Well, I guess it was a good move to not have a real Funshine this year. Kim Sorensen just posted a video and said that the registrations were lagging. Boy, a real one might have been a real embarrassment.
The purpose of the video was to explain what "virtual" means. Apparently there are many in YTB that are unfamiliar with the concept. There was a demonstration of a virtual trade show as well--and it is nothing different than the virtual trade shows that have been put on by any number of travel industry organizations.
The cost to set up a trade show is minimal according to Forbes, despite Kim's assurances that it is very expensive. And let's not forget that for most trade shows put on by legitimate companies in the industry, the SUPPLIERS pay to exhibit, and speak. Now, unless YTB has some high priced keynoter, this likely will just another revenue source for YTB.
Feb 25, 2011
Feb 21, 2011
Some Are Not Happy With A Virtual Funshine
And rightfully so. They bring up some good points. If everyone is making so much money selling travel, why not have it live? Why has travel been put on the back burner? And why is YTB never represented at any of the industry trade shows?
Unfortunately, these answers will never be coming from YTB. But in case you are interested...
Very few people make money in YTB--either selling travel, peddling the "opportunity", or selling crap from the "portal." Ask for an income disclosure and you will see. It is no different than any other MLM continual chain scheme--the owners make out very well and a few select at the top. But in this case, you have the owners and the select few at the top being one in the same!
Travel has been put on the back burner because YTB is steadily moving away from travel. They came into the industry looking to set it on its ear; but failed miserably. They tried to sell the program on the back of IATA and lost their certification. They tried to sell the program on the perks and the thousands of recruits did nothing more than enrage the industry. The only reason travel was the "product" was because it was a "sexy" product and on the surface made for an easy mark to have the recruiters sell them into the program. But now that travel revenues are down significantly and YTB has been eschewed by several suppliers, they are moving onto girdles, picture frames and vitamins.
YTB is never represented at ANY industry function for the simple reason that the industry does not really believe they are a member of the industry. YTB used the travel industry to further their own agendas to run an endless chain scheme. To those in YTB that actually do attend an industry function. Try this one time. Get rid of all of your YTB bling, ditch the YTB t-shirts and bags. For a moment, pretend that you are not with YTB and just a legitimate independent travel professional. Engage one of the few remaining YTB suppliers at their booth and casually bring up discounting, and then morph into MLMs, and then say something along the lines of "I am surprised there are not more agents from YTB here." and see what type of reaction you get. Probe a little bit and you will realize that your host agency--YTB--has virtually no respect within the industry.
But here are the comments on the virtual trade show:
And in a reply to these issues, Kim Sorensen stated that there would; be no live representation from the suppliers. So exactly what is this virtual event? Just a listing of links to supplier's sites?
Unfortunately, these answers will never be coming from YTB. But in case you are interested...
Very few people make money in YTB--either selling travel, peddling the "opportunity", or selling crap from the "portal." Ask for an income disclosure and you will see. It is no different than any other MLM continual chain scheme--the owners make out very well and a few select at the top. But in this case, you have the owners and the select few at the top being one in the same!
Travel has been put on the back burner because YTB is steadily moving away from travel. They came into the industry looking to set it on its ear; but failed miserably. They tried to sell the program on the back of IATA and lost their certification. They tried to sell the program on the perks and the thousands of recruits did nothing more than enrage the industry. The only reason travel was the "product" was because it was a "sexy" product and on the surface made for an easy mark to have the recruiters sell them into the program. But now that travel revenues are down significantly and YTB has been eschewed by several suppliers, they are moving onto girdles, picture frames and vitamins.
YTB is never represented at ANY industry function for the simple reason that the industry does not really believe they are a member of the industry. YTB used the travel industry to further their own agendas to run an endless chain scheme. To those in YTB that actually do attend an industry function. Try this one time. Get rid of all of your YTB bling, ditch the YTB t-shirts and bags. For a moment, pretend that you are not with YTB and just a legitimate independent travel professional. Engage one of the few remaining YTB suppliers at their booth and casually bring up discounting, and then morph into MLMs, and then say something along the lines of "I am surprised there are not more agents from YTB here." and see what type of reaction you get. Probe a little bit and you will realize that your host agency--YTB--has virtually no respect within the industry.
But here are the comments on the virtual trade show:
And in a reply to these issues, Kim Sorensen stated that there would; be no live representation from the suppliers. So exactly what is this virtual event? Just a listing of links to supplier's sites?
Kim Sorensen Brenda, The 2 day event will be live but we will put a link the travel portal of those who have registered so you can view at your leisure. There will not be any live exhibitors but you will still have access to all of the documents, trainings and recordings.Thursday at 10:51am · 1 person
Feb 16, 2011
Is Carnival Feeding YTB To Get More Direct Sales?
I received an interesting memo the other day defining YTB/Zam Zuu. In it, Carnival is specifically mentioned as a company that "needs" Zam Zuu to get eliminate the middleman and bring product to the people that buy it. (emphasis mine)
YTB most definitely has sold cruises--a lot of them and are a good "agency" for Carnival--especially the Illinois BDM. But with YTB's focus more on the recruitment and not the travel, I wonder if Carnival is leveraging this to build their direct to consumer model?
What is ZamZuu...really? ZamZuu is supply chain management, it is logistics, it is network distribution, it is how product gets to "the people who buy" in the internet era. WalMart, Carnival, and other multinational/multibillion dollar companies need you...they are willing to pay for connections...they need you to help build a global distribution network among friends. Do not miss your opportunity to create generational wealth for for your family!There has been rampant speculation that travel suppliers are ramping up their direct to consumer sales models and NCL is leading the way with Carnival not too far behind. We all know that once a client is booked, their information is available to Carnival and they are usually contacted directly by Carnival.
YTB most definitely has sold cruises--a lot of them and are a good "agency" for Carnival--especially the Illinois BDM. But with YTB's focus more on the recruitment and not the travel, I wonder if Carnival is leveraging this to build their direct to consumer model?
Feb 15, 2011
Is This The New Way To Recruit?
I am not sure if this is an officially sanctioned YTB/ZamZuu program or not. Initially it seemed like it was just a local Director's idea, but the phrase at the bottom, "The Zam Zuu--Church Partnership", leads me to believe that it might indeed be a YTB program.
Wow!
Wow!
ZamZuu--the Perfect Church/Community Fundraiser
Imagine receiving a 10% commission as the Rep who sold a Broker License to a national church or community organization. Just sell and manage 10-20 of these and you are set. Wow! ZamZuu makes for the perfect fundraiser.
Take a church for example...The church buys a broker license and gives out a free site to the entire congregation (blessing them). The people shop online and receive cash back & commissions--thechurch receives a 100% match. ZamZuu empowers the church to harness the internet marketing commission and flow the money into the "House."
The church is also able to purchase the Z-Kit and other business building tools to assist in increasing the skills of the congregation. How about that...teach congregation members how to make money on the internet.
The ZamZuu-Church Partnership:
- Provide Education & Training (increase job skills & talents)
- Instill Moral Virtue (stay on the right course)
- Economic Organization (teamwork makes the dreamwork)
Be sure to tell your pastor, community & nonprofit leader about ZamZuu!
Feb 14, 2011
Technical Issues Or Legal Issues?
Not sure if Eddie Mitchell reads this blog or not, but there was no "technical difficulty" at all. There was a legal difficulty and YTB/ZamZuu is being sued for breach of contract by Diamond Ice.
Feb 9, 2011
The Cookie Keeps Crumbling
First Coach was tossed from the River House and now it looks like Scott Tomer is losing his home too.
According to The Telegraph, on January 6, 2011, foreclosure proceedings were filed against Scott and Lauri Tomer and the LP they use names "Life Is Good, LP."
According to The Telegraph, on January 6, 2011, foreclosure proceedings were filed against Scott and Lauri Tomer and the LP they use names "Life Is Good, LP."
Feb 8, 2011
Diamond Ice Sues YTB For Breach Of Contract & More
Diamond Ice has sued YTB for breach of contract. According to the suit, YTB was unable to finance their part of the Diamond Ice deal (no shock there), undermined Diamond Ice's ability to obtain financing (when you lay down with dogs, you should expect to get fleas), disclosing Diamond Ice's proprietary information, and doing business with third partied already doing business with Diamond Ice.
I suspect the last two items are a result of CCMP/Beryl-Martin dba Crystal Memories producing a similar product for the ZamZuu reps. CCMP/Beryl-Martin is a company which was wholly owned by Coach Tomer and Kim Sorensen and was "hired" for $8 million dollars to manufacture the Statue of Liberty prop used during the 2008 convention.
But in a strange twist, it seems that Diamond Ice hired Thomas Baker immediately after Baker left the Board of YTB.
YTB, as expected, is trying to get this moved to Illinois and not Florida. I guess they are familiar with Illinois courts and quite likely they have reserved seats at the defendant's table.
As an aside, take a look at some of the markups on the product. Talk about price gouging!
I suspect the last two items are a result of CCMP/Beryl-Martin dba Crystal Memories producing a similar product for the ZamZuu reps. CCMP/Beryl-Martin is a company which was wholly owned by Coach Tomer and Kim Sorensen and was "hired" for $8 million dollars to manufacture the Statue of Liberty prop used during the 2008 convention.
But in a strange twist, it seems that Diamond Ice hired Thomas Baker immediately after Baker left the Board of YTB.
YTB, as expected, is trying to get this moved to Illinois and not Florida. I guess they are familiar with Illinois courts and quite likely they have reserved seats at the defendant's table.
As an aside, take a look at some of the markups on the product. Talk about price gouging!
USA Today Sniffs Out MLM
A pretty good article appeared yesterday in USA Today. Among the highlights....
Wow. Just Wow!
Jack Tucker of Knoxville, Tenn., who spent 28 years in wholesale sales, says the products simply weren't priced competitively enough to sell. He could only find one customer willing to pay for Amway's products in the year he was an IBO in the late 1990s.Be sure to read the comments afterward. Judging from this article, it seems that the AMWAY and Fortune Hi Tech Marketing IBOs are making WAY more than the ones involved in YTB or ZamZuu. In FHTM only 30% make nothing (YTB's 2009 Income disclosure showed that 76% made nothing) and 54% earned $93 a month on average (YTB says that 90% earn $10.05 per YEAR) before costs!
The class-action lawsuit also alleges Amway broke the law by telling people they could "significantly supplement their incomes, or even become rich and retire" when about 99% of distributors lost "significant savings" because they had to buy so many training materials as well as the company's own products.
Wittlich says Amway IBOs were expected to buy products added to the catalog, even if they didn't need them. When he shopped outside the company to get lower prices, Wittlich says, his sponsor would remind him he'd never succeed that way. Besides, he says, it was so hard to sell products to others to get his "meager" bonus each month, he had to "hyper consume" them. "They would use all different kinds of things, like telling you about your kids' future being at stake," he says. "We were spending money we couldn't afford to spend."
Wittlich says they weren't forced to pay for marketing materials and meetings but were told repeatedly that these "tools and functions" were necessary for success in the multilevel marketing organization. They would be "looked down upon and chastised" if they didn't buy them, Wittlich says.
Wow. Just Wow!
Feb 7, 2011
Words Can Be So Confusing
The following was sent to me this weekend. It is a promotion for the Z-Kit that YTB is selling to it's brokers for $399. It includes samples of several products and some coupons. (Emphasis mine)
Finally, truth in advertising. Yes, the $399.95 is "easily" five to ten times the value of the kit!
The Z-Kit is now available online in your Broker Back Office!
Know any Brokers who are interested in the brand new, power-packed Z Kit? Now, ordering a Z Kit is quick and seamless.
This great new trial kit is designed specifically to help your Brokers be successful in ZamZuu. It's called the Z Kit, and it's packed with many of the amazing Featured Store products to try or share.
Plus, it features many different Featured Store rebates for Brokers to distribute as they like to prospective Free Agents.
This optional kit is available to Brokers now, and the best part is that it's only $399.95! That's easily five to ten times its value when factoring in all of the manufacturers' rebates that can be applied toward future purchases through an e-commerce business. It's a phenomenal tool to help build a phenomenal business!
Brand new Brokers are able to add on the Z Kit to their purchase within the sign up process. Make sure your Brokers know all about this exciting new product created just for them. It's important that they know the value of this kit and how it to use it to promote their new business.
If you have pre-ordered the Z-Kit - that form is now expired. Please note the you and your Brokers should now order through their Back Office or within the sign up process.
Finally, truth in advertising. Yes, the $399.95 is "easily" five to ten times the value of the kit!
Feb 4, 2011
Can YTB ZamZuu Take A 40% Hit In Revenue?
This is interesting. YTB has defaulted on the loans it has for the headquarters. Was this an intentional move?
There is a bill that has already passed the Illinois House and Senate (House Bill 3659) that is sitting on the desk of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn which will require Illinois businesses who operate any affiliate programs to pay the state a 6.25% use tax on every product they sell.
Certainly YTB cannot absorb that. Nor should they. But what likely will happen is that the vendors they represent will likely pull out and refuse to offer an affiliate program in Illinois. The other alternative, is for the businesses to flee Illinois.
Currently, only online retailers that have a physical location in Illinois — a retail store, headquarters or warehouse, for example — have to collect state tax at checkout. The new law, which would take effect July 1, would define online retailers as having a physical location in Illinois if they have affiliates in the state.
YTB is small potatoes compared to some of the other companies operating in Illinois who are very upset.
How attractive will the YTB/ZamZuu opportunity seem when you eliminate most of the major retailers in the program? As I said yesterday, buyer beware. These are stormy seas!
There is a bill that has already passed the Illinois House and Senate (House Bill 3659) that is sitting on the desk of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn which will require Illinois businesses who operate any affiliate programs to pay the state a 6.25% use tax on every product they sell.
Certainly YTB cannot absorb that. Nor should they. But what likely will happen is that the vendors they represent will likely pull out and refuse to offer an affiliate program in Illinois. The other alternative, is for the businesses to flee Illinois.
Currently, only online retailers that have a physical location in Illinois — a retail store, headquarters or warehouse, for example — have to collect state tax at checkout. The new law, which would take effect July 1, would define online retailers as having a physical location in Illinois if they have affiliates in the state.
YTB is small potatoes compared to some of the other companies operating in Illinois who are very upset.
- "I feel like I've been completely flipped the bird," said Tim Storm, chief executive of FatWallet, based in Rockton, near Rockford. "Essentially, 30 to 40 percent of our revenue gets shut off instantaneously."
- Revenue at CouponCabin, in Chicago, would be cut by one-third if the large retailers cut it off, said Scott Kluth, founder and president. He said he was dismayed that the bill was hurried through the Legislature.
How attractive will the YTB/ZamZuu opportunity seem when you eliminate most of the major retailers in the program? As I said yesterday, buyer beware. These are stormy seas!
Feb 2, 2011
10 Years Of YTB & ZamZuu Greatness??
Here is a slide from the latest recruitment tool from YTB.
It seems they left off the asterisk! Let's assume for a brief moment that the numbers they are claiming are indeed accurate. The total paid would be $337,715,025.80. On the surface that is a big WOW, number!
People that are not familiar with the methods of YTB might be duped into believing that they too can earn a piece of that pie. But really now, nothing in life is free. And with YTB, it seems everything in life will cost you and line the pockets of YTB.
The Claim:
In ten years, YTB has paid out $337 Million in commissions
The Facts (during the period of January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009):
For anyone interested in the ZamZuu or YTB opportunity, the suggested starting place will be on their own site under "Investor Relations" where you will find the real facts if you decide to look for them. Facts such as:
YTB has been delisted from the OTC stock market and is now trading on the pink sheets
YTB's stock has been in a freefall for many years
There are still several lawsuits pending against YTB
How they came to be "publicly traded"
The turnover of the members of their executive team and Board of Directors
The hemorrhaging of reps, RTAs and TSOs
The consistent losses the company suffers each year
The intertwined deals like Beryl Martin being owned by Tomer and Sorensen
That Beryl-Martin is now producing the replacement Diamond Ice product and the custom banners
The legally required filings with the SEC are a very clear snapshot into this company and serve as fair warning to those who decide to drink the Kool-Aid.
Be very cautious about signing up for YTB or ZamZuu. Ask for the legally mandated income disclosures and see how much the average person makes. Ask yourself if you are average, above average, or in the top half percentile who can make more than $20,000 a year in this scheme.
As with everything, buyer beware. Things are not always as they seem!
It seems they left off the asterisk! Let's assume for a brief moment that the numbers they are claiming are indeed accurate. The total paid would be $337,715,025.80. On the surface that is a big WOW, number!
People that are not familiar with the methods of YTB might be duped into believing that they too can earn a piece of that pie. But really now, nothing in life is free. And with YTB, it seems everything in life will cost you and line the pockets of YTB.
The Claim:
In ten years, YTB has paid out $337 Million in commissions
The Facts (during the period of January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009):
- YTB charged their reps, RTAs, TSOs $328,999,684 in sign up fees and website rentals alone.
- YTB charged their reps, RTAs, TSOs an additional $33,172,620 for "training fees"
- YTB charged their reps, RTAs, TSOs a total of $362,172, 365 over a period of 5 years
- For the 9 months ended September 30, 2010, YTB charged their reps, RTAs, TSOs $18,886,000 for sign up fees and website rentals.
For anyone interested in the ZamZuu or YTB opportunity, the suggested starting place will be on their own site under "Investor Relations" where you will find the real facts if you decide to look for them. Facts such as:
YTB has been delisted from the OTC stock market and is now trading on the pink sheets
YTB's stock has been in a freefall for many years
There are still several lawsuits pending against YTB
How they came to be "publicly traded"
The turnover of the members of their executive team and Board of Directors
The hemorrhaging of reps, RTAs and TSOs
The consistent losses the company suffers each year
The intertwined deals like Beryl Martin being owned by Tomer and Sorensen
That Beryl-Martin is now producing the replacement Diamond Ice product and the custom banners
The legally required filings with the SEC are a very clear snapshot into this company and serve as fair warning to those who decide to drink the Kool-Aid.
Be very cautious about signing up for YTB or ZamZuu. Ask for the legally mandated income disclosures and see how much the average person makes. Ask yourself if you are average, above average, or in the top half percentile who can make more than $20,000 a year in this scheme.
As with everything, buyer beware. Things are not always as they seem!
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