With that said, I would like to ask all of the reasonable YTB folks out there to continue the dialogue. As I have said, I think both sides have learned from it. I know I have and I am sure Doug has as well. In response to some comments from the rogue YTB folks, I considered implementing moderation to the blog. But, as soon as I did that, I would be accused of censoring (if I did or didn't) so I have decided to allow it to remain uncensored. I would appreciate it if the responsible YTB and MLM folks would use a screen name--no need to register, it is just that "anonymous" is cowardly, too easy and used by too many.
My request to you is to see if you can control yourselves. We are debating an issue here and there are hot opinions on both sides of the issue. I have heard of threats, I have received threats, ominous incessant emails, etc. Is it really necessary.
It just came to my attention that the following "press release" was posted on a free press release site. It was subsequently removed but again, I encourage you to police yourself. Coach--is this the caliber of representative you employ? It has come to my attention that this person may indeed not be controllable as he is not the YTB Rep or RTA but the company belongs to his girlfriend. Is his girlfriend in agreement with the tactics?
YTB Rep Applauds Companies Decision To Launch Suits Against Slammers & Scammers
For_Immediate_Release:
United States of America (Press Release) December 3, 2007 -- For Immediate Release, SF, CA. Dec. 3rd, 2007 All Media Release
Finally news is circulating among reps that YTB has had enough and is taking action against it's distracters. Travel columinst like John Freneye, Jr. and competitors like Mark Ewing, travel club promotor for Real Vacation Careers, CMET who generates business for his product by using a YTB scam logo on YouTube, may find these tactics will begin to be highly costly to them in the future.
Al Boek,Gm for RobertsResorts.Net a YTB affilate, applauded the action, "It's about time these attack and slam sites pay the price for attempting to use the good name of YTB to further their private agendas."
Contact.
Al Boek
alBoek@RobertsResorts.Net
For more information:
7TrillionTravel
PO Box 1570
Anderson, Ca. 96001579
530-378-1363
Earll Allen Boek
Contact author
So there you have it. EAB speaks for YTB RTA's and Reps online. The blog will remain open to all posts without any moderation and hopefully the BS comments will go away and we can get back to discussing the issue at hand.
Thank you John for asking people to pick a name and use it. I find it difficult to answer a person when 5 different ones are all named anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThe press release sounds like a threat and I for one am glad it was pulled. To many people think they can say anything because they are on the internet and no one really knows who they are. A word to the wise, your computer has a unique IP address. It can be tracked by anyone who has enough knowledge to track it. I have that knowledge. I never use it because I do not see any point in doing so. If you post threats and the police get involved you can be tracked down fast.
I do not know why I find this Blog site so interesting but I do. I skip all the posts about bad agents. Please do not post them they waste all of our time.
I can't find a press release from YTB...so I hope the "action" isn't another video from Boek.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the anonymous posts were getting confusing...putting a name on is just as easy and just as anonymous...
The press release was something created by EAB. Free Press Release is a company that takes anything you wan tot say and occasionally someone will pick it up. They are ad sponsored and membership based.
ReplyDeleteBut you can see from the wording, punctuation, etc that this is the work of EAB (he even mis-spelled his own name at the bottom)
But I think it is pretty generous of his girlfriend to put her company's name out there like that.
What a dangerous thing for EAB to do - he'd best be sure he has YTB's approval for this sort of thing!
ReplyDeletejohn said, "There have been a bunch of recent comments regarding rogue travel agents. I am not denying that they exist and never have. It is really not even the issue at hand..."
ReplyDeleteSo what you are saying is that "More Bad Press" against YTB is the topic "at hand"? But, "More Bad Press" about traditional travel agents does not apply?
Appears you are a bit biased. You want more bad press about YTB, but don't want to hear about more bad press about your TTA's? Sure riles you guy's up, don't it?
christina said, "I skip all the posts about bad agents. Please do not post them they waste all of our time."
ReplyDeleteHahaha...Sure you do. lol!
john said, "anything you wan tot say and occasionally someone will pick it up."
ReplyDeleteThen john said, "But you can see from the wording, punctuation, etc that this is the work of EAB (he even mis-spelled his own name at the bottom)"
Hey JF, whats a "wan tot"? lol
Is that a black pot and black kettle? lol
OOH. Earl wrote a press release. Does anyone really give a s%#t about what Earl has to say, other than Earl himself?
ReplyDeleteEarl seems to have nominated himself as the spokesperson for YTB. Now he's writing press releases for them? Puh-lease!!
I am going to contact the YTB office and get their take on it.
I noticed the theme of this blog is titled,
ReplyDeleteMLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix
But so far, the topics have NOT been anything about the title above.
Maybe the blog name should be renamed to, YTB and Travel: A Bad Mix.
All that goes on here is:
1.Personal attacks between JF and EAB. (This is the biggest issue so far.)
2. 100% concentration on YTB.
3. The compensation plan of YTB.
4. Selling of travel by YTB.
5. Income of YTB RTA's.
6. The Carnival Sale-A-Thon by YTB.
7. Who spells bad, or uses improper wording, punctuation, etc.
8. Advice on how YTB could improve it's business model. (This one I'll never understand.)
None of the above really answers the question of, MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix.
Can't we all do better?
(Hope I spelled every word correctly.)
"None of the above really answers the question of, MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix."
ReplyDeleteI think it's more of a statement than a question...but the typos here don't really bother me...and if the name was changed from MLMs to YTB, that'd be ok, too.
Why don't you post some of the good press YTB gets...but something other than what they pay to have printed themselves? John seems to keep it fair to everyone...I've read here about the list where Kim Sorenson is so important.
The issue is about MLMs and travel. It is a bad mix for many of the reasons you listed. They are all related.
ReplyDeleteAs for YTB and Travel. I have said that YTB is taking the brunt of this because they are so vocal. I have not seen too many Traverus or GTI. They are letting YTB take the heat and seeing where the cards fall.
They are also not as brazen about putting all their stuff out there for easy discovery.
But the blog title is appropriate for sure and it does apply to many more than simply YTB.
john said, "It is a bad mix for many of the reasons you listed. They are all related."
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree with you. Maybe some are slightly related, however the rest of your blog theme continues...
"Travel like an insider! Discounted travel! Free trips! Upgrades galore! See why this is simply not true."
And the above statement, "See why this is simply not true" is currently not being addessed on this blog. Also, I can't find anything on this blog that backs up the statement.
Perhaps we can discuss it in future topics. Of course, I realize that it is entirely up to you.
Is your point that for $500 a YTBer CAN travel like an insider and get discounted travel and free trips? That does seem to be a major selling point...but if your answer is yes...my next question is "What's a cardmill?"
ReplyDeleteObviously you can copy and paste, so how about taking the 1.5 minutes it takes to register on here and make a freaking name?!? Seriously. I can't tell if Anon is one person or 12. Please.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to read about people's opinions on YTB, then you don't have to read this blog. You're never going to make it go away.
If you don't want to read about people's opinions on YTB, then you don't have to read this blog.
ReplyDeleteGarsh, who said anything about that???
And now, a little tribute to one EAB reporting from the farm.
ReplyDeleteThe floor creaks,
The door squeaks,
There's a fieldmouse a-nibblin' on a broom.
And I set by myself
Like a cobweb on a shelf,
By myself in a lonely room.
But when there's a moon in my winder
And it slants down a beam 'cros my bed
Then the shadder of a tree starts a-dancin' on the wall
And a dream starts a-dancin' in my head.
And all the things that I wish fer
Turn out like I want them to be,
And I'm better than that Smart Aleck John Frenaye
Who thinks he is better'n me!
The floor creaks,
The door squeaks,
And the mouse starts a-nibblin' on the broom.
And the sun flicks my eyes-
It was all a pack o' lies!
I'm awake in a lonely room...
iontop: "Why don't you post some of the good press YTB gets...but something other than what they pay to have printed themselves?"
ReplyDeleteCan you give me the link in which I can pay to have a magazine written about my home-based business? For the life of me I couldn't find it. I know someone posted a few blogs back about how success from home magazine is something that YTB pays to have written, but I can't seem to find info on it. Granted, that person was, again, Anon, but he/she wrote that since the description had the words "you can reach" then it must be paid for by the company that it is featured. I mean, they couldn't possibly be using that production staff to go out there and do research on home based businesses (eye-roll) could they?
Their ABOUT US:
"Success from Home is created by a publishing team that knows the home-based business market and has more than 50 years of combined experience in the direct selling industry, from both the corporate office and the field. Each member of our team is passionate about their work and about helping our readers achieve new levels of success.
Our editorial and production staff includes experienced editors, writers, designers, project coordinators and marketing professionals. Highly skilled photographers, freelance writers and designers round out our qualified staff, ensuring each magazine is of the highest caliber and quality."
LMNOP, you forgot to cut and paste this line from the section following "About Us" called "About Our Content": Every issue comes with a free DVD or DualDisc™ provided by that month's featured company.
ReplyDeleteSo basically if you buy enough advertising in the magazine, they'll write a story about you.
Oh no. I read that part, but that doesn't really tell me anything, just what you read into it. The company provides the DVD that comes with the magazine=the company paid for the magazine to be written? I'm still looking for the line that says "you pay us, we'll feature your company on front page." I'm sure it'll turn up somewhere.
ReplyDeleteLMNOP:
ReplyDeleteFrom VideoPlus, the publisher of Success from Home:
Success from Home and
Your Business at Home
Success from Home and Your Business at Home are designed to be powerful recruiting and sales tools for the network marketer. They feature your company and your distributors, complemented by powerful third-party content from best-selling authors and experts
http://www.videoplus.com/magdetails.php
Contact info can be found here: http://www.videoplus.com/contact2.php#pub
The magazine is a great informational and marketing tool. It is essentially a company brochure.
ReplyDeleteI know you critics are going to cry that since it's paid for by YTB, the information in it is biased, inaccurate, or whatever. Well, the challenge to you will be to give examples of incorrect or inaccurate information found in the YTB issue, instead of making a broad generic condemnation.
The magazine is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Staples, B. Dalton, Hastings and Books-A-Million, or you can get one free from somebody you know in YTB.
BTW: YTB's 2008 bookings on Carnival have already exceeded its 2007 bookings, according to Carnival's Sales Development Manager.
Awesome! that's what I was looking for, obviously looking in the wrong place...thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think you should start deleting all Anonymous comments.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteAndrew--that was my initial thought. But then (on the advice of some friends) I decided against it.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, it may seem to stifle free speech.
Secondly, if I require registration, I suspect many will drop out--they enjoy the veil of anonymity.
Thirdly, if I go to a moderated format, I am opening myself up to claims that I am editing responses, or deleting those that I don;t agree with.
There are a ton of responses that I do not agree with, but I feel people are entitled to their opinions, so we will let it stay this way for now.
Why is it when John respectfully asked that the moniker "anonymous" not be used the pro YTB faction continues to use it? This is part of the problem with YTB they don't play by the rules and think the rules are for everyone else. Hence the continuation of using "anonymous." Aggressive recruiting practices at trade shows and other shows where recruiting is not allowed, the in your face attitude and the blatant disregard for the travel profession in general. Until YTB cleans up its act and starts playing nicely you will not get any respect.
ReplyDeleteAll you have to do is consistently use the same "nickname" (see below). You do not have to register or provide any of your "private" infomation. It simply would make it easier to have a conversation and make it clear to everyone just whom one is addressing.
ReplyDeleteEllen said...
ReplyDelete"Why is it when John respectfully asked that the moniker "anonymous" not be used the pro YTB faction continues to use it? This is part of the problem with YTB they don't play by the rules and think the rules are for everyone else."
Rules? What rules are you talking about Ellen? After leaving a comment you are allowed a choice of identity namely; Google/Blogger, Nickname, and Anonymous.
So picking "Anonymous" is not playing by the rules?
No one is asking that any of you "play by the rules" but a request was made to choose a "nick name" so that it is clear who is taking part in a conversation and being responded to. There are too many people using "anonymous" in the same thread. Consfusing.
ReplyDeleteHey, I just checked out the YTB video that Mark Ewing posted on YouTube. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sRwSinIksI )
ReplyDeleteNo wonder this EAB hates the video. After watching the video, nobody that is serious about the travel industry would even give YTB a second look. Which only leaves the MLM crowd. His recruiting efforts have to be hurting.
That video gets 5 stars from me.
So Al - When are you going to purchase your Pre-Paid Legal Membership from me like you said you would? You even said you wanted to become an Associate to diversify your income and bring another income earner on board. So was this all hype to get me to join YTB? Plus I get bounce back from your email and the last I called it said your phone was diconnected.
ReplyDeleteRuss@russackerman.net
www.webinterview.info
www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/rhackermanjr
Anyone who got burnt by YTB or Mr Real logon to the above or email me. I'm not going anywhere
ReplyDelete