Comments for Franchise Pick

Comment on YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam by How to Spot - and Avoid - Pyramid Schemes (YTB INTERNATIONAL)

How to Spot - and Avoid - Pyramid Schemes (YTB INTERNATIONAL) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:03:53 +0000

[…] Related: YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam […]

Comment on YTB INTERNATIONAL: State of California v. YourTravelBiz.com (PDF) by How to See Through the Pyramid Schemer’s Sales Pitch (YTB INTERNATIONAL) | Unhappy Franchisee

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:43:58 +0000

[…] lawsuit filed by the CA Attorney General against YourTravelBiz.com, an alleged pyramid scheme. (see YTB INTERNATIONAL: State of California v. YourTravelBiz.com (PDF)) The travel agency franchisor is alleged to be in the business of selling $1000 "online […]

Comment on YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam by YTB INTERNATIONAL: State of California v. YourTravelBiz.com (PDF)

YTB INTERNATIONAL: State of California v. YourTravelBiz.com (PDF) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:12:56 +0000

[…] Related: YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam […]

Comment on Good News: The American Dream Ain’t Dead. Better News: Poverty Can Be Beaten. by Jean Murray

Jean Murray — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:06:31 +0000

Thanks for the post, Sean. the American Dream is small business. The way to create wealth (i.e., eliminate poverty) is to build up small businesses - franchise and others. Shepard’s story is repeated many, manyy times over every day.

Comment on CURVES FRANCHISE OWNERS: Share Your Story Here by Closedclubowner

Closedclubowner — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:58:34 +0000

No they did not charge me. However, they did more than once insist that I return all the equipment all 24 pieces via freight at my expense. I told them I bought and paid for that equipment and it’s mine! I referred them to Robert Zarco. Our attorneys told them to stop communicating with me that all communications will be through them. What a relief.
They were getting nasty. I have not heard from them since. Vulchers! I also closed out my business account so Curves could not draft me. That didn’t go over well either. But there isn’t anything they can do. BTW we won Curves motion to dismiss!!! Motion Denied Woo Hoo!!

Comment on Is Contours Express a Great Fitness Franchise? by Gina Marie

Gina Marie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:27:02 +0000

Tony Wynbourne,
I do wish you success. I sense that your intentions are good. So are the intentions of those who are posting on this web site who have been where you are now. The “concept” is predetermined by corporate. Any deviation would be a violation of the franchise agreement. The “concept” is the 29 minute women’s circuit and now the C.O.R.E. program, which we were required to follow. You will find that many clubs also offer tanning, massage, body wraps, dance classes, yoga and various brands of health and wellness items. None of this was discussed in training but again, it would be a deviation from what corporate had approved and not at all in keeping with their ‘branded” program. After months of trial and error I realized that those studios that had incorporated other revenue sources were more in tune with what it took to be able to keep the doors open than anything taught in training. It also requires substantially more room and more revenue than what corporate states is required. Additionally, it could be interpreted as being in violation of the basic agreement and the approved list I was told I was required to follow. I simply had nothing left to invest at that point anyway.
I do know that the previous franchisees in England had great ideas, were hard working people who had invested much time and energy i nto to makint it a success. Unfortunately, I saw much of their merchandise posted on the internet for a Tender Sale. This was heart breaking because I know there were just as enthusiastic and dedicated as you. The intent it not to discourage you. It is just that the facts speak for themselves and none of us want to see one more person lose what so many of us have lost as far as time, money, and health because we took someone’s word in good faith which turned out to be a far less than honest representation.

Comment on Good News: The American Dream Ain’t Dead. Better News: Poverty Can Be Beaten. by Miki

Miki — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:55:31 +0000

Great post, Sean. I’ve read several articles about Adam, but not about the franchise.

I think one of the big problems is that instant look-at-me-aren’t-I-cool gratification thing that so many seem to want. Furniture moving may not be as sexy as PB&J or really make it as cool party talk, but it does build into a solid business.

Three cheers for all those who go for substance instead of form.

Comment on YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam by sean

sean — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:31:03 +0000

jd:
You’re right to defend them. I’m sure those who pal around with terrorists (wasn’t Jerry Brown one in the 60s?) have targeted this company because they’re too American and too patriotic.
Their Statue of Liberty was superior to the original in several ways.
First, it ain’t in New York (closer to Main Street than Wall Street).
Second, it was MADE IN AMERICA by Americans.
Third, the inscription was likely revised to read “Give me your poor, your weary, your credit card number, your $1000 set-up fee…”

Anybody have a picture of this work of art?

Comment on YTB INTERNATIONAL: YourTravelBiz.com Defenders Say It’s Not a Scam by jd

jd — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:20:56 +0000

Come on Sean, how can we fault a company that does this for their national convention:

‘So it commissioned an Indiana design firm to build a nearly life-size foam replica of the Statue of Liberty, 130 feet tall and 50,000 pounds, to be erected in the Edward Jones Dome and unveiled to much fanfare at the opening ceremonies.’

Oh, and how much did it cost and who built it:

It’s unclear how much YTB paid for the massive statue — published estimates of its cost range from $1.8 million to $8 million — but the company that YTB hired to make it, BerylMartin of Griffith, Ind., has received more than $7 million for printing and event work for YTB since 2004, according to regulatory filings.

And it’s owned by YTB’s trio of co-founders.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/yourmoney/story/D198EBC73001348B862574B50006C1DF?OpenDocument

Actually the company also needs to worry about their own liquidity, since the bank they deal with (and one that two board members were owners/board members of said bank) was taken over by Illinois last weekend, after being put on ‘watch’ last June for bad lending practices.

It’ll be interesting to see what their quarterly financials look like, since they are public.

There are plenty of good stories out there about this company.

Comment on The Green Prosperity Prayer Hankie Will Make You RICH! by mulugeta

mulugeta — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:32:33 +0000

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