The Sharks Who Are Swimming...
Now that I’ve returned home from the National Convention and got a game plan together, I had an opportunity yesterday to surf a little on the internet. The drama going on in cyberspace concerning the doom and gloom surrounding everyone’s favorite subject has escalated once again. I must say that our critics are a very accomplished bunch. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that along with being Travel Experts, they also happen to be the be all and end all concerning the IRS, Franchising, and now of course both Civil and Class Action Law.
I continue to be amazed and dazzled in just “What Our Critics Really Know”.
With so much time being focused on our company right now, surfing and posting day after day, checking every news outlet, and posting on any number of blogs and message boards, I have to seriously question how financially feasible this activity really is. The obsession has escalated to a point that I find it hard to believe some are even sleeping at night.
And we’re the ones who have the problem. ;-P
It appears the new hero for our critics is the California Attorney General, and while the Civil complaint has only been filed, the mere news of the event has many cackling like little school girls. (Or is that “old hens”?) The drama going on right now is certainly at an all time high, and the speculation is running wild once again, just like it did when the entire supplier industry was going to terminate Travel MLM’s. Which today has been reduced to “IATA, Royal Caribbean and others” since the hope of any other supplier actually making the same mistake has long been gone. (Note the word “others” leaves room for just about any number of suppliers one can imagine.)
Now we find a Class Action suit filed in Illinois from two individuals I like to refer to as “ambulance chasers”. The hope is to collect group of individuals who only wish to capitalize in the perceived turmoil surrounding a company. It’s nothing new or unique as I’ve personally participated in a Class Action suit, although it revolved around the more commonly accepted scheme.
It’s a perfect opportunity to play the role of victim to make money.
I was forwarded a YouTube video on Monday to help educate me on why I need to get out of YTB. I have to admit, I did get a good laugh from this quote from the Attorney Generals Office in California when a representative commented and stated that YTB is, and I quote “Is growing out of control. It’s getting too big, too fast.” I’m guessing it’s better to be small and slow?? If so, you might want to check into one of our counterparts in the industry.
The growth of YTB the last two years scares the daylights out of some people and they believe it needs to be stopped. It’s not unlike the growth of Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, and Expedia, however the difference is that YTB involves Network Marketing, and many make the mistake that because it’s MLM, it can be toppled. There’s the perception of this house of cards and due to attrition, the general public needs to be warned it won’t last.
The same myths and misconceptions were said about A.L. Williams back in the late 70’s and early 80’s and although the company was folded into what is now known as Primerica, the foundation appears to be rock solid. We also can’t forget companies like Avon, Mary Kay, Pre-Paid Legal, Tupperware, and Amway who to this day still hasn’t run out of victims in their own house of cards.
While the sharks are swimming around the waters right now smelling blood and speculating the end of YTB, just because a complaint has been filed, or there is what appears to be bad news for the sharks to feed on, I have to wonder where YTB will wind up a year from now.
The Office of the Attorney General in Texas sought to shut down Mannatech an “elaborate scheme to defraud innocent consumers across the nation” (Here is the actual suit) In a similar case in Texas, the same Attorney General filed suit against BioPerformance that it’s merely a smokescreen to trigger the recruitment of more and more paying members into what appears to be an illegal pyramid scheme.
I mentioned USANA here before, and while “critics” attempted to shut them down via the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission closed its investigation without any further action. Like YTB, there were a couple of “ambulance chasers” who also attempted to capitalize on the negative news and spin out there concerning their investigation. Playing the role of victim appears to be a popular move weather you’re inside or outside Network Marketing.
We also can’t forget the mess Herbalife went through with allegations that their product contained lead!
The battle in California started over 18 months ago when legislation was passed concerning credentials. The legislation which went into effect in January of 2007 was meant to deter companies who simply hand out credentials to anyone who forks over money. Of course YTB was caught up in this mix, and it took several months of work for the company to hammer out an agreement which has now been taken Nation wide with minimum booking requirements.
I’m sure the theory based by Legislators in allowing YTB to provide credentials to those who book anywhere between $1500 and $2500 in sales would finally put an end to the heavy recruiting in the state. The perception was that even these minimal requirements would slow YTB’s rapid growth. We now know that their plan backfired as California exploded in 2007, largely due to separating ourselves from other “card mills”.
Oooops.
Now it appears to some that YTB has come to an impasse in the road. Cornered with no escape…yet again. I can’t say that I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard this before, because I have been counting, and you should too.
YTB has always prevailed in the past, and this blip on the radar is no different. I think we might get our first taste of just how mislead our critics are come Friday when YTB files its Quarterly report. Rumor has it that there will be an even larger loss than Q1 by the self proclaimed “Head Critic”.
Should be a enlighting for sure!
I continue to be amazed and dazzled in just “What Our Critics Really Know”.
With so much time being focused on our company right now, surfing and posting day after day, checking every news outlet, and posting on any number of blogs and message boards, I have to seriously question how financially feasible this activity really is. The obsession has escalated to a point that I find it hard to believe some are even sleeping at night.And we’re the ones who have the problem. ;-P
It appears the new hero for our critics is the California Attorney General, and while the Civil complaint has only been filed, the mere news of the event has many cackling like little school girls. (Or is that “old hens”?) The drama going on right now is certainly at an all time high, and the speculation is running wild once again, just like it did when the entire supplier industry was going to terminate Travel MLM’s. Which today has been reduced to “IATA, Royal Caribbean and others” since the hope of any other supplier actually making the same mistake has long been gone. (Note the word “others” leaves room for just about any number of suppliers one can imagine.)
Now we find a Class Action suit filed in Illinois from two individuals I like to refer to as “ambulance chasers”. The hope is to collect group of individuals who only wish to capitalize in the perceived turmoil surrounding a company. It’s nothing new or unique as I’ve personally participated in a Class Action suit, although it revolved around the more commonly accepted scheme.
It’s a perfect opportunity to play the role of victim to make money.
I was forwarded a YouTube video on Monday to help educate me on why I need to get out of YTB. I have to admit, I did get a good laugh from this quote from the Attorney Generals Office in California when a representative commented and stated that YTB is, and I quote “Is growing out of control. It’s getting too big, too fast.” I’m guessing it’s better to be small and slow?? If so, you might want to check into one of our counterparts in the industry.
The growth of YTB the last two years scares the daylights out of some people and they believe it needs to be stopped. It’s not unlike the growth of Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, and Expedia, however the difference is that YTB involves Network Marketing, and many make the mistake that because it’s MLM, it can be toppled. There’s the perception of this house of cards and due to attrition, the general public needs to be warned it won’t last.
The same myths and misconceptions were said about A.L. Williams back in the late 70’s and early 80’s and although the company was folded into what is now known as Primerica, the foundation appears to be rock solid. We also can’t forget companies like Avon, Mary Kay, Pre-Paid Legal, Tupperware, and Amway who to this day still hasn’t run out of victims in their own house of cards.
While the sharks are swimming around the waters right now smelling blood and speculating the end of YTB, just because a complaint has been filed, or there is what appears to be bad news for the sharks to feed on, I have to wonder where YTB will wind up a year from now.
The Office of the Attorney General in Texas sought to shut down Mannatech an “elaborate scheme to defraud innocent consumers across the nation” (Here is the actual suit) In a similar case in Texas, the same Attorney General filed suit against BioPerformance that it’s merely a smokescreen to trigger the recruitment of more and more paying members into what appears to be an illegal pyramid scheme.
I mentioned USANA here before, and while “critics” attempted to shut them down via the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission closed its investigation without any further action. Like YTB, there were a couple of “ambulance chasers” who also attempted to capitalize on the negative news and spin out there concerning their investigation. Playing the role of victim appears to be a popular move weather you’re inside or outside Network Marketing.
We also can’t forget the mess Herbalife went through with allegations that their product contained lead!
The battle in California started over 18 months ago when legislation was passed concerning credentials. The legislation which went into effect in January of 2007 was meant to deter companies who simply hand out credentials to anyone who forks over money. Of course YTB was caught up in this mix, and it took several months of work for the company to hammer out an agreement which has now been taken Nation wide with minimum booking requirements.
I’m sure the theory based by Legislators in allowing YTB to provide credentials to those who book anywhere between $1500 and $2500 in sales would finally put an end to the heavy recruiting in the state. The perception was that even these minimal requirements would slow YTB’s rapid growth. We now know that their plan backfired as California exploded in 2007, largely due to separating ourselves from other “card mills”.
Oooops.
Now it appears to some that YTB has come to an impasse in the road. Cornered with no escape…yet again. I can’t say that I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard this before, because I have been counting, and you should too.
YTB has always prevailed in the past, and this blip on the radar is no different. I think we might get our first taste of just how mislead our critics are come Friday when YTB files its Quarterly report. Rumor has it that there will be an even larger loss than Q1 by the self proclaimed “Head Critic”.
Should be a enlighting for sure!
PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
Labels: Critics, MLM Myths, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM
