While we’ve reported news about YTB the last few months, we found a formula and a tool for taking the announcements at Convention and share it not only to the rest of YTB, but the industry as a whole. The frenzy on the internet during the California settlement, the Travel Weekly Power List, and again last week when Judge Murphy threw out the class action was impressive.

Because we believe this years Convention is so important, the announcements so big, the industry needs to know that YTB is back in force. Therefore, we will have two special editions of our newsletter coming to you after Friday’s General Session and again Saturday at the close of Convention.

Please note: our newsletter is designed those who are already involved in YTB as an Associate, Website Seller, or Website Owner.

We will release special reports from Convention and provide a complete listing of the day’s events and details concerning the Blockbuster announcements coming out of St. Louis.

We will also release some of the same information here on Just Picture It Now and simultaneously post on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Stumbleupon, Digg, and other Social Networking tools for the general public. By the end of the weekend, everyone will know who YTB is and what YTB has launched.

Get ready for Blockbuster News Friday and Saturday from JustPictureItNow. If you’re on Facebook, now is also the time to become friends so you can share these announcements. If you’re on Twitter, you can easily re-Tweet this information and help get out the word.

Some left YTB for dead after last years Convention, including some of our own. Our critics should know we have no intention of going anywhere, and our former members should know what they missed while they were gone.

Help spread the word!

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.

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Monday we talked about owning your own travel business with YTB. Today were going to talk the phobias surrounding building a sales team that sells travel websites as a Rep with YTB Marketing. The recruiting that is a part of the parent company has been a real bone of contention for some time. But before we dive into the phobias, let’s look at a couple of very cool features with YTB Marketing.

1. There is no cost or upfront fee to become an Associate or upgrade to a Representative.

2. There is the potential to make as much money as you wish with no caps or ceilings.

3. You create leverage with others who help you sell and you make money off thier sales efforts.

By no means does that guarantee that this will happen if you become an Associate or upgrade to a Representative with YTB because your success depends on how much effort YOU put into building and working. However, the potential is there, and we have some incredible success stories with YTB Marketing and real people who have made millions doing this.

I know all about the phobias, anger, and fears about this side of the business when you bring up MLM or Network Marketing. Many just follow along with what they’ve been told by someone else. A few give something like this a try for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months, and because they themselves don’t make millions within that time, it’s not good enough for them to simply say “no not for me”…they need to make sure that everyone knows it’s not for them either.

I had the pleasure of watching a PBS special this weekend with Dr. Wayne Dyer and “Excuses Begone”. While watching, I discovered a new word and a new concept called a “meme“. A meme is a unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. It’s very much like a computer virus that spreads and from one computer to another, that multiplies itself and infects everything it comes in contact with. Memes are often considered as factual, (that’s how prevalent most of them are) but if you actually take a look at look at data, (or lack of data in some cases) you find no facts whatsoever to support the belief.

There is certainly a meme attached to Network Marketing and more importantly YTB when it comes to the myths surrounding this idea that everyone in the business simply recruits others. It’s so firmly entrenched that even the California filed a $25 million law suit in attempt to stop it. What made the meme spread even faster in recent months is that California is perceived as being some sort of “authority”, and there was a perception that because California said it was so, it had to be true.

What California did for YTB was a huge favor now that we have documentation that separates the two business models. What California gave us were tools to help put an end to the meme that is spreading now that the settlement has been reached. If you think that the settlement alone will help put a stop to the myths, you’re partly correct. Nothing in the settlement specifies any pyramid scheme and YTB was never found guilty of running such a scheme. Huge plus in YTB’s favor.

The underlying problem however isn’t so much the pyramid scheme but the perception that everyone who joins YTB is recruiting hoards of other people into the business. Those that fear pyramids the way the do have all seen the chart from the FTC and the SEC documentation which tells them that it’s impossible to recruit everyone in the world. Doing so, would eventually exceed the worlds current population. Because it’s mathematically correct, most accept this as fact and we somehow need to be concerned that it’s going to happen to us if we get involved in MLM. But typical with most memes, when asked to produce an actual case where something like this has happened, they come up empty handed. (Actually, they ignore the question, but you get the idea.)

We Network Marketers on the other hand, DO have several case studies that should calm the fears and correct the memes surrounding this phobia of running out of people. I wrote some time ago about Mrs. Albee, the first Independent Representative with Avon (then the California Perfume Company) back in 1886. Yet I’ve never even been approached to sell Avon, and most likely you haven’t either. There are dozens and dozens of other Network Marketing companies out there that haven’t run out of people either, yet the business continues to not only survive but grow.

Mary Kay, Tupperware, Primerica, PrePaid Legal, Amway, Herbalife, NuSkin, EcoQuest, Fuller Brush, Melaleuca, NSA, Oxyfresh, Shaklee, Stanley Home Products, USANA Health Sciences, and Usborne Books have all been around for decades and not one has exceeded the worlds population. Yet the fear of running out of people is still being propagated based on what they believe is a flaw in the model.

The same fears and phobias are pitched for YTB of course with the added caveat that recruiting others is all we do in YTB. (Or at least that’s the major focus.) In both the suit and the settlement with California most of the attention was focused on how to stop the recruiting. A plan was devised in an attempt to chop the legs out from under the “recruiters” in the company, which would limit the amount of income Representatives are able to make. Based on the meme that everyone in YTB both buys a travel website AND recruits others to sell travel website the solution was to limit the income based on that beleif. Since everyone is both recruiting and owning websites, this would “fix” the SEC filings that 75% of the income comes from recruiting and help increase the percentage of travel income in the company.

The basic rule that California put in place is 40% of any Sellers compensation in any month could not come from both Website Owners who were also Website Sellers. This apparent “cap” on income would limit the number of big recruiters in joining the business.

All one needs to do here is look at the 2008 Income Disclosure Statement to show any “recruiter” that exceeding the 40% of both Website Owners and Website Sellers, (the big bad recruiters) is nothing more than a pipe dream. YTB Marketing had a total of 209,545 who were either Associates or Website Sellers at year end 2008. Of the 209,545, 188,538 participate only as Associates in our company who are not Website Sellers. (Meaning of course they were not recruiters.) The Income Disclosure Statement documents that only 10% (21,007) could actually qualify as both Website Seller and Website Owner who need to be concerned with the limitation imposed to only recieve 60% of thier compensation paid due to the new “rule”. (Assuming that all 21,007 are also Website Owners with YTB Travel Network.)

While many pitch this myth that everyone recruits everyone else, and that’s all YTB is, the numbers actually show that a small fraction of the entire company are actually “recruiters”.

What critics and now that Government who is blindly following along because of the social outcry of a few ignorant people actually have is nothing more than a “meme”. A false belief, a social perception based on myths, fears and phobias.

The question we now have to ask ourselves is if we can elimiate the virus that’s spread and correct the false belief that all YTB does is recruit others. I can’t honestly tell you that we can. Truth is that the 2007 Income Disclosure Statement also showed that very few people actually recruit others. While some can read and realize that what they are being told proves to be nothing more than a myth based on the documentation in both the 2007 and 2008 reports, not everyone is willing to let go of the socially acceptable belief that recruiting is all we do. It’s a shame that some feel it’s more important to follow social norms than it is to look and accept the facts here. That’s a totally differnet “meme” for another article and another day.

Like I told you on Monday, we’re not looking for “average” or those that want to follow along blindly based on social norms or beliefs. We want people who can think and act on thier own.

I know the pitch is that we’re the “blind sheep” here. That’s nothing more than a pitch to cast doubt and bring you back into the fold. In time, when critics see this the “fix” they’re so sure is going to stop the recruiting falls flat, some may come around. But I wouldn’t count on that, and most are in this way too deep right now. To look at the Income Disclosure and have that change thier beliefs would be a huge step in the right direction. That however, would mean they would have to take personal responsibiilty. Just not going to happen based on what I’ve seen the last couple of years.

The good news however is that there is an abundance of people who are willing to look at the facts, and don’t get wrapped up in the social norms. There are even more still, who like me have undergone an awakening and have questioned many of the social beleifs that have turned out to be completely false. Focus your time and your efforts on that, and you’ll begin to attract others who think and act the way you do. Given time, those that can’t or won’t get past thier own false beleifs will fall by wayside. Before long, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a whole new “social norm” that supports you and doesn’t get wrapped up in what I now know is a “YTB meme”.

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.

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A settlement that was suppose to set the record straight concerning YTB, it’s model, and it’s business practices is still somewhat of a circus out on the internet by a few clowns who think they’ve got this company pegged. Now that we have the settlement out in the open, and the public has access to the legal documents that were filed, I’m beginning to wonder how someone can in good conscious keep pitching the lies and myths about what YTB is or isn’t.

The twisting and spinning started at the very top with Attorney General’s press release that critics want to pitch as the be-all-end-all concerning the settlement, while most in YTB want to bring up the actual court documents that were filed as the final say in the matter. When the settlement was final I wrote that I was “taken aback” by the press release when I read a copy and paste of the Attorney General’s interpretation on one of the blogs. It wasn’t until I dug a little deeper and found the filing from the Attorney Generals web site that I found the actual court papers. Only then did I realized how the press release and the court documents didn’t match up. (And I’m stating that as politely as I possibly can.)

Even with the court documents, there are those that need to hammer away at their square peg to make it fit this round hole. I’m not sure at this point if some of the critics are just playing dumb or if they have no clue what’s about to transpire on Monday when YTB 2.0 is launched. I’ll help clue them in on Monday when all the income disclosure statements are made public and the terminology between Associate and Rep is made clear. What they think is going to handcuff the top recruiters in the company from earning what they want is shown to be yet another myth. I’m willing to bet there will be some outbursts about loopholes and how we should be drug into court for having a better understanding of the new rules than they do.

Oh…it’s going to be fun to watch! ;-P

In the meantime, since we all get a reprieve from “recruiting” this weekend due to the maintenance going on with our marketing sites, I wanted to share these gems with you. We found them on Yahoo Finance and I thought it would be a good read for helping separate fact from fiction. (There’s been a lot of that going on lately.) I thought it might come in handy for those times that someone finds the Attorney Generals press release and takes what is written as fact. Remember, you also have the court filing too, but this was actually well written and helps clarify what the new income disclosure statements have to say before they are released to the public on Monday.

Setting the Record Straight – Part 1 25-May-09 08:46 pm   

In his opening statement and throughout his press release, Attorney General Brown continued to make disparaging and misleading comments (sixteen to be exact) about YTB and its operations – this in spite of the fact that his the CA AG agreed to and signed the Stipulation and Final Judgment which reads, “Nothing in this Stipulation or the Judgment shall be construed in this or in any other proceeding as an admission by any of the parties of any fact, conclusion of law, issue of law, or violation of law, nor shall compliance with the Judgment constitute or be construed as an admission by any of the parties of any fact, conclusion of law, issue of law, or violation of law.” View Court document: http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/press/pdfs/n1737_ytbstipulatedjudgment.pdf

Let us not forget the fact that the State alleged certain wrong-doings and the Defendant denied any wrong doing in this filing, and after a series of meetings wherein all parties gained a better understanding of the facts, concessions were made on both sides, and the parties agreed to a settlement. If YTB were in fact guilty of operating a gigantic pyramid scheme, there would not have been a settlement.
Allow me to set the record straight on a few other points made in the CA AG press release

Setting the Record Straight – Part 2 25-May-09 08:49 pm

CA AG: “Until now, the only way that consumers could demonstrate the website is if they had already purchased one for $449.95. The stipulated judgment requires YTB to establish a free demonstration website that must be used when recruiting others.”

CA AG: “By contrast, recruiting others to purchase websites, and having those purchasers recruit others to purchase websites (and so on), was much more profitable. Members earned money based on how many websites they sold, as well as how many websites those they recruited sold. These multi-level sales, combined with the required purchase of the $449.95 website, formed the foundation of YTB’s pyramid scheme. “

FACT: Reps (those who sell travel websites) are NOT required to purchase the $449.95 website, and they are NOT charged a fee to become a Rep. Reps have access to existing websites, although many do want their own website for the same reasons as those who are purchasing a website to run a travel business.

FACT: YTB had 209,595 Reps at year end in 2008, and it had 89,826 travel site owners (TSOs), which means that 120,000 Reps did not purchase a website. Furthermore, not all of the TSOs are Reps, so the number of Reps who did not purchase a website is actually greater than 120,000.

Setting the Record Straight – Part 3 26-May-09 03:55 pm

CA AG: “YTB falsely promised customers they could get rich quick by selling travel online,” Brown said.

FACT: YTB makes it very clear at its meetings that this is not a “get-rich-quick” opportunity; it involves a lot of hard work. Anyone who has ever attended a convention or Red Carpet Day event knows this for a fact, because this is covered in detail at meetings, which are on video and verifiable. Disclosure statements are also posted at meetings.

CA AG: “In 2007, the annual median income for those selling travel was $39.00, less than one month’s cost to operate the website. The majority of consumers who purchased YTB websites made no money through the sale of travel, and many lost money through continued website operations.”

FACT: In 2008, the annual income of Referring Travel Agents (RTAs) who attended First Class Training was as follows: Low $7.92; Average $490.32; and High $26,966.10. The Annual Income of Affiliates (website owners who had not taken First Class Training) was as follows: Low $0.00, Average $143.37; High $25,368.62. In 2008, 43,670 (49%) of all website owners made no income, thereby reducing the average annual income to $111.26 (median income $49).

FACT: Travel Site Owners (TSOs) are free to cancel their websites at any time. There is no long-term commitment, and they can cancel at any time by notifying their bank or simply calling YTB customer service.

Setting the Record Straight – Part 4 26-May-09 03:56 pm

CA AG: “Until now, YTB has made wildly misleading claims about how much people can earn from selling travel. This included videos of YTB agents driving luxury cars and holding up $10,000 checks, and making misleading statements about millions of dollars earned in commissions.”

FACT: Reps do make high commissions by selling travel websites, and many of them do drive luxury cars, many earn $10,000 bonus checks, and many do live lifestyles that some people envy. This happens to be ONE of the business opportunities that exists at YTB; and if someone has the type of personality and ambition to build an organization of Reps to sell travel websites, then their income potential is only limited by the amount of time and effort they put into it.

FACT: People join YTB to sell travel, sell travel websites, or both. If someone wants to become a Referring Travel Agent (now called a Travel Site Owner) and build a travel business, they pay a $495 one-time fee and $49.95 per month for their travel website. The success of their travel business is based entirely on their efforts, and YTB provides them with an outstanding travel site with travel portals, search engines, exclusive YTB travel deals, and great training. Whether one signs up to sell travel or travel websites, YTB rewards Reps and TSOs with bonuses based on their levels of achievement. Remember that YTB sold $425 million in travel in 2008.

FACT: YTB has spent millions of dollars on the development of its sophisticated travel website and its business model, and they are continually making improvements to it. They provide training and benefits for those who want to sell travel and to those who want to sell travel websites. It’s unfortunate that the CA AG wants to penalize an individual for pursuing both opportunities.

Setting the Record Straight – Part 5 27-May-09 03:59 pm

CA AG: “Most YTB travel sellers make no money, and in fact rack up high costs.”

FACT: Those who are truly serious about building a travel business and put forth the time and effort can be successful. As stated previously, of the RTAs who took the time to complete and pass the First Class Training in 2008, the average annual income was $490.39, with the low being $7.52, and the high being $26,966.10. Some will see the TSO opportunity as a way to supplement their household income. Not everyone needs a five- or six-figure income, although with hard work, group bookings, and enough people booking through one’s site, it is possible.

FACT: A one-time fee of $495 is hardly unreasonable for a business start up, and the monthly cost of $49.95 for an online, professional travel website with all of the features mentioned above is extremely reasonable. I would hardly call that “racking up high costs,” as the CA AG has stated. Remember that YTB sold $425 million in travel in 2008.

FACT: A lot of people want the travel website so that they can book their own travel and refer family and friends to their site. They can plan family cruises or trips to places all around the world, and YTB offers a number of exclusive travel packages to places like China and the Holy Land. Additionally, YTB has partnered with a number of nationally-recognized companies to benefit YTB online store owners. To be more specific, following are just some of the benefits that are available exclusively to TSOs: Limited Medical Benefits that offer affordable coverage with no underwriting or pre-existing conditions; a discount program saving up to 60% on entertainment, theater, or online shopping; discounts on tax preparation, cellular service, office supplies, computers, and shipping; and, of course, an online shopping mall, where TSOs can earn cash back on virtually all their purchases at over 600 stores (Wal-Mart, Macy’s, Target, etc.), and they will earn a commission on purchases made by customers they have referrred, plus those who were referred by their customers and so on. One could own a travel site, pay $49.95 a month and never sell a penny’s worth of travel and still enjoy benefits that offset the monthly cost of the site.

Some people purchase a travel site with good intentions, but they never take the time or get serious about building a business. They love having the site, however, because it’s convenient to book their own travel, the site is easy to use, and it’s fun and exciting. It gives them an identity and something to share with others. And, let’s not forget about the other benefits listed in the previous paragraph. Since when is it a crime to buy a business, pay a monthly fee for a website and not generate any significant income? But let us not forget that YTB sold $425 million in travel in 2008.

The important point to remember is that no one is forced to stay with the program. A TSO/RTA has the ability to cancel his/her website at anytime by notifying his/her bank or simply calling YTB Customer Service.

Setting the Record Straight – Part 6 27-May-09 06:10 pm

CA AG: “Prohibiting YTB from – Stating or implying that their travel rates are comparable with those of travel booking sites such as Expedia or Orbitz.” And, per the Judgment itself: “Defendants shall not state or imply that rates or costs available through Defendants are the same as, or comparable to, other major travel booking websites, such as Expedia or Orbitz, unless Defendants also state in a clear, conspicuous manner, that rates differ and that the Defendants’ travel rates are not necessarily the same or cheaper than other travel websites.”

FACT: YTB doesn’t proclaim their prices to be better than Expedia or Orbitz; in fact, at meetings, they say YTB’s prices are comparable. The fact of the matter is that YTB’s booking portal leads the shopper to many of the same vendors used by Orbitz, Travelocity, etc; and in most cases the prices are the same. They certainly ARE “comparable.”

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.

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We’ve been getting a bunch of financial data over the last few weeks. When you look at the first quarter results you find alarming losses from many companies. Just in the travel industry alone, you find a loss of $9 million in Q1 for Dollar Thrifty, Wynn Resorts reports a Q1 loss of $33.8 million, Marriott loses $23 million in Q1, Royal Caribbean loses $36 million in Q1, Delta loses $794 million in Q1 along with United losing $382 million, and Orbitz realizes a $336 million loss.

Revenue has also dropped significantly in the industry. Hawaii’s Q1 hotel occupancy sinks to 69%, Starwood’s Q1 profit plummets 81%, and Disney’s Q1 operating income down 24% for parks and resorts. Let’s not forget about Mexico and what it’s gone through the last few weeks. Anyone want to take a stab at what the swine flu has done to the economy there thus far?

And what do you imagine critics will be talking about? YTB of course!

YTB’s Q1 Financials (YTBLA.OB) were posted last evening with a sharp decline in revenue, along with a $1.9 million loss. Not great by any means. When you look at the majority of companies in our market posting huge losses, it doesn’t come as a big surprise. Couple that with Q1 losses each of the last 3 years and you’re looking at a quarter that is certainly difficult for YTB in regards to it’s bottom line.

With revenue down considerably due to a number of factors, the filing focuses on the economy for this reason. It doesn’t accurately credit the less than favorable suits that have been levied against the company. While the California AG nor any of YTB’s critics will look at the legal letter of the law concerning pyramid schemes, the tentative settlement being finalized at this time will shed plenty of light on that subject. (More on that a little later in this article, and considerably more when the settlement is made public.) Combine that with very heavy recruiting and pillaging of our sales force from other companies feeding on the fears of the litigation the company is defending, and former members of our company who have changed companies. As a result, YTB’s active members have been cut just short of half of what it was a year ago.

Yeah…yeah…”What do they know that I don’t”.

If you want to look at the numbers and let that be the be all and end all for you, you are welcome to it. It makes little difference to me these days what a few obsessed zealots want to pitch to the public right now. While they choose to ignore how far out of bounds they are, the truth will surface in due time. The rumors, lies, and myths about this pyramid idea will be brought to light for everyone else to see. Talk is cheap, and I like to look at how the company is walking in response the the challenges it’s facing.

What many of you are here for are the facts and findings that you won’t find anywhere else. The statements in the filing that everyone wants to hide because if found, could change the momentum of the mud slide the company is currently experiencing. These are very difficult times for any company in business right now. Only those who respond correctly to the current financial climate are going to make it through these difficult economic times. We’ve already seen a number of agencies such as Joystar and Cruise Value Center bite the dust. Suppliers like Happy Vacations have closed their doors as well.

Clearly, the problem here is a flawed business model right?

I think not.

YTB is a vastly different company than it was a year ago. If it refused to respond to the challenges brought up against them (as some would have you believe) we might be looking at a deficit twice as large instead cutting our quarterly loss in half over what it was a year ago. ($3.5 million Q1 2008) Combine the deficit with considerably less revenue and the company has cut it’s spending considerably in a number of areas. The company clearly gets the fact that it can’t spend the way it has in the past. A huge expense that has been a part of Q1 for years was Coach’s Birthday Bash. Typically this Leadership Event is announced during the National Convention each year, costing the company millions for these trips. For the 18,000 plus who made it to Convention in 2008, the absence of any January trip hosted by the company was certainly missed. Red Carpet Days at the companies expense have slowed to once per month. We have also not seen any news about a grand presentation like we did last year at this time for Convention.

Because YTB is watching it’s spending, cash reserves have tripled over the last 3 quarters from $600K ending Q3 to $1.8 million Q1. Part of this was pinned to the sale of the Corporate Jet and some land that was sold. We’ve come to find that the the 9.9 acres that was sold is now being foreclosed on due to payment not being received by the buyer. Since the land (an out parcel of the 56 total acres YTB currently owns) never produced any revenue for the company, the additional funds realized between December 31 and March 31 came from controlling expenses not selling of assets.

In another myth gone south, how does a company spend $8 million on a foam statue when the financial data provided documents less than half that paid to Beryl Martin for all of 2008? Remember they did most of the printing for YTB as well. I guess we need to put the word ‘estimated’ back into the news report that made the quote over a year ago.

Critics like to call the company “Coach and Scotties personal piggy bank”. Based on what “Coach and Scottie” have done in recent months, I wonder why that myth persists. A number of measures have been put in place to look at cost structure to improve the overall profitability of the Company. Bob Van Patten was brought in early April to do just that. Bob’s job is to cut spending, while Coach and Scott’s job is to produce revenue. YTB also put in place an Audit Committee as a measure of checks and balances for any expense in excess of $50K to require Board approval. Critics will probably point out that the Board is considerably smaller with the departure of both Clay Winfield and Tim Kaiser, but will likely ignore Bob Van Pattens role in leveling the playing field when it comes to any piggy bank that Coach and Scott may be dipping into.

We’ve also gained little better picture of the pending litigation that has been brought against the company.

On August 4, 2008, a day before YTB’s National Convention, a civil action was filed against against YTB and it’s Executives by the California Attorney General. Among the 17 complaints it claims that YTB is a gigantic pyramid scheme. The complaint was filed after 18 months of dialogue, initiated by the Company with the Attorney General to discuss the implementation of a new California travel laws that went into effect in January of 2007. (Anybody remember why YTB now has minimum booking requirements to apply for CLIA?) The penalties consist of at least $15.0 million, and restitution of at least $10.0 million totaling $25 million dollars. The largest claim filed in California history. On April 6, 2009, the Company reached a tentative settlement agreement with the State of California and papers stating this were filed by James Toma with the courts on April 8th in Los Angeles. The tentative settlement agreement is currently awaiting execution by both parties in addition to final court approval.

There have been rumors that a deal is final, but we will await final word from either YTB, the California AG, or both before any further word is mentioned here.

I’m simply glad that someone was finally able to educate the California AG that no one pays a single dime to YTB for the opportunity to recruit others into the business. Nor does anyone earn a single dime without a product being attached to it. (AKA: a booking engine.) I know all about the myths and the perceptions surrounding YTB and pyramid schemes. Here, we deal in facts. I’ve been with YTB for 4 years, and it’s never cost me a red cent for the opportunity to recruit others. Hard for anyone to lose money when no money is required. Thus we have a tentative settlement instead of dragging this into the courts in September to find out what I already know to be true.

In addition, on February 9, 2009, the Company filed motions to dismiss the consolidated complaint (formerly two that were filed) and these motions are now pending before the Court. The motions to dismiss were fully briefed and the Court has set a hearing for June 1, 2009.  YTB believes the Company has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend these cases. With the settlement pending in California, and from what I know to be true about pyramid laws and the proper structure of YTB, I like the odds of this being dismissed.

That’s not to say that it will be dismissed…I just like the odds.

I realize it’s difficult to read the crap out there on the internet with all the doom and gloom. The predictions of YTB filing for bankruptcy, or even better, Coach, Scott and Kim preparing to fly off with all your hard earned money. I’ve been reading it for years, and still holding my breath for that shoe to drop. Because none of it has ever come to fruition I take it with a grain of salt and chalk it up to wishful thinking.

Once the California situation is behind us, and YTB pays the fine due the state, the legal costs due them for filing the complaint, and what ever restitution they come up with for the “victims” they claim their trying to protect, we can get back to building our business. At this point it’s clear that the California Attorney Generals plan of shutting YTB down completely isn’t going to happen. If you never figured it out on your own, or if nobody told you, California never had that type of authority to begin with. (Small detail or fact that critics never considered.) While Illinois is still a little more uncertain in which way that will go, we will have some finalization to that ordeal in less than a month.

For those that have hung around to see what will actually come of this fiasco, we are about to find out.

Challenges like we’ve seen can either make or break a company. YTB’s been skating along for a number of years without facing much adversity. If you actually look at what it’s been able to do, instead of ignoring it, it looks to me like YTB is planning on sticking around for some time to come.

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!

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