One of the premises of this blog is that the MLM crowd are mere opportunists. Once travel becomes unprofitable, too complex, or is drawing too much scrutiny, they likely will be off to decimate another industry.
Last fall, they postured for their next industry--the automobile industry. The initial pitch to the public was "buy any car at any MLM website and save money." The pitch to the MLM members was "refer your friends and family to your website and make an easy $500 when they buy a car. Everyone needs a car."
I will give credit where credit is due, and the MLM industry is not afraid to try something new. But, at what point does "something new" border on ridiculous?
One company proclaims to be a travel company, but they are selling cars? So, what are they? They are also selling tents and flowers. Seems they are grasping for straws (or revenue) from any source rather than concentrating on their core business.
The same company came up with an Olympic package only to not do their due diligence and left someone holding a $3 million bag of Olympic tickets that are not to be distributed to non-Chinese nationals.
But the whole car concept boggles the mind. Are they really selling any cars? How big is the network?
After some investigation it became it was apparent that the program was run through one dealership in Wood River, IL. And only on a few brands. And only when it was picked up at the dealership. SO, is this now such a good deal for the California customer?
So, I guess the question remains, how is that car program working for all the RTAs? Or is this just another cockamamie idea that did not work? And what about the licensing issues brought up by Ted?
It's working fine thank you--and we are bringing on different manufacturers as we speak.
ReplyDeletePersonally I Have sold three to my family and Coach is right---at some point everyone will need a car.
And for right now you do need to go to Wood River to pick up the car, but that will change, but you know what? That is a perfect time to go to a red carpet day---pick up your new car whihc you bought ast a bargain and learn about a great opportunity!
And everyone nees food, so when do you become a grocery store?
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone will need a toilet...so why not get into the plumbing business?
And everyone will need money eventually, so give it away free...
And everyone will need gas, so why not become a has company?
Wow those needs are endless....why not make YTB the jack of all trades? YTB and its execs are cluesless, and have no direction. Anything to earn a quick buck.
I can hear it now..."Coach" told us that we could sell "ANYTHING"! There is always a market for something!
Everybody you know is going to be dead someday, so why not YFB Your Funeral Biz! You could hang out in hospice wings and give out your card. Think of all the hospice workers you could recruit! Oh just picture it now....
ReplyDeleteWhen someone dies you could make a tacky green wreath that says " ask me how I got this funeral for free!"
Death could be big business. And if you can pretend to be a travel agent, you could certainly pretend to be a funeral director couldn't you?? Stand around, look sad, hand out a kleen-x... I can't believe coach hasn't called this play yet! Everyone within 3 feet of you is going to be dead someday. Why aren't you taking advantage of this amazing multi million dollar opportunity??
I'm sure they are dying to get into the funeral business!
ReplyDeleteAnd since YTB sells flowers they could order them from someone in their downline. Oh and maybe a hearse from YTB cars too!!
ReplyDeleteTruly borders on ridiculous but not really because they remind me of bad used car salesmen
ReplyDeleteActually, Coach would be wrong - not everybody needs a car. My husband and I went "carless" just two years ago now, we use public transport to work, and when we "need" a car (like this weekend for grocery/and garden center) we use a "car share" - Zipcar. For the rare occasion we need to go somewhere far, we rent. All in all, our costs for this (not counting Metro) are less than we were paying on insurance for our LandRover. I can't begin to tell you how liberating it is not have a car to worry about, park, maintain/repair, or fill with gas - oh yes, Zipcar includes the gas and insurance.
ReplyDeleteThis works great. Used car salesmen are some of the powerhitters of the mlm world. So this is a natural fit.
ReplyDeleteMy neighborhood is "chock a block" with flourishing florists....five within approx. 20 blocks. Can't remember the last time one closed....
ReplyDeleteI send and buy flowers from a local florist. That way, if they arrive dead or dying it's easy to take care of. Same with cars. And I sure would buy from Costco before I bought from YTB. They have a good reputation. And I'm told they beat YTB hands down with selling travel too!
ReplyDeleteSo if you are in YTB and selling cars and flowers and God knows what else, then why do you refer to yourselves as travel agents rather than car salesmen or florists? For a group that seems so down on travel agents, you sure are in a hurry to pretend that you are one of us.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone buy a car from YTB? If it's a new car, and the warranty requires dealer repairs would you ship it back to Woods Hole? I, too, have always bought cars from local dealers so have no knowledge of how that works. Does YTB sell every kind of car? If your family wanted to buy a car from you, would you push YTB rather than a local dealer, even if the local price were lower? Just to take the commission?
ReplyDeleteWhat a joke! YTB selling travel, flowers and cars.
ReplyDelete"Personally I Have sold three to my family" Same behavior selling to family and friends just like with travel. If you people actually had to WORK for a living it would be simply amazing. Talk about a lazy bunch that's YTB.
I find it really interesting that YTB claims to be such a great Christian organization, but that the reps take such great pleasure in implying that brick and mortar agencies, and now florists, are closing because of them. What does it say about a company who's reps take such pleasure in the demise of someone else's company.?
ReplyDeleteI think anon with the 3 car sales is fibbing to make it look good. I bet the only people who buy YTB cars or flowers are YTb. They are the only ones who will happily pay more than necessary to get a cut. It's the same way with travel sales. their prices are easily beaten with know how, but ytb members LIKE to pay more for less.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how to send a link to John, so I am just going to post it here. The link is to the latest posted, fiscal year-end financial report of Ole's favorite charity, the NFCR. Now, I am no expert on the subject of what makes a Charity financially responsible to the cause, but if I am reading it right, it appears that about 1/3 of revenues are earmarked for research. Is that good? I don't know. It also appears that a significant portion of that money earmarked for research may be tied up in mutual funds, stocks and other securities...which seems odd to me. Again, I am not an expert on Charities, and I am not a CPA. Perhaps somebody with more knowledge of the inner workings of Charities, and their Financial Statements could tell if the NCFR is worthy of our support.
ReplyDeleteThe link: http://www.nfcr.org/Portals/0/Documents/2006-NFCR_AuditReport.pdf
You should know that feeling well Ole. Much ado about nothing and that's just what those programs are. Nothing. Interesting post about your 'charity' don't you think?
ReplyDeleteanonymous said:
ReplyDelete"What does it say about a company who's reps take such pleasure in the demise of someone else's company?"
This statement is a classic.
Brought to you by one of many TTAs who loathes YTB and would like nothing more than to see YTB close their doors.
The pot calling the kettle black.
Always fun to peer into the minds of the TTAs.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Glad to see you are still Mixed Up.
ReplyDeleteAnon was commenting on your great Christian attitude. Now you can comment on his/hers.
I don't think 'loathe' is the word I would use toward ytb. It's more like regret that ytb sullies the travel industry with the mlm approach. I would welcome ytb if they'd stop using travel as a carrot and just sell it. Then we would be peers and ytb would earn the respect it so yearns for. But that ain't gonna happen is it?
ytb is in the mlm business, not cars, not flowers and not travel. Period.
Eddie said..."You should know that feeling well Ole. Much ado about nothing..."
ReplyDeleteEddie, I'm certainly glad to see you agree with me on the trivialities of the anon post's.
Interestingly, John says, "the whole car concept boggles the mind." I'm not sure just why he feels that way but it appears YTB easily and regularly boggles the minds of a few TTA's.
Eddie further said, "..and that's just what those programs are. Nothing."
Nothing? I think the word describes what you, Eddie, don't know about the "programs". They are enhancements to our travel business and provide different streams of income to the RTA and YTB. And get this, when introduced to a new potential Rep, they are amazed and happy to see these value added sites piggy-backing off their travel booking engine.
Say what you will, but it is pure genius that YTB has added these offerings for my business. BTW, YTB cars is a pilot program. As you know, it has not branched out to all states yet. So I'm not sure what all the big ballyhoo from John is all about.
And lastly Eddie said, "Interesting post about your 'charity' don't you think?"
About what?
Olescorekeeper
NFCR
It's interesting that AA is listed on their website and YTB is not. A donor would have no way of knowing just what amount would actually reach them via YTB. I personally donate directly to the Cancer Center locally, where 100% of the donations are used locally. I think using the NFCR as a tag line is more for your credibility than their benefit. jmho.
ReplyDeleteOlescorekeeper - How do you make a living? Really? You can't be selling travel, no one in their right mind would buy flowers or a car from a travel site, you can't be recruiting, so how do you survive? Welfare? Or is all your income from your downline? You have a lot of time on your hands, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteCostco does not sell cars. They have a buying program where you get fleet prices locally. You get discounts on home and auto insurance through Ameriprise. Costo isn't selling it, but you get a discount. Same for flowers, but they're much cheaper than most places. Just go to Costco.com and click on services. Costco also sells travel. The agency is owned by Costco. Is it cheaper than a TTA? NO. You get what you pay for and with Costco Travel, you get a real live agent that knows something. Sure, they can beat YTB's price any day, just like a TTA can and does.
John said, "After some investigation it became it was apparent that the program was run through one dealership in Wood River, IL. And only on a few brands. And only when it was picked up at the dealership. SO, is this now such a good deal for the California customer?"
ReplyDeleteHere's the answer...
The Pilot Program
At YTBcars our goal is to not only insure tremendous savings on your vehicle purchase but also to make sure that your delivery and purchase experience exceeds your expectations. During the initial launch of this program we strongly encourage you to make the trip to the St. Louis metro area to experience the outstanding level of service that you have grown to expect from YTB and now from YBcars.(We can arrange for delivery of your new Chrysler, Dodge, or Nissan to many markets outside of the St. Louis metro area). As the program matures, dealers who meet the criteria set forth by YTBcars will be added in all markets across the country.
Plain and simple for those who can read.
As stated before, it's not worth getting your "knickers in a twist" as our British friends would say.
OleScorekeeper
Just Picture It Now
This maybe an oxymoron
ReplyDeleteoutstanding level of service that you have grown to expect from YTB
FYI - this car deal is set up with dealerships, not the manufacturers. Dealers can market however they want, and give rebates/incentives to people who refer business to them, but this does not in any way indicate that the manufacturer condones or supports any particular line of marketing.
ReplyDeleteAnonymoron said..."This maybe an oxymoron
ReplyDeleteoutstanding level of service that you have grown to expect from YTB"
Anonymoron, go look up "oxymoron".
OleScorekeeper ;>)
Ole - I asked you a question. Deflect, deflect, deflect. Is that something YTB has in their manuals?
ReplyDeleteJohn's topical reporting continues. Just as he posts this, YTB announced (actually last week) that YTB cars is now available from a dealer in Florida. So, at the time of his blog, go figure he has inaccurate info. IMagine that.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, even when it was still only in Wood River, depending on dealers near by, you could arrange a shipping of the vehicle for no cost if a dealer near you had a vehicle to swap on their lot. I have only sold one car, it was to someone in Florida and there was NO CHARGE to ship the vehicle.
"After some investigation it became it was apparent that the program was run through one dealership in Wood River, IL. And only on a few brands. And only when it was picked up at the dealership. SO, is this now such a good deal for the California customer?"
ReplyDeleteDUH! It depends on the amount of savings. Years ago, some people traveled to Detroit to get their car "from the factory".
btw, YTB Cars just added three distribution points in Florida, and now includes Chevrolet. All brands will be available by year's end.
"btw, YTB Cars just added three distribution points in Florida, and now includes Chevrolet. All brands will be available by year's end."
ReplyDeleteAll the same dealership. Great for the consumer ain't it.
3 monhs ago, I bought my new Nissan XTera from YTB off my sister's website. This isn't the first time I have ever bought a car online. A few years back, I purchased my wife's car from cars.com. Anyway, I did a little comparison check between cars.com, my local dealer and YTB. YTB cost less money, and I was able to pick up my car at the dealer. Best of all, my sister made a $300 commission which she was kind enough to split with me. By the way, I noticed that in your topic heading, you posted it as $500 commission. You may want to correct that.
ReplyDelete