Close…(But no Cigar)
A couple of weeks ago I put out a challenge to the industry to find a better opportunity than YTB regarding price, compensation, and benefits. It’s not surprising that I’ve had very few takers. I already knew the answer.
Here are the requirements that I’ve asked everyone to follow:
Just one Host, one Agency, one single Brick and Mortar that:
- Offers 80%-100% commission contracts.
- Pays cash bonuses of up to $10K when you hit performance levels for travel commissions earned.
- Covers the cost of your Medical Insurance and provides a $150,000 Life Insurance policy.
- Give me that “hat trick” for less than $500 start up and $49.95 per monthly overhead.
I’ve seen a handful of answers from those associated with Nexion, Travel Planners International, and over the weekend, CruiseOne.
While I have no problem with any of these Host Agencies, (I’m sure they’re all very good) none of them match what I have with YTB. Travel Planners for example can offer 100% commission (after two years) but lacks the bonuses and medical benefits I’m looking for. CruiseOne does offer the medical benefits I’m looking for, but I’d have to pay for benefits, along with a hefty $10K for the privilege of being aligned with them. (Where YTB will pay me $10K for producing.)
I do like and did find the payment option in Travel Weekly’s CruiseOne article interesting. If you can come up with $2500 down payment, you can finance the rest through a third party to complete the remaining amount owed. I have no idea what the interest rate or terms would be for something like this, but I can promise it will end up costing a bit more than the $9800 flat rate price to get started the old way.
I also liked Dwain Wall’s comment on the current influx of new blood into the industry in the Travel Weekly article.
“We’ve seen an influx of interest from very bright, passionate, entrepreneurial people who have been laid off from another industry or are working presently, but challenged to produce the initial CruiseOne Franchise Fee,” said Dwain Wall, senior vice president and general manager of CruiseOne. “We want to eliminate any barriers to success for people who show such strong potential and offer a stimulus plan, of sorts, to help aspiring entrepreneurs seize the moment and start their own cruise travel business.”
YTB found the same challenge for bright, passionate, entrepreneurial people as well, and came up with a $99 plan to get started. (You can find more info on the $99 plan here.)
To me, it’s all about risk verses reward. If you truly want to align yourself in the travel industry and see if this is something you want to do, why pay more for inferior compensation and benefits?
I’m just asking…
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Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812 |
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Tags: Home Based Business, Home Based Travel Agent, Travel Agent Commission
August 17th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
You know it seems obvious, there is a bias to your referral program and travel agents are biased to there program used. As it appears no one is ever going to convince either party, maybe just maybe there is not one better then the other. Maybe there are just differences between the two.
The one thing that stands out on this page/topic is your tool here your newsletter. This is to recruit potential buyers into your program, and down play other avenues.
So, If this is such a hot topic why not look for an unbiased party to investigate and chart there findings, instead of this little cat and mice game.
You seem to be very friendly with the trade papers and the writers as shown in your many posts here. Why not contact one of the trade papers and ask one of there staff writers to compile and do an article on there findings/results, they seem to be the most unbiased source.
I would just suggest that they make sure all things are covered to be 100% concise with the results for anyone can sway results.
For example, you always tout bonuses for performance, make sure they show the performance levels to achieve those bonuses and do the same with others. Same for health coverage, show what it entails in order to qualify for coverage and so forth. And, just make sure they cover all costs associated with the findings, financials, reports etc…
This seems to be the most reasonable way to go in an unbiased manor, then the results stand for what they are and you don’t have this cat and mouse game between anyone.
August 17th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
If an unbiased review is important to you, than I suggest YOU pick up the ball and run with it and see how far it gets you.
Me…been there – done that – even have a T-shirt that says so.
Travel Weekly’s been doing an unbiased review of the top Agencies for years and TTA’s still come up with excuses as to why it can’t be right.
A Judge gave an unbiased review of the Class Action Suit (well…he threw it out) and nobody talks about it.
In other words…I’m not going to waste my time with people who either come up with excuses or ignore the issues.
August 18th, 2009 at 8:13 am
(In other words…I’m not going to waste my time with people who either come up with excuses or ignore the issues.)
Seems to me you would want an unbiased opinion in your back pocket for promoting purposes. That would be a big edge for you if your company is as solid as you say or think it is.
(If an unbiased review is important to you, I suggest YOU pick up the ball and run with it and see how far it gets you.)
I was just giving you a suggestion, since you have all the contacts with the trades papers, no work at all on your part except for a phone call or e-mail, they would be doing the work. The results would stand for themselves.
See, I could care less one way or the other you don’t impact my businesses and I don’t yours. From a business perspective, I just find these blogs fasinating to watch time and emotions play into the equation rather then looking at things from a business standpoint.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Spectator;
I agree that your suggestion appears to be both rational and logical on the surface and you have made very valid points.
Thank you.
Unfortunately I don’t deal with rational or logical individuals on the other side of this issue. I would suggest you to do a bit more reading and research on the other end of this argument to see that the problems are not caused by me, but by critics who spend most of their time sticking fingers in their ears, looking the other direction, or simply deflecting.
I’ve had unbiased documentation in my back pocket for three years with Travel Weekly’s Power List. In addition, Travel Weekly has made a concerted effort the last two years to put all the bizarre questions and accusations concerning YTB’s verified numbers to rest. Yet, Travel Weekly is no closer to educating the pompous asses on the other side of this issue that the numbers posted are verified and accurate.
In order for results to stand on their own merit, they need to be recognized as results. A District Judge last month threw out one of the most ridiculous law suits I’ve seen in my lifetime, calling it immaterial, impertinent, redundant, and scandalous. Yet, critics now choose to drop the ruling and focus on something else instead of discussing why ungainly monster of 39 pages and 133 paragraphs fell flat on its face.
In regard to YTB’s superior compensation for those who want to hook up with a better Host, paying these talented individuals for what they produce; the best they’ve been able to do is come up with one or two that are cheaper, another that pays 100%, and this belief that Independent Contractors are not eligible for medical benefits according to the IRS. (Yet, I know of two Directors who have been audited in the last two years, and their medical benefits were never an issue.)
I’ve grown tired of the talk, the crying, ignoring and unsubstantiated claims. It’s time for these chumps to start documenting and talking about the issues and stop deflecting.
But as I’ve learned so many times before, I’d have a better chance of catching a greased pig, and more that likely come out cleaner on the other side.
But thanks for the suggestion, and I may do it for our own group to help promote the features, advantages and benefits for those who are able to look at things without the emotion and anger that I’ve become accustom too.
But to suggest I do it for the industry as a whole would only create more animosity and anger because our model allows us to do it when theirs can’t and honestly, they can’t handle that realization.