I'd like to cancel my YTB store? How do I do that?

Get a FREE link to your YTB website or any other site. We've already had some YTB members request their link … will you be next? =) http://www.worldsearchlive.com

I would like to deactive my ytb so that i will not be billed the monthly $49.95 for now, What is the mechanics at present I have three recruits.

Ms. Darlene Robertson-Childs
32 Sunset St
Windsor, Ct 06095
ID# 249394
(860)729-9426

To whom it concerns:

Please cancel my YTB web page as well as my membership to
your organization. I have requested this action last month to no avail. Please stop deducting monthly fees from my account. Effective immediately January 2, 2008. This is my
second request for this matter. Please restore my January-Febuary payments in full. I have not been compensated properly for the money and time already invested as promised in 2007. PLEASE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SECOND TIME.. PLEASE CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP WITH YTB. AND RESTORE MY ACCOUNT FOR THE JANUARY & FEBUARY PAYMENTS.

I will be expecting a confirmation letter in regards to my request.

I am a widow and I have been taken advantage of. Could you please cancel my membership to YTB

please cancell my membership and refund my jan, and feb. and march dues. thankyou in advance i ask for you to do this over two months ago….Bishop d.f. Allen

April 7, 2008

To whom it may concern:

I would like to cancel my account and membership in ytb, and please stop deducting in my account effective this month of April 19, 2008. Please refund the money that I had paid since I started paying the monthly payment last September 19, 2007 to March 19, 2008.
My second request I want to refund also $500 that I gave. I want to quit coz I'm not getting anything back. This is not an easy deal these days. I'm looking forward for the answer of my request. Thank you for your kind consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Cesar L.

Mr. Cesar.

Are you serious.

Read the POST.

It clearly sez…this site is independently owned…you got the wrong site, pal.

Why not read from the top to the bottom and you'll clearly see the directions to cancel..in fact, I think I've read it about 3 times…

I woulk like to cancel my account and membership in ytb,and please stop deducting in my account,please refund the noney thad I had paid.My second request I want to refund also $500.00 that I gave.I want to quit coz I'm not getting anytting back.I'm looking forward to the answer for my request.thank you kind consideration. Respectfully yours, BERTICO DE LA CRUZ

I wold like to cancel my account for personal and economy reasons, please stop to deducting in my bank account effective 5/7/08 thanks

I would like to cancel my account for personal and economy reasons, please stop to deducting in my bank account effective 5/7/08 thanks

Read the entire page.

You've got the wrong page.
This site cannot help you.

We're sorry to see you go. If there is anything I can do to assist you, you can contact me via this board or send an email to:

admin(at)theytb.com

There are two ways to accomplish this.

1. Call YTB at: 618-463-5989

or

2. Login to your account at:

http://www.ytb.com/NAME

[NAME is your username]

Type in your username and p/w.

Hit Help.

Then click on support ticket, fill your your request and they should take care of it.

Some of you people are a bunch of losers and crybabies.

I know the webmaster of this site and he's getting sick and tired of all the questions about cancelling their accounts when you haven't even bothered to read the simple instructions that he provides with this site.

Again. People.

This is an independent site. It is NOT owned by YTB. You will have to contact YTB to get any type of assistance.

Also, I like this thread better because it spells out how pathetic some people can be when trying to run a business.

http://www.theytb.com/faq/how-do-i-cancell-out-after-i-have-paid-my-money-and-realize-this-is-not-for-me-what-is-cancellation-policy-guidelines/#comment-320

I would like to cancel my ytb account for personal and economic reasons, please stop deducting my bank account effective 5/11/08 thanks.

I have been very sick and would like to cancel my ytb account for personal reasons, please stop deducting my bank account effective 5/11/08 thanks.

I WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL MY YTB ACCAUNT FOR PERSONAL REASONS,PLEASE STOP DEDUCTION MY BANK ACCAUNT EFFECTIVE 5/15/08 THANKS

CANCELATION

Lady

Can you even read?

Some of you people are a bunch of losers and crybabies.

I know the webmaster of this site and he's getting sick and tired of all the questions about cancelling their accounts when you haven't even bothered to read the simple instructions that he provides with this site.

This is an independent site. It is NOT owned by YTB. You will have to contact YTB to get any type of assistance.

Also, I like this thread better because it spells out how pathetic some people can be when trying to run a business.

http://www.theytb.com/faq/how-do-i-cancell-out-after-i-have-paid-my-money-and-realize-this-is-not-for-m

This is too funny! I can't believe this — that people haven't figured it out. LOL!!!

Hi Fellow YTBers,

I want to tell eveyone that my wife and I are Realtors with Keller Willims Syracuse Realty. YTB is our retirement. The probllem with real estate, is that after you have a signed deal, you have to start all over again. Once you are at a certain level with YTB, you can retire with a monthly income that you could never ever expect to receive after you retire from being a Realtor.

My goal is to introduce 100,000 Realtors to YTB over the next 5 years. I am on tract. My wife and I are already in the "Coach's Corner". This puts us in the "Top" 1% of YTB. This is very "Big". We are on track for our first $10,000 bonus by getting 100 in our "Power Team".

For anyone that complains about YTB just doesn't get it. Get this people say they don't have $500. If someone comes up to you and says, "look I own the favorite car that you have longed for and it is worth $50,000". Don't you think that you would come up with the money if they offered it for $500? You bet they would!

Here is another example: Someone comes up to you and says," hey look, I have a $1,000,000 home that I am willing to sell it to you for $500". Don't you think that they would come up with the $500? You bet they would.Your YTB business is worth $1,000,000 to you if you don't quit. You can loose if you don't quit!

I talk with people all over this great country. Have you ever heard of Liberty League? Probably not. It is a set of DVD's on how to change your life in 90 days. Do any of you know how much this system cost? $2,400 and people are coming up with it in a "Heart Beat. No more excuses that you don't have $500!

If anyone wants to get encouraged just either call me or email me and we can talk. I'm 61 and I have alot of wisdom and knowledge about life and YTB. I have 11 children and 16 grand children.

Have a "Blessed Day",

David NuHavun
315-372-3024

David,

When would be a good time to give you a call? I have been in YTB about 1-1/2 years. I have had NO help from my upline, but I am not giving up. I am in my Power Team but can't seem to motivate the people in my downline to do anything despite continued offers to help the. I went into YTB for retirement as well. My husband and I are 51 and he can retire at 55 with 30 years of service. I need to get my YTB to the point it replaces my $40,000 a year income and pays approx $1,000 a month for our health ins. I know that YTB has the potential to do far more than this, but I just don't know how to get it to its full potential. I am in Southwest VA and have a wide open field if I can only hit that magic formula to make it work.

Have a great weekend,
Connie Seagle
276-686-6063
cwseagle@embarqmail.com

Connie,

I am sorry to hear, your situation. Are you in the passport 2 giving program? That may be another avenue.

What was your downlines, "WHY" for joining?

I would recommend, attending another YTB group meeting. It does not have to be your directors group. We get help from 3 different directors, none of which are ours directly!

Are you going to the conference in St. Louis?

Are you using "Grand Incentives" packages?

We are in Colorado, if we can help, let us know!

Gil & Shirl

How does the commission get paid? Am I sent a check or is it deposited directly into my bank account? How often would I receive my commission?

Dear Ranae Lynn,

In a nut shell, you earn 60% of the commissions from all the travel booked on your travel web site. Plus, everytime you tell someone about the business and they join, you earn $50.00. After you have sponsored your first 6 people and move into your power team, you earn an additional $50.00 or $100.00 for every body you sponsor. Every time your power team increases by 6 whether you sponsor them or someone else in your power team sponsors them you earn $1,000. You also earn $2.00 residual income for every active website in your power team every month. There are some additional ways to earn money like percentages from the people under you, but this is the basics.

Commissions are paid weekly and you can choose to receive it by check or have it deposited into your account.

If you are interested in YTB, I would welcome the opportunity to tell you more about it. If you will e-mail me at cwseagle@embarqmail.com with your phone number and a good time to call, I will give you a call.

I can help you Turn Fun Into Fortune.
Connie

I take it YTB is at a stand still for many of you. I would expect so. Not to mention I see a few of the agents ae rude. I almost joined YTB and I'm really glad I didnt. Actually I hooked up with an awesome company dominating the internet by storm. My sponsor is an 10+ year networking marketing guru with YTB being one of the companys he was part of. If you noticed I did say WAS. He's mad alot of money over the years with different companys. Anyway, if youre interested in knowing what company is taking the internet by storm and generating real millionaires email me with your contact information to experience the best.
gods1man7@yahoo.com

Yes, the people trying to cancel their YTB membership on this blog are idiots.

But…FOR ANY OF YOU THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT JOINING YTB OR ANY OTHER MLM BUSINESS, it's important to know that:

1. You will have to try and sell every one of your friends and relatives, and after the first attempt most of them will just roll their eyes when they see your number pop up on their caller ID, before letting it ring to voicemail.
2. 15% or less of the money you make will come from selling a product, and 85% will come from the poor suckers you talked into joining (sign-up and monthly membership fees).
3. The people in the videos standing in front of a big house with a Hummer hooked up to a boat constitute less than 3% of the people that sign up for MLM companies. And what good is a lot of money if 50% of your friends and family hate you?
4. The tax advantages of "owning your own home-based business" (MLM) are not only minimal, but if not properly documented an invitation to the IRS to audit you.

The last thing I want to say is that there are a lot of idiots in this world, but none as big as me, who signed up for YTB when my friend (who happens to be a professional MLM hopper) called me about 15 times in a week after 3 years of no contact telling me that he finally found what he was looking for in YTB. As soon as I saw his name on my caller ID I saw it coming, and I STILL answered the phone. Not only that, but I allowed him to spin for about 3 hours. But that's not all…after giving him all of my reasons for NOT joining, I ended up pulling an American Express card out of my wallet and spending $500. So I rest my case, I am the biggest idiot on this blog today. Don't you be a bigger one.

I just heard about YTB from my daughter. When you talk about 60% commission paid to YTB for travel, etc., this is 60% of what? In other words, if a cruise is purchased through YTB for $1,000, what percentage does YTB get of that $1,000 that they in turn pay the rep 60% of? Thanks, Faye

I have NEVER been in any MLM until this year with YTB. I have made over $4,000 and am having FUN doing it. If you would like to join I will even pay your first $150.00 of the $449.95 start up fee to prove I will help you be profitable!
828-652-9583

YTB,
Please cancel my membership effective 7/18. Refund a prorated portion of my $499. RTA# 387451. This is my second request.

Please cancel my membership effective 7/21/2008. Refund a prorated portion of $499. RTA# 364306 this is my request.
My credit card was charge $49.00 cancel all of this immediately.

Thank you,
Geraldine Bolden

so, are u still a YTB member or did u ed up cancelling it?

Whatever Loser

Faye,
The commission rate is 13% – 16% on cruises. I f someone booked a cruise on Carnival, which pay 16%, then YTB would receive $160.00 commission and would send you 60% of that, or $96.00. My wife & I are still in our 1st year and have made over $4,000. We both work full-time jobs and also lead the music at Worship conferences along the east coast. If you or your daughter would like to join, call me or send me a e-mail and I will tell you how you can join this business for free. I will help you be successful if you would like for me to help you.

Blessings,

Paul & Marian Boyd
Marion, NC 28752
abide@charter.net
pboyd@rocktenn.com
828-652-9583 Home
828-925-9583 Cell

Thanks for posting this information!

Also, I apologize on behalf of all of humanity for the mental defectives who are attempting to close their accounts on your web page.

Josh,

I personally know the webmaster and at first, he was going crazy trying to answer everyone of these fool's request to cancel their accounts. Now, he simply hits delete and laughs at their antics. Pretty funny, really.

Well, I wish you all success in your business. Rather its YTB or maybe another marketing company I would say please research and make sure it whats you desire to do. Dont get involve because it sounds like a good deal or because its a friend or family member introducting it to you. Research, reseach, and research. I've tried others company and its take work in order to make it work for you. Rejection is part of the game but if its your heart desire hang in there and believe and know your goals, dreams, and desire shall come to past. Its what you make of it. I thought about joining YTB until my son who was a part of it got his 1st check and I thought it was funny until I realized he didn't understand the money at all. So make sure you do the research and make sure you are not in it just for the money because it can be disappointing if you know what I mean. Have a great day.

I would like to cancel my ytb account as of sept.8,2008. please stop deducting from my bank account. cancelation for personal reasons. thank you.

If the webmaster didn't want an open invitation of repetive inquiries then he should not have stated this: If there is anything I can do to assist you, you can contact me via this board. Now being said that, this means that the webmaster place himself as a go to person who is willing to listen and assist those who are in need of direction to resolve their own problem w/YTB. Was there a need for name bashing former customers who were YTB best friends upon joining and now it reads as YTB customers have been: (1) neglected, (2) dismissed and (3) unable to collect owed money. Webmaster should have word things differently if he/she was not going to be pesonally involve for all those unresolved customers service complaints. If 100 of same inquiries came in, all you have to do is copy and paste 100 of the same answers or don't build a reply on the website.
Place yourself in their shoes and ask yourself was the inquiry so wrong even if its the same as the others that you stoop so low to call hurtful names to the YTB former customers because you are angry or fustrated. On a customer service perspective; your words placed this website from helpful to hurtful.

You've got to be f**in kidding me.
The last poster who leaves his name Anonymous is the biggest poser on here.

Dude, this is not the ytb corp. website. It clearly states that at the bottom of this website

Furthermore, even if the webmaster had a city full of assistants and was able to assist those customers, he doesn't have the authority to cancel any memberships?

Why?
Because this is a private website.

Unbelievable.

Some of you are really, really dumb.

I didn't know America's public schools were so bad that some here don't bother to read the posts.

Ok, its an election year, do we really have to start bashing our public schools.

Why can't we all just get along?

YTB Sucks,

you Suck

YTB is a big scam like Amway ad Melalueca

Please, stop charging me for my 49.95 a month. I would like for you to cancel my account now, kthnx.

If those of you who are trying to cancel your YTB account will go into your back office, you will find the correct way to cancel your account. If you had been using your back office the way it is intended, you would know where to go to cancel it. This is a blog not an official YTB site. Perhaps that is the problem that you aren't having any success with YTB. YTB is not the problem, the people who buy the site and then never bother to educate themselves about the business are the problem. It will pay you what you put into it and nothing more.

Ytb is a RIP OFF!! i want my money back or i will be contacting a lawyer. i have sold tickets and have yet to recieve any payments for tickets i have sold but u continue to take money from my account i would l,ike my 500 dollers back pronto i have ask and ask but getting run arounds you all at ytb are getting richer off us so are struggling and it's not FAIR.

This is unbelievable! You want a refund! For what? You didn't receive your travel website? You sold travel and didn't get a check yet? It takes 30 – 120 days to recieve travel commissions. YTB can't pay you, until they get paid.

What I have gathered from reading all the negitive comments on here is that you joined, did not read the contract your signed and you thought this was get rich quick fake business. IT IS NOT.. it takes work ahhhhhhh the word work, that's what you don't want to hear.

YTB is a business, a real honest to goodness business and just like any business you have to work at it and in it.

If you are looking for one of those pie in the sky make a million next week… well good luck with that.

I assume you are all adults.. ACT LIKE IT!

I would like to cancel my membership with ytb…Please do not bill me again as of today Sunday November 16, 2008.

Thank You

I have tried but was not sucessful at finding out how to submit a support ticket…but as of now 11/16/2008 please cancel my ytb membership. My ytb ID # is 405865.

I have submitted cancellation with ytb earlier, but I would also like a prorated refund of my $500.00. Please unsubscribe me from anything affiliated with ytb. Cancel my membership asap. My ytb ID# is 405865.Please do not bill me again.

I want my money back I put $500.00 on a roulette table & I did not win! Vagas ripped me off! I also want my money back from U of H I spent 4 yrs to get my degree. I got the degree but I can't find a job something about a recession. What ever that is… U of H RIPPED ME OFF! booo WHO WHO ! I WANT MY MAMA!!! BOO WHO WHO1

boooooo WHO!

Go into your back office and click on help to submit a support ticket. This blog is NOT a YTB blog and your site will NOT be cancelled on here. You can also call YTB @ 618-655-9520.

This website is a riot! YTB is a scam. I can't believe how many people fall for it. And I would love to hear from the guy who thinks he's going to recruit 100,000 realtors. How's that going?

Hello once again my friends at YTB. Some of you have made the effort to email me about the most lucrative company that matters in network marketing. For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to seek us out YOU'RE NOT TOO LATE. As a matter of fact you're never to late. Go to the web address and give us a look or call the number and get back with me. I promise there will be no disappointments in what you witness. http://www.greatcareerplan.com/?money2008 512-703-6148

Rosalyn

Ummmm…

You paid $500 for what? You have got to be kidding me! Then they charge you $49.95 a month – for what.

Haven't you ever heard … if you have to pay for something UPFRONT, it's a SCAM?

By the way, if you want your credit or debit card or checking account to do longer be billed, just cancel it!

CANCEL YOUR CARD — tell your bank to STOP taking out the payments (fill out a form).

IT IS NOT A SCAM. YTB is a legitimate business, but you have to work at it and it doesn't happen overnight. I earned $1,075.00 last week. I don't call that a scam. Scam is where you pay in and get nothing back. When you own a business, sometimes it takes several years before you become profitable, in ANY business. If one thinks they are going to sign up, do nothing and get rich then don't waste your money. But if you are looking for a business that will pay you back what you put into it, then YTB is for you. But please don't insult my company by calling YTB a scam

I was in YTB for over two years and worked it very hard made some money and had a team of close to 500.I made several 1000.00 bonuses was close to the 10,000.00 bonus was in coachs corner ect… The bottom line is the bottom fell out and YTB has been going backwards since we lost the IATA And Royal Carribean over a year ago. Iv hung in their but I still need to pay the bills. 2 months ago I was Introduced to Local Ad Link. Its in pre-launch mode and in 2 months I have close to 200 in my team and making real good money. Its a whole lot easier to make the money then YTB. First thier is a free position and the company will pay you 50% commission on all gross sales its not the meger 3.00 commission on a plane ticket through YTB ( I mean who can live on that? )Local Ad Link also gives you stock options for coming in now during pre-launch. The guy who recrutied me has only been in 30 days longer then me and last month made 30,000.00 This is a real buisness with a pppproduct that you can actually make money on when you sell it. listen to the biz overview at 527-726-4110 or http://www.LocaladLinkpres.com Dont get me wrong Im not Bashing YTB Its just not where the money is right now! If you want to make some money contact me.

YTB is NOT A SCAM.. people who cry Scam are the ones that got in, did little or nothing and blame the company for their failure. I have been in YTB for over 2 years and I love it. I make money, I sell travel and I sell travel stores. YTB is NOT going backwards.. if you are in YTB and do not subscribe to Travel weekly you should do so now.
the IATA card is not an issue, it is an old system that is used for brick and mortor travel agencies to track who in the office sold what. And if you haven't heard the person at Royal Carribean was fired for her poor judgement on banning YTB from selling their product.
You bought a BUSINESS not an get rich quick program. That is like buying a lottery ticket and demanding your money back because you didn't win? Good luck on that.
YTB has gone to extream measures to make sure that everything is on the up and up.
There are 3 yes 3 choices that YOU choose when you joined YTB. 1. Purchase a Travel site.. sell travel. 2. Join as a FREE Rep and market travel site. 3. Choose one or both of the above.
If you did not read or understand the contract you signed with YTB that is NOT YTB's fault.

YTB is not a scam its just not doing very well. Have you seen the stock? Have you seen the numbers of people getting bonuses? its way all way down from 2 yrs ago. the total numbers are plumeting. This means many are loosing thier confidence in YTB as a future. I do hope it turns around but I right now not sure. http://www.homesuccess800.comm is another good alternative . you can actually make more money on the product then recruiting. This is a true test of a good solid MLM

I think part of the problem is that people are not patient. I mean, who would go full time with only 500 in their downline. Or, who thinks that a business can be a success with no setbacks in 2 years. My gut feeling is that the people who stick with it and stay in there will be the true benefactors. I mean, now they have a FAST TRACK to LEVEL 1 DIRECTOR. There is so much hype about internet businesses that people fail to realize that most people who have successful businesses, work their business for years, the rise and fall many times before they find true success. I have been in for 2 years and haven't gone gang busters, but I still have a steady full time job and now my business is flourishing. In the end, I guess its all about wheter you are in it for the long haul or just looking for a quick buck. If its the latter, you are better off in another company because YTB is not about getting rich quick, their about helping you build a strong business you can develop over several years.

CSEAGLE, you are so right! Thank you. I have been in YTB for a little over 2years also. It is not a get rich quick busines but it is a profitable business if people are will to put in the "F" word "WORK". If someone feels they were scammed they did not read their contract. They should direct their anger at the person who sponsored them, not YTB. If they are not getting help from their sponsor go to the Power Team Leader, if that is not an option contact their dirctor..they can obtain that information by calling YTB.

How open minded are you on a scale of 1-10. I was in YTB for a year and never made what I invested.

TraVerus saved my life. We have the best compensation plan on the internet. Check it out for yourself. I DID!!

Check out the best compensation plan on the internet and become a real certified travel agent with our company.

Get the respect of the global travel industry.

It is just like Traverus and Golbal to use the blog of another company to promote their own agenda! This is in Bad Form, Bad Taste and rude.

Does anyone have Camaron Corr's phone number?

The California Attorney General is suing YTB for $25,000,000 for operating a "pyramid scheme." The department states in legal findings that only 38% of members made any travel commission and of those the median annual income was $39. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

I totally agree with Elan Celender, what away to recruit not very ethical.

Some of these comments are absolutely hilarious.

Lynette and Elan: For your information; this site is not owned or run by Global or Traverus; it is/was run by a YTB rep who simply chooses to let the people comment and write what they want.

If Global or Traverus reps want to come to a competitor's site; let them.

To thing that there was some conspiracy that Global or Traverus setup a site to draw competition is laughable.

I am former Power Team Leader with YTB and moved to another company in October 2007.

YTB is not a scam. It is a legitimate Home-Based Business. However, their program is not for everyone. If people like the Travel MLM industry, their are other opportunities that are built for the "Average Network Marketer" to achieve success. We know the "Average Network Marketer" sponsors only 2.7 people before quitting their business. If you are a strong recruiter, then you can build a huge organization with YTB. The attrition rate will be high if the organization is unable to duplicate the efforts of the leader.

Just sharing my 2 cents.

I do have to give it to YTB. Even when the company is on it's last leg they have die hards that keep plugging along. I was talking with a lady the other day who was just recruited into YTB. She didn't have a clue about the law suits, her upline clued her in after she joined. Yes she should have done her research. I could not recruit anyone into a business that was in such bad shape.
Then again not everyone feels the guilt. It's easier for some to tell themselves that the problems don't exist or do not amount to much.
For every post I put up 20 of you send me emails and post replys about how shamful I am for telling the truth. Another 10-15 take it serious and save their business.

For what it's worth,

Dave

Everyone needs to chill out here.

I personally know the owner of this site and yes, he was part of YTB, but has since left for other opportunities.

Your quote of, "This is NOT a YTB site for promoting YTB- this site is designed by a person who does not like YTB" is not correct. Not until long ago, he was an avid promoter of YTB, but has since recently refocused.

Your quote about comments on this blog helping with the engines is also unfounded. SEO or the art of getting your site ranked by the engines has very little to do with comments on a blog and much more to do about inbound links, and on-page factors such as title tags clean static URLs and content.

YTB is a legitimate company with legit. products.

I personally have left for another opp. but still think there is some value with the company.

Funny – then why delete my comments- why delete other peoples comments…??? This is an awful site- used for your unscrupulous activity.

This is NOT a YTB site for promoting YTB- this site is designed by a person who does not like YTB and allows this to go on so that people who do not understand the nature of the unscrupulous beast will fall into the trap of posting comments here and allowing others to see all the bad and not the good!! Don't you get it??? THINK!!!
The more people that go to these kind of sites and comment on them will help these people who are against YTB move these types of sites up higher in the natural rankings on Google-
STAY away from them! All you are doing is making the problem worse. Why would anyone who loved YTB post this kind of garbage on their site— THINK!
Unsubscribe from these blogs and stay off of them…
Maybe if you spent more time in your back office and with your team instead of being focused on this – you might be making more money…

Stop using these sites…You don't even know who this person is- TRY TO FIND THEIR YTB SITE- you won't!! Because he is not in YTB. They promote the sites of all the other YTBers – they do not promote their own because it does not exist.
T.H.I.N.K

I agree that YTB is not a scam, per se. It is an opportunity that must be worked in order to succeed. If you are not an expert marketer, you must at least book travel.

That being said, whoever thinks that YTB is not going downhill is truly loyal to the company and has blinders on. The downhill slide began with the loss of IATA. Yes, we know the original purpose of IATA and you really don't need it to book travel, but when a travel accrediting organization makes a decision to not work with a travel company it speaks volumes.

Please don't focus on what IATA's purpose is and the fact that you don't need it to book travel. If a client determines that you, as a travel consultant, do not have the accreditations that other consultants have, they will be leery. And for good reason. Clients have too many issues with Ponzi schemes and scams. Surely, you can understand their hesitation.

Our bottom line should be satisfying our clients. It should NOT be just pushing a Carnival cruise on them so you can make money when they really want a Royal Caribbean cruise. In my travel training, I learn that you have to give clients what they want, not what you want them to have.

Recently, there have been many high level Directors who have left the company. Apparently the company can no longer pay them at the level they were used to. The company is now down to 75,000 RTAs. Who said they aren't going downhill??? They don't even have enough money to defend themselves in the lawsuits.

My caution is to RTAs who are still loyal and want to wait it out. Please protect your commissions. I would hate to see anyone affected as Joystar agents were. If you have travel bookings later in the year or next, I would certainly suggest looking into transferring those bookings now. It will be more difficult to transfer if the company becomes involved in a bankruptcy. Please don't keep your blinders on the point where you lose money.

I find it curious that you felt compelled to share so much information but did not put your name to your post?
I also find it curious how you would have access to the number of RTA's or that "many" directors have left and the reasons you stated.
Hmmmmmm curious isn't it?
Did you hear we have a settlement agreement with
the State of California as of today, Monday, April 6, 2009.

I'm sorry Elan….you couldn't see my name at the top of the post???

And absolutely, I heard about the settlement agreement. Good news for YTB! But I think it's kind of too little, too late.

DENYSE

Hello everyone!
Personally, I sure hope I am leaving my comment on the right page…I ican't see a "start new comment" button. So, I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

However, I am a YTB RTA that has done a lot of studying and learning. People that don't make it in this biz is just looking for "easy money". They are looking at being a millionaire overnight. Sorry…my personal opinion is you have to work…nothing is free. This is a business and you MUST know your business. Just my 2 cents….

Here is my comment:
Do to an upcoming family wedding, I am not able to get to the National Convention. Unfortunately, I know I will lose my registration fee and my airline ticket. But, if I can find someone going to the convention that has not reserved their hotel room, and I transfer my firt night to them, I can save my $125.00 penalty.

Does anyone know of someone going to the convention that has not made their hotel reservation yet? I would love to save the money.

Thanks so much,
Ralph Kranchick
GoTheDistanceTravel.com
561-632-8778

Ralph,

I can't agree more, "You have to know your business." I think this is one of the biggest reasons YTB RTA's and Directors are leaving.
Quickly people are understanding that it's hard as a YTB RTA to compete with the competitors.
YTB is really going to have to change things up, if not we will continue offering the best travel pricing on the net nad continue making none profitable RTA's profitable, and profitable RTA's are becoming much happier once they realize they can get away from YTB and actually be apart of one of the most competitve travel businesses in the industry. I say one of just because everyone has their own opinion.
Good Luck to you in the trying time at YTB.

Thanks,
Dave

Elan,

You sound really proud of that settlement agreement. Do you even know the terms?? And then the AG came out and said there WAS no agreement yet.

It's really not a victory if YTB has to give up something. And by virtue of the name, someone has to give something up. If they have to give up something important, watch how many more people will leave.

DENYSE

Ralph,

Thats a bummer, you would really enjoy the convention. Unfortunately, we probably are not going to get to go either. But, have you asked YTB if you can sale your convention ticket to someone else? Perhaps someone in your downline? I'm not sure they will let you do it, but its certainly worth a help ticket to find out.

Good luck,
Connie

P.S. I too think people want something to get rich quick. We live in such a society of instant gratification these days that no one wants to work for anything.

Local Ad Link already has major issues. To many people are using ads only to discover the ad is nowhere to found.
Many YTB directors have moved there. I know one who is there and he can barely tell you how to turn on a computer, but he pushes Local Ad Link. It's been so ruff that now people are ignoring his phone calls.

I looked at local ad link but the problem is it's local. I talked to a few businesses about the idea in my area. I found that most of them want to expand past the surrounding area, such as realtors and hobby stores etc. Pizza parlors are a local ad link favorite. Whats bad is the parlors are getting screwed. They set up with local ad link put a coupon on the website and pay local ad link to give discounts to people who already go there anyway.

Local Ad Link has yet to show any real value. I watched a Local Ad Link Webinar and the guy didn't even really know what he was talking about.
As always everyone needs to do ones own research. I can't see selling a $50 ad for less than a $20 profit. They have more expensive ads, but most people I have talked to in Local Ad Link are leaving saying it's worthless.
We all know that you have to work hard to make money, but why are these people moving to other businesses and making money?
I guess if you can put in hard work for a company set up for failure you can really make things happen with a fair and balanced company.

Ralph,
Last year prior to the convention a few people found themselves not being able to go. Contact your up-line or director and ask them if the tickets are transferable and then ask them to put it in their updates or newsletters.
The hotel reservation should not be a problem if you get the word out.

I love YTB and I am here to stay! For the people that are hell bent on putting YTB down, get a life! IF you don't like YTB, and you are getting rich in your business then mind your own business. I feel sorry for you if you believe the only way to grow your business is by attacking a competitor then I would put you in the category of a Jackal.

This is a big, big world and enough room for everyone that wants to be successful in their respective business and is willing to work to accomplish it. If on the other a person that is looking to get rich quick, is lazy and prone to blame everyone and everything on others, in 10 years they will be exactly where they are today. Blaming others and broke. WORK WORK WORK is the key, it does not matter what business or you are in. IF you are looking for "get rich quick" go buy a lottery ticket, hey that just might work for you!

I will paraphrase a scripture here: Do not criticize your neighbor until you remove the plank in your eye.
In other words if you are not in YTB Shut UP and go work your business!

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter!
No Jesus No Peace
Know Jesus Know Peace

Most people telling the truth about YTB here was at one time in YTB. I mostly feel sorry for those who are just now learning of YTB's problems.
I liked YTB but the path the company is taking is towards destruction. I always say if your happy with YTB, then stay there. Thats great and I'm happy for you.
YTB has many RTA's that want to leave. The more they learn about YTB's never ending problems the more they want to leave.
I couldn't bring someone into YTB knowing all the trouble they are having.
All I can do is educate people, YTB or not about how they can offer the best pricing on travel in the industry.
Since YTB clearly can't compare people are naturally moving.

Best of luck to all of you in YTB that are sticking it out. I could do it, it would eat me up knowing that I'm trying to build a business with YTB conditions where they are, and the fact that everyone else can book travel cheaper somewhere else.

YTB has never claimed to be a discount site nor the cheapest. Since their booking engine is powered by Travelocity, YTB pricing is generally the same as Travelocity which does make them competitive.

While its true that some directors have left YTB in recent months, not all of them left of their own accord. I don't know all of the details, but I do know there were several of them whose business practices were in violation of YTB's policies and they were asked to leave.

YTB is an upstanding company who has been targeted because they are successful and the brick and mortar agencies don't like it. Although charges have been launched against YTB, no wrongdoing has been proven.

Well, I just invested 20 minutes of my life reading the blog posts. Amazing that so many didn't figure out that this wasn't YTB…illustrates the problem of most MLM's, I'm guessing: people only hear what they want to hear and don't take any action on their decisions.
Personally, I joined YTB one year ago, made only $700 in 2008. But I don't blame the company, or the person who introduced me to the business. I haven't put in a lot of time due to trying to get the business I started 4 years ago up and running successfully. I thought I could do YTB on the side and still make a go of it.
There are many things I haven't done which explains my low earnings.
I am torn about what to do…I haven't tried to recruit anybody in quite awhile (only have 3 so far). I don't know if the resolution of Moonbeam's law suit will make the big difference to me; I guess I just need to decide whether to fish or cut bait with YTB.
I wish Coach would figure out how to get lower prices on the travel that is being offered…that would help to sell a lot more travel!

Did I understand correctly that the person who started this site is no longer with YTB??

Major Tom,

You got it the guy who started this site left YTB. I don't think offering better pricing is a concern for YTB. YTB is still pushing the idea that they offer better service and quality. Truth is they still only offer what Travelocity offers since that who they use for booking.
Travelocity is not best for pricing. They do so well because everyone knows who they are.
I think that if YTB focused on these kind of issues they could gain some confidence in YTB RTA's.
The number of YTB confident RTA's is a shrinking number each week.

If you are wanting to offer a better service, you will have to leave YTB to do so. YTB won't offer the guarantees offered by other travel businesses out there. The estimate of travel reps left at YTB is 90,000 or less. We know that with in 90 days of Nov 2008 YTB lost 32,815. This is one of the worst attrition rates for a 90 day period in the entire MLM industry.

Die hard YTB RTA's will tell you that the facts are only people who want to see the fall of YTB. I can assure you that is not true. If YTB would have handled business right a year ago thousands would still be there.
Unfortunately "Coach" thought it would be better to get rif of anyone who didn't agree with the current failing business practices.

I know that YTB RTA's will continue to leave, so many of them want better but are afraid to say anything to anyone in YTB. That's why I have my website, and believe me YTB RTA's are saving whats left.

Connie,

You're absolutely right that not all of the directors have left on their own accord….some were terminated for looking at other opportunities. But have you ever stopped to think why they would be looking?

I remember when the directors made lots of money and were happy. They didn't think about looking. I'm holding an email right now from a former director who was terminated for looking. But he was looking because his income fell dramatically. YTB took away the "Guaranteed" $2000 for Level 1 Directors and it devastated many.

YTB is STILL delivering a "false" message of hope while there are Directors that have moved back in with their parents because they are not making enough money, 90 days behind on house payments, about to lose their cars because they are holding onto hopes that YTB will win. Are you telling me that directors should stay and forego feeding their families. 95% of the directors are looking for other opportunities – they may as well terminate them all.

I also have two emails where Directors were terminated without their knowledge. And you call that upstanding?? Wow.

By the way, the booking engine hasn't been powered by Travelocity for a while now.

Dave, actually the number of RTAs today stands at around 75,000. Horrible attrition rate!

And I certainly don't want to see YTB fail. No one loves the company more than I do. But what are people supposed to do. There are so many loyal people right now because they are sticking their heads in the sand. And that leaves their butts exposed!

I try to educate people also because I don't want to see another Joystar situation where they are owed $1.2 million dollars in commissions that they will never see.

And I agree, if things had been changed a while ago, if they had been more conciliatory in negotiations with California, if they hadn't been so insulent with Royal Caribbean, IATA, and others there would still be thousands more left in the company. The company has lost over 65,000 RTAs….that represents $39,000,000 that they will lose this year.

denyse,

I know that the prices my business is offering is killing YTB. I also know that the help the adverage RTA would get in my business is killing YTB. I also know that "Coach" won't change much so he is killing YTB. I don't like watching it, but he was to stubborn to correct YTB's problems when they came about.
If he is anything like the hardcore RTA's and hardcore directors then he will help continue the growth of my business through the RTA's that want more than a failing business. The hatefull ways these people treat RTA's who question YTB is helping me because these people want a successful homebased travel agency.

I get the emails aswell here is one below, I feel sorry for this director.(MY COMMENTS ARE IN ()IN THE LETTER.)

From Director Dan Neitz
Unfortunately certain people are spreading lies and rumors about a mass exodus of people and directors leaving YTB also saying that I am one of them.(It is well known they are leaving such as Bill Hoffman,kevin giguere, Bill Fox, Ryan Vanderpool-was kicked out, etc.)

These are just lies to try to get you and others to question the integrity of YTB and move to another company. Its sad that people have to lie and talk bad about a company they loved 2 weeks ago because of greed.(It's not lies and I can promise on my end it's not greed,just helping those who do not know before they get burned.)

A few top directors are leaving because of very large signing bonuses but like Juliet St. John put it, they've sold their souls. I have not left and will never leave YTB.
(Signing bonuses are for very few of the many that have left."Sold their souls." To me that almost sounds like a cult.)

I love the Coach and his family and our company. I love our product and we are positioned for the future to dominate Travel and online purchases of goods and services. (I guess he really has not done his research, I cannot help but feel sorry for him.)

Its the future and just another over priced vitamin company being built on greed and lies is not.(YTB is an over priced travel company, with no future at the rate they are going)

So if you get a call from anyone saying any of these things and want to know the truth or need help please call me at (xxx)xxx-xxxx

I am here for not so much the money I make today but because of the integrity and honesty of our founders, our products and where I will be next year, in 5 years and 10 and 20 years and what I can leave behind for my children.
(If "Coach is honest which I hope he is, I guess he really needs to open his eyes and take a real look at his business. Cause from what I am seeing it's out dated and the pricing is no good, and the product is no different than any other main stream travel company.)

I'm all in with Coach and YTB, always have been, always will be!!!(I know it's tuff starting over, but cut your losses before it's to late. Save your team, don't keep leading them towards disaster.)

please i want to cancel my membership
because i already tell the agent but he did not responce
actually iin the begining itell him to transfer my knee
he tell my knee that he will back to and talk to her but he did not. So my knee call that she dont want no more becuase
he never back and call to her.
So please i need my reponce because how did you let
somebody and you are not communicate to yout client
please give me a call at504-340-9725

please i want my refund

What's taking you so long to wake up and smell the coffee? Are you going to finish this life still feeling as if the world owes you something? Come on Joe. . . get with it! Get your self together.

Please this is my 3rd e mail to inform you i need my
membership refund

Denyse,

Obviously you are privy to info that I am not. Could you e-mail me the info you have as my director has chosen not to share such stuff with us. My e-mail is cwseagle@embarqmail.com Thank you in advance for the info.

Angelisa,

You will not get your money back by requesting it on this site. You need to go in your back office and put in a help ticket or call YTB directly.

Connie

UNBELIVABLE!, the owner of this blog quit YTB and some of you people still believe that "THE COACH" is going to make you all filthy rich? Have you thought about who is really making money out of your hard work earnings? I've been a travel agent all my life and I have followed this "travel agents" made by MLM's (YTB,Protravel, etc) and is sad to meet these "bluetoothers" (rimes with loosers!!) at travel conventions clueless about the travel business, asking dumb questions and wanting to go for "free" everywhere….
Get real and get a job like the rest of us, stop being part of this "travel scam".

I do not know who you are Amaya, but it seems to me that if you had a thriving travel agent you would be concerned about YTB at all. I have been with YTB for 2 years and I make money by selling travel. I have numerous happy travel customers and very happy RTA's.
In our YTB training it is clearly stated that we do not get or go anywhere for free.

I do not recall anywhere that it said if you follow Coach you will get filthy rich!
This is a business a real business and it is a business that you get paid for your EFFORTS. You do nothing you make nothing PERIOD.

So the person who started this site is no longer in YTB, why would that make a difference to you.

I hear so many angry people on here, where does that come from? Well for one, I know there are several people that post on this site that are with competitors, I guess throwing mud is the only way they know how market their business. There are people on YTB that got into YTB thinking it was one of those get rich quick deals… NO ONE ever presented YTB to me that way. And if that is why you joined that your lazy, get rich, do nothing, greed got you where you are… Stop whining!

Anyone that joined YTB and didn't read terms of agreement, shame on you. You are an adult, you are on this site so you must know how to read and write.

I don't care what someone told you to get you into this business or any business, as with any business it is your responsibility to get the facts, Period NO EXCUSES…

I LOVE YTB and I am here to stay! I work hard at my business and I am proud of it. YTB changed my life.. IT IS ALL GOOD

Dear Elan, I am a TRAVEL AGENT and I am not concern about "competition" by the "bluethooters", I am more concern about the reputation of us, real travel agents, when we hear some of the stories from YTB "one time" clients… IATA already had its saying about your "business", don't you get it?. If telling people that they can be travel agents "overnight" by purchasing a webpage and "recruiting" others in the process is what makes you "LOVE YTB" then you seriously need to think about finding a real job soon.
I have been to the YTB "Conventions" and have talked, personally to your "Coach" and his promise to you all is that you become a "Director" in no time if you "work hard" at your "business", right? But, you do not become a Director of any level by selling travel products but by "recruiting" and that, my friend, is what your "business" is all about: keep recruiting so that the "Coach" and his small circle of family and friends can live wealthy and happy, something he never had before as a Pastor until he discover the MLM's business….
GET REAL, GET A JOB and stop ripping off gullible people.
Sincerely,
Amaya

The point you are missing and all the mud slingers have missed is that when you join YTB you have a CHOICE! You can purchase a travel site,you can be a FREE Rep or you can do both. There is NO charge to be a rep and build a team. I have people that all they do is the travel, and they have taken all the classes (as I have) they go to the vendors trainings and are making a nice income via the travel.
IF a person wants to pursue the marketing part of our business that is entirely up to them, they can join free and build their business.
YTB is under attack just like a lot of other network marketing companies have been.
Since we live in a county that has free enterprise, a person has the freedom to start a company and be rewarded for their hard work and efforts.
There will always be people like you who resent anyone that becomes a success because you apparently are not capable of attaining that same success so you get your "minute of fame" by maligning others and tearing them down.
Judge NOT Least YOU Be Judged.
Why don't you get a real JOB and Quit attacking others?

"Real Travel Agents" That's a term I have come to love. It's actually funny. I'm not with YTB but I am with one of the "other" travel companies as "Real Travel Agents" put it.

After taking time to look at the travel industry "Real Travel Agents" have something to worry about. If I find someone who travels a lot, I can show them how to earn a minimum of 50% of that back. A "Real Travel Agent" can't and wouldn't do that.

With my company you can bring others into the business, but you do not have to. As a matter of fact you can get just a booking site if that's all you want.

Yes we have training and you can get your IATA plus others. You wouldn't believe it but "Real Travel Agents" are moving to my business. Why? More money, I have not found a "Real Travel Agent" who can offer travel at our prices.

The travel industry has no set way in how to become a travel agent. I have seen people come into this business and know nothing about travel. After some training many of them have started booking $5000 plus a month in just a few months.

I think that is saying something. It doesn't really matter what company you work through. It matters what kind of service and pricing you can offer the customer. I can assure you if you want to keep your customers, don't let them find my booking site. Chances are you will never hear from them again.

Thank you Dave, I am with YTB and I respect all the other travel businesses that are not "traditional". I also do great in the travel side of my business, selling group cruises and individual travel. A $20,000 family reunion group cruise and a $27,000 group of vets group cruise to Alaska is nothing to sneeze at. We like you are in the business of travel, that is our product and the core of our business.
Thank you for your post!
I wish you great success with your business.
Elan

You people are too funny… you think you can convince me that you made $20,000 in commissions based on (and I am quoting from this blog above)"The commission rate is 13% – 16% on cruises. If someone booked a cruise on Carnival, which pay 16%, then YTB would receive $160.00 commission and would send you 60% of that, or $96.00." That was "some family reunion" you booked… OVER 200 PEOPLE- WOW!!!! OR are you talking sales?? if you sold $20K your YTB commission was less than $2K while mine would have been over $3K plus perks , which in your case goes to "the Coach" for his "BIG BIRTHDAY BASHES", RIGHT? He & his family and associates get to go on many cruises for free thanks to you and the rest of the "business people" like yourself while you have to pay to attend the Birthday Bashes… Free enterprise? I would still call it MLM… Your fanaticism deserves admiration.

Elan, my only comment to you is that if you book travel as you say PLEASE protect your commissions. Steve Brand/TV Wilson just quit today – another Circle of Champions team.

If TOP recruiters are leaving because they are making no money, why are the peons hanging on? Just don't have any travel bookings down the road because you don't know whether you'll get paid.

You just don't get it do you?

Time will tell… Dust-up your resume Elan, time to get real!

Combined with Ytb's request that some of the Directors' take a pay cut til they've weathered the storm, Steve and TV have been building their own consulting business for the past year. They decided to do that full time, rather than take the brief cut. Not really as dire as it would seem.

I am with YTB and I am not feeling waiting 3 months for commissions. All the director's leaving at one time. Something is going on at the top and they just want to give motivation speeches instead of telling the whole story about what is going on with the money at the top.

Now rumor has it Ron Head is leaving 3rd in Line. How are they going to explain that one.

Jason where do you get this information because YTB is not telling it and they did not say that in the email they said financial,the lawsuit,the audit are the key words here. And the hostile environment.

It can happen all of a sudden the company is gone. I was doing work at home with West at Home now they sent and email out of the clear blue sky that Virgin Mobile dropped them because of the recession. They had everybody take this training last week about new rates and this week they are dropped my Virgin Mobile. So don't say YTB can't disappear.

The operative word here is "rumor". I don't know which "rumors" are true and which ones are turly "rumors". I have a hard time believing YTB will just go away because
they have a large nice home office. They like all companies
for "non-essentials" are feeling the effects of the economy. Coupled with the legal issues, there is no doubt YTB is probably struggling. But for me personally, I have never received a commission check late and that is fact.

I do this part-time, but because of the way all of these businesses come and go, I wouldn't want to buy a big house, flashy car, speed boat, etc unless I could pay cash for them. Because fact is, any of these businesses can be gone in a flash and if anyone doesn't beleive that they are being naive.

Having said that, until I get more facts about YTB, I am staying put.

P.S. Where do you all get the info about YTB you get? People who are not in YTB seem to know more than those of us who are in YTB. I am just curious. I have searched for info and I can't find any, good or bad really.

Connie, you have GOT to be kidding!! You can't find any info?? That must mean you can't use the internet. Go to google and put in "YTB", you'll get plenty of info. Also, this blog keeps up with more info than you all seem to do with your own company: http://www.notravelmlms.blogspot.com.

Also, what info do you want me to email you?

Excuse me Denyse, but I have googled YTB and all I get are the sales pitches. I just don't get all of these e-mails that everybody is talking about getting. I believe you spoke of receiving one earlier in the week and I did ask you to e-mail it to me but so far nothing. I do not have my head in the sand and I really do want the truth about YTB as I don't want to bring someone in to the business if these rumors are really true.

Of course we all know about the CA deal, but other than that, the only thing that I know for a fact that YTB did was change the way they pay travel commissions in the downline. Like for the people I personally sponsored, if they earned $100 in travel commission I earned $10. Last summer they stopped paying that saying they needed to separate the travel and marketing sides completely. I thought that was in violation of the Bill of Rights, but after re-reading it, it was not. But, I am sure it decreased a lot of people's checks significantly.

I get my info from the blogs
http://notravelmlms.blogspot.com

I also hear they stop the $2000 dollar minimum when you get to director came off an email a director sent out. Then she said most of the director's are not making any money.Not tons like they give the impression. It is interesting reading. Hey I can be objective because I have not made any money yet. But my upline is true ytbers they think nothing is going on. Well I guess if ron head leaves they should think again. They are having some insider trading issues about a memo that went out about the CA lawsuit being in tentative settlement 24 hrs before the rest of the public new about it. And some stock was bought an then the next day the stock went up. I believe the Director's left because they want to keep whatever money they got. IRS will seize your assets house,cars,bank accounts. Because in everyone of the emails they talked about financial reasons and the audits. hmmmm They want to keep their family safe another hmmmm. If I am wrong I will come back to this blog and apologize to all my fellow ytbers. But I just feel something is not right here. No company has mass exodus at the top for no reason as they want us to believe. On the call they want us to believe in the company and they can be replaced with some unknown people. The call was a motivation speech. They did not address nothing about the director's leaving in droves.

The Birthday bash was paid for by the company in full it was a reward.

I have a company that is launching Saturday and it helps you not hurt you and you can do it for $20 a month. It is called My Music Ticket. You can have a web store with up to 100 items, you will have a social network,chat,email
And if you are a musician,songwriter,band you can get royalties every time someone listen to your music or watch your videos. You get paid for page views rather someone buys from your website or not. You can promote your other businesses and have a direct link to them. You have to see for yourself. I am all in on this one because I spend all day on facebook and twitter and don't earn a dime lol. It launches Saturday at 9pm and I have a sponsor already so all I need is you to email me your name and phone number and soon as it launches I get a link to send out to my members. It is awesome. I had a store on Ebay cost to much. I had my own website cost to much to google. With this and all the traffic that is going to be on their anyway it going to unreal. They are saying saturday they are signing up 2000 to 3000 people and hour. For 20 dollars I am going to try this one. Get all the info on my blog

I thought my blog address was going to show it is http://musicticket.ning.com
email getamusicticket@gmail.com

I for one do not trust a site that hides their identity!
I went to http://www.notravelmlms.blogspot.com there is no contact information on the page and the identity is hidden,go to tools here is what you find: This site does not provide identity information;
Is this site storing information on my computer (cookies): YES

You people are so quick to tear down a company on the say so on the word of someone that hides who they are and is collecting your information every time you visit that site!!

Gee I wonder could this "unknown" blogger be a competitor.

Connie, I forgot about that link to email you the info. I'm sending whatever emails I have now.

I'm still not sure what you're looking up on the internet. I just did a google search and the second entry under the sponsored links is Bill Hoffman, why I left YTB. The second entry under the regular links says "Consumer Alert: Is YTB a Scam?"

Elan, the owner of http://www.notravelmlms.blogspot.com does not hide. There are links to all of his websites right there on that site. He is very prominent in the travel industry. But you're right, he is a competitor. Which makes it VERY strange that he finds info wayyy before you all do! How can that happen??

I don't tear down a company on someone else's say so. I've been a part of YTB for 5 years. I know the company well and I can tell when it started the downhill slide – with the loss of IATA.

This whole thread makes me chuckle.
1-I have never had a customer ask me about an IATA LOL They dont' even know what that is—you can sell lots of travel without it.
2-This is a business you work like any other. It is hard, easy, fun, not fun at times, all at the same time. Why?
Because success doesn't come EASY, it takes time, effort and YEARS. Yes, that's right… YEARS.
3-UMMM Hello people? we are in a recession!!! Every business suffers in a RECESSION–YTB is no exception!!!
of course you will work harder to sell that package to Greece, or to sell a store. Good Grief.
4-YTB sold 414 million in travel in 07, then 425 million in 08. IN THIS RECESSION.
5- I know Kevin Giguere, former YTB MVP, fastest money earner–personally. He did my travel party at my home.
HE, and others like him, left when their incomes fell from
(his words, "30K a month to 12K a month" )
Wow– I feel so bad for someone who only is making 12K a month!!! Kevin got a 20K sign on bonus from ACN, a video phone company. He didn't even leave YTB. He began calling the downline and recuiting them first. When Coach found out, he canned him.
Are these the Directors you are talking about? Give me a break– I was there and saw it all– I have his message on my phone. There's something to be said about loyalty.
I hear he is not making much in ACN either.
Ok, I"ve said my piece.
I am building a sales team of travel agents. And I am selling lucrative group travel. I make decent part time money after only 6 months. Enough said.

Mariah,

Let's look at these issues from the viewpoint of a consumer and/or someone who's been with the company for 5 years:

1. Customers may not know what IATA is and they won't ask, however, if they do due diligence like they are requested to do by so many sources (including myself) and see that YTB has no IATA, they will begin to investigate. When they find out that IATA is a respected accrediting organization within the travel industry and respected travel agencies have them they will wonder why YTB does not. OR they will find out why IATA dropped YTB. It's not about whether you can book travel without IATA, because of course you can. Its about your clients' perception of the company and its accreditation. And from the info that's floating around on the internet, they can get plenty of it.

2. No one is questioning whether it is fun and it takes work for success. To work toward that success has become increasingly difficult because of ALL of the issues being suffered by the company at this point.

3. Some of the things that are prevalent right now have nothing to do with the recession, and everything to do with the issues. The CA lawsuit HAS NOTHING to do with the recession. The loss of IATA HAS NOTHING to do with the recession. The loss of MANY of the Directors (and their teams) HAS NOTHING to do with the recession.

4. It's important to note that the $414M and $425M of travel was not sold by RTAs alone. Over half of that figure was sold by Vacation America. In 2007, with 139,000 RTAs, the company SHOULD have sold close to $3B, but it didn't. Thus the reason for the lawsuit.

5. He is one of the Directors and there are others. I have a list of 36 Directors who were either terminated or left YTB since last convention. Yes, some of them violated their contracts. But its important to note WHY they violated those contracts. The company changed their incomes along with the loss of over 65,000 people in YTB since last year. If your income were drying up, would you not look for additional income to feed your family??

YES, there is absolutely something to be said about loyalty. However, no one should be so loyal that they lose money in an opportunity. You should be making money. Coach is a terrific person, but he won't provide any money for your family when the company fails. That's why Joystar agents are now owed $1.2 million dollars because they were loyal and failed to recognize the red flags.

Just delete your charge card in the back office if they can't get your money they will cancel your website that simple. I know they did it to me when I was changing cards. The want that 50 dollars and if they don't get it you are off that same day.

I am moving on to travel councellors. I like what they offer and no recruiting legit travel agent. Check it out
They include all of this:
Below is a list of key benefits provided at no extra charge to Travel Counsellors.

Start-up & general support
2-day induction program with accommodations provided
Fully loaded high-end laptop
Start-up pack of personalized stationery, business cards and marketing materials
Support froma strong award-winning teamof 200+
Shared knowledge of 1,000+TravelCounsellors globally
24-hour help desk for you and your clients
E&Oand professional liability insurance
Administration
All invoices/documentation checked and final payment reminders forwarded
Commissions tracked, collected, paid twice amonth and available through
direct deposit
Customer concerns handled centrally
No extra fees formailing tickets and paperwork to you and/or your clients
Technology
Online professional development courses provided at no extra cost
VOIP-based web cam and phone for communication with colleagues worldwide
Marketing
Variety of professional quality marketing materials available
CRM database to manage marketing promotions inclusive of e-marketing tools
Personal, individual website
Honeymoon Bridal Registry service
Exhibition/show displays for your use
Personalized direct marketing including email offers and electronic magazine
Community
Annual conferences including partners and spouses
Message board advice from other TC’s globally
Sales & training
Sales incentives and promotions
Business Development support
ACC/MCC/ECC/CTA/CTC designation inclusive of dues and exam costs
And they even reimburse you for Clia exam cost.

TravelingMom, I looked at Travel Counsellors but they were kind of expensive. Plus they require $150,000 in travel sales. I get all of the same benefits with 80% commissions with no start-up or monthly fees.

Dare I ask Denise, what wonderful, lawsuit free, recession free company you are with that gives you 80% ???
Since you are sooo concerned about all of us YTB people, do tell darling, do tell!

As far as the recession having nothing to do with the Directors leaving—that is ridiculous. In a recession, incomes drop– people flee.
ARe you saying the Directors SUDDENLY LEFT because of Iata or the lawsuit??? Don't be silly. Their incomes dropped– just like many, many people's did, in many traditional and non traditional companies. They had sign on bonuses or other ventures to conquer. Nothing queer or unusual about it. MLMers have little loyalty and frequently jump ship.

AS far as the Iata goes, they freaked about the MLM part of it. With the changes made, we will get it back. If not, fream them anyway.

Also, do you not think that YTB is paving the way, and making it easier for the rest of the network marketing travel companies by taking the brunt of the lawsuits??
Whenever a company is pioneering they get the brunt of it.
Good grief–You must know that.
The more flack they get, the more you know we're ruffling feathers and making HISTORY!

I'd much rather see you Denyse, working your own travel biz
than spending so much time caring about us "poor unsuspecting YTB saps"

Mariah, I'm not sure you're really interested in what agency that is. And I'm not stupid enough to think that NO company is recession-proof and lawsuit-proof.

But if any traditional agency gets hit with a lawsuit, it'll be a civil suit based on a consumer's claim. Those happen and it doesn't have to be the fault of the agency. But it won't be because there are investigations into being an illegal business model.

The funny thing about being recession-proof is wasn't that a large part of YTB's marketing based on being a recession-proof opportunity???? Huh.

Directors started leaving right after the 2008 Convention. That was BEFORE any word hit of a recession. Please understand that. And their incomes dropped because a LOT of people lost faith in the company and could NOT present this as a viable opportunity to so many people already having financial issues.

I absolutely do believe that YTB has paved the way for many travel MLMs. That's unfortunate also because they have watched YTB's journey and have done the exact opposite to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

But also remember much of what YTB has experienced was unnecessary. When the loss of IATA hit, they were insulent saying they didn't need IATA, instead of working with them to see what needed to be corrected. When the loss of RCCL hit, they said they didn't need RCCL and would never sail with them again instead of trying to correct the issues.

We see that insulence gets you no where fast. And I am successful in my business. Trust me, I've said what I needed to say to warn people. I don't spend a lot of time doing that. If anyone is hurt by this company it will fall on them because they failed to see the red flags. The ones at the top who were making millions are leaving everyday. Why are those who making close to nothing being so loyal to YTB rather than their pocketbooks??

One BIG reason their incomes dropped is because after the convention, YTB stopped paying the 10% override commission. The reason given was to completely separate the travel side from the marketing side, but I think it was because it was costing them too much. I thought that was a violation of the Bill of Rights but after carefully reading it I realized it wasn't. People only hear what they want to hear and I was guilty of that as well. I have defended YTB, but I starting to second guess that now. I am starting to see why the little things that I thought didn't quite add up really didn't add up. I feel almost guilty about the people I have sponsored. I am still in YTB and I am going to stay there for a couple more months simply because I have booked a honeymoon and I want to have access to everything so I can make sure the couple gets their trip, but after that I am not sure what I am going to do. Perhaps by then things will be clearer to me.

Good to hear Connie!! I understand what you mean about feeling guilty about the people sponsored. Do you think they have a good chance of earning money where they are? It certainly isn't easy to present the opportunity and with the limited vendors on the travel side there will certainly be opportunities missed.

You also have the option of transferring that booking just in case something happens between now and the next couple of months. Remember, there is still a fine to be paid to CA and where is the money coming from??

I found out today travel councellors don't do beginners. You have to have $200,000 in travel first but she did give me a website to look at for help with starting out it is http://www.path4hosts.com/index.asp And YTB try to make it like travel is not important well I see now I can't get a host until I have been booking a lot of travel somewhere.
So I am going to check that out and see what it is and if I can find someone that trains beginners. She said they are just their to boost your travel sales and to help you do better. $200,000 is a lot of trips and you have to be full time to get in their program. If I was booking that much I don't know why I would need them I just don't get that part. If I was an agent I will already have the credentials.
But I guess they cut down your advertising expenses and renew all your credentials for you who knows. I just have to move on from that and get me a piece of that commission that is obviously out there and people are making it because I seen two ladies in this area under them so they got to be making the money to join.
So don't give up if you want to be a travel agent I am not I might have to take a few classes first and find a host to get this career started. Only thing YTB has done for me is show me that I want to be a TA for real.

I told you that traveling mom. Email me (dturner@rx4fun.info) and I'll give the you name of a great host that works well with beginners – NO fees and MORE commissions. I don't want to post it because I'm not trying to move people away. Just want them to be careful.

Gee, TRAVELING MOM=
If you are already in YTB, and you have a state of the art booking engine, just go to Vista print and print your cards and start selling travel! Take the Mancini classes, 29.00 each and when you complete them, you are a TA. I'm not sure I understand your problem. Any company you go with will take work.

"Connie @ 11:57 am said:
One BIG reason their incomes dropped is because after the convention, YTB stopped paying the 10% override commission. The reason given was to completely separate the travel side from the marketing side, "

Thank CA, and the other Travel MLM's, and TA's for complaining about that over ride to the point that YTB had to comply, and DROP THAT OVER RIDE as their attorneys told them to so they would have a better chance of proving that they are a legitimate travel company. To make up for the 10%
take away, they gave you 10% more for yourself. After all, it's about TRAVEL BOOKINGS RIGHT? It's more professional that way.
I like it better too, because I can tell people that say, "What do you make off of the travel I sell?" I tell them, "Not a dime honey, but I'll help you anyway since you bought a site from me. I make 100.00 when I sell you the travel site." I then proceed to help them solicit their first cruise and get started earning a free cabin and serious commissions. That is why I have 100% retention in my group. We sell travel.

Traveling Mom can also go to a traditional host, get the same training for FREE and become a Travel Agent. (YTB's training does not make a Travel Agent in the industry – only in YTB). She can also earn more commissions AND have more vendor inventory to choose from to service her clients that MAY want Royal Caribbean or Norwegian or any other vendor that won't work with YTB. THAT'S the problem.

And I left out not have to pay $50 a month for a state of the art booking engine. I pay NOTHING for mine AND earn more commissions.

Denyse,
What is illegal about the MLM business model?? Didn't Amway already with it's lawsuits pave the way for us?
An illegal pyriamid is when there is no product.
An illegal business model in MLM is where you are paid to recruit someone, no product is sold. They sign up with money only.
When we sell a travel store, we are paid a commission. What on earth is illegal about that????
CA is simply doing what someone who is sleeping with the DA, who is a TA certified the "traditional way" told them to do. Harass a good company. Any person looking at the business model who has half a brain can see it's ingenius.

Do some people recruit and sell stores and promise the moon but then leave the newly sponsored person out to dry?? yes.
That happens in every company. If you don't want to help your new person succeed in their new business, you shouldn't be selling them a store.

But you cannot tell me that the opportunity to succeed is not there. I tell people, "If you don't point people to your site, you will not make anything. If you don't like to talk to people and sell vacations, you will not make anything. IF you don't like people, you will not do well in this biz. Please don't bother buying a store from me if you can't follow directions and spend some time doing this. It takes effort! "
Why do I defend and not leave, even while "the millionaires directors you say are leaving?" Because, I'm making a nice PT income and cruising for free. Why else?
As far as people dropping out, yay!!! That means it's more groundfloor than ever!!! There's more for me to get now!!

Well, Denyse, you have it all figured out. Now you, Connie and Traveling mom can go sell travel with that company for FREE and get 80%!!!! I wish you well!

I've had one customer ask for Royal. ONE, in six months. I'll send them to you nex time! lol
I have so many vendors, I can't keep track of them and tell my clients about all of them. You act like we have a few. lol

One thing I"m sure you know, that you don't have with your booking engine (at least I don't think so, you haven't given me your agency's name yet.)
is the 600 stores of Aisle 19 that YTB gave every person for free. I"m building another network of customers there too! I earn cashback and a commission on my orders and the 52 people so far that buy from Aisle 19 using my link.

Multiple streams of income is what it's all about ladies!

Speaking of multiple streams Denyse, what does your company give you as a "bonus" for referring TRAVELING MOM to get a site? just curious.

I don't have to recruit or sell travel stores to make money, but it's nice to know I have the option should anyone ask (and they do.)

denyse @ 2:58 pm said:
"I told you that traveling mom. Email me (dturner@rx4fun.info) and I'll give the you name of a great host that works well with beginners – NO fees and MORE commissions. I don't want to post it because I'm not trying to move people away. Just want them to be careful."

Mariah said:
This post above, is by far the most amusing comment yet. Not trying to move people away, LOL NO, denyse, you are on here telling us the bad news of YTB to "save" us from the evil empire!
Well, the empire is not evil. I met coach and chatted with him awhile–what a great man with a love for people. So sincere. They just hired a CEO so Scott can go on the road and help us in this recession, they feel our pain. They are doing everything possible to help us.
1-Free vacation plus spending money contest, every month for us and our clients to enter.
2-Free email brochures service recently added
3-New bonuses for people struggling
4- Earn 5K in TRAVEL commissions your first year, and get another 5K matching commission. POWER Team leader also gets 5K matching.
AND SOMEONE SAID THEY DON'T PUSH THE TRAVEL???

Mariah, you have never heard me say that the MLM business model is illegal. NEVER. It isn't. The difference in YTB and a company like Amway and Mary Kay is that they are focused on their products.

I am so happy for you that you book travel and tell your team to book travel. EVERYONE in YTB does not do that same thing. Just take the $414 million booked in 2007. The RTAs only booked $211 million. The rest was booked by Vacation Central. Using that amount as an example, the company SHOULD have had $39 billion in travel sales with 139,000 RTAs. But they did not because MANY were focused on recruiting and not selling travel. The travel they sold was personal travel which wreaks of rebating. And they were concerned with, as you say "cruising for free" – the perks. THAT'S what drew the attention of the AG. NOT some TA. The company's own financial reports say that close to 80% of their revenue comes from recruiting, NOT travel. THAT'S what drew the attention of the AG.

Yes, I know about Aisle 19. I'm not interested in selling that program to people. IF they are supposed to be a travel company, why sell meat and shoes?? If you want multiple streams of income, get another from somewhere else.

I don't make a dime for referring anyone to my host. It's not MLM. I just help people to earn more money.

Mariah, I don't feel bad about warning people. I'd rather have people upset with me for warning them than to have them come to me AFTER something happens when they can't get their commissions asking why didn't I warn them.

But so be it. We're all adults.

I love Coach too….maybe more than you. We've invited him to come and preach at our church. But it has nothing to do with how well I like him. YES, they are doing all they can. But what you fail to realize is that all the promotions and bonuses in the world won't help if you can't get people to see this is the best opportunity out there since sliced bread. Those who may join won't stay long.

Oh and the free email brochures recently added?? I've been using them for the last 2 1/2 years.

I am not saying the email brochures are NEW to everyone, just as a free service to us. A former TA in my group used to use them with her company and had to pay for the subscription.

Why sell meat and shoes? Why not? IT's simply an additional stream of income. I don't sell it– I simply share the secret of Aisle 19 cashback program.

Exactly Denise. You refer people, and don't get paid.
I like being rewarded for my "word of mouth" marketing.

214 million divided by 139,000. is over 1500. booked by each RTA. Not bad for some people who never sold travel before! Many, the majority, never opened their mouths, got business cards, or referred anyone to their websites. Consequently, they sold ZERO travel. When you take them out of the picture, more than half I think I heard, the travel sold by each RTA is more like 3K. Again, not bad.
Most people just want to make some extra money and get perks, not get rich. I don't see the issue with that? Don't forget the tax deductions. IF that makes TA's mad, and the GA angry, then so be it.
I guess we'll battle it out in court.

I do think it's the best opp for a taste of Travel, commmissions, perks, multiple streams of income and options. The best since sliced bread!

I remember 20 years ago I was in NUSKIN building a downline of sales reps. (my only other mlm) The Attorney General of Michigan filed a suit or investigation claiming illegal pyriamid! Ummmm is Amway in Michigan? lol There is always some reason. A disgruntled RTA or something. NuSkin won and continues to be a multi billion dollar company. Wish I had stuck with it!!
Thank you for the American FREE enterprise system!!!

This is today's "inspiration" from YTB, a new thing they started with Andy, called GOOD DAY YTB—TAKE A LOOK BELOW–

-DIRECTOR RON HEAD writes in, so does Neitz. Didn't someone on here say they left???

Volume 1 Number12 Friday, April 24, 2009

——————————————————————————–

Hey, YTB –
Think About This

Pick Up A Pen And Leave It In The Car

If that seems odd, I'm talking about two different points. Here's what I mean…

1. The act of writing someone a personal, hand-written note is a lost art in our electronic world today. My rules of thumb on the back end of a key visit are these:

• If it has been a positive phone conversation, I'll send an email of thanks,
• However, if someone has taken time out of their busy schedule to meet with me face-to-face, I pick up a pen and write them a personal note of appreciation.

I can guarantee you that a hand-written note is read, typically before any bill or junk mail is reviewed. It is an extremely effective way to cut through the clutter in today's world. Try it…you'll be surprised the response you get.

2. Also, I acknowledge that many of us make our living with our cell phones and the thought of missing a key call is enough to cause our stomachs to churn. However, when we take our cell phone into a meeting and it goes off a couple of times (even on vibrate mode), the only possible message we send the other person is "I have something more important going on." Often I will leave mine in the car on purpose, taking away the temptation of checking it constantly. Try this one too…it may take some getting used to, but you'll be amazed at how is sharpens your focus.

Contributing writer: YTB's VP Communications, Derek Avera.

——————————————————————————–

Here's What They Are Saying
"I would like to state emphatically that the rumors of my departure from YTB are outright lies. I love this company and am loyal to my friends and YTB Founders, Coach, Scott, and Kim. YTB has been very good to me and my family for years, and I have no intention of going elsewhere. It's a shame that some people resort to such dishonest behavior of spreading lies in order to build their business. Attend my YTBU class at the next Red Carpet Day and I'll tell you of my commitment to this great company." Director Ron Head, Benton, Illinois.

"I've had a career being the most successful custom home builder in the ‘best' master planned community in the world – The Woodlands, Texas. At 61 years of age, I can tell anyone, without a doubt, that YTB is like ‘none other'! There was a day in America's history where companies took care of their employees as family, and those working for the company were known as a 'COMPANY MAN.' Today in America, that no longer exists, except in YTB. I have tagged myself as a 'COMPANY MAN' for YTB." Wally Westbrook, Coach's Corner, The Woodlands, Texas.

"May I just say that as a Canadian RTA with more than 20 years in the Travel Industry, and now with 2 years of YTB in my back pocket, I can't tell you how excited and empowered I feel, and how very proud I am to be growing my YTB business with the best bunch of people and the top-notch leadership of Coach, Scott and Kim! I'm ALL in! See you at Convention!" Andrea Nadon, RTA (soon to be Coach's Corner!!), Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

"I'm all in with Coach and YTB, always have been, always will be!" Director Dan Neitz, Reno, Nevada.

"That which we can see, is not always what we can be, but what we train our mind and hearts to believe, is what we will ultimately achieve! This has been my motto for twenty years!" Capt. Amy Cormier, RTA, Port St Lucie, Florida.

——————————————————————————–

Let Us Hear From YOU
Do you have a word of inspiration? GoodDay@YTB.com

It's a good day at YTB, and there are more to come…

Andy

There you go Mariah!! "I guess we'll battle it out in court". Unfortunately, the company chose to settle. I wonder why?? If they were doing everything right and the suit "had no merit" as they said, why not go to court and prove their rightness?? But they chose to settle instead. I think that's a bad thing. If they have to pay a $5 or $10 million suit they'll be finished. They no longer have millions in cash like they used to.

But I wish you the best Mariah. I really do.

denyse,
WAIT A MINUTE–EVERYONE ON HERE SAID THEY DIDN'T SETTLE THIS THING! lol
Nu Skin was absolutely not a pyriamid either, yet they chose to settle.

Settling is just smart sometimes, whether or not you are right. Gets it done and over with so the company can move on. Many an innoccent man took a plea bargain rather than drag his family to court.
Saves money in attorney's fees in the long run.
I settled with my builder, even though I was 100% right.
Mediation is a powerful thing.

I wish you the best too. I"m kinda tired of blogging and will probably unsubscribe soon. But it's been fun!

It all depends on what the terms of the settlement are. If the business model has to change it may not be such a good idea. We don't know the terms yet.

I love YTB and it breaks my heart to see them have the problems they are having. I have defended them to the hilt. But the bottom line is there is more emphasis on bringing people into the business than selling travel and now selling everything else. I wasn't interested in being a car salesman. I wanted to sale travel. And I was a member of Aisle 19 long before I ever heard of YTB so that is no big deal either. The first year I was in YTB, we went to the convention. I felt so sorry for the motel and restaurant workers. Can you imagine having 130,000 people trying to get you to join their business. It was ridiculous.

Traveling Mom, if you are INC. you can join OSSN for I think its $150.00 and get a TRUE number which is recognized just like an IATA number with all travel vendors except the airlines. You don't have a quota to meet and you will earn 100% of the commissions. Almost all of the vendors offer free travel training. Like NCL offers NCL University. I am continuing to sale travel because I love this business, but we will be retiring in a few years so I am trying to build a Group Luxury Travel business. We get to travel for free and earn commission too. I figure I can use my vacation and do 2 trips a year as I build my travel club. Then when we retire, 4 trips a year will more than replace my current income and we get to go as Group Travel Organizers for free. It probably won't make us rich but its not a bad way to retire either. I am in the process of putting together a cruise to Alaska in August.

Judas Loved Jesus BUTT sold him out for 30 pieces of silver.

This site is nothing more than a YTB bashing blast by people who are trying to get others to cross over to their business or are just mean spirited.

Traveling Mom, you have everything you need to become a super star travel agent you do not need to go to another company. You want training go to your YTB back office, get on the training calls, the vendors that offer free training and certificated classes.

I have been with YTB for over 2 years, and I sell travel!!!
Do you think people who book on Price Line, Travelocity, ect ask for the credentials? The whole idea of YTB is sending people to your travel booking engine for them to book travel… DUH!! That is why it is an on-line business, seems that all the geniuses on hear have failed to acknowledge that. IF YOU Want to go further, you can, YTB has given us every tool to do that.

I LOVE YTB, I am NOT a Judas and I will stay with YTB and just as Jesus suffered through Friday, I know that Sunday is coming and YTB WILL BE Victorious!

So many on this site have told you the truth about YTB and how great it is, I for one am done with this site.

WE SHALL STAND AND OVER COME!!
When all this is over, I wonder who your next "victim" will be? hummmmm better start looking for someone else to chew up because you will be eating some very tough crow if you keep chewing the "destroy YTB" cookie.

SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE PATRIOT ELAN lol

The emphasis from the company is SELLING TRAVEL. The Saturday morning show, the daily Travel Compass, the HUGE Trainings for travel in back office, in person, at the Red Carpet days, etc.

The emphasis on SOME VERY GOOD SALES REPS AND DIRECTORS, IS signing up stores. Some get ridiculous, you are correct cSeagle. But that doesn't make the opportunity any less than it is.

MY FRIEND MAZIE just sold her 200th cruise IN TWO YEARS. We do sell travel. She does not recruit people whatsoever. However, she has signed people in to sell like she does. WHY? Because they asked her "HOW DO YOU DO THIS?"

As far as Aisle 19—you had an account awhile ago. And when you "SHARED THE SECRET" Aisle 19 paid you commissions on your referrals purchases? NO. THEY DIDN'T. THEY DON'T DO THAT. OUR Aisle 19 account is different. Cashback, as usual for everyone. BUT, YTB gives us 50% of the commission they get from Aisle 19, that was from your referral # IF you are an RTA. The Power team leader gets a percentage too, crazy but true.
Again, nothing to do with Travel, but another way to make some change, and there's nothing wrong with that!

Can you sell travel elsewhere, IF that is ALL YOU WANT TO DO. YES, there are programs for people to do so just like Denyse has said.
But remember: NO REFERRAL BONUS SHOULD YOUR FRIEND WANT TO DO IT TOO, NO MATCHING TRAVEL COMMISSION FOR YOUR EFFORTS IF YOU DO 5k YOUR FIRST YEAR, NO OTHER SELLING FEATURES LIKE EXTRAS, CARS, AND AISLE 19. And, no DIRECTORSHIP.
You may even get 80% like Denyse.

YES, there are programs out there. Go do them!!! But don't make them sound BETTER THAN YTB–they are just different.
(DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN BE A DIRECTOR WITH FREE MEDICAL BENEFITS WITHOUT HAVING A SINGLE PERSON BENEATH YOU?
MAKE 24k IN TRAVEL COMMISSIONS AND YOU HAVE IT.)

Enough said, we all agree to disagree. 550 corporations were put on "watch concern" this year because of this recession, YTB is no different. We will pull through!

Those travel directorship programs sure are in place but are virtually unattainable. Your friend who's sold 200 cruises should be a director. Is she? Even Jeannie Sharpless who's sold more travel in this company than anyone – she does all of the travel training calls – did not become a director from selling travel. She became a director from recruiting.

Again, I am happy you, your team and Elan sell travel. But you are in the 20% category. 80% of the company's revenue is from recruiting. So you can't say the "emphasis from the company is SELLING TRAVEL".

There is training in the back office but it is NOT sufficient for a career in travel. I didn't know that until I experienced additional training. FREE vendor training is NOT travel or travel agent training.

But I'm going to discontinue this dialogue. I wish you all the best in whatever life offers. I won't even say I told you so when the time comes….lol.

And Elan, I'm not Judas. I'm not selling anyone. I still support the company by making my $50 payment EVERY month.

Hey Denyse,
The travel training is more than just the free vendor training–you have a site still apparently, don't you see it all? I can't even get to all the training, sigh. Outdoors niche market training is coming here next week live.
Those figures of 80% 20% are changing–dramatically.

I'm not into arguing anymore either. But why do you pay your fee every month?? That is crazy, you are already with another company I though you said. (the free one where you make 80%) or is that someone else on here…? confused

This hardly compares to Judas and Jesus and I am not trying to recruit anyone to anything. I am just looking at all of my options. I am still and RTA, but I don't have my head in the sand either. Its obvious something is wrong at YTB otherwise the directors pay would not have been changed and the directors who made fortuned in the company wouldn't be starting over some place else. I don't know what I am going to do as far as YTB is concerned but I do know I am going to stay in the travel business. I too am finished talking about it on here. As someone said, we just have to agree to disagree. I wish all of you the best in your chosen business. God bless.

Yes, that was I Mariah. I pay my money, as I've said several times, to continue the E-Campus training which I already invested in. I want to continue that to completion.

Sorry to bust your bubble but I worked full time because I work at home for 7 months and made not money.

You can get your own Aisle 19 number and keep the money what is wrong with that why are you giving ytb a piece. And you don't know who signed up or how much they spent you don't have a back office. If you sign up for yourself and get a number of your own you get a back office. http://www.escapeinternational.com use my code 110464 and get your own number sign up as an IBO.

They are not giving you anythng they signed everyone up under their own number and they are getting a precentage from 75,000 people. And you really don't know if they are giving you the correct amount because you cannot see it you don't have a back office for Aisle 19.

And restaurant.com is an affiliate you can go to restaurant.com sign up as an affiliate with commission junction and keep all the commission for yourself.

All the extras are affiliates the chinese laundry is on commission junction or share a sale. Check this out http://www.popshops.com You can get affiliates to from all the different affiliates to put on your blog or website it is cool I use it check out my blog http://www.shopaholicwindowshoppers.blogspot.com

So wake up ytb is not doing nothing for you if you go to a real travel agency you need $5000 in commission to get an IATA Card so why waste your sales on ytb if you are into travel. I found a host that cost $299 for beginners and you can go up to 80% commission. And you get all the credentials.
I seen a trip to Montego Bay rooms $69 a night and $49 a night for travel agents with a IATA Card. If I am going to put all my efforts into booking people I want to book on my own website that the commission will count towards something.

Also,If you take all the classes to be a TA with YTB you still don't get the IATA card and you still can't book royal caribbean and norweigan and I recently found out you can't book directly with a few hotels Marriott and Hilton.
Come on this was not told. I read it. But they did tell me at the front office that everything is not commissionable only if the hotel pays YTB.

Get out and do travel the right way. That is all I am saying. My site will be off next month and I will be on my new website so I can book for me so I can acheive something.

Sorry wrong blog address try this one http://shopaholicwindowshopping.blogspot.com/

Hello Fellow Networkers.

I personally left YTB for personal reasons but I do think the company is legit. Their retail product isn't the best. (I don't like the idea of zero customer service if I have to change planes due to weather) Anyway, I'm not here to debate the legitimacies of YTB.

I do want to share with you a network marketing training site that a friend of mine co-founded.

I've been working with one of the owners named, Mark for awhile now, and the guy knows his stuff. When I started promoting my network marketing product, I found Mark through facebook and he helped me setup a retail store and get it "ranked" by the search engines and the stuff he teaches WORKS..

His training site just opened so it is completely free.

Trust me, if you have a business (online or offline) and you want to get more traffic, more sales, and more recruits; you will want to get this training. Truly, I'm not trying to sell anything here, because Mark and his friends asked me to share the opportunity with anyone I knew and I knew I used to post here quite frequently.

So, check it out. Here is the link. Just fill your name and email and then fill out the registration form.

http://www.home-biz-guys.com

Felix

Felix, thanks for the info. But it seems that Mark could have shared that info himself rather than asking you to share it since he does own this blog.

Ok, then, I'll let him know.

I thought there was a new owner on this site…..Wasn't there a post that read: Under New Management about 9 months ago?

I think anyone here that believes they can offer competitive travel needs to talk with me. My business opportunity offers the best pricing on the internet for booking travel. I think thats still the idea of a travel business.
I can take anyone who is coachable and show them how to build a travel business that is unmatched by any other travel business that I have been shown to date. You see a lot of talk on here, everyone has the magic answer to the most powerful home based business opportunity.

My opportunity can and will build a steady income for anyone who wants it. I have seen so many people from YTB save their travel business just by a simple conversation with me on the phone.

I love talking on here and sharing thoughts ideas and views about YTB. Now it's time to get serious. How far is your business really going? How competitive is your company? Can you provide the best travel prices on the interent hands down?
If you can't do not let your customers find my website. I can assure you they will quit booking with you. I am not here to run anyones business down, but rather to save you from headaches down the road.

IF your business is not as profitable as you want let's talk. At the end of the day you have to decide where your business is going and where you want to be.

You can't find any other industry thats as big or as profitable as the travel industry. It's up to you to decide how much of it you are willing to take to make your profit.

It has been a great joy blogging here with the rest of you. I appreciate all of you who have contacted me. I thank you for your enjoyment in reading my posts.

Dave,
can I check out your prices on your search engine? I've read throught the posts and am very curious to see how they compare to YTB. I'm not being sarcastic (as I"m known to be.) I just want to see what you are talking about, not having had a travel background. When I go to Expedia, we are about even, better sometimes. Who powers your site? What makes it so cheap?
You have IATA now, but when they find out about MLM–(if you are MLM) watch out.

Traveling Moms you were a Rep not a RTA.

How do we contact you? You put no contact information in your post? Do you have a web site? Can you give us that address?

That's strange usually my name is in blue, because it's linked back to my website. Just click my name in blue and you will be taken to my website.

Mariah,

Go to my website by clicking my name, put in your email and I will email you a link to my booking site. I am very cautious as I want to offer valuable information, but want no one to view it as spam.

Thank you in advance for understanding.

If I have missed anyones questions directed towards me, I apologize. You can ask again of feel free to go to my site and email me.

How can you do travel if you cannot book everywhere? What if someone wants a trip on Royal Caribbean? And what do you get for taking the extra $29 training classes you cannot get the IATA CARD.

I am an RTA I started as a REP but they pressed me to sign up because I could recruit but they said they don't deal with reps because they only make money if you are an RTA. I should of stayed free for a while because I have not made my money back yet and it has been 8 months. Not in travel or Marketing. People cannot afford that money to start in this economy. I have worked this business everyday and no bites. So I am tired and I want an IATA Card for my efforts so I can go on some of these nice fam trips I have seen in my email box that require and IATA Card. Yes,some use CLIA but not all of them. And I don't want to ask every vendor do they pay YTB this should be a given if you are a travel agent that you get commission.

Any ideas on how to unsubscribe from here?

never mind, got it

Mariah, you wanna leave us???

Who is traveling mom talking to? If it's me IATA is offered in my business. If it's not directed towards me I apologize.

The lady talking about Aisle 19 like I said they are not giving you anything. If you sign up for yourself you get 50% of what other people get. Go to http://www.escapeinternational.com and read it yourself under opportuinity.

I feel like all the director's that left was in the inner circle so they no more than you and steve and tv wilson tried to tell you in the letter in so many words. They was at the meetings at the top they know. And how do you feel comfortable recruiting people with all this going on in the company. Do you feel comfortable calling yourself a TA after you take 10 courses at $29 each? What do you get with that the IATA CARD? Able to book with Royal and Norweigan or any other hotel that won't pay commissions to ytb. By, the way why should you have to ask the hotel do they pay commission to ytb before you book. It should be a given if you are a TA.Sign up to Aisle 19 yourself they have travel things on there let see Best Western 2.5% cash back you can still get the travel agent commission 10% but YTB took all the hotels off of the Aisle 19 they give you. Because they want you to book from your website not go to the vendor yourself I caught on to that game. Because I can go to Hotels.com and book myself and get the commission sent to me. That is what a TA gets. A real TA not a fake one. YTB is fake. And most of the hotels to get 50% off you have to have some kind of id to show when you get there that you are a travel agent. IATA,CLIA,OSSN most hotels do IATA only.
CLIA is not at all hotels yet. And when I do find a great FAM they want and IATA CARD. And if I am going to work my way to $5,000 in commission I want an IATA CARD. It might not be important to you but it is to me. The last trip I went on if I had the card My hotel rooms would cost me half of $300 who don't want that. Only YTB people I guess.
I want that because that is the point of it all. I recently seen a travel agent trip to Montego Bay $49 a night guess what you need the IATA CARD. Yes, YTB gives great escape trips but to where they want you to go and when they want you to go this FAM trip was open all year long.

Yes, IATA is offered in your business for now. I just want a legitamate IATA CARD that I know won't be snatched from me anytime because of an MLM part of the company. If it happened to YTB it can happen to others. I just want a normal host to spend my time with.

My company offers a legit IATA Card. Many have a hard time accepting a mlm travel company that offers a real travel service. That is why so many people out there are coming to our business.

The professionalism that the majority of our travel agents demonstrate is why we are becoming so successful.

Ahhhh Dave, I beg to differ with that. I know many of your company's reps who are no where near professional. That was one of the reasons I chose to NEVER go to that company. You can only speak for yourself.

If your company is incorporated, you can become and OSSN member and get a TRUE number which is just as good as a IATA card. It is as widely recognized as IATA is. Go to http://www.OSSN.com. It is NOT an MLM

Connie, how's it going?

I just like to say if you were interested in travel why not go with a host that doesn't do MLM they are out there for you. I found one that I would start up with, rather I stay a year or two. I am building my business without all the excess baggage or the what if they shut down the MLM. I don't like telling people to buy a website I only like travel. So I might as well do it the right way so I don't have to wonder if in 8 years they are going to come after you too when your company gets enough people to matter. When the marketing out sells the travel. That is what is saving the other companies the marketing is not outselling the travel yet. When it does they are going to be in the same boat as YTB. So who wants to go through that again. Click my name if you want to just sell travel I found a company that will teach you and work with beginners and you can pick your commission 70, 75 or 80% for beginners. Once your business is producing you can upgrade to up to 100%. I read all I need to read about this company. If I am going to market something I am going to market my own brand not YTB. Check it out for all the ones that are serious about starting over with a pure travel host. http://www.itsmytravelbiz.com/travelbiz.html Sounds familiar no association.
And they have a payment plan to start because I need that because of all the money I gave YTB. Read about the company it is good for beginners to learn about the business you really don't need anything else. And you can get all your credentials when you reach the mark. And you can upgrade when your business is doing well for more commission. You have to start somewhere to be considered and expert in this business. This is what I want to do be a travel agent with as less hassle I can get. And I want to be able to book at all hotels and cruise lines. I want my IATA CARD forever not taken away from me because I am in an MLM. The reason I want the card so I can be considered a travel agent and I can show my clients the ID's that I have so they can keep coming back. I have an office in my house a 24 inch computer screen and nothing to do. I want to get serious about my travel business and I cannot do that with YTB to much turmoil going on in that company and nobody in my upline gives a dam about travel they never talk about it. And I am tired of paying $10 for every meeting even at someone's house where is that money going. hmmmm I can see the hotels. It is a crazy business. My upline quit talking to me the minute I started asking questions about the director's leaving I don't even get an email anymore. That is showing the true colors of YTB. Recruiting Recruiting Recruiting that is all they care about.

Well this will be my last post because I am turning off my ytb sight next week all my commission came in finally. And I am going to start up my other website keeping the same domain name so look out for http://www.urbancitytravel.com I am going to brand myself making a logo because I can on my new website and I can have contact info on my new website too something YTB is lacking. The main thing that really burned me up about YTB is that you could not track your visitors to your website at all so you don't know if people are seeing it or not. All my websites even my blogs have tracking. When you send out emails you would like to know how many were opened and how many people came to your website. It is like running a business in the blind. And all you YTBERS is happy with that as I read on these blogs.
When I had my children store opened I knew everyone that came to my website what time of day after I sent out emails and what search engine they found me on everything to keep my business viable on the internet. You need that stuff. I spent $200 of a program to check my website for the right keywords and it works well I had many sells. I been in YTB 8 months and I had one stranger come to my site. I can't even sell a flower to anybody. You need them search engines and you need those right keywords on your website.
Well lesson learned I am an internet person as far as promoting myself and lord knows I promoted my YTB website and still no bites. I am on forums, social networks and I have about 5 blogs going everywhere with no success. When I had my children store I did the same things but I got sales I have my paypal statement to prove it. The negativity with YTB is affecting it more than you all think. Now I read another board member resigned. Wake up people.

Traveling Mom, I called you today. Can you call me??

Name:

Email:

Url:

I have been very pleased with YTB since I joined in July '08. It is not perfect, but not sure of anything that is. I have called hotels directly to get deals for clients with no problem and enter the info in my back office and commission is tracked there. Not sure if the issue is that it is not a get-rich-quick business or what the point is of this thread? Is it just that you think there is a better product out there? You think it is too expensive? Credentials are not adequate? Can't we now receive a true TA certification through the proper training (not just the $29 courses)?

I do get the SEO aspect and inability to draw traffic through searches. Getting your own travel site with CC access that isn't prohibitive (if you can get someone to talk to you even) is not a simple matter either and then to have the tech support, etc. is expensive too. I think for the money, effort and time required to own your own "store" we have a great product. No?

Also, for ANY travel agents out there I have created a documentation service for your daily expenses as well as an incredible trip documentation complete with several evaluation forms that can be emailed to vendor managers, friends, family and clients. Also has a journal and photo gallery for trips that can be emailed as well.

Then you can generate an expense report by category for the date range you wish and it totals all expenses in seconds. Much easier and more thorough than a spread sheet or "books" software. Check it out at http://mytjournal.com and if you would like to "test drive" it let me know. Contact me at bill@braxdaletravel.com or 512.585.7108

I myself could go to many other places. Why Don't I? It's simple, I want to offer something of value. Most other places simply can't offer anything of real value. My company has a meet or beat price deal. I have not found that anywhere. YTB is one of many companies who have found failure in the mlm industry. That does not mean that every other mlm travel company has to follow.

Over time industries change. In order to stay on top in that industry you have to change with it. YTB has failed to do so in a timely mannor.

I enjoy the mlm industry, being able to have people under me seeing the same success is a joyful experience. A good mlm is nothing different than industries such as realtors and insurance. You have a office with realtors or insurance agents, the guy who owns it profits from those who work for him.

I am simply doing the samething to increase my profits. If you are putting your mlm in front of targeted marketing, you will have people seeing it who want to run a travel business. This is how you keep earning more money from travel than recruiting.

It has been no secret that YTB directors and leaders don't care much about the people below them. Most of the one's that did care have left.

I couldn't just go to any random travel company and do business. That is just not good business. So many of them are rip offs. Most people don't want just a cheap price, they want the travel experience to be smooth and enjoyable.

I have a wonderful upline, and I continue to past that same mentality down to the ones below me.

If it's success you want, success if what I offer. I will help anyone who wants to be successful. I will give you the same plans and techniques I have used to bring in people to the travel industry.

I have found that most people looking for a home based business expect something for nothing. It takes more than just good thinking to make a business successful.

If you spent 5 hours a week talking to good prospects who want a travel business you will find that these people will sell more travel than just finding someone looking for extra money. If you are looking for extra money thats not a problem, because I will teach you how to find your prospects who want to sell travel.

Once you have a few people below you who actually sell travel the amazement begins. This is really just business sense.
You wouldn't go to a car parts store for fast food. So why do people run home businesses like this? Who really knows.

If you really want to move in the right direction visit my website. I can lead to in the right direction.

Many people from YTB have left and now they are running around trying to find a home in any business they can find.

It's time you found a stable travel company that has you in mind. Together we can build a strong travel business. Notice I didn't say downline? WE CAN BUILD A STRONG TRAVEL BUSINESS.

If you focus on the building a travel business part, a downline can soon follow. When others see your strength they to will want it. You will then have what it takes to pass on the tools they need to build a strong travel business.

I look forward to working with each and everyone of you.

I myself have been involved with internet marketing for many years. I can tell you that my travel business is getting traffic, and producing quality leads. I talk with at least 15-20 people a week who want a viable travel business.

As I said before Dave, if you don't want to lose your clients keep them away from me. I can beat ANY price you have on your website AND service the clients more efficiently.

That's what it's all about my dear.

Denyse,

lol, you have the right idea, but I think you copied and pasted some of my comments from before.

My clients won't go anywhere, see you have to offer something of value, and then your pricing has to be right. Even if my client found it cheaper on your website, they would come back to us with that quote and we would simply beat it.

I have seen cruises, vacations all over the world and group trips booked for less than any competitors. This including any of the major booking sites such as Orbitz.

Keep up the good work, by the way I can't even see your website because of the cookie issue. That could be a problem, you will probably have many people turn away with it set up like that.

Dave,

Its hardly worth arguing about. I offer many things of value with the best prices available.
I have no problems accessing that website. Its not, however, a website where I send anyone to just book their own travel. Its a website of just travel specials and deals. I fully qualify my clients so that I can get a trip matched to their desires at the best possible cost.

I am sure we can meet or beat the specials, thats what we do.

Anyway, I sm currently setting up a blog, hoping to make it useful and of value. I want to base it around the travel industry not just one travel business.

I will make the link available once I have a small amount of information there.

Dave:

If you are going to setup a blog, you have to use a self-hosted wordpress or movable type.

The reason is that while most people claim its easier to setup a blog with blogger; the problem with these types of sites is that you won't be giving any love to your domain namae, (or subdomain) but instead you'll be giving love to blogger or wordpress.

It is going very well. I am putting together a group cruise and you know how much commission I will earn 100%. I don't have to share my commission with anyone. I do have to register with the vendors I want to work with and I do have to go to the individual vendors, but it is a lot less time consuming than you would think and you get to keep 100% of the commission

YTBs website 'specials' , air ticket prices, cruises (those they can sell anyway) can all be beaten by most online and retail travel agencies. One good 'at home' agent can run rings around 4 or 5 thousand RTAs put together.

Hey Denyse – Still with YTb ay?

Only until I complete my training there Bruce. I don't book any travel there.

Wow – that must be some training for 50.00 a month and whatever else it costs.

You just can't let them go can you?

Trust me, I'm giving them more than they're giving me!! But since I started the program, why waste what I already gained. I want to complete the program and get my certificate! I feel I deserve it.

If I just left with the courses that I already took, all of that money would have been wasted. But if I complete the program, I will at least have the mastery to earn more money with my proficiency in the industry.

YTB is going to provide 'mastery to earn more money with your proficiency'? That is very funny. A certificate from YTB for anything is worthless. But keep paying – they need your money badly.

Bruce, I wholeheartedly agree that the training is very watered down and hardly sufficient to become a PROFESSIONAL travel consultant, but whatever I learn brings me one step closer to becoming professional. I'll take all kinds of education. The certificate (piece of paper) from YTB may be worthless in the industry, but no one will be able to take what I've learned from it away from me.

But what's more important is that I don't want to waste what I've already invested.

It's your money.

LOL….yes it is.

Two more directors are leaving YTB International’s board.

Clay Winfield resigned Thursday, and Dr. Timothy Kaiser will not stand for re-election, according to the online travel company’s proxy statement filed last week.

Winfield and Kaiser were principal shareholders of Meridian Bank, which lent YTB $2.5 million to build its new corporate headquarters in Wood River, Ill., according to the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In October, Meridian Bank was closed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for unsound practices, and the FDIC was named receiver.

Winfield is owner of Winfield Cos., an Edwardsville, Ill.-based luxury homebuilder that’s building YTB’s new headquarters.

Dr. Timothy Kaiser is an ear, nose and throat doctor in Alton, Ill., who also invests in banks and real estate.

The exits by Winfield and Kaiser follow two earlier board resignations. John Simmons and Burt Saunders resigned from the board last year. Saunders, a former Florida state senator, resigned from the board to become a legal consultant for YTB.

YTB’s executives took pay cuts last year, according to the filing. Including bonuses and stock awards, founder and Chairman Lloyd “Coach” Tomer made $2.98 million in total compensation in 2008, down from $3.3 million in 2007, according to the filing. Chief Executive Scott Tomer made $1.02 million in 2008, down from $1.99 million in 2007. Co-founder Kim Sorenson made $1 million, down from $1.99 million in 2007.

Last month, auditors raised concerns about YTB, saying its board had little control over managers’ spending and company officials signed contracts without the board’s approval.

Also last month, YTB said it hired Robert Van Patten to serve as co-CEO and serve in a consulting capacity on administrative, accounting and corporate governance issues.

In August, California’s attorney general sued YTB International, blasting it as a “gigantic pyramid scheme,” an allegation the company denies. YTB, which operates through YourTravelBiz.com, said last month that it reached a tentative settlement agreement with California Attorney General Jerry Brown, but Brown’s office has yet to announce an agreement.

Independent auditors have raised concern about YTB International Inc.’s ability to continue as it struggles with a significant decline in sales agents, multiple lawsuits and financial losses amid the recession.

“The company suffered a loss from operations, has a deficiency in its working capital and is impacted by substantial uncertainties, which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern,” accounting firm UHY LLP wrote in a letter included in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week.

YTB's board had little control over managers’ spending, and company officials signed contracts without the board’s approval, auditors said.

YTB swung to a loss in 2008 and cut staff by 14 percent to 290 workers as the company suffered from bad publicity surrounding lawsuits alleging it’s a pyramid scheme and as travelers retrenched amid the recession. YTB suffered a 44 percent decrease in active reps and a 29 percent decrease in travel agents during 2008.

YTB International Inc. CEO Scott Tomer worked to rally workers by highlighting new programs and events aimed at retaining travel agents and boosting sales.

“Some comfort can be taken from the fact that a record number of public companies were given going-concern opinions by their audit firms, at least 550 so far this year,” Tomer wrote in a March 25 letter to the company’s sales force. “The global recession and lack of available credit due to the banking crisis pose obstacles to profitability for many companies.”

Tomer said YTB was working to improve the retention of its sales agents with a new sales director program that could cut the number of sales that workers need to qualify for monthly revenue sharing and company-paid group health insurance by 80 percent, Tomer said.

The company has introduced a promotion that allows customers to receive cash back at 600 regional and national stores, he said.

YTB also hosts Red Carpet Days, where people are invited to the company’s Wood River, Ill., headquarters to learn about its operations, he said. Last week, 1,550 people attended one such open house, Tomer said.

YTB reported it lost nearly $4.5 million in 2008, compared with a profit of more than $3.2 million in 2007. YTB said its revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 rose 15 percent to $162.5 million from $141.3 million in the prior year.

“We’re sticking with it, riding out the storm, and we believe we’re going to come out stronger on the other side,” Tomer told employees. “Our existing reps are riding it out with us. Together, we can build an even stronger, more solid foundation for growth in the coming months.”

YTB International Inc. said it has settled the lawsuit filed against it by the California attorney general alleging it’s a “gigantic pyramid scheme.” But Attorney General Jerry Brown Jr. said no agreement has been reached.

YTB, which operates through YourTravelBiz.com, told its sales force in an internal memo Monday that it reached a "tentative" settlement agreement with Brown's office, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

A spokesman for Brown said no such agreement has been reached.

"There is no final agreement at this point, and the attorney general would not enter into any settlement that did not change how YTB markets and operates its business in California so that consumers are protected," said spokesman Scott Gerber.

In August, Brown sued the Wood River, Ill.,-based online travel company seeking more than $25 million in fines and restitution.

The lawsuit and a subsequent decline in travel agents and sales recently prompted an auditor to issue a going concern for the company.

YTB suffered a 44 percent decrease in active reps and a 29 percent decrease in travel agents during 2008.

More than 200,000 members in 2007 paid more than $1,000 a year to set up online travel agencies, but only 38 percent of the company's members made any travel commissions, according to Brown’s office. Consumers paid more than $103 million to the company in 2007, but made $13 million in travel sales commissions, according to the lawsuit.

Members earn compensation for each new person they enlist, regardless of whether they sell any travel.

YTB, founded by Lloyd "Coach" Tomer, has repeatedly denied allegations that it’s a pyramid scheme.

YTB International Inc. CEO Scott Tomer worked to rally workers Wednesday by highlighting new programs and events aimed at retaining travel agents and boosting sales after an auditor raised concerns about the company’s viability.

“Some comfort can be taken from the fact that a record number of public companies were given going concern opinions by their audit firms, at least 550 so far this year,” Tomer wrote in a letter Wednesday to the company’s sales force. “The global recession and lack of available credit due to the banking crisis pose obstacles to profitability for many companies.”

Tomer said YTB was working to improve the retention of its sales agents with a new sales director program that could cut the number of sales that workers need to qualify for monthly revenue sharing and company-paid group health insurance by 80 percent, Tomer said.

The company has introduced a promotion that allows customers to receive cash back at 600 regional and national stores, he said.

YTB also hosts Red Carpet Days, where people are invited to the company’s Wood River, Ill., headquarters to learn about its operations, he said.

Last week, 1,550 people attended one such open house, Tomer said.

And the company’s founders are embarking on a national tour to the company’s top 20 markets, he said.

YTB suffered a 44 percent decrease in active reps and a 29 percent decrease in travel agents during 2008.

It’s also been the center of a string of negative publicity.

In August, California’s attorney general sued YTB International, blasting it as a “gigantic pyramid scheme,” an allegation the company denies. It also faces lawsuits from former agents who make the same accusation.

“We’re sticking with it, riding out the storm, and we believe we’re going to come out stronger on the other side,” Tomer told employees. “Our existing reps are riding it out with us. Together, we can build an even stronger, more solid foundation for growth in the coming months.”

ALL THE ARTICLES ARE WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS IN THE ST.LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL

YOU SAY YTB IS DOING GOOD. THIS IS MORE INFO THAN YOUR UPLINE WILL TELL YOU ARE THE COACH.

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/04/06/focus8.html

I did sign up as a team member and decided that it is NOT as easy as it seems plus I just recently had an accident. I do not have time for this and am not interested at this point. I had my team leader here and she called the home office. Nothing they told me is working. I wanted my $499.90 refunded to my account. My site is definatley already closed and I would like to take further action for a refund. The info I got is not working. Thank you for your time and understanding with this matter and I will continue to follow the process.

Tina Anderson
PO Box 1962
Minden, Nv. 89423