This is just developing, but it seems that (is everyone sitting down?) a YTB RTA has collected money from Seniors at local high schools for their Senior Year Graduation Trip. Well, it seems that the buck stopped at the RTA's bank account and the seniors are out of a trip.
From what I hear (as I said I am still working on this) YTB has terminated the RTA and there is not much further info. Stay tuned.
I wonder if this was in conjunction with their new "acquisition" of ADI?
UPDATE: Not Nashville proper but here is the news report:
Parents Victimized In Alleged ScamI wonder who Anderson is? Is she a rogue RTA? Or is she one of those Power Team Leader? I recall one RTA stating that RTAs "had" to make all bookings through YTB Headquarters. Well, I guess not so much.
Parents Make Payments For Bogus Trip
Reported by Jennifer Johnson
POSTED: 8:14 pm CDT April 25, 2008
UPDATED: 3:12 am CDT April 26, 2008
LaVERGNE, Tenn. -- A group of high school seniors in Rutherford County may not be able to take a class trip with their friends after a woman allegedly took their money.
The trip they were planning to take has imploded and now police are looking for a woman who may have stolen thousands of dollars from unsuspecting parents.
For many seniors in high school, it's become a rite of passage for every student to be able to go on one last trip with their classmates before graduation.
But some students from LaVergne High School are learning that their dream vacation has become a nightmare.
"My son came home and was telling me about a trip that was being scheduled. Initially, I was under the impression that it was a school sponsored trip, so I started sending in money and whatever deposits he needed," said parent Uvonne Gooch
Over the past nine months, Gooch sent more than $500 to a woman named Cynthia Anderson, who said she was organizing a senior trip to Jamaica.
Last month, Gooch learned the tour company that Anderson was supposed to be paying the cruise to hadn't received a dime.
"YTB told me themselves, 'We didn't know anything about a trip, but let us research and see what's going on.' They got back with me and said, 'Yes, Cynthia is affiliated with us, but we didn't know anything about the trip,'" said Gooch.
Not only are Gooch and the other parents out of their money, but the graduates now have no place to schedule a vacation to in such a short period of time before graduation.
"The trip is off. It's cancelled. I have the e-mails. It's cancelled," said
What concerns Gooch the most is that some parents still think the trip is on and may still be making payments to Anderson.
The alleged scam seems to have affected more than just LaVergne High School. Anderson had reportedly approached every high school in Rutherford County with the same offer.
Go on and quote the rogue TTAs (we realize we have them and they suck), but as I have said, when you bring in 131,000 untrained people in a year that are handling the travel dreams of clients, it is a recipe for disaster. Now this woman has been selling this "scam" to all of the high schools in the area--funny this seems like the instructions offered by ADI on their website--and we know they are at least a partner for YTB.
Wow,
ReplyDeleteJohn a rare two post day. Trying to deflect from the BS earlier post about that plagiarized nonsense.
OK< well lets blow this one away also. Let's assume that this is true...first off, most importantly YTB TERMINATED THE PERSON. PERIOD.
Second, the way the ADI thing works is the YTB RTA would not even be collecting money, so that partnership is not in issue here.
If you want to change your blog to bad people do bad things then go ahead. By the way, this guy in my town robbed a bank yesterday and got arrested. He is now in jail. Guess what? His brother's wife's cousin once knew an RTA-----conclusion travel and MLMs and bad mix.
You're a little slow, John. This was out on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteApparently this is what happens when you do not "vet" people who desire to go into business with you. This is the at it's most basic the problem with MLMs and a business like travel where one does not produce the "product" immediately upon payment.
ReplyDeleteIt's the little issue of taking people from "the State Pen or Penn State"....
ANON,
ReplyDeleteyou can't make that argument honestly...as it has been documented time and time again of TTAs who have committed crimes and defrauded their customers.
I certainly wouldn't say that becasue of a few stories that TTAs are all criminals.
And, remember YTB KICKED that person out immediately on finding out.
i think that whomever set up these trips is equally at fault for not vetting the seller. Anyone can claim to be a travel agent. Anyone can flash a 'travel agent id'. To hand over this kind of money with no references or industry validation? Plain stupid. A little research and it never would have happened.
ReplyDeleteShe was allowed to talk to the students at the school. I wasnt AT the school daily, therefore I trusted that the school was aware and did THEIR job in vetting the woman. Dont blame the parents wjo were clueless. This is a little misleading, because a few people's money was returned INCLUDING MINE...and I am the one who noticed it! And called the news and the scjool!
DeleteSigned,
Uvonne Gooch
I never said all YTBers are criminals, I said, "this is what happens when you do not "vet" people who desire to go into business with you." All YTB requires is a credit card - oh wait, not even that - all YTB requires is a debit card! It is YTB recruiters who have used "from State Penn or Penn State" and "from Yale or Jail".
ReplyDeleteAt least most (probably close to 100%) of B&Ms will require at least a couple of profesional (not personal) references. And some (though surely not many) require a criminal background check! And I think you will find that the majority of "bad actor" TAs are "self-employed" ICs ........
Akron Travel Agent Arrested For Not Booking Trip
ReplyDeleteMan Allegedly Pockets $680,000
AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron travel agent was arrested Friday, NewsChannel5 reported.
Detectives said a Wilkesboro, N.C. company paid Michael Reed $680,000 for a business trip for their employees. Reed was the owner of Michael Reed Travel Inc. located at 76 S. Main St.
Instead of booking the airfare and hotel accommodations for 495 travelers, police said Reed used the cash for himself.
The trip to Los Cabos, Mexico was supposed to happen the week of Feb. 13.
Travel Agency Owner Convicted of Fraud posted 7:07 pm Tue January 08, 2008 - Botetourt Co.,
ReplyDeleteA former Botetourt County travel agency owner is in jail, after being sentenced for credit card fraud. Donnie Wayne Hudgins was sentenced to 10 years in jail, but a judge suspended all but three months. State sentencing guidelines for his five felony convictions only called for probation. But Hudgins will be doing that too for 4 years. He also has to complete 50 hours of community service.
Prosecutors believe Hudgins stole more than $100,000 from his customers at Botetourt Travel. He paid $5,200 in restitution Tuesday morning. His Daleville business is now closed, and Hudgins has declared bankruptcy.
There are several other lawsuits pending against him.
Are these folks eligible to join YTB? What a great recruiting opportunity! Got any addresses for me?
ReplyDeleteSheriff: Travel Agent Charged In Fraud Scheme
ReplyDeletePOSTED: 1:18 pm EDT March 26, 2008
UPDATED: 1:25 pm EDT March 26, 2008
WESTMINSTER, Md. -- Authorities said a woman faces charges after a 14-month investigation into a multi-state travel fraud scheme.
Barbara Karen Herrington, 42, surrendered Wednesday to detectives in Westminster. She is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center, according to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives began investigating Herrington's involvement in a series of thefts where at least 35 Carroll County residents reported being defrauded of more than $115,000 by Herrington's North Carolina-based "Southern Travel LLC."
Police in Mooresville, N.C., assisted in the probe along with several Maryland law enforcement agencies and the Carroll County State's Attorney Office.
Officials said there were more than 70 fraud reports, as far away as New York.
In Maryland, investigators said many victims purchased a seven-day vacation to Hawaii after attending a December 2006 presentation given by Herrington at the Westminster VFW.
Authorities said the trip, which was valued at $1,025, included airfare, a rental car, hotel room and a cruise aboard a Norwegian cruise ship.
"Representing itself as a Retail Travel Agency, Southern Travel LLC accepted cash personal checks and credit card information from customers, booked trips with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Albuquerque, New Mexico Blue Sky Tours Inc., but later canceled accommodations," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
"After cancellation, Southern Travel LLC diverted refunds into business accounts without returning them to customers," authorities said.
Some of the victims learned what happened as they made final travel confirmations or discovered erroneous travel charges to their accounts.
BRIEF: Des Plaines travel agency owner charged in fraud case.
ReplyDeleteFrom: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) Date: September 28, 2007
Sep. 28--DES PLAINES -- The owner of a Des Plaines travel agency was charged with defrauding customers out of thousands of dollars for airline tickets to the Philippines that were never delivered, police said Thursday.
Jacqueline Soriano, 46, of the 900 block of North Wheeling Road, Mt. Prospect, was charged with two felony counts of theft for allegedly taking more than $30,000 from two customers then using the money to pay off debt, police said.
"I'm sure she has been doing this for a while," said Des Plaines Police Cmdr. Rich Rozkuszka. "We've been getting a ...
There are more of you RATS oops I mean RTA's committing fraud than TTA's. All you have to have is a valid credit card to become a RTA, no credit check, no background check. Sure there are some TTA's that have gone south BUT not in the sheer numbers YTB has. Plus, there are more scumbags in the RATS numbers than TTA's.
ReplyDeleteTravel and MLM's NOT a good mix!
http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/PSAMain/home.html
Can't you guys read? I said there were rogue TTAs and that they sucked! But what we are witnessing is the tip of the MLM iceberg.
ReplyDeleteMLM does not work for travel. Most people in YTB are not earning any money. THey are recruiting 130K a year knowing the majority are not going to earn a penny. This is what you get when you do not compensate your "employees" you run the risk of theft and bad press.
So, since November, we have seen three news broadcasts of YTB people scamming consumers. Do you see this increasing? It will. With more people, you will have more of this type of problem.
We discussed it and YTB cannot make everyone that gets scammed whole. So what happens is that YTB gets a bad name and the travel industry as well. So what happens after that...no problem, YTB moves onto flowers or cars and whatever the next move is for Scotty and Coach and leaves the legitimate people in the travel industry behind to clean up the carpet upon which they &^%$. I dare not say the actual word as I am sure it will offend all of these upstanding Christian people like Ms. Anderson from Tennessee.
Anon said, "There are more of you RATS oops I mean RTA's committing fraud than TTA's."
ReplyDeleteFar from the truth Anonymouse. If it was true, John would be blasting it all over his blog and everywhere else. Don't forget, according to John, he searches and researches for 30 minutes per day looking, hunting, wishing, hoping, praying.... It's funny how he thinks he is hurting YTB. It's just the opposite when you consider how many times he's been proven wrong. If you think about it, he actully is in the servitude of YTB and doesn't even charge Coach a dime for his 30 minutes per day. Quite a bargan. ;>)
Olescorekeeper Clik on OleScore for the lastest "Just Picture It Now"
John said...Can't you guys read? I said there were rogue TTAs and that they sucked!
ReplyDeleteCan't you remember? You said, "Go on and quote the rogue TTAs."
Ole-How much is Coach PAYING you to monitor this blog and put your warped 2 sense in? I bet you are making more than your down line.
ReplyDeleteAs to the rogue travel agents when something happens in OUR community we speak out against them AND don't defend them like you do. YTB is a pariah in the Industry. That means you are not liked and/or shunned in case you don't know what it means. You CLAIM you want to be respected well if you do then why the HECK aren't you speaking out against those RTA's giving you a Black Eye? You just turn your head ignore it and deflect back to TTA's which does not garner you any more respect or legitimacy.
Here's a little simple math to answer your question.
ReplyDeleteJF says "So, since November, we have seen three news broadcasts of YTB people scamming consumers."
Whenever you TTA's point a finger, there are 3 pointing back at you.
That would be a 3 to 1 ratio. Now that's being awfully generous with the figures as there are so many more TTA crooks to be found in the news since last November. You guys should be so proud.
If you do a little research you will learn that the agent that was arrested in North Carolina was in an mlm.
ReplyDeleteSince YTB takes anyone, from Penn State or the State Penn, I think it's far more likely that the crimes were committed by an mlmer that by a TTA. You should really check the IATA or CLIA to determine which camp they came from before you start pointing fingers and make an ass out of yourself.
To the wonderful TTAs and your gracious mentor, JF -
ReplyDeleteI have so missed the uplifting discourse on this anti-YTB blog.
Looks like JF continues to stoop lower as he now picks on women and Mothers. And he even thinks he is a psychologist.
He used to be known honorably with his pursuits like Travels with Fred, Tripso and an MSNBC travel contributor.
He now is known as the YTB-obsessed blogger.
Martha continues to show her true colors.
Looks like another RTA went bad and that is unfortunate.
Just like the TTA world, there are bad people everywhere.
Meanwhile, YTB (and my Team) keeps growing and we continue to sell more travel.
Life is good.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Mixed-Up, I so sincerely doubt you are selling anything but misinformation. You may be referring to a second class web site and recruiting some more failures but that is that. Happily, the travel industry does not need YTB, but lord knows YTB needs us. You remind me of fleas.
ReplyDeleteytbnomore (in your dreams) -
ReplyDeleteSelling a great home business to some smart professionals.
Just landed a 150 cabin cruise.
They were very displeased with their last cruise handled by a TTA.
They will all be able to book their cruise on a special link on our first-class website. Unlike some rogue TTAs (and an occasional bad RTA), this RTA will not handle any credit cards or money.
Sorry you have fleas. Maybe JF has a remedy for that, also.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Of course you won't handle any real money! I think your playing monopoly and don't believe a word of the 150 pax cruise. YOU don't do that anyway, your supposed group people at HQ do that...or...are you a rogue too?
ReplyDeleteWell keep dreaming and scratching funny boy. Coach has a place for you under the table!
Well, every example you produced was someone who was "self-employed" as I suggested would be the case. You can call them Agency-owners, but it's very possible that their "agency" is in their basement on their computer! They may or may not be YTB, Traverus, or a host of other MLMs or Hosts..... Again, no one is "vetting" these people.
ReplyDeleteGood for yo uon 150 person cabin! Everyone's groups are falling apart in the past two weeks, so we'll see if your's goes - hope it's with a line that pays better than CCL!
As for me - had a cold call for Cruise West - booked and paid in full today - has to be PIF if travel within 30 days - not bad for a total of 20 mintues work... you YTB people have any idea what commission on Cruise West looks like? Or what it looks like for a TTA who sells a lot of it? Any of you YTB folk have any idea what Cruise West is?
Um, if the attorney general is in YTB, how come he didn't do anything about the RTA who ran off with all the money?
ReplyDeleteCould it be that maybe Ms Marchinek isn't telling the truth? John, since she was kind enough to contact you, could you please ask her??
anonymous -
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your commission from CW for your 20 minutes of work. There is "one" of you and many on my team. I love the leverage.
Actually the 150 cabin booking is for a senior group and they love to cruise. Princess is a great cruiseline.
And YTB corporate is providing some great resources including the web link exclusively for the group.
I love the internet and the great capabilities that YTB provides.
No envy here, anonymous. I have no desire to be a TTA like you.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Hi. I just read the piece about the lady who aspired to the level of a TTA copy cat crime called, "take the money and run", and damn, they only mentioned YTB once..WHAH WA! No harsh words for the company at all!
ReplyDeletesenior moment group! Who would overpay booking with YTB? Only imaginational figments like to over pay. Mixed up is mixed up! Delusional might be more to the point. poor boy!
ReplyDeletegood night lucy.
I have checked YTB rates they are higher than both Travelocity and Expedia. What a rip off.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh6O1YEDwLY
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this link about YTB
So Tomer is donating the statue to be a monument in memory of fallen police officers and soldiers??? What a low-life!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo YTB are fake "Travel Agents", and they continue with a fake "Lady Liberty" go figure. First you play the get rich quick scheme and now they are trying the patriotic scheme. Talk about playing with peoples minds.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a veteran, what a insult. Scam artists praying on peoples hearts and souls. In memory of fallen police officers and soldiers...what a load of crap. Yeah thanks for the "foam" statue...wonder which "bright" mind at YTB came up with this? It's quote possibly the most pathetic thing I have seen come out of YTB in awhile.
So, if the attorney general is in YTB, and a YTBer commits a crime, can the attorney general investigate, or is that a conflict of interest??
ReplyDeleteIf someone could please get ahold of Crystal Marchinek and ask her?
ytbscam -
ReplyDeleteIf you are insulted as a veteran about this, the "pathetic" fingers point right back at you.
"In memory of fallen police officers and soldiers...what a load of crap"
The only "load of crap" I know of is everytime you post on this blog.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Nice gesture donating the foam statue. Hope it holds up. I had to laugh...the knowledge of the RTAs is amazing.... from a comment on the YouTube piece:
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that this is being donated in memory of men and women who have given their lives for others after many will enjoy seeing "her" in St. Lewis for the YTB Convention. I am so excited for those who get to really see her. I am proud to be an American and proud to be involved and part of YTB.
Carol Holm
Carol--it's St. Louis! Not Lewis---and no that was not a typo on her part so don't even try to say it was!!
131,000 and just this little problem - bahumbug . . .
ReplyDeleteTTA's scam more people in a month than ytb'ers will in a decade.
Geez - such drama.
Perhaps ytb will make it good since they had such a profitable quarter / year . . . Just maybe?
Anyhoo - get a grip mr. sensational!
Tom
Former Carnival Cruise CEO joins YTB Board of Directors:
ReplyDeleteBob Dickinson former CEO of Carnival is responsible for building Carnival from 1 ship to a cruise line larger than all the others combined! Bob officially joined the YTB Board of Directors on Monday! Welcome aboard Bob from the OleScorekeeper!
OleScorekeeper
Sorry John to have scouped you on this one. ;>)
ReplyDeleteOleScorekeeper
OleScorekeeper -
ReplyDeleteYou one-upped the MSNBC travel reporter!
This great news for YTB will result in another "damnit" moment for JF and his TTA minions.
The "mysterious" (only to JF) Florida Senator has also joined the YTB Board of Directors.
I'm sure Coach used his magical powers to hoodwink these notable men to join what the brilliant TTAs call a scam.
I love it!
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
One last comment as JF and the TTAs have bad dreams about YTB -
ReplyDeleteThe "mysterious" Florida Senator who is now on the Board of Directors for YTB is Burt L. Saunders.
Welcome to YTB, Senator Saunders!
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Ole--I have heard about this Burt Saunders for a while now. Where is it listed in anything that YTB has about this Senator. I know he is a retired STATE senator from FL, but he is not on the Board. If you want a list, please check the signatures on Page 27 of the 10K filing.
ReplyDeleteAs for Dickinson--I would be very surprised since most of his efforts post retirement have been with Camillus House. I guess we will wait on a press release for that along with the ADI acquisition!
Well, I am not certain about Saunders but Dickinson was announced at a meeting last night in Clearwater, FL
ReplyDeleteI am withholding comment on the Dickinson deal. Maybe SOMEONE named Dickinson, but it is doubtful it is the former CEO of CCL.
ReplyDeleteAs for announcements at meetings, how can anyone take anything said with any sort of veracity.
I have been to several and they all say what is necessary to create a fervor and get recruits. From the fresh Rep, to the Directors, to Scott Tomer.
Supposedly there was an announcement about ADI in Richmond..no wait it was on a phone call..but nothing from YTB or ADI on that one!
Supposedly there was an announcement at last year's convention about Saunders. But again , that appeared to not pan out.
Maybe Dickinson was OFFERED a Board position. But we shall see.
Well, it was stated that the former CEO of CCL Dickinson is now on the board of directors of YTB, it was inked MOnday.
ReplyDeleteBut, if it is true, what would you say now?
"But, if it is true, what would you say now?"
ReplyDeleteAlzheimers does funny things to the brain....
I would be VERY surprised. But I would also say that it is a good move for YTB--after all having at least ONE person in the company with travel industry experience HAS to help.
But we will see! Talk is cheap...recruiting pays dividends!
Well, John for once an honest reply. Appreciated/.
ReplyDeleteWell, haven't sold even one Carnival Cruise (though I have sold their other lines) since the whole Vikki Freed thing and basically, this just cements it- will not ever sell another! But as Dickinson remains on the CCL Board is this some sort of conflict of interest?
ReplyDelete"And as a veteran, what a insult. Scam artists praying on peoples hearts and souls. In memory of fallen police officers and soldiers...what a load of crap."
ReplyDeleteHere's an insult for ya. You're a moron. Don't you know that injured veterans are given a free RTA position in YTB? How does that equate to "praying (sic) on peoples hearts and souls"?
ytbscam said..."So YTB are fake "Travel Agents", and they continue with a fake "Lady Liberty" go figure."
ReplyDeleteCoach was going to have the actual Statue of Liberty brought to St. Louis, but the ceiling in the Edward Jones Dome is too low. ;-)
If YTB is bringing Dickinson in that's a move for them to become a legitimate host. That means minimum sales requirements for ALL you RTA's and training. The sales requirements would not be pointing people to your website or recruiting a down line. It will weed out those who are not selling travel but your downline AND those who are in it for the perks. Dickinson isn't going to screw his reputation with you people. I see it as a positive move to rid YTB of the slackers, crooks, wannabes and all the rest of you in it for the perks, freebies and the down line.
ReplyDeleteOle might actually have to WORK. Same with the rest of you. What a concept.
I hear Xango is still hiring....
What makes you think that Dickinson isn't OK with the model?
ReplyDeleteIs Mr Dickenson being paid to sit on YTB's board? Has he made a statement regarding his position with MLM. I know YTb has issued the press release but what says the man himself?
ReplyDeleteI hope the above poster is right and this appointment means YTB will move away from the mlm model and become a legit host. Then, the commission split could be better for the agents and people could actually earn a living selling travel and forget about selling websites. Is this a pipe dream?
Yes, Mr. Dickinson is being paid to sit on the board. Trust me he will shake things up.
ReplyDeleteIf you truly want a better commission split right now there are alternatives. Plenty of hosts out there that give better splits and education. Why wait for change which may be slow in coming?
Check out PATH for hosts. I would email and or call them and talk to them about training, splits and what type of suport they offer.
http://www.pathonline.travel/