I would start off with “I hate to say it” but that wouldn’t be accurate or true. Fact of the matter is – I’m rather pleased that “I told you so“.

In a press release announced yesterday, YTB has agreed to enter into a final judgment and consent decree by the court without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law concerning yet another slanderous and erroneous lawsuit against YTB – this one filed by the Attorney General in Illinois.

Total damages of this lawsuit – basically restitution for approximately 300 people. I’m being generous with this number, simply taking the $500 start-up fee in the purchase of an online booking engine and not accounting for any monthly fees. We’ve learned from the Class Action that has been thrown out of court a half dozen times (and counting) that most who look for this type of refund or restitution don’t give the business much time or effort before they throw up their arms and quit.

Total cost of the restitution – $150,000 which represents 0.002% of everyone who’s ever signed up with YTB Travel as a Referring Travel Agent.

It’s important to note that all this money should go to former RTA’s of the company. There’s never been any fee for the right sell these websites to anyone (known as a “REP”) – although someone in the Class Action suit never paid a dime, but wanted restitution anyway.

Even when you combine the restitution to “victims” in the California suit settled two years ago, that still totals less than $300K. If you’re thinking – “wait a minute that was settled for $1 million?” you’re partially correct. Almost 90% or more exact – $875,000 went directly to the State of California, leaving a measly $125,000 for the “victims” that suit was designed to protect.

Look – I know how all these law suits put some people in a tizzy. Frankly, some who don’t know squat about Network Marketing (and never will the ignorant Zealots) became raving lunatics about the claims filed. Problem is – these suits were just that – claims. Most simply skipped ahead and proclaimed YTB was guilty of what was said simply because it matches their limited knowledge about the industry as a whole.

Now those who claim to be experts but have no real – practical experience will certainly have egg on their face. Truth is and always has been that nobody ever paid for the opportunity to recruit others. In addition and like it or not, other Host Agencies do charge a startup fee and monthly maintenance to partner with them.

And let me tell you – there was just no way any court would allow anyone to bypass those facts. Not even an Attorney General.

So here I sit today, with the same company, pretty much the same booking engine, and an even better opportunity I had three years ago. My commissions have actually increased from 60% to 75% on travel, and I’ve got an online store that gives me additional commission and provides cash back to my customers.

Instead of going out of business like some had speculated – I ended up with a better business. And I didn’t have to move an inch.

That’s what YTB has always been for me. Nor was there ever any doubt that it would survive. The clowns with the circus act with tails about a “house of cards” this and “endless chain” that don’t have a clue what their talking about. I know the industry from experience, I also know that Founders from personal contact. It was very clear to me that people totally underestimated both. That’s why I stuck around.

Sure there will be those that will continue to harp on the failed attempts to put the company under. They need someone like Jerry Brown or Lisa Madigan to justify their meaningless existence and limiting beliefs. There will also be those that want to focus on the recruiting aspect of the company. If they do more power to them – it’s their problem and misinformation, not mine. Network Marketing has been available and sustainable for the last 125 years. So get over it.

To me – honestly – some acted like such crazed dogs they need to be shot and put out of their self-inflicted misery. It never ceases to amaze me how some will just prowl every nook and cranny to find something they can get upset about. Or even worse, just make it up as they go along. And when challenged with an opposing view, they pretend to talk to someone else who agrees with them. Like that’s healthy or even normal.

I have to admit – it’s hard to believe that all this started three years ago. It sure has flown by. Probably because I always knew the bark was far worse than the bite. While some can’t seem to distinguish the obvious difference between a legitimate Direct Sales company or MLM and some long winded and very broad terminology that scream “pyramid scheme” it’s good to see that right still wins over wrong.

Happy to have all this behind us and I’m certainly ready to move on with a stronger, more lucrative, and diversified company. In that regard, I’m certainly not sorry any of this happened. Times like these always separate the weak from the strong – and the strong always get stronger.

Maybe now with this last suit out of the way we can get back to what we initially set out to do three years ago – Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Travel.

It’s been long overdue.

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I remember our first trip to Jamaica more than 13 years ago. It was our first cruise and Ocho Rios was one of the ports of call.

Ronda and I climbed Dunn’s River Falls and after the falls a local took a Polaroid of us and handed it to me.

Not knowing the local “landscape” at the time, I took possession of the Polaroid from the man’s hands – and before I knew it – he was asking for $5.00. For a stinkin’ Polaroid picture! When I told him “no” and tried to hand it back, he pushed my hand away only to stick his other hand out for his $5.00 “picture fee”. The more I told him I wasn’t interested – the more he insisted.

I finally ended up dropping his picture on the ground and walking away.

When we got back on board that afternoon I saw a number of souvenir shirts that read what’s pictured here.

I swore at that moment that our next trip to Jamaica would include this shirt.

We’ve been back several times since then, and I can’t remember which cruise I found it on, but it’s one of my favorite shirts I keep in my drawer.

Yesterday afternoon I got a Google Alert that made me think of this shirt. So I pulled it out, ironed it (it was really wrinkled) and took a snapshot of it just for this article.

Why? Because there are really stupid people in this world who can’t take “NO” for an answer.

Remember the the $100 million Class Action filed two years ago that’s been pulverized, beaten, and obliterated by the Courts turning the entire lawsuit into a very amusing joke? Well it just took a turn for the worse from “joke” to total “embarrassment” because they’re at it – AGAIN!

I wasn’t kidding when I said these idiots think Class Action lawsuits are like cats who have nine lives. It’s simply refilled for another shot. There have been six rulings over the last two years which the Court has denied or dismissed on separate occasions – and instead changing their stance – coming at it from another angle, or better yet – just admitting defeat – these pin heads just keep spouting the same tired argument over and over again.

After six ruling against them, I’m sorry, but it’s time to consider a Mental Health evaluation, not a Lawyer.

What’s even more mind blowing is their claims and position hasn’t changed a single bit. The latest filing is almost verbatim of the first suit file two years ago. It’s the same bogus myths and pyramid scheme mantra with the same cast of characters. What happened to words like “failed”, “corrected”, “deficiency”, “amending”, “incorrectly”, and “realized after 100 hours of arguing”?

Apparently, it was nothing more than lip service. Nothing’s changed and they haven’t learned a blessed thing.

True to form – they’re myths and illusions are spot on – and your knowledge and experience is wrong. The Courts have called this ordeal an “ungainly monster” and used specific words like “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter” in one ruling, and “the very definition of a fishing expedition” in another ruling.

A Zealots response? Damn the torpedoes – we’re going full speed ahead.

I’m sorry guys…but I have zero tolerance for this kind of stupidity and arrogance. Zealots like this, and the “professional” gang like Frenaye and Stilphen who continue to pitch this pyramid scheme mantra are just dumber than dirt. Anyone who wants to hitch their wagon to this dead horse is only hurting themselves and their reputation. There’s no gray area after all this time and all these rulings.

The answer is still going to be “NO”.

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For anyone hoping that the one remaining defendant left in the Illinois Class Action would save the day – sorry. (Not really, but “sorry” sure sounds good!)

Saw this coming a mile away: If it’s going to be tried at all – it will have to be done in State Court. A guy who spent just 6 months attempting to become a “travel agent” and quit cause he couldn’t make any money. (Gee, a whole 6 months was all it took to figure it all out?)

This from KMOX news:

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (KMOX) — More now on the federal suit against an on-line travel business accused of operating a pyramid scheme.

A federal judge in Southern Illinois has formally dismissed the entire consumer lawsuit against Wood River-based YTB  – also known as Your Travel Biz .

The judge had dismissed most of the original plaintiffs last week, based on the fact they aren’t residents of Illinois where the company is based, but were suing under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.   Now the court has ruled the final plaintiff, who is an Illinois resident, must take the case to state court.

Plaintiffs had alleged YTB was operating an illegal pyramid scheme.  YTB charges investors for the right to sell travel packages.  Investors claimed they weren’t able to make money without recruiting new investors.

The Illinois Attorney General has also filed a lawsuit against YTB based on consumer complaints.

~~~~

Two years of praying that $100 million would put YTB out of business…out with one last puff of smoke.

Buh – Bye

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In 2008 a group of “ambulance chasers” filed a Class Action suit against YTB International in an attempt to cash in on California’s claim that YTB was nothing more than a “gigantic pyramid scheme”. The Class filed an absurd suit stating that YTB “operated an illegal pyramid sales scheme and employed an illegal chain referral sales technique in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business”. The complaint was filed in an attempt to “recover money illegally obtained” by YTB to the tune of $100 million.

Not a bad return for only 8 months of work on average per defendant. (Two in the Class only dabbled in YTB for 4 months before calling it quits.)

When California filled it’s Civil Case against YTB back in August, 2008 – opportunists saw California’s “accusations” as a way to justify their own failures and short lived carriers with YTB. As a result, zealots and cynics of YTB cheered with amusement over the apparently insurmountable odds that were slapped down on YTB.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately if you’re a critic of YTB) the legal process isn’t nearly as gullible or willing to allow mere perception or beliefs override or dictate right from wrong. If you’re going to file a lawsuit in any court of law – you best have all your ducks in a row.

I haven’t followed many Class Action cases. In fact, none other than the current Class Action come to mind. This Class however, has been a real eye-opener on what NOT to do when filing a lawsuit.

It’s proven to be one colossal misstep after another – a massive amount of disrespect towards authority – and an intolerance to actually learn from past mistakes.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about zealots and cynics of Network Marketing and especially YTB it’s this:

They’re right – you’re wrong – and there is no amount of evidence, documentation, or legal precedence that can be produced to convince these dolts that their barking up the wrong tree.

Their defense is always the same. Keep barking over and over in an attempt to exhaust the opposition of time, money and/or patience.

What’s even more astonishing about their illusions and phobias surrounding the Network Marketing and MLM industry is their obsession has no boundaries. As if the laws of our land will magically realign if they simply repeat or chant their limiting and unfounded beliefs over and over again.

What happens as a result?

The $100 million Class Action filed two years ago has been pulverized, beaten, and obliterated by the Courts turning the entire lawsuit into a very amusing joke for this writer to expose as a proud member of YTB.

The Courts have also exposed this ordeal with the following statement in its latest analysis and ruling filed last week, May 13, 2010.

“In fact, pursuing discovery in the hopes of turning up something that may lead to a lawsuit seems to the Court to be the very definition of a fishing expedition.”

Nothing like calling a spade a spade now is there?

What’s even more amusing about this suit is how the Plaintiffs appear to have the attitude that Class Action lawsuits are like cats who have nine lives. When slaughtered, simply refile an amended suit for reconsideration. There have been five rulings over the last two years which the Court has denied on separate occasions – and instead of calling it quits – Plaintiffs simply come back for more.

After the First Amended Consolidated Complaint was stricken from the record and dismissed on June 5, 2009 – Plaintiffs considered the dismissal nothing more than a “first draft”. An amended complaint was conjured up just days later; this time even more brazen and bold than the first. While critics labeled the complaint “powerful” I had my own views on the subject. I outlined how the Plaintiffs in this case were just as clueless as the critics who have been plastering “pyramid scheme” all over the internet for years.

To add insult to injury, the Honorable Patrick Murphy would not only agree with my views just days later – but add the words “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous matter” as an exclamation point to the amended filing on June 20, 2009.

I’ve heard it said that a dog only needs his snout smacked just a few times before it sticks his tail between his legs and whimpers away. Critics and Zealots? They appear to be a completely different breed all together. They get smacked and have the audacity to bark back at the individual who laid down the law.

On the very slimmest of margins, Plaintiffs refiled an adaptation of the First Complaint in December, 2009 – complete with all the trimmings the Court had denied several times prior. If it couldn’t pass muster the first time, I don’t know what possessed them to refile again – other than pure ego or stupidity. (Most likely, a combination of both.)

As a result, the Plaintiffs third attempt has once again been denied.

How pathetic – yet strangely riveting at the same time. They just can’t learn anything new – or consider the fact that their perceptions and beliefs just might be the ones that are wrong. Oh the humanity!

What makes this especially gratifying is that zealots have finally hit a wall they can’t slither under, over or around. Perceptions and mere words in the Court of Law are meaningless at this point. That’s really all they’ve ever had when it comes down to it. When faced with having to do things “by the book” they’ve wound up bloody and beaten like a drum. Exposed as scandalous and nothing more than a “me too” type suit to extort money as greedy bastards themselves.

All in the name of this fantasy – or phobia – about Network Marketing being a “pyramid scheme”.

Give me a break.

You won’t find much about this case anywhere else. Since all the teeth and therefore the fear has been pulled out of this suit, there’s not much to write about. The media needs something far more meaty, and zealots are left with more egg on their face – so they’ll just ignore it.

For the rest of us who actually like to educate ourselves to become better business minds and responsible citizens; we use this example to learn and grow. You’ve heard it said that success leaves clues. We’ll in some cases like this one – so does failure.

That’s why we are never denied the last laugh.

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I have to admit, since the Convention, there really hasn’t been much in the way of news about YTB to report. The vast majority of what was released has been implemented and underway for the last month and half. We’re simply riding the wave of momentum coming out of the convention. Of course we have Funshine Travel Trade Show down in Orlando next week which will produce new upgrades and enhancements like we experienced at the Convention. In other words, don’t worry. We’ll be reporting the events at Funshine just like we did at Convention both here and in our Newsletter. (So if you’re involved in YTB, you’ll want to make sure you’re on our mailing list.)

Like last year and the Convention, Funshine was merely a pipe dream that would never happen according to the obnoxious and outspoken critics who were absolutely certain Coach, Scott, and Kim would be long gone at this point in time. The hope was they would be “pilfering” some other industry and the critics who detest our business model would be able to go back to “business as usual”.

Unfortunately, critics appear to be stuck in a quandary with the lack of news and have resorted to more lies and deceptive statements. The activity provides people like me an opportunity to show just how desperate and angry they’ve become since things aren’t working out they way they planned. They should be desperate. Most were absolutely certain that the California lawsuit filed just a day before the 2008 Convention would fulfill their desire of complete and total elimination of YTB. Unfortunately, not even Attorney Generals have the luxury of shutting someone down with false and misleading statements about “paying for the opportunity to recruit others into a gigantic pyramid scheme” without providing the proper proof and documentation to the courts.

Think “Amended Class Action” here. Much like that blunder, where critics made all kinds of outrageous claims, and followers waiting in the wings cheered how “powerful” it was, instead came out the other side battered and severely bruised for redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous claims. While the Judicial System’s desires in California were not quite as public (exposed on the internet) the process did demand that California and YTB work out their differences (in the case of the Attorney General – illusions) and come to an agreement. Like the class action that was filed in Illinois, California courts didn’t want their time wasted either.

In the end, California got what they wanted – $875,000 in their pockets. Critics got what they wanted – a press release with claims that YTB’s pyramid has been shut down. And YTB certainly got what it wanted – a blue print in the form of settlement agreement and the ability to continue doing business in the state of California.

Because the hopes and dreams of YTB being long gone is nothing more than a pipe dream at this point for our critics, when all else fails, you simply make things up to keep up appearances that something dastardly is afoot. Which of course leaves me a great opportunity to link and document the blunders. While some get angry and bitter over the false and misleading claims made against our company, I’d advise you to take some of the following list and put it in the proper perspective.

They really don’t have much else left to do.

So let’s begin.

Over on Scam.com, we find another “no name” who came up with the brilliant idea of posting a picture from Google Earth of the YTB home office parking lot in an attempt to show how few people are actually working there now.

Small problem…check out the date posted at the bottom of the picture. February 2004, two years before YTB even moved into the current home office location. (Ouch!)

Another critic decided to hang out on Coach’s Facebook page and magically turned “They are running a SPECIAL.” into “I’m running a SPECIAL.” (meaning Coach and YTB) promoting a 90% discount on Restaurants.com.

Apparently because Coach didn’t put and asterisk (*) next to the words “the promo code is “ninety” somehow that turns it into a false claim. I guess we learn something new every day huh? So remember the asterisk when sending someone to another store through shopYTB will ya! Otherwise any promotion or special that run from these 600 stores will firmly land on YTB’s head as false and misleading.

In another strange and bizarre twist, apparently people who double opt in to our “Steals and Deals” e-mail campaign have an issue with being offered free trips. How someone doesn’t understand that clicking the link to verify that “Yes, I want to subscribe” from the very e-mail account that requested it escapes some people blows my mind. But under the circumstances, it gives them something they can complain about. Besides, I can see how a free cruise would offend some people. (??)

Truth be told here, it was the best excuse this critic could come up with after taking bets that he would get a “recruiting pitch” for signing up for shopYTB. Here’s the quote from the day before.

John said…
Rod– send me the URL in an email and I will sign up. I want to see if I do get recruiting messages….anyone want to take bets?

If you’re wondering how shopYTB and YTB Marketing got thrown into the mix, it’s all a part of mixing everything together so they can report it to California as a violation of YTB’s settlement agreement. Not to worry however. YTB can provide a date/time stamp, and the IP address from the account that opted in from the initial request.

Also…how on earth do you lose and e-mail address from the day before so you can claim you can no longer contact the TSO with questions?

Very odd.

When you run out of things to complain about YTB, you can always fall back on the name calling and slandering of it’s members. That’s always a lot of fun and given enough time and energy you can go back months to find a single article on the Examiner so you can file an abuse report. Management and I however had a good laugh at this idiot for not checking the dates and trying to pin me with a plagiarized article.

Wonder if it’s okay with him if someone else copies my original work on the Mexico reopening on May 31st if they wait to the very next day?

Honestly, I find it amusing that some think I’m a deadbeat writer while others apparently like it enough to re post my work, and journalists quote that I’m “one of YTB’s most articulate defenders“.

And being the doting parents that critics are, with this illusion they need to keep me in line, they take our new YTB Success System launched at Convention and turn it into another claim that I’m doing something underhanded.

While they most certainly read about the announcements posted here regarding the new partnership with Pinnacle Systems unfortunately they got distracted with a Tina Turner appearance. Not only did they take exception to a missing “r” in the name, but of course had to ask why I felt the need to comment about her famous legs. Completely irrelevant to the upgrades and announcements I know, but when your a critic and need to find fault, that’s about all your left with. It also provides a great excuse as to why they can lay claim “I didn’t know”.

Through it all folks. Don’t think for a second that you or anyone else will be able to enlighten these poor lost souls who have nothing better to do than conjure up examples like these. I know it looks really bizarre, but they claim to be quit content in their activities and illusions. To correct and educate will not only prove futile, but the backlash of name calling and pestering would certainly tell you that they have absolutely no intent to change their thinking or perception – regardless how stupid it makes them look.

But it certainly makes for a great post and a good laugh when you add it all up.

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Direct Sales date back thousands of years with roots in Egypt, Syria, Babylonia and India. Traders, merchants and caravans are examples of the early direct seller who formed this ancient tradition and basic need to exchange goods. Fast forward to a century ago here in the U.S. and you’ll find the birth of The Direct Selling Association (DSA) who will celebrate it 100th birthday next year. As a fan of Direct Sales, I wrote an article about one of the oldest Direct Sales Companies still in existence today. Founded in 1886, they’re a real powerhouse today – producing $10.7 BILLION in annual sales. Never heard of The California Perfume Company? They changed their name to Avon in 1939.

With all the economic news that this country has had to endure over the last year, it’s refreshing to see one business model that’s not only surviving, but thriving in these tough economic times.

Direct Selling News just released a comprehensive list of the the worlds top direct selling companies with wholesale revenue of $100 million or more. On the list we find some very old and prominent companies such as Avon, Mary Kay, Primerica Financial Services, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Shaklee, ACN, Pre-Paid Legal, Market America, Keller Williams, Pampered Chef, Southern Living At Home, and oh…lookie here…YTB International.

If you’ve never heard of this list before – well, it’s never been out before. Think Travel Weekly Power List here, but for the Direct Sales Industry. For the first time, Direct Selling News decided to come up with a list of it’s own for the Direct Sales Industry. I realize that for some, Direct Sales doesn’t amount to much, (in fact, it’s despised by some who just plaster the word “pyramid” on what ever they like) but when you look at these sales by the numbers, and compare them with some of the dates these companies were founded, you have to admit it’s pretty impressive list of “Networkers” who some claim will eventually run out of people.

The purpose of the list in Direct Selling News was to “journal the might of the direct selling industry”. In the report, YTB International ranked #46 overall with $162.5 million in sales. Not too shabby for a company that’s been a very heated topic in the travel industry, had it’s share of legal battles and has been a daily rant for a select few with a false and limiting belief that Direct Sales is a sham. While YTB’s numbers are fairly straight forward, reporting it’s numbers to the SEC as a publicly traded company, like the travel industry, very few Direct Sales companies do the same.

Like Travel Weekly, Direct Selling News made every effort to verify sales in this industry with checks and balances via sources like Hoover’s Company Records and Dun & Bradstreet, SGA Executive Tracker Companies, Standard & Poor’s Descriptions Plus News, Company Briefs–Gale Group, Global Duns Market Identifiers, Market Guide Company Profiles, America’s Corporate Finance Directory and Directory of Corporate Affiliations.

According to Direct Selling News, one thing became clear during their research: A number of Direct Sales companies are still growing despite the economy and despite all the misrepresentations and myths surrounding the industry.

“Almost miraculously, our organization has continued to grow,” says Joe Urso, Aerus Chairman and CEO. “Selling high-end products is not easy, especially in a down economy. Our team has continued to grow by inspiring others to pursue the opportunity for a better life that we offer.”

The report also states that USANA recorded its sixth consecutive year of record sales, Pampered Chef had a 5 percent increase in recruiting and Tastefully Simple product sales bumped up 5 percent. And like YTB’s Founders are telling their field or TSO’s and Website Sellers right now, Executives from other companies are telling people that despite the economy, their companies are not only larger in regard to revenue, but are coming out of this recession better than ever.

From the report.

And many direct selling executives tell us they believe the industry will emerge from the recession bigger, faster and stronger. “Over the course of the next few years,” says USANA President Fred Cooper, “we anticipate USANA—and the network marketing industry in general—to continue to show patterns of growth.”

Emerging bigger, faster and stronger has special meaning for those of us in YTB. The company wasn’t fighting just the recession and the poor economy. Just over a year ago YTB was in another club, sued for $100 million by a bunch of ambulance chasers who wanted a quick buck. A year later, the class action thrown out for being redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous, YTB is prominently placed in a $100 million club for actual sales with another prestigious group of peers.

My how things have changed for YTB as the debate over pyramid crumbles and legitimate rises from the ashes.

Congratulations to all 65 members of this list. You’re the cream of the crop in the Direct Sales Industry who have collectively produced billions of dollars in revenue – one person – one sale – one day at a time.

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A four year old class action lawsuit looks as if it will finally close pending court approval in December to the tune of $123.4 million to be paid by Expedia, and another $5.5 million to be paid by Hotwire. The suit filed back in 2005 came to a head back in June when a Superior Court ruled that Expedia collected a total of $184.4 million in service fees which the company pocketed as “pure profit” from consumers who purchased hotel stays and other travel packages between 2003 and 2006. The judgment is currently the largest award in Washington state history for a consumer class action.

When the ruling was handed down back in June, Expedia was quoted that it would “vigorously pursue our rights on appeal“, but changed it’s mind due to the high cost of the litigation and the additional time it would take to appeal. Instead, Expedia was able to deny any wrongdoing in the settlement, and has set aside $19 million for the class action settlement, a low end estimate of the cost associated with the settlement.

The class action case was based on unfair business practices and breach of contract in the way the online travel company paid taxes. Not only did Expedia bundled the service-fee charges with taxes into a single line item, but collected taxes based a higher retail price, when they paid wholesale, thus pocketing the difference.

Expedia’s second quarter profit fell to $41 million, down from $96 million a year ago – a 57% drop.

Although we don’t see much about the hotel tax issue at all on message boards and blogs due to over aggressive concerns concerning Travel MLM’s being “flawed”, the battle over traditional online travel companies has been a heated debate in courts all across the continent.

In June, a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that Expedia and Hotwire had to pay $35.6 million to the city of San Francisco. A Georgia Supreme Court has also required Expedia to pay the city of Columbus, Ga. a 7% tax on the retail rate of hotel rooms, which forced Expedia and other online agencies to cease doing business completely in the city. New York adopted a new hotel-occupancy tax ordinance requiring that OTA’s remit taxes to hotels based on the net rate, then pay the city an additional taxes for service fees or margins. Also in Canada, an Ontario Superior Court is seeking $47.5 million in damages for violating Canada’s Competition Act and Consumer Protection Act for disguising taxes and service fees.

In all, some 46 city and county taxing districts have filed lawsuits due to this issue.

But what will critics in the travel industry be talking about today? An overly aggressive and unfounded theory about how YTB will run out of people to recruit in some “pay to play” pyramid scheme suit up in Illinois. (An issue that has already been thrown out in a District Court there for being redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous.)

For those that desire to reside in reality, or have been “taken” by the concealment of service fees by Expedia over the years now have several options according to the Expedia Litigation Settlement Website.

1. Tell them you want a cash settlement (Send me a check)
2. Tell them you would like a credit (To be used on a future Expedia purchase)
3. Object to the settlement (It was all some big “misunderstanding” and it’s YTB’s fault.)
4. Opt out (You don’t care to receive cash or credit now due.)

Here’s what you need to be considered and qualify as part of the settlement:

You need to have “made a “standalone” hotel reservation through Expedia between January 10, 2001 and June 11, 2008 and paid a bundled “Tax Recovery Charge” and “Service Fee” in connection with that booking…

and/or

…you made any hotel reservation (either “standalone,” or as part of a “package” including airfare and/or car rental) through Expedia between February 18, 2003 and December 11, 2006 and paid a “Tax Recovery Charge” and “Service Fee” charge in connection with that booking”

A Final Approval hearing will be held on December 1, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. to determine if the proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate – whether the Named Plaintiffs will receive incentive awards in an amount not to exceed $7,500 each – decide if counsel should receive an award of attorneys’ fees and costs – or Order of Final Judgment and Dismissal should be entered.

While the final chapter certainly hasn’t closed on the subject of unfair and deceptive trade practices, it is however apparent at this point that many have taken issue and given notice over the Expedia issue. We’ll see what comes in the future for YTB concerning the claims surrounding YTB and this nonsense about misleading and deceiving people. While it has returned $125K to consumers in California, it’s a small pittance compared to the $129 MILLION settlement with Expedia.

But as we’ve seen for the past few years, YTB is apparently a bigger threat and far more dominant in the minds of a select few who want to wallow in thier own illusions that YTB is the real problem in the travel industry.

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