the poor souls that actually purchase something. I am not sure who is staffing this toll free number, but all they are doing is either trying to sell a highly restrictive certificate (the details will be on the back once you get it), or telling the consumer to go to an RTA website to book it themselves.

So where is all this "consulting" and "selling" that the YTB RTA's claim they do? I have seen none of it so far, yet the majority claim they actually sell travel.

I said it before--consumer beware! But I will add--supplier beware! Is this the person you want representing your brand?