A word of caution to anyone in YTB or contemplating joining YTB. Please do not count the author of that blog as an authority. While he apparently has seen some success with YTB, the fact remains that after 3+ years he has still not made the director level and has not earned a binus in many many months. While I do not know, I find it hard to believe that the senior management of YTB is consulting with this RTA/Rep about the future direction of the business. That notion is ludicrous. Furthermore, if you read the blog over the past few weeks, he has told of his inside information about the news being quiet leading up to the convention. Then admits he was wrong. And then goes to blame the media for seeking out YTB and Lady Liberty as the reason he was wrong. Well, the media "interest" was due to a press release sent out; which we all know is designed to gain--media interest. Other items in the past few weeks have included such claims and fantasies as
Again, I am not the insider he feels he is, but I am not holding my breath on The Coach buying the Steelers, UPS being the sponsor of a convention prop, or Katie Couric reporting live from the YTB Convention.Can you imagine…Coach Tomer, part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Okay, hard to wrap, even for me after all these years of stability in this franchise, but like Cowher in 1992 and now Tomlin who’s now in his sophomore year, I can adapt.....UPS will take advantage of being the “Official Transporter” of Lady Liberty from Lake County to St. Louis with a 3 mile long caravan of 80 UPS trucks the first week in August........There is already word of all three Major networks having press boxes at the Convention along with more than 20,000 Reps and RTA’s.
But onto the press release. I encourage people to read it and make their own determination, but this will show the other side of the coin with a spin less favorable to thoise already in the program.
WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) ('YTB' or the 'Company'), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that the Company is contemplating the replacement of its referring travel agent ('RTA') business model (not supplementing, replacing) with the implementation of a franchise operating system, potentially in 2009. The Company expects that a franchising model, if adopted, would facilitate the Company's expansion into additional markets (perhaps not travel?) by providing more comprehensive training (this is amusing, but if true, it certainly comes with more cost as the current "training"is all on the backs of the suppliers and their product reviews) and a new proprietary e-commerce platform.
Details regarding price, product offerings and the conversion plan are all under consideration, but the Company anticipates that its existing RTA base would be treated favorably (favorably is a very vague word--favorably to whom?) under its forthcoming proposal. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB International, Inc. commented, 'We have retained iFranchise of Chicago to consult in the planning and development of the franchise model and are excited about the potential impact on YTB's business.' If a franchising model is adopted, its distribution is expected to be managed by (please note there is no mention of the IMRs--just managed by YTB.com) the current marketing arm of the Company, YourTravelBiz.com, also known as YTB.com
The iFranchise Group brings decades of experience to franchise development and implementation efforts. Their consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world's top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. iFranchise has worked with clients such as Blockbuster Video, Ace Hardware, and McDonald's.
About YTB International
Recognized as the 26th largest seller of travel in the U.S. for travel sales reported in 2007 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.
SOURCE YTB International, Inc.
OOH! Someone's been spiking the kool-aid havent' they!!
ReplyDelete1. UPS is supposed to be flattered that they are the ones driving around a giant foam statue for YTB?
2. Out of all the reps and rtas YTB claims to have, only 20,000 signed up for the convention?
3.While the reps and rtas may be "treated favorably" for the franchise sale, the majority of them won't be able to afford to buy one. Didn't they learn anything by what happened to the Magic Johnson franchise? Oh and they seem to have forgotten that no one would buy a travel franchise with no IATAN.
4. Walter Cronkite is going to come out of retirement to cover the YTB convention?
Ahhh, look at who’s doing the “responding” now!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you have to translate in yellow for your readers John. Doug however just highlighted in bold key points in the release and gave us the ability to figure out on our own what this actually means. Unlike the readers here, we have minds of our own and can figure out on our own what all this means. We know how the company is set up, and can read between the lines just fine.
No additional translation really needed, but thanks for the offer.
By the way, got a kick out “favorable to whom?”. Favorable to the RTA’s is about all we can deduct from this. No questions, no spin, just straight forward “existing RTA’s would be treated favorably”.
How dumb are you people? Really?
My point is that you can deduce any number of things. In the most basic sense, YTB is considering shifting business models because the existing one is not working. If not, why change?
ReplyDeleteYou know, John’s a real master at either adding words or taking words out to change its meaning.
ReplyDeleteSince John’s already posted the link to Doug’s blog, and I don’t know how to do that, PLEASE take the time to actually read Doug’s post and read what’s actually said. You’ll find that entire paragraphs and sentences are missing here when you compare it to what is actually written on Doug’s blog. (Excuse me…”web site”)
Take John’s statement that UPS will be the “Official Transporter”. Notice how the first part of Doug’s sentence is chopped right off?
“While this is purely speculation at this point, I have to wonder if UPS will take advantage of being the “Official Transporter” of Lady Liberty…”
Notice how the quote here starts right after the word “if”? John didn’t even bother to look for a comma, a period, nothing. John just starts mid sentence in an attempt to give this perception that Doug is misleading people. Wouldn’t it be something if UPS does take advantage of something like this?
Now John has to add, in yellow no less, his own ideas about what Scott is trying to communicate. John’s that arrogant and pompous.
It’s too bad were going to have to wait until 2009 to find out who’s right and who’s wrong. Scott Tomer or John Frenaye?
PS – I agree with Really. Don’t let John try to brainwash you. Take the Press Release as it is worded from the company to figure out on your own what is being communicated. No suggestions in yellow, just “as is”.
Walter Cronkite is like what 92 and in failing health. Doubt he is going to show up.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, you people treat Doug like the 3rd coming behind Coach. He is not the 3rd coming. Has he ever worked in a real job where he didn't have to scam people?
Walter Cronkite was injected by your side of the fence Maxine. Not ours.
ReplyDeleteYTB is setting up Press Boxes for the media. Since ABC News and WGN has already aired the story, and Press Boxes are already set up for YTB to use in the Edward R. Jones Dome, we simply sent out invatations.
Thanks for the plug John. But I thought you weren’t talking about me “web site” any more?
Not to worry, I realize that since you can’t spin your lies and spin over on my blog any more, you have every right to do it over here. (It is your “blog”)
Speaking of lies and spin, I invite all of you to see for yourself what DearlyDeparted was able to pick up on. It’s interesting that John and the rest of these TTA’s need to add or delete words and sentences to change the entire context of what’s really being communicated. It’s a technique or trick I’ve seen for years when it comes to Zealots.
Any comments from the Peanut Gallery about why John can’t copy and paste properly?
Never mind, not the subject of this post, so let’s try this…
Any comments from the Peanut Gallery why it needs to be explained to all of you in yellow what is being said in this Press Release? Do you not have a mind of your own? Can you not think for yourselves? Or do you need to rely on John to help you with your reading comprehension?
I emphasized in bold, but at least I give you the benefit of having a mind of your own to figure out what all this means without injecting what I think it means.
Have fun talking about me all day again. While you TTA’s NEVER read my site any more, it’s fun to see you get all lathered up about me.
I’ll be back tonight to see what you all have to say.
Yeah it's the non-YTB that don't know what their talking about...riiiiiight. You know Crotch and company have been so truthful about everything. You know those Olympic Packages, Fly Free program, the empty cruise ship, no need for IATAN (although they tried to get them back), no need for RCCL, no need for anything, but your hard earned cash.
ReplyDeleteCrotch needed that to buy his mansion and his jet, oh and a foam statue. And I'm sure UPS would LOVE to carry your foam statue. If you think they will do it for free, you have another thing coming. Why wouldn't they carry a huge foam statue if some idiot is going to pay for a caravan of trucks?
Doug happens to be a leader, and I’m impressed with how he’s just plugged along in this business and has gotten to were he is without any prior experience in Network Marketing. He’s a great example to others who, like me, have decided to kiss Corporate America goodbye and create something of our own from scratch.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn’t care what you people think of him. He doesn’t hide, he doesn’t quit, he just keeps on doing what he does, and it looks to me like he’s happy, and I can’t knock anyone for being happy with what they do.
He demonstrates character, intelligence, humor, humility, and honesty.
I’m proud to have him as a member of YTB, even if he isn’t a Director…YET. He’s a great asset to our company and those of us out in the field just like him.
“Doug happens to be a leader, and I’m impressed with how he’s just plugged along in this business and has gotten to were he is without any prior experience in Network Marketing. He’s a great example to others who, like me, have decided to kiss Corporate America goodbye and create something of our own from scratch.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn’t care what you people think of him. He doesn’t hide, he doesn’t quit, he just keeps on doing what he does, and it looks to me like he’s happy, and I can’t knock anyone for being happy with what they do.
He demonstrates character, intelligence, humor, humility, and honesty.
I’m proud to have him as a member of YTB, even if he isn’t a Director…YET. He’s a great asset to our company and those of us out in the field just like him.”
I couldn’t agree more, and it’s sad to see how people feel the need to degrade another person in order to feel better about themselves. There are two sides to every story, and why Doug’s side isn’t any more valid than anyone else’s really says a lot about those that try to spin and sling arrows at someone.
Let the chips fall were they may. I’m sure we’ll all find out more at the National Convention about all this. Too bad the TTA’s will have to watch it on the nightly news. LOL!
Well, I’ve said enough and actually have “work” to do.
Just a note--it was clearly stated that my comments were in yellow. MY comments, and I also clearly stated that you should read the release and make your own determination. This post was just an exercise to show you how the same words can have an entirely different meaning.
ReplyDeleteNo one said Doug's argument was any less valid. It is just that he does not allow anyone to either agree with it or disagree with it over on his site. I happen to disagree with it, so I expressed my opinion on my blog.
A bit of a correction. CBS did not air the story of the foam statue. The local affiliate aired the story. Just like when I spoke with WBAL it was the Baltimore affiliate. I was clear about that and did not say that NBC aired the segment.
Of course YTB sent out invitations, and I suspect that some of the local affiliates may indeed cover a part of the dog and pony show--likely the unveiling of the statue, but to expect "coverage" is (in my opinion) a bit of a stretch. As to any national media being there, again I doubt it. While it may be a large convention for YTB and they are expecting about 4% of their Reps/RTAs to attend (but it is considerably less than that since they are all encouraged to bring friends and family)it really is not a large convention. In the past week there were two conventions that swarfed the $20K in MSY. So really, it is not that big of a deal to anyone outside of YTB---as is ANY convention like the CLIA 360, Cruise A Thon, or any franchise group convention. It is newsworthy in the context of the business itself, but "national" media no way.
I think the most important part of this press release is the actual 'franchise' opportunity.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchising
"For franchisees, the main disadvantage of franchising is a loss of control. While they gain the use of a system, trademarks, assistance, training, marketing, the franchisee is required to follow the system and get approval for changes from the franchisor. For these reasons, franchisees and entrepreneurs are very different. The United States Office of Advocacy of the SBA indicates that a franchisee "is merely a temporary business investment where he may be one of several investors during the lifetime of the franchise. In other words, he is "renting or leasing" the opportunity, not "buying a business for the purpose of true ownership."
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
"A bit of a correction. CBS did not air the story of the foam statue. The local affiliate aired the story. Just like when I spoke with WBAL it was the Baltimore affiliate. I was clear about that and did not say that NBC aired the segment."
ReplyDeleteIt’s was ABC that aired the story John.
And yes, ABC Network DID air it. (Both National and local affiliate) Please verify via the link below along with a video from the ABC News web site and an ABC News logo at the bottom right.
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4748782
That’s all the “clarification” we need, not spin.
The funny thing is this news piece WASN'T about YTB, it was about the company that made the FOAM!
ReplyDeleteGuess you didn't watch this for your "clarification" Dearly.
My mistake...ABC. But it was aired on the local affiliate. Yes it got exposure there, and then the local affiliates feed their content to ABC.com
ReplyDeleteSo it is on ABC.com's servers and yes it is on ABC.com but is you look at the logo, it says that it is .com--an internet video.
It is splitting hairs to be honest, but if you are comfortable with saying that ABC ran the story, am I good to go with saying that NBC ran the one I did?
When this aired (or it may have been another one) all the RTAs and Reps were saying it was on Good Morning America and so forth. Well again, it was aired on the local affiliate's version of GMA. Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts did not report on this!
Dearly departed, how much is Doug paying you to gush about him? All that flattery! You either are his wife, being paid or on his down line.
ReplyDeleteOr it IS Doug. Like I said making people register doesn't prove anything. Ole Doogie could make 10 accounts to try to promote his downline.
ReplyDeleteNo OLE, no Proud, and Doogie who claims he was done with this Blog. Makes you go hmmmmm.
Well one thing that you can say about Doug is that he should be a politician.....I think that he has mastered the art of flig flop. On June 22nd he was talking about how YTB was better than a franchise...and now he is saying it is going the be the best thing since sliced bread.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to agree with him it is going to be great....great for Coach and Scott...not so great for all of the RTA's that have been "working the business" for all of this time. That money will be gone and they will have to come up with more the get a franchise.
Could someone please explain to me why this big freaking piece of foam is such a big deal? I don't get it. It's a big cheap imitation of the statue of Liberty. Who cares. And the town they are trying to donate it doesn't want it.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia, New York, and Oregon have banned styrofoam. Do you know what that thing is going to do to the enviornment? They can't burn it. They can't chuck it in a landfill. And how much did they spend on that? They could have fed half the people in Darfur for what they spent on that stupid thing.
Kate-don't you know that it's Coach's way of showing his patriotism. What better way than to do a replica of Lady Liberty in foam. I guess they could always use it as a raft and float it down the Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteFeed Darfur. Heck think of all the good tgat money could do for Denyse's inner city Church and the people who live there. Think what that money could do to the homeless here in the US.
It's like offering the military men and women the free cruise and then subject them to the dog and pony show. Donate the money to them for their kid's education or to those who have been injured. Coming from a military family that was an insult!
It's an abomination that is what it is.
It's an eyesore.
It's freaking freaky.
It's an insult to Lady Liberty.
It's an insult to the environment.
It's a tribute to Coach's over inflated ego.
I don't think I'm stupid, uninformed, or uneducated, but I cannot figure out what YTB is planning on franchising and I can't get anyone on here to answer. They know nothing about travel agencies so I doubt that is the product. Could it be Rezconnect?
ReplyDeleteAs far as Doug is concerned, he said in his now website rather than blog, that he couldn't read this any longer because of the negativity. He will not allow anyone to respond to comments on his website which he still calls a blog. As with any MLM recruiter, he has not lived up to his word. How can someone have respect for a person like this? I don't believe one word that comes out of his mouth because he will twist anything to make a sale. The YTB people think of him as another God like Coach. Doug is a hypocrite and a weasel of an MLM recruiter. I wish he would stick with his own website as he said he would and stop with the recruiting on here because in essence, that is what he is doing. He is trying to promote himself. Since he only relies on YTB press releases, everything he says is doubtful.
Again, what is YTB going to franchise? If it isn't worth anything now, it isn't going to be worth anything in 2009. John's blog is much clearer on the subject than anything I've read so far, but still, it doesn't answer the question of what they are going to franchise. Does anyone have a clue? I can see a lot of angry RATS at the convention, that is, if they go.
A bit off topic, but you guys all seem to blast DOug for not having a 'blog" because he doesn't allow comments. Comments are not a requirement of a blog. Most blogs have them but a blog is short for web log.
ReplyDeleteSImply put, authors of a web log, log their thoughts ideas, stories, etc.
Comments make them participatory but in no way are required for a blog.
He has neither a blog of a website. What he has created is a pulpit. Not made of wood or metal or even foam, but a virtual pulpit.
ReplyDeleteAnd like any good televangical minister there will be people that take his word as gospel. And like any televangical minister, he has restricted those who may challenge him from speaking their mind. It is his perrogative and that is all good.
But what happened to the golden rule---do unto others....he has no problem coming over to this blog and spouting off, yet will not allow others to do unto him.
Must be afraid of something. Maybe the posts were hitting too close to home. Maybe he was beginning to realize that he was wrong. Maybe he was sent a signal from God (oops I mean Coach) to bannish the naysayers.
And whoever posted it before is correct, several months ago, he was indeed spouting off about how poor of an investment a franchise was and how network marketing was so much better!
Funny how things tend to turn around and bite one on the ass! ANd John's ass was bitten a time or two as well, but not nearly as often as Doug.
Go read Doug;s blog from June 22 which was referenced a few comments earlier. He never says that franchises are bad. He just talks about how Magic Johnson's didn't work for various reasons...one of which was that it was 5000 to get involved.
ReplyDeleteAlso, let's remember that because YTB may be switching to a franchise model. It would be replacing the RTA part NOT THE REP PArt. Therefore, it is my opinion that REPS will be marketing franchises and not the RTA opportunity. So, it will still be a network marketing opportunity for the REPS.
I think one of the biggest problems that many people here have is the inability to understand the difference between the RTA and REP opportunities.
Absolutely amusing!
ReplyDeleteThe TTAs and their ringleader, John Frenaye are definitely lathered up about YTB.
And ytbscam is clueless as usual.
Great things ahead for YTB and the REPS.
Looks like YTB is "confounding the confounded".
Just when you whining, moaning TTAs think you have YTB on the ropes . . .
YTB gives you a glimpse of the future.
And it is brighter than ever.
And this includes a bright future for the current RTAs/Reps.
This is FUN to watch.
By the way, thanks to "DearlyDeparted" for exposing John on his clever copy and paste.
As usual, he tried to throw the spaghetti against the wall to see if it would stick . . .
But the truth police catch the anti-YTB blogger every time.
YTB and TRAVEL: A Great Mix!
Well did John misquote it or did Doug change it? Guess we will never know, but it is neither here or there. The notion that UPS is anxious to sponsor shipping a prop is as ludicrous as the national media covering the convention. Unless of course old Coach decides to feed you all Kool Aid and they find 19, 997 people dead on the convention floor and a lear jet winging it's way south of the border with Coach, Scott, Kim and a big ass bag of cash!
ReplyDeleteMixed Up, You haven't got a clue what YTB has in store for any of you. Neither do I, but whatever it is HQ will be looking after themselves FIRST and all the RTA/REPs will be a distant second. But rest assured, whatever happens it will mean more money for Coach. I'm sure that's they way you would want it.
ReplyDeleteThe UPS thing is not far-fetched. UPS will have a role. Insider you will see following the convention.
ReplyDeleteI am sure UPS is transporting the statue and it probably will take 80 trucks or whatever it said. I am also sure they will present a bill for their service.
ReplyDeleteAn Insider Who Does Not Know -
ReplyDeleteJosh knows what he is talking about regarding UPS.
He is truly An Insider Who Knows.
Eddie -
I have more of a clue than you think.
Your quote . . . "whatever it is HQ will be looking after themselves FIRST and all the RTA/REPs will be a distant second."
Got it backwards, Eddie.
I will make a note in Outlook of today's date.
And I will be glad to compare notes with you in 2009.
Sorry Mixed. I don't believe you. Unless YTbs idea of franchising is different than everyone elses YOU may not be here in 2009.
ReplyDeleteTa Ta.
Guess whos the author?
ReplyDeleteFrom one blog:
It looks like the Lady Liberty is quite newsworthy this season. Perhaps UPS will capitalize as being the "Official Transporter" of Lady Liberty from Lake County to St. Louis with a 3 mile long caravan of 80 UPS trucks the first week in August.
This isn't the first time Lady Liberty has made news. Back in April, ABC news gave did a segment on the building progress, which was also aired on Good Morning America the next morning. News coverage will continue through the convention right up to the final resting place of Lady Liberty, which looks like it will be at Crown Point, Indiana. There she will stand tall as a tribute to fallen police officiers, fire fighters, and soldiers.
From another, more popular blog mentioned here:
I have to wonder if UPS will take advantage of being the “Official Transporter” of Lady Liberty from Lake County to St. Louis with a 3 mile long caravan of 80 UPS trucks the first week in August. (The plans of 40 semis have been changed.)
This isn’t the first time Lady Liberty has made news. Back in April, ABC news gave us our first glimpse of what she would look like, and to our surprise, it was also aired on Good Morning America the next morning.
I think YTb bloggers are not capable of individual creativity. So which one was the original, and which one copied? We will never know!
Doogie, if you think UPS is going to do this for free for the all mighty Crotch than you have more issues than I originally thought.
ReplyDeleteIt will come with a hefty price tag you can count on it. Another great investment by Crotch and his cronies.
And, the little itty bitty town they want to put it in does not want it. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI just stopped in on my lunch break to thank Maxine for that suggestion to help my "inner city" church. =)
ReplyDeleteGoing back to work!!