What Do They Know That We Don’t?
Thursday, March 10th, 2011I’ve always loved this game critics play when they put partial information out there that supports their beliefs and ask:
“What do they know that you don’t?“
It’s a “what if” game that’s designed to get you questioning and doubting your own beliefs. Can’t blame them really, our minds are well adapted for concocting all sorts of scenarios and outcomes. The mind is doing its job in trying to protect us when it comes up with the worst possible scenario.
They know that there’s a ton of mileage to be had by simply placing any tidbit of doubt out there for the average person to find. The hope of course is that the average person is just as lazy and gullible as they are. (Well…truth be told – their ego is far too large to allow themselves to be categorized as gullible or lazy.)
Since inception, there has always been a lot of speculation going on surrounding YTBLA – because it’s MLM. For the record, I do own both Class A and Class B shares of this stock, and have for years. Before the stock split, I did sell a percentage to recover my initial investment, but for the most part, both classes of stock have been sitting in my portfolio for the last five years.
Therefore, I keep up with the financial data from the company. Maybe not on a daily basis, but I do keep an eye out for transactions and quarterly reports.
In the middle of last year, I heard rumblings about our Founders dumping stock. Now mind you, this comes from a long standing belief from critics who buy into this idea that Coach Tomer, his son Scott Tomer, and partner Kim Sorensen would be riding off into the sunset – leaving everyone high and dry without compensation or a company to speak of. It’s a ploy that’s been around for years. Not exactly sure how this last circus round was spun by these clowns, or what was written – but true to form, “dumping” really wasn’t the proper word to use in these instances.
Scott Tomer for example, gifted over 1 million shares to each of his four children in one transaction. In another transaction, Kim Sorensen basically did the same, gifting 3 million shares to his six members of his family in another transaction. All public record in the Form 4′s that were filed, complete with comments regarding what happened to the stock.
In a classic “smoke and mirrors” style, critics never relieved this information – just an overall number of what was owned by our founders then – and a number they own now. Of course the question they want everyone to think about was also asked – “Why did they dump millions of shares?” and “What do they know that you don’t know?“
These are rhetorical questions when asked by the way. Nobody on these boards or blogs ever wants a real answer. All it’s designed to do is apply doubt and perception disguised as “factoids”. Actual fact in both these instances doesn’t conform to their fears that the Founders are cashing in – simply to get out.
But alas, this question of “What do they know that you don’t” does work both ways.
While researching a question poised in my last article, and found two new Form 4′s filed in the Company’s SEC filings. If you don’t know what a Form 4 is, (and I suppose there are some who don’t.) it’s a required filing for any insider transactions. Insiders are defined as Executives, Founders, Board of Directors, or anyone else who’s privy to insider information not available to the public. It’s a transparency thing – and it’s not uncommon for CEO’s and Executives to acquire company stock. (I found 9 stocks with CEO buys of over $100,000 in the past week.) The reports were possible after finding the required Form 4 that was filed with each company financial filings.
So what does it say about YTB International when CEO and President Robert Van Patten acquires 500,000 shares of stock, and CFO Jeremy Hemann acquires another 100,000 shares of stock?
Or to borrow our line from critics – “What do they know that we don’t know?“
About all I can say for sure is that sales are up. In February alone the company produced $450K in sales from affiliate and featured stores – a 58% increase year over year. Prior month’s sales have also been at record levels. Our free agent opportunity is now up over 100k, and they’re getting their legs. I see groups being booked at new levels as well from our Travel Agents with YTB Travel Network and our BDM at Carnival is extremely pleased as sales for the current year so far are extremely strong.
I see people in the field being energized and happy.
But I’m wondering if there’s more to this that just gross sales? I’m wondering if the bottom line that we’ll all get a good look at when the Annual Report coming out in mid-April and our first Quarterly report due in mid-May is released. I also know from the financial data that the third and final suit surrounding bogus claims surrounding a pyramid scheme is also on the mend. The Illinois Attorney General has recently proposed resolving the suit short of litigation. Since the state can’t win, resolution alternatives are being worked out at this time. Both situations could reveal more news about the company’s health and well-being.
Mind you, I don’t have that answer right now – I’m just throwing ideas out there to chew on. If anyone does have an answer right now however, it would be our Company’s CEO and CFO.
After seeing those Form 4′s filed day before yesterday, I just had to ask – “What do they know that we don’t?”
PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.
PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!
|
|
|
Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812 |
Book Your Travel & Vacations With ![]() |
| TSO #588629 |














