YTB & Oklahoma--Whoops, My Bad

Oklahoma says:

A Limited Agent License is required for a qualified holder to sell insurance in the State of Oklahoma according to the lines listed on the application. The lines of insurance that this license includes are travel accident/baggage; prepaid dental; prepaid legal liability; job loss; credit property; crop/hail; motor club and mortgage nonfile. Types of businesses that may need this license are travel agents, dentists, attorneys, lending institutions, and motor clubs.

Process The license is obtained by contacting the Insurance Department or sponsoring insurance company for application form IL-1. The completed, notarized application should be submitted, with the proper fee, the sponsoring company's endorsement by authorized signature and a completed appointment form R-11, to the Insurance Department. An examination date, if required, will be scheduled upon approval of the application.

Time Frame The approval process 7 to 14 days, after application approval, to complete.

Fees The fees include $40 for a license, $40 per company appointment, $50 for each scheduled exam as required, and a $10 affidavit fee for first time non-resident applicants.

Lic Period The license is valid for two years, beginning on the date of issuance.

Ren Period Renewal is based on the submission of renewal forms and fee before the expiration date of the initial license.

Statute Title 36 O.S. ? 1421 et seq.

Prerequisites The applicant is exempt from continuing education requirements.

Contact Pam Mims
522-4628
pammims@insurance.state.ok.us

An RTA that I know, contacted Mrs. Mims and here was the result:

I told Mrs. Mims I was a home-based travel agent and she told me Oklahoma requires a personal business license in order to legally sell insurance. I explained my situation about being an online travel store owner. Mrs Mims said as long as I sell travel insurance in Oklahoma, I need to be licensed.

YTB says:

The YTB Compliance Department has been working diligently to find the answer to your question. In the event that there were required licensing in the state of OK, I believe the YTB Corporate Office would be responsible for obtain the licensing and not the TSOs; however, I have been unsuccessful in getting an answer on this so far. Please be patient with me and I assure you that I will find the answers. If you can obtain a letter from Oklahoma Business Licensing with the information that Mrs. Mims provided you, on letterhead, and fax it to me, this would be very helpful. This fax number goes directly to my computer.

Thank you,

YTB Compliance

The documentation was indeed supplied to YTB per their request and here is the response:

Thank you for providing this information. As stated in the YTB Policies and Procedures, it is the responsibility of each TSO to make sure they abide by all laws and regulations specific to the state in which they reside. This includes all proper licensing. I am passing it along to YTB Travel Network to make sure they are aware of these regulations.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime.

Once again, YTB claims to be in compliance with all laws. But the reality is they are ignorant of most of them and the response above shows a complete lack of interest in "doing the right thing" as far as travel is concerned. If they were interested in travel, don't you think they would have these ducks in a line? No, it seems the easiest answer is to simply tell the RTA that it is not their problem. I imagine if an Oklahoma RTA were to run aground of this law, they might have a good case against YTB in court (since they seem to have reserved seats) as YTB likes to say they are licensed and bonded in all states.

When do you think the smoke and mirrors will ever clear. I wonder what the 489 (according to the 2007 Annual Report, so it could be down to this one RTA now) RTAs will do to come into compliance?

What's The Count?

Does anyone really know in how many lawsuits YTB has been named as a defendant?  Well, here's another one!

The defendant failed to pay the plaintiff and entered an extension agreement until April 30, 2008, for half of the money and another half until June 30, 2008. The defendant agreed to an increase to 22 percent interest on the $400,000, plus a 22 percent share of the profit, in exchange for the extension.

Well, as many of the recruiters like to say, when you are sued it is a sign of success!   Congratulations YTB!

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived a man in a ramshackle house. The house was in such bad condition, that the local authorities would not issue occupancy permits. When the time came to pay the tax man, the man in the ramshackle house could not afford to pay the property taxes.

Destitute and without too many options at his disposal, he turned to God and the Church. Knowing that Church property was exempt from taxes, he "donated" this ramshackle property to his Church for only a year who decided to worship on the property and to fix up the house for their minister and his family to occupy as a parsonage.

Without much money, the Church reached out to the congregation and asked for help. The congregation came together like they always do and tradesmen took to the task of replacing all of the exterior lighting, the plumbing and the heating system for the minister and his family.

Of course, since the property was exempt from property taxes as it was being used by the Church, so too were the materials purchased to fix up the home for the minister and his family.

Meanwhile, the "generous man" who had "donated" this property for only a year was immediately relieved of any burden to pay taxes on the property. In addition his tenants made the necessary repairs to bring his house into compliance with building codes.

In the beginning, the man had no ability to pay taxes or pay for repairs to his home. All that was needed was a place to stay for the year until the Church accomplished all this for free.

The End!

Sometimes TRUTH has and eery parallel to fiction!

ProTravel Network (PTN) Feels Stilphen's Heat

Peter Stilphen has a very good comparison between the ProTravel Network MLM  travel company and JoyStar.

It seems the modus operandi is pretty identical in both instances.  What do you think?  Read Peter's take on his blog.

Idaho RTA Earns A Million Dollars

Too bad it was not with YTB, but Publisher's Clearinghouse.  From the Facebook page:

Karen Hartman

We are excited to see you at Funshine!! Bill & I will be attending with our RTA's that have just become that lastest Publisher Clearinghouse Millionairs!! From Caldwell, Idaho!! They are true blue ytb ers!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are ready to spre...ad the story how the internet and there ytb internet business helped them win the PCH million dollar prize!

Will be interesting to learn how YTB was responsible for Publisher's Clearinghouse to choose them as a winner.

Did California Solve Anything?

Now that the suit by Jerry Brown, Attorney General of California is a memory and a "win" for YTB, I wonder if it really had any impact on YTB and the way they recruit?

If you recall, one of the issues was the false and deceptive advertising employed by the field to seal the deal and get another TSO signed up. Well, as I have said time and time again, they have no control and the Reps will say whatever is needed. Case and point:

It has come to our attention that a number of you don't realize that your opportunity to earn 70% commission is closing. Some of are still earning 60% travel commissions since they haven't logged into the Travel Portal to take the First Class Training quiz which bumps you up to 70%.

So on that $5000 cruise, how much income do you expect? $3500 or $560?

I am sure that as Illinois and their Attorney General Lisa Madigan goes through their discovery process, they will dig up all sorts of false claims like this one made just yesterday.

YTB Needs Help

Unlike California where YTB felt they would just show the Attorney General the facts and have the case dismissed; it appears that the Illinois case may be of greater concern. No longer can they rely on their "ethics" and "sound business practices" and "perfectly legal business" to see them through.  Apparently, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is a bigger threat. As a result, YTB is looking to amass some firepower in their defense.  Yes, they are calling out the big guns. They have put a call into the man upstairs!

This was just sent  out by one of YTB's leaders to the field team.

We want to give you a heads up and an opportunity to lift up and keep the Founders, Executives, Legal Team and YTB as a whole in your thoughts and prayers this week.

According to our 10Q filing with the SEC, the office of the Illinois Attorney General has agreed to extend the date by which YTB must respond the Illinois complaint to this Wednesday, August 26, 2009. If you're not aware, or forgotten due to Convention and improvements we're currently enjoying we wanted to remind you that thoughts and prayers are not only appreciated but should be lifted up this week.

The Yellow Brick Road

I mentioned this blog before and I just checked back and this guy has some good stuff. This is now an officially recommended blog by MLMs & Travel: A Bad Mix!  Bookmark this one!

Most recent post:

I truly believe that MLMs can be beneficial for a select few – but the bottom line is that MLMs are built on pixie sticks and the Leaders are dependent upon the following -e.g., You.  If there is no following - no payments – there are no monies to your upline – no elevation monetarily.  No bonuses, perks, benefits… no business – this spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R- [disaster!].  Do recruits understand that they are the food for the person above them?  Do recruits understand that the Wizard wants the Witch’s Broom? – the money? the dollars? New recruits are brought in with the promise of being elevated, but in actuality new recruits put money in the Leaders pocket!  It is a business model that can collapse overnight.  

A very apropos analogy to The Wizard Of Oz:

Imagine this!  Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz embodied all of the personality traits of a stereotypical network marketer.  BUT at the end she pulled back the curtain and confronted the man with the microphone – exposing him as fraudulent, self-absorbed, narcissistic and only consumed with his own self-elevation.  Dorothy was a hero!

Yet having unmasked the Leader as a Fraud, she gave the Wizard yet another chance only to find, as the balloon that was to transport her home came unhinged and departed without her, that she had been duped again!  For the second time she discovered that the wondrous Wizard, the man who was going to transport her to her designated dream was merely interested in his own lift to freedom and success.  Dorothy was left behind.

The Facts Jack

Over on the Yahoo Finance Boards, the following was recently posted.  Any comments?

Here's the facts Jack!!!!

The system has worked in the past - but due to negative posts - from you and your clowns - the business has been put in a bind. the AG cash grabs (because that's all they are) are hurting peoples ability t o make an informed decision.

Now if you fools think that this company is going anywhere but up - your highly misinformed - look at the corporate revamp and it points to long term success.

Cutting cost's in an economic hard time is key! Lets face it Travel world is just not spending at this time.

But with key components in place to help the TSO and Rep. This business model will succeed - no matter how many director's leave.

Even if this stock hit's rock bottom - the company and an entity is still not done - and that's a big if!

I have found that the business model makes sense... but in the mlm industry the big hitter's do not like when pay decreases... so they leave.

Market penetration has never hit 1 % of the American population - yet they all travel.

The revamping will improve customer based sales... and interest in the company.

Scare tactics work on a few - but open minded business people will see this.

So don't sell short and run the course... A marathon is only completed once you cross the finish line! and YTB is far from finished.

It's been a hard times these past 14 months... on an economic scale. But tomorrow always brings a new day!

I look forward to this opportunity and helping anyone willing to hear the facts.

The cowards who hide will say anything to save face! but I profess the truth.

An amazing opportunity in the internet distribution industry and Travel.

Millions invested with a lot of brains behind these dollars - just ask California (The State) wasn't as easy and profitable as they anticipated.

Look at the big picture... They survived a huge lawsuit by the biggest state money wise in America!

Just where will they be in 5 yrs? 10 Yrs? or tomorrow

Ciao

Burt 

Happy Anniversary

Red Carpet Day was not the only other milestone recognized yesterday. It also was the anniversary of the last time the shares of YTB stock traded with a "$" sign and not a "¢ " sign.

Friday, August 15, 2008---$1.03
Monday, August 28, 2008---99¢

And they haven't looked back for a year.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009---7¢

YTB Is Put On Notice

With the backroom deals that were made when Hoffmann and McLaughlin departed, it seems that Williams and Iverson are looking to cover their backs with a letter sent to YTB and a copy to their attorney. I guess we shall see how effective this Bill of Rights really is!

To: J. Lloyd “Coach” Tomer, Scott Tomer, Kim Sorenson, John Clagg and Andy Cauthen
From: Floyd J. Williams and Spencer W. Iverson, JD
Re: Termination of Directorship
August 14th, 2009

Coach, Scott and Kim,

Over the past few weeks, we have had to make probably one of the most difficult decisions of our professional lives. Effective as of Friday, August 14th, 2009, we, Floyd J. Williams and Spencer W. Iverson tender the termination of our Directorship in YTB International.

It really would serve no constructive purpose to enumerate the myriad of reasons why we have been forced to come to this decision after much prayer, conversations with our families and consultation. Our time spent with you, the founders of YTB, the incredible relationships that we have developed and maintain with the home office staff and the professional bond we have created with our former fellow Directors
will never be forgotten. We thank you for an incredible experience.

We have proudly built one of the strongest, award-winning organizations in the company’s history and helped to cultivate many outstanding leaders. We have served as proud ambassadors for YTB both domestically and abroad. It is not our intention, in anyway, to disparage or speak ill of YTB’s founders and staff during or following
our departure. It is not our intention to cause economic harm to a company that has so enlightened and enriched our lives. We trust that the same respect is reciprocated as we move on to other opportunities.

Pursuant to the Preamble of the YTB Bill of Rights which concludes;

“...YourTravelBiz.com, shall keep the promise to its Independent Marketing Representative of uninterrupted residual commissions.”

we trust that this is honored. The Bill of Rights further provides:

4. So long as they are commission qualified pursuant to the YourTravelBiz.com Compensation Plan, present and future Independent Marketing Representatives of YourTravelBiz.com shall be deemed to have fully and unconditionally earned all residual commissions upon the monthly revenues paid by RTAs established by themselves and by Independent Marketing Representatives in their commissionable
downline, subject only to future monthly payments being made by the RTAs commissionable to them.

5. No present or future Independent Marketing Representative of YourTravelBiz.com may be divested of the foregoing right to receive residual commissions except upon the voluntary termination of their Independent Marketing Representative status, or their involuntary termination as a Independent Marketing Representative for cause and pursuant to the procedures of YourTravelBiz.com in connection with the involuntary termination of Independent Marketing Representative status for cause.

Thus, we are only terminating our positions as Directors and will maintain our IMR status. We are proud of the professional and ethical manner in which we have built our respective organizations and are confident that we have not “divested” ourselves of our rights to continue to receive our residual commissions. Further, we will not
personally sponsor anyone that we did not personally recruit into YTB. We again reiterate that it is our intention to maintain our status as TSO’s, paying our $49.95 monthly fee(s) for each of our currently active and existing sites.

Further, pursuant to the Preamble of the First Amendment of the of Bill of Rights which states in part:

WHEREAS, YourTravelBiz.com, Inc. is desirous of extending the protection of the Bill of Rights to include PowerTeam and Dream Team commissions, 50% commission match, bonuses and overrides pursuant to the YourTravelBiz.com Independent Marketing Representative Compensation Plan as published and in effect as of August 1, 2007.

And further provides;

4. So as long as they are commission qualified pursuant to the YourTravelBiz.com Compensation Plan, present and future Reps of YourTravelBiz.com shall be deemed to have fully and unconditionally earned PowerTeam and Dream Team commissions, 50% commission match, bonuses and overrides on the enrollment of new referring travel agents (RTAS) by them and Reps in their PowerTeam and Dream Team commissionable PowerTeam and Dream Team downlines, subject only to future RTA initial license purchases being made by RTAs.

5. No present or future Rep of YourTravelBiz.com may be divested of the foregoing right to receive PowerTeam and Dream Team commissions, 50% commission match, bonuses and overrides except upon the voluntary termination of their Rep status, or their involuntary termination as an Independent Marketing Representative for cause and pursuant to the procedures of YourTravelBiz.com in connection with the involuntary termination of an Rep status for cause.

Thus, we also anticipate the honoring of this First Amendment and the protections to “PowerTeam and Dream Team commissions, 50% commission match, bonuses and overrides...” it affords us by YTB and that no involuntary manipulation of our respective downlines, including, but not limited to, the removal, adjustment, transfer or placement of REPs, Associates, TSOs and/or RTAs into other organizations in our
uplines, downlines or other organizations not in our hierarchy.

We leave YTB with no fiscal indebtedness, only a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to further develop as leaders. We hope that YTB does, in fact, reach its goal of creating 10,000 millionaires and becomes a major force in the marketplace for internet travel sales and retail distribution.

Again, thank you for the lasting memories and the journey to success.

Sincerely,

Floyd J. Williams

Spencer W. Iverson, JD

cc: King & Spalding, Atlanta, GA office; attachments
Christopher S. Prince, Counsel

The Next Big Thing?

Over the weekend we heard (and yes we are trying to confirm so it is still speculation at this point) that Spencer Iverson and Floyd Williams have left YTB for MonaVie. These two directors are partners with YTB's MVP of this year's convention, Don Bradley.  No word if Don is leaving as well. And FYI, I am still sticking to my story about PJ--give it a little bit of time. But there are many places for these people to land.

First is ViSalus, MonaVie, World Ventures, Numist, and Traverus and now  Ad Zoo.  And if Coach's mentors are involved, I suspect that it might be a huge draw away from YTB.

The original FOUNDERS of A.L Williams have come out of Retirement to start a new Company. These are the same men that Coach has always edified as the Greatest Networkers he had ever met, he would also talk about their their integrity.( They were his Upline in A.L Williams). 

This new Company is a SEO Company(Search Engine optimization). They are the Low Cost Provider of Geo Targeted SEO. This is a very interesting concept because it is a service that would thrive with or without MLM. The commissions are a straight 40% of sales to the sales person, and that also creates a 40% residual on that same sale. Many from YTB have already positioned themselves (knowing the credibility of these men)  and we expect many more in the coming weeks.

Ask yourself this question. If a business is spending $500-$2000 a month in the Yellow Pages that no one  looks at would they be willing to pay $120-$400 a month to be on the 1st page of Google where 68% of all people do look when they look for a new business.

To see this opportunity go to http://adzzoo-it.com

Another Opinion On YTB

Guess who had this to say about YTB:

It became painfully clear that the opportunity for the thousands of people who have listened, watched and learned from us has changed and too many good people were working too hard with dreams of making money. But the reality is that few leaders are making any money and it is irresponsible to create an illusion of wealth and prosperity when the truth is that so many people are suffering financially.

To find out, CLICK HERE!

Whoops, another one bites the dust. And if you want to know where they went, and their plans for taking their entire YTB team with them, you can see their site and put in an email address and watch their "press conference".  WARNING: The "conference" is a bit over the top.

Award Winners

Everyone has chided me on the post about PJ Jensen leaving YTB. I still maintain that we need to wait a few more weeks and see how this all shakes out. I am very confident in my sources and I still believe that post is correct.

Among other documentation to substantiate my position, here is a list of the big winners at the YTB convention this year. Notably, PJ's name is not included anywhere on it in terms of leadership or earnings. Somewhat strange for the "rock star" of the convention, don't you think?  Also, not seeing a lot of Rick and Brenda Ricketts or Ron and Judy Head on there either. Of course, it is also interesting to see who else is not included on the list. There are many that talk a big talk in YTB, and you would have thought they would have been on the list. I did not see Dr. Seligman, Metre Wisham and her Bentley, Mike Arcurso, Candy May, Earl From The Farm, or even Doug Bauknight. Hmm, makes you wonder!

Of the 6150 who attended, only 49 received any award. Look through the list, most of the names are duplicates.  8/10ths of one percent won an award. Pretty consistent with the percentage of people that earn money.

Less Than A Dime

Less Than 6200 Attend YTB Conference

Last year, the numbers were reported at 15,000 plus. This year it is "approximately 6150". Let's see, that is a 59% decrease.

Hmm, that is very much in line with their sales, their cash flow, their number of new recruits...carry on!

The 10Q Comments

Not much can be said about this 10Q that has not been said before. No one is confident in the management or future of YTB. They continue to lose money. They continue to broker insider deals; although it appears they are cutting back on the Beryl-Martin deal now that the cat is out of the bag and they already shuffled LOTS of money there. They are not sure how to repay the $2 million dollars that was due at the end of July and are thankful the bank has not demanded payment. Recruiting is still the top priority and money earner for the company and travel is a far distant second. Honestly this is the same $%@# different quarter.

However there were some numbers that did jump out at me.

It is obvious that it is becoming more and more difficult to sell the flopportunity. In the beginning of the year, they were selling 83 sites per day. Next quarter it was cut nearly in half. And this is the success of YTB 2.0? According to YTB's own income disclosure, there were 209,545 Associates or Reps selling this program. Of that number only 21,007 were qualified to actually close the sale (PTL or higher). So over the course of six months, in the course of any given day, 21,007 people managed to close only 64 sales? That's a big WOW!

I suppose on the plus side, the numbers indicate that they have done something to stop the hemorrhaging of the RTA/TSO numbers, but they are still losing significant numbers. In the most recent quarter, they lost nearly 25% of the RTA/TSOs--which as we all know are the source of income for the pyramid. However, this will escalate very soon when the truth comes out about PJ Jensen and his departure from YTB. And he may also take a formerly homeless woman who lived in her car along for the ride.

A few other comments, YTB was able to get the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, to allow them to delay their response to her lawsuit until the end of August.

And just how do you sell and "asset" (Rez Connect) and have it ending up costing you $3 million dollars to do it?

And in case you were wondering, in the time it likely took you to read this post, YTB lost another TSO/RTA,

YTB Logic

Over the years, YTB has had this sense of self importance and entitlement. Some of the claims heard include:

• Lisa Bauer was fired for terminating YTB
• Lisa Bauer is now in charge of housekeeping at a hotel in Miami because she terminated YTB
• Royal Caribbean lost money because they terminated YTB
• YTB will not take back suppliers that terminated them unless there is a full and public apology in the national press
• Kevin Sheehan, CEO of NCL was to be fired over the decision to terminate YTB
  

Well, back in January, NCL, did terminate YTB and throw them to the curb as did Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Celebrity, Perrillo, Qantas, and others.

So, using YTB's logic, how is it possible that NCL could show a profit after tossing YTB overboard? Perhaps the impact of YTB on any of the major vendors is really insignificant in the larger picture!

Even Comcast Knows

From a Facebook comment:

Jeannette Otto Mollo  Hello YTB Family! If anybody is having trouble getting emails from YTB and is a comcast subscriber there is the abuse number they said to call to have YTB unblocked. 856-317-7272. I have been calling there for 4 days now trying to resolve this issue still on the phone now:(

One of the top internet providers in the country is onto the YTB deal and has blocked their emails!

10Q Is In

Edit: Sorry, that was for 6 months. There was an operating income of $1.5 Million (02:20 PM)

While Scott "expected" to make a profit. Reality says otherwise. Also, the report is unaudited. Stay tuned for a Monday report.

Net Loss $600K

Nothing Is As It Seems. More Deception!

NOTE: Apparently, the article at the examiner has been updated to reflect the true source. Although the clarification only covers a part of the plagiarism. Here is a PDF of the edited article with the source pointed out. (11:40 am 08/07/2009)

In case anyone missed it, over the past few days, Doug Bauknight, TravelPro, and the Atlanta Family Travel Examiner has been defending Candy May against my assertion that she was deceptive in her presentation and blog. I stand by my assertions and Doug can defend her all he likes.

But before I lend any credence to any of his assertions, I feel it only fair to bring up a little problem that was brought to my attention last night. For the past several months, Doug has been "writing" a column for The Examiner and passing himself off as The Atlanta Family Travel Examiner. Of course this is a great opportunity to get your name out there; and hey, he can promote his little pyramid scheme every now and then.

But how much trust can you put into an author, who plagiarizes someone's work and claims it as his own? Seems to me this would be a serious breach of trust to his readers, and it also calls into question his own moral compass. I dare to say that this is even a lot more serious than Candy's purposeful deception of traveling like a rock star. And in a tremendous twist of irony, his post yesterday was called The Lies Keep Growing... Read on!

In September of 2000, FamilyDoctor.org (The American Academy of Family Physicians) published an article entitled International Travel: Tips for Staying Healthy. It was updated in April 2008. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Before you go

• Plan ahead. If you need any immunizations or vaccinations, see your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots.
• Have medical and dental check-ups before your trip, to be aware of problems and to find out about medicines you might need to take along.
• Be prepared. Find out what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you're in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Wear a medical information bracelet if needed. Take along a first-aid kit (see suggestions below).

While you're traveling

• Eat carefully if you're going to a country with an increased risk of traveler's diarrhea. Steaming-hot, well-cooked food is usually safest. Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products and raw or uncooked seafood. Peel fruits yourself. Drink water from commercially-sealed bottles or drink carbonated beverages. Avoid ice. Use bottled water when you brush your teeth.
• If you're going to a country with a risk of malaria, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicine for malaria. Remember to start taking your malaria medicine before you leave on your trip, take it during your travels and keep taking it for 4 weeks after you get home.
• Avoid swimming and other water activities in freshwater lakes and streams. Schistosomiasis (also called bilharziasis) is a disease you might be exposed to in some African streams and lakes.
• If you're going to a country with an increased risk of mosquito-borne disease, protect yourself against insects. Insect repellents that contain DEET work the best. Wear permethrin-coated clothing and use bed nets while you sleep.
• Try to avoid taking overcrowded transportation. Try not to ride in vehicles without safety belts. Wear a helmet if you'll be riding a motorcycle. Try to avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas without local help and directions.

• 
  

Well, on August 6, 2009, our very own TravelPro, Atlanta's Family Travel Examiner "wrote" an article entitled Thursday Travel Tip: Protecting Your Health While Traveling. (PDF Version) Below are the excerpts from that column.

Before you go:

Plan ahead. If you need any immunizations or vaccinations, see your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots.

Have medical and dental check-ups before your trip, to be aware of problems and to find out about medicines you might need to take along.

Be prepared. Find out what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you're in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Wear a medical information bracelet if needed. Take along a first-aid kit.

While you're traveling:

Eat carefully if you're going to a country with an increased risk of traveler's diarrhea. Steaming-hot, well-cooked food is usually safest. Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products and raw or uncooked seafood. Peel fruits yourself. Drink water from commercially-sealed bottles or drink carbonated beverages. Avoid ice. Use bottled water when you brush your teeth.

If you're going to a country with a risk of malaria, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicine for malaria. Remember to start taking your malaria medicine before you leave on your trip, take it during your travels and keep taking it for 4 weeks after you get home.

Avoid swimming and other water activities in freshwater lakes and streams. Schistosomiasis (also called bilharziasis) is a disease you might be exposed to in some African streams and lakes.

If you're going to a country with an increased risk of mosquito-borne disease, protect yourself against insects. Insect repellents that contain DEET work the best. Wear permethrin-coated clothing and use bed nets while you sleep.

Try to avoid taking overcrowded transportation. Try not to ride in vehicles without safety belts. Wear a helmet if you'll be riding a motorcycle. Try to avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas without local help and directions.

While these tips won't guarantee perfect health, they will certainly aid in protecting your most valuable possessions for you and your family while traveling.

For more info: You can follow Doug on Twitter for more updates or become a friend on Facebook. Doug and his family own BandBVacations.com, which hosts an online booking engine.

While Doug may not agree with some of the articles I have written, I can at least state that they are my own original work. Unfortunately, this simply further illustrates the lengths that some people will go to deceive. And no, because he removed bullets does not make it "his" work.

But as many assumed, it does not stop with a single column.

He posted this column July 30, 2009 (PDF Version). Most, not all, of the content was lifted from a Tip Diva column posted on April 25, 2008.

And take a look at his column of July 23, 2009 (PDF Version) where he lifted a full paragraph from this December 31, 2007 column from SmartMoney.

What does this say about the ethics of this "leader" in YTB? I wonder how the 30 people in his downline feel knowing that he steals other people's work and claims it to be his own. I wonder how the rightful owners of the content feel knowing their hard work and efforts were plundered by some self proclaimed TravelPro? How does The Examiner feel knowing that a person they are paying for his "expertise" is not really an expert at all and is simply a master of cut and paste? I wonder what Coach thinks? After all he is the one that says "if it ain't right don't do it." Is this right?

Kind of makes you think and puts a little more perspective into YTB and the people they claim to be "leaders".

YTB Tweets

Just a smattering of the YTB tweets during the convention. Info in 140 characters or less! My comments in parentheses. Shout out to Lisa Madigan's & Jerry Brown's offices--thanks for reading!

@seshie My mom said I could get my passport on her travel site www.ytb.com/ff4u. I love that she's a travel agent. She knows everything.(Good luck with that. Is YTB issuing Passports now along with CLIA cards?)

@Oprah Hi Oprah, I'm Don Calos, General Manager, Coley's Restaurant. Here's 2 Free Dinner coupons *$40 for joining ytb.com/don1edmund (I am sure Orpah has been waiting to join YTB)

@MCHammer Hi Hammer, I'm Don Calos, General Manager, Coley's Restaurant. Here's 2 Free Dinner coupons *$40 for joining ytb.com/don1edmund (Sorry Hammer, get in line behind Oprah)

In a convention class called "Building Your Biz the Christian Way"! How AWESOME is YTB?!?! (I dunno, you tell me)

@gordan_ramsey Don Calos, General Manager, Coley's Restaurant. 2 Free Dinner coupons *$40 to join ytb.com/don1edmund limited time offer (Gordan--you are third in line behind Oprah and MC Hammer)

is annoyed to see that those ytb idiots are back in town. (A local speaks)

One of them just ran my foot over with a wheelie bag. Twice. RT @mksiggy: is annoyed to see that those ytb idiots are back in town.(And another one)

Tele-travel biz YTB conf in town. 8,000 strong. Never seen so many chainsmokers. Not ever. (And yet another, doesn't seem like they are too welcome)

Plan your family vacation here www.ytbtravel.com/bestfuntrips Get ur own website that includes secured payment www.ytb.com/bestfuntrips (Illegal tweet. Not allowed to discuss travel and the opportunity at the same time)

last night of YTB!! Hope to be done with the out by 11.(If you are in STL, you are already too late to get out)

Try YTB, Travel Agents have fun while learning & receive 70% discounts. http://gonowtravel.info (What was that thing in the AG suit about false and misleading advertising?)

New YTB iPhone app coming August 31st to TSO's and Website Sellers Company wide!(Yes, now you need a $400 phone and a $1200 plan to work the business)

A stage full of $10,000 bonus earners in YTB http://yfrog.com/10zpajj (Income claims are a no no)

YTB dances. Happy New Year! http://yfrog.com/2bjk8j (Frightening)

Good morning from St Louis and YTB convention http://yfrog.com/7f7f1j (See above)

Watching Session 4 of the YTB Natcon via Life Stream they just finished doing the Cupid Shuffle. Some people are real funny!(Why aren't you there?)

#YTB it's on on on 'till the break of dawn Peace & Blessings, Greg Snead of SneadsTravel.com (Thanks Greg)

http://twitpic.com/cexnr PJ Jensen...still in the YTB game and I'm proud to be on hiz team! (Check back in a month)

http://ping.fm/p/Ka1QM - PJ Jensen is in YTB and not looking back.(See above)

If you ever thought u knew YTB, let me tell u, U DONT!! Incredible convention!!!! It's time to get in!!! $$$$$$$$ www.pamalvin.biz (OK, please tell me)

Been MIA on Twitter the past couple days...been putting smiles on thousands of faces at the YTB convention here in #STL! (Is that you Coach?)

#YTB Royal Caribbean buys Girdles an loses 14 Million panty sizes...Who Laughin' now B! (What? And it is all because of YTB?)

#YTB Would u like to earn an extra 10K with a 100 buck startup and Smile all the way to the bank? Discover http://www.AskAboutYTB.com #FB (They also want you to pay $1200 to get into that particular program)

#YTB #Aisle19 Shop 'till u drop and Get PAID TOO! no cost to you. Try it here: http://www.AskAboutAisle19.com #FB (Why would it cost you, it is free anyway to anyone)

The 2009 YTB Convention was off the hook! We are moving onward and upward- check out www.putmantravelgroup.com. (Oh, and I just thought the phones were disconnected again)

#YTB Happy New Year Travel Tweepeople! http://www.AskYourTravelBuddy.com (Uhm, you apparently are not at the right place at the right time--it's August Travel Buddy)

#YTB Got Favor? We Do @YTB One Family at a time. Earn ,Save and Live in Your Bucket. Visit http://www.Sneadstravel.com TODAY...GETAWAY now!(Huh?)

Wait til you hear about the $10000 guarantee! Give out 25 dvd's track and if you do not make $10,000 YTB will make up the difference... (Well, not exactly, you need to give out 300 in a year, track them per their requirements, and buy them for $99 for 25. So, it is a $1200 expense on top of the other expenses)

folks who said PJ Jensen had quit YTB lied if they lied about that what else are they lying about?PJ was on stage with and without hair lol (The word was resigned, and let's revisit this in a month)

The YTB Concention was amazing. Now, anyone can be a success ... Guaranteed!(I See they still haven't offered that Spelling 101 Class in the "University")

Back from St. Louis and winding down from the YTB covention.Committed to generational wealth for my bloodline.Met lots of cool, wealthy folk (What's the Plan B?)

@sheCREOLE JUST GOT BACK FROM ST LOUIS AT YTB CONVENTION.... BUT I BE AROUND (Speaks for itself)

Plan your end of the summer vacation www.ytbtravel.com/bestfuntrips! Get your own website like BFT with just $500 www.ytb.com/bestfuntrips (FAIL! Cannot listen to directions, you cannot sell travel and the opportunity together)

YTB Comes Under Fire, Again!: Analyzing YTB's website for investors and annual reports information, ... Legi.. http://bit.ly/zG0OR (Please don;t let facts get in the way of the Kool Aid line)

YTB blows away industry with blockbuster announcements -->> http://budurl.com/rkk9 <<-- [blo] (Well, this is half right)

Happy New Year from YTB. More products, more money, more training, more support, more suppliers & more technology ... And a $10k Guarantee (More money for Coach, Scott and Kim, no more travel suppliers, they are leaving)

For all those people that post false information on the web, I'm here to tell you that Peter "PJ Jensen is alive and well at YTB! (Let's talk in a month)

You Can't Fix Stupid

Just attended my 1st convention, after hearing the enthusiasm in Craig Sweets voice, about how life altering the convention would be for me, I quit the job I'd just started after being unemployed for over 18months. That's how certain I am YTB, is so phenomenal and will be the key to my life goals.

Coach.............You are God's answer to all our prayers, what an outstanding convention, with all these great offers you gave us. let's rock the world. and help America recover from financial recession, YTB is the answer.
THANK YOU COACH

 

 

A Half Million Dollar Typo

Apparently due to a "typographical error" the total cost to buy out the Brents and Rez Connect has just increased by $425,000.00 according to the 8-K/A just filed.

If you will recall, when they did the deal, they did not know how much it would cost. After they did the deal, they said the total cost would be $2,349,000.00.  But now because of a "typographical" error the deal will cost $2,774,000.00.

Is it any wonder their own accountants are worried?

Britney Spears Candy May: Oops I Did It Again!

In Candy May's Blog, she tells you that "You Can Travel Like A Rock Star if you're "Takin Care of Business in YTB".

She goes on to tell all about the wonderful "rock star" treatments she received:

So I went back to work booking lots of travel and “takin care of business’. There was a booking contest with a company that specialized in Mexico. We won that trip by booking LOTS of travel. We went completely free including round trip air to a beautiful resort called the Royal Hideaway in the beautiful Mayan Rivera. We had a wonderful villa with our own personal concierge seated right outside our villa at a desk in the courtyard. Every day as we would head to the beach in our flip-flops and straw hats she would say “Mrs. May, where would you like to have dinner tonight?” And I would say “well may dear, what do you recommend?” And she would say “we have a lovely Italian restaurant, how about 7:00?” And I would say “that sounds marvelous….7:00 it is”. Then she said “oh and Mrs. May could I interest you in a massage after your swim?” Oh Yeah I am so getting used to this. We are fitting in.

The last resort I want to tell you about is a place called the One and Only Pamilla in beautiful Cabo San Lucas. When we checked in they told us that John Travolta had just checked out. He had reserved the entire resort for his fiftieth birthday….and if it’s good enough for John Travolta its good enough for me. LOL.

This does sound wonderful, but there appears to be some serious sleight of hand going on here. Is anyone surprised? Well, John Travolta turned 50 in February 2004. And according to another post on Candy May's blog:

I joined forces with YTB in June of 2006 and that is how this journey began.

Well, it seems that one of two things are happening here. Candy May has a problem with the truth and has no issue misleading people, or she has a memory problem and can't remember what she said a week earlier.

For a moment, let's forget that Royal Hideaway will not accept a YTB agent on a FAM because they lost their IATAN accreditation. And let's forget that One And Only is certainly not offering up their resorts to agents who only sell to themselves and have likely never placed a client on the property.

But the more serious issue, in my mind, is the deception going on. Over the past two years, we have exposed it time and time again and it still continues. Who really wants to get involved with a company when their own "leaders" are engaged in deception like this simply to recruit and build the downline.

Yes, Candy May did own an agency at one point. She claims to have been an "award winning" agency but to date, no awards have surfaced. She claimed to have been flown to Minneapolis and wooed by Carlson who wanted her agency to join the conglomerate, yet no one at Carlson has any records of her name or her agency.  I guess, Candy May was just one of many agents who could not hack it in a post 911 world.  She has claimed the "internet" has put her out of business, but if she failed in 2005 or 2006--she really cannot blame the Internet, now can she?

So, to anyone that is considering joining YTB, and especially those looking to join the downline of Candy May based on all of her experience, ask yourselves if it is true and if she can really be trusted. Sort of casts a shadow over eveyone now doesn't it?

Bizarre Video Part 2

Bizarre Video

The "Blockbuster" Announcements

In case you were sitting at the edge of your seat for the "blockbuster announcements" to come from the YTB Convention, your wait is over. According to a TravelPro:

Because we believe this years Convention is so important, the announcements so big, the industry needs to know that YTB is back in force. 

If you look at most of these, they are nothing to get too excited about. And I also question the overuse of the word "blockbuster". I mean really, it's primarily associated with a video rental company that is going down the tubes.

Coach's Corner Overrides.
It seems with the Coach's Corner override, they are again combining the two companies. I can sign up for free, and if I can sell 30 travel sites (remember, I no longer need to have a site to demo the product as there is a sample one), I am in Coach's Corner. Now all of a sudden, I am able to get a 10% override on the travel commissions, the store commissions, the tents and stuff?

$10,000 Guarantee.
The $10,000 guarantee is also a joke. You need to distribute 300 DVDs (at a cost of $1200) per year and follow the YTB provided tracking program.  This just replaces the Success From Home deal they had before. The $6,000 program never worked.

New Commission Levels.
They are offering 70% travel commission split if you pay $149 for the First Class Training which they had been offering for a bit.  80% when your travel compensation from YTB equals $25,000 a year. (note that there was only one person in the company that exceeded $25,000 last year). 90% when you get $50,000, and 100% at $100,000.  What is interesting is if you hit those upper levels, you will get perks for directors--again, mixing the two entities. But this is no more than the typical YTB carrot that they dangle. Offer an unattainable goal and preach that it is easily attainable.

$200 Price Increase In Program.
The new $99 entrance fee is really just a hidden price increase. The pitch they gave to the website sellers is that they will earn more from the commission split because the monthly payments (following the initial payment) are increased. The 7 month cost for the $99 program is $200 more than the standard program. The pitch to the prospective victims is that you now only need to have $99 available on the credit card and not $500.

$50 Quick Start.
As a new travel site owner, if you get 25 people to register on Aisle 19/ShopYTB in the first month, they will give you $50 (and the prospect pitch is that the program now will only cost $50 to enter since getting 25 people is a piece of cake.). Yet when YTB has captured the information of these people via the sign up, they will be promoting YTB and the various products to them. Actually a good way for YTB to capture the information when you consider the inherent failure rate in YTB.

YTB Motors.
Apparently replacing the failed YTB Cars. Still in development. Cars are taking a hit in the economy just like travel. It makes no sense to me.

The rest of the announcements were not much of anything,  They talked about the Deals & Steals newsletter being improved (they said that last year as well), and the ability to track customers (wow, glad they could catch up with the rest of the world)

There was a flurry of Tweets (there will be a fun post on YTB Tweets tomorrow) saying PJ Jensen was staying with YTB.  For now, all I will say is let's give this a month to see how it all shakes out.  There may be more to the Power of 7 Program that YTB extols than they think!