Help.

[Joe Wordsworth]

So, it started with co-workers... and branched into friends... and now some of my family are doing this Traverus travel agent thing.

Ya'll are net-savvy and skeptical people. From what it looks like to me, its a sophisticated pyramid scheme--where the profits are primarily based on the tiers of recruitment and initial fees. I don't doubt that Traverus people out there book cruises and shit for the consumer, I don't doubt that it makes a legit paycheck for legit people--but it seems like most pyramid schemes where the possibility and occasional happening of /that/ is a function of the system until it breaks down.

Help.

I actually /don't/ want people I know losing money on pipe dreams and promises (and being a "business"-y guy, they ask me what /I/ think).

 

[Stella_Omega]

They call it "muti-level marketing" nowadays, but it's still the same damn thing.

 

[jomar]

Sketchy. Do your research. Few make money in MLM systems, and most people lose money. Plus, it's offputting to family and friends if you have to push some sort of product.


http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=28482

 

[English Lady]

I'm always skeptical about anything where you have to pay money up front for the privaledge of working...strikes me as dodgy.

(not that that is much help, mind.)

 

[Lisa Denton]

A friend of mine was asked the same thing.

The questions to ask are if they are actually selling a product, one you can verify, and if it is something peoples want and need.

If you can see it, feel it, touch it, and peoples want it, then of course you can sell it.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b11/LisaDenton/catcarrier.jpg


But be careful. Not all products are legal.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

I realize most of that... I was just wondering if anyone had any web-mojo and could figure out about that particular one.

 

[Pure]

i did a quick search, and my mojo must be lacking: what traverus has done is ensure that the google search ends up with pro traverus puff pieces, hundreds of them, for pages and pages. they have blanketed the internet.

most multilevel schemes do not yield what's promised, and if you're lucky your losses are minimal [i.e. there are no gains]. if not, it's your house or whatever you sold to raise the initial 'stake.'

 

[RainierWriter]

"Marketing"

So, it started with co-workers... and branched into friends... and now some of my family are doing this Traverus travel agent thing.

Ya'll are net-savvy and skeptical people. From what it looks like to me, its a sophisticated pyramid scheme--where the profits are primarily based on the tiers of recruitment and initial fees. I don't doubt that Traverus people out there book cruises and shit for the consumer, I don't doubt that it makes a legit paycheck for legit people--but it seems like most pyramid schemes where the possibility and occasional happening of /that/ is a function of the system until it breaks down.

Help.

I actually /don't/ want people I know losing money on pipe dreams and promises (and being a "business"-y guy, they ask me what /I/ think).

I worked in Marketing/Sales for many years....DO NOT get sucked into it, even for a minute. Crazy

 

[Handprints]

I realize most of that... I was just wondering if anyone had any web-mojo and could figure out about that particular one.

I don't know the company but if they're looking to you for business advice, you could try something along the lines of: "Where do you, as a member, make more money: selling travel or introducing new members? If it's new members, then it's probably not going to be more than a scam. If it's selling travel, why do you want a part-time job in the lowest-paid, lowest-profit white collar industry in America?"

Hope that's of use,
H

 

[Lisa Denton]

I realize most of that... I was just wondering if anyone had any web-mojo and could figure out about that particular one.

Sorry Joe, I didn't know you needed specific infos on that one that you couldn't verify from the peoples who were asking your advice.

After seeing Pure's post about not finding anything useful google, I tried some of my google-mojo, which is basically to assume you are talking to a dumb computer that has the data, but doesn't know what freakin data you want.

Go to google, and type in "traverus travel scam" and you will see lots of stuff.

See ya, Lisa.

 

[Pure]

correction, lisa

After seeing Pure's post about not finding anything useful google, I tried some of my google-mojo, which is basically to assume you are talking to a dumb computer that has the data, but doesn't know what freakin data you want.

Go to google, and type in "traverus travel scam" and you will see lots of stuff.

using google, and those words, *as i did before*, the first of dozens was


http://www.ifilm.com/video/2862823

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2882801?cmpnid=800&lkdes=VID_2882801


they are framed around the question "is traverus a scam". their answer, traverus' answer, is 'no'. they are ads, IOW, from traverus. see the 'andy hunt' video, second listed.

somehow traverus has monopolized the search results; i could not find anything for 'traverus fraud' and 'traverus prosecution.'

---

small correction/ some of the sites are from (apparent) competitors, like Global and Coast travel, offering discounts they say are greater than traverus'; but they don't go any further in criticizing traverus, since they are trying to sell something similar. (Indeed, maybe they are another branch of traverus; the visuals are similar.)

 

[neonlyte]

There have been many variations of these schemes. I belonged to one some years ago that made me an ABTA bonded travel agent. This was useful for a period until the travel industry got wise and stopped the automatic upgrades and heavy discounting given on production of the ABTA ID card. It cost me around £350 to join and a £100 p.a. in renewal fees and I saved my money time over on upgrades, access to exec lounges at airports, massive discounts on hotel and car rental rates, BUT, I never took part in the 'selling programme' of finding new pyramid members or selling travel services to others I stopped renewal when ABTA stopped issuing Agent ID cards.

 

[past_perfect]

I worked for a fashion jewellery company in the UK called Cabouchon during the nineties. The multi-level-marketing system, as deployed by them also, does work, and quite a few people made a shitload of money... until the company's owner expanded too fast in too many new markets and the whole thing went down the drain.
A quick google revealed that they are back in business now.

The multi-level-marketing system in itself isn't a rip-off, but in conjunction with a sound product and real demand quite an excellent business opportunity. However, whether a segment of an already highly contested market guarantees the consistency and stability required to make it work for any length of time is at best uncertain.
Hope this helps.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

So, it started with co-workers... and branched into friends... and now some of my family are doing this Traverus travel agent thing.

Ya'll are net-savvy and skeptical people. From what it looks like to me, its a sophisticated pyramid scheme--where the profits are primarily based on the tiers of recruitment and initial fees. I don't doubt that Traverus people out there book cruises and shit for the consumer, I don't doubt that it makes a legit paycheck for legit people--but it seems like most pyramid schemes where the possibility and occasional happening of /that/ is a function of the system until it breaks down.

Help.

I actually /don't/ want people I know losing money on pipe dreams and promises (and being a "business"-y guy, they ask me what /I/ think).

Ok I'm going to weigh in on the travel agent thing since I was a travel agent. I would be very dubious if they could make much money at it. With the wholesale websites out there and the large travel agencies pushing the prices low they are taking a chance.

If they can get a good base of clients that return year after year and always call them then maybe they might could swing a profit. Then you throw in the pyramid scheme and it makes me want to run very very far away.

The biggest money makers for most travel agents is to find a niche. One of my teachers only sold safaris...another only sold travel that was acceptable to the Gay/Lesbian/BI communities and had places that they could intermingle or be seperate, all lesbian resorts etc. She raked in money and still does but it is not done on a pyramid scheme. She works for a valid travel agency and only takes home the commission.

Past that then you throw in all the internet agencies..expedia..orbitz etc etc and you just hit another wall.

I still go with the view of run...

 

[Pure]

here is some general info joe,

http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com/scams.htm

Well over a decade ago a MLM (multi-level-marketing) organization offered a knock-off of the official travel agent ID card at the time (an IATAN Travel Agent ID card) for $495 to anyone that would buy it. Of course the pitch included promises of being upgraded to first class on flights, cruising for $25 per day, hotel suites for peanuts, huge discounts on vacations, free admission into theme parks and so on. Plus, you supposedly could make money by recruiting your friends and neighbors into the scheme too. You actually didn't have to sell any travel, just present your ID card for these fabulous discounts and freebies.

While the travel industry got caught with its pants down and some of these folks actually did slip through the cracks and were able to obtain some discounts, it was only a year (or so) before the cracks were sealed. Today suppliers are anxious to work with professional independent home-based agents who operate through a quality host agency, or on their own. The suppliers have identified the companies offering these ID Cards and are aware of who they are.

It is ironic that for less than $495 (the normal cost of the phony ID card) you can legally establish your own agency in your state that will be embraced by the industry. While everyone has different needs and desires from their host agency, you should understand your specific needs before approaching a host agency.



The bottom line is that you need to be careful about the various companies and/or agencies that you may consider joining. If the pitch is centered around the fabulous travel benefits you are going to get by presenting a photo ID card, you may want to be cautious, if your intent is to actually sell travel. The failure rate of these companies is extremely high and they rarely end up refunding monies paid into the scheme. Using the common business sense that "If it sounds to good to be true" is really the best way to approach the issue.

That is not to disparage agencies that are offering opportunities in the $495 (or lower) price range. Many agencies using referral agents that sell a program in this price range may be viable depending on your objectives. You need to check them out carefully and be sure that you understand the reality of their offerings. Many orthodox agencies have adapted the methods of the unorthodox marketers of a decade ago, and are developing viable networks or referral agents.

Here is a link to a paper written by a Judge in 1997 about card mills. It is about the most definitive work I can find on the subject.

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/tandv/ita.html

I hope this helps?

Here is what to look out for.

Claims that you will receive discount or free travel are almost always scams. Think about it. If all anyone had to do is buy a phony travel agent ID card to travel at a discount, why would anyone pay full fare? Suppliers just aren't that stupid. If you review the "Education" section of this website, you will see the extent that suppliers go to find and educate travel professionals. Do you think that a supplier would rather qualify agents by their efforts to learn about the supplier, or simply hand out a discount to someone with a phony ID card?

A reward program (cash) for recruiting other people into the scheme. Once again, if you make money recruiting people, it is probably not something you want to get involved with unless you want to recruit people.

Outrageous claims like "We are doing so much cruise business, we are going to buy our own ships", "We are revolutionizing the travel industry" or "We are growing so fast we are going to become the largest travel organization in the world". If the company is new (less than 2 or 3 years old), be very cautious.

The person that you are talking to sounds somewhat like they are involved in a cult situation where some person involved in the organization is the "industry guru" or somehow perceived to be the most important person in the travel industry.

Like most scams, perpetrators appeal to one's greed by indicating that you will get something for nothing. Getting free upgrades, discount cruises, free hotels stays and upgrades, admission to events and sightseeing attractions with a phony travel agent ID card is nonsense.

 

[Chantilyvamp]

Like most scams, perpetrators appeal to one's greed by indicating that you will get something for nothing. Getting free upgrades, discount cruises, free hotels stays and upgrades, admission to events and sightseeing attractions with a phony travel agent ID card is nonsense.

I do agree with almost everything you said pure, accept the last part. As a travel agent I did fly free and stay free at a lot of places and got some very hefty discounts to other places. Though you dont get as many perks as you used to there are some still to be had. Believe me when we got to england and we had to shell out a load of money for the first vacation after I left my job we near enough had heart failure from paying full price. Then again I had a valid travel agent ID with a valid Iatan number on it which could be traced back to the company I worked for. And thats where the phony cards can get you caught up. If they are not registered to a valid agency that has your name on their list you could be in for a surprise.

 

[Pure]

http://www.aarp.org/money/wise_consumer/scams/a2002-10-02-FraudsTravelSchemes.html

Scams

Travel Fraud: Go to Paradise, Not to the Cleaners!

Are you looking for a bargain to finance your dream vacation? It’s fine to look for travel bargains. But don’t let your dream turn into a travel nightmare by accepting all offers at face value. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. You need to look closely at all offers and read the fine print.


You can avoid becoming a travel victim by being an aware traveler. Think twice before falling for phony and expensive deals like these:

Instant Travel Agent Offers
The deal is that you can qualify for all the wonderful discounts and upgrades available to travel agents just by sending money for some training material and a travel agent ID. The problem? The travel industry doesn’t recognize the ID.

Another twist is for you to sell travel packages to other “instant agents” and get a share of their earnings. This type of multilevel marketing is illegal. The Federal Trade Commission says that of those drawn into one of these schemes, 43,000 made nothing or lost money; 4,000 made less than $50, and only six made $100,000.

Vacation Certificates
They promise you a bargain-priced vacation. However, the certificates don’t mention the extra expenses. When you add up all the fees and extras, you wind up paying more for this “bargain” than for a conventional travel package. Your airfare may be free, but your anticipated $50 hotel room costs you $350.

Free But at What Price

You get a free or low-cost trip, but then find that your room is cramped and grimy, the food terrible or non-existent. The promoter then “magically” finds an upgrade at an outrageous price.

A variation on this scam is you take the bait and fly to Florida or some other state. When you try to pick up the vouchers for the rest of your trip, you’re trapped into lengthy presentations on timeshares. If you don’t listen, you don’t get the vouchers. And the push is on to persuade you to buy a timeshare.

Down-payment Downer

You get a notice that you have won a super travel bargain. All you have to do is make a deposit with your credit card and select your preferred travel dates. But, once you make the deposit, the promoter strings you along, citing various problems in selecting dates until the deal expires or the phone number is disconnected. Getting a refund is next to impossible.

At the Fair

You register for a free trip at a booth at the state fair, shopping mall, or sports event. What you have won is a high-pressured telephone pitch and a deal for off-season or weekday travel to remote locations.
How to Protect Yourself Against Fraud
Common sense and researching your trip can help protect you against travel fraud.

Be wary of “great” deals.
Resist high-pressured sales pitches.
Ask detailed questions about promotions.
Get all the details, total cost and any refund policy in writing before you pay.

Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you know the person or company you are dealing with.
Never be rushed into sending money by overnight express.
Buy travel services only from a business you know.
If in doubt, say “no.”


AARP Resources
Dream Vacation Adrift
Bait-and-switch deals on bargain vacations are about half of all travel-related complaints to a Florida Better Business Bureau.
AARP Travel
Get ideas for great travel destinations from AARP’s Travel web area.
Filing Complaints
Mail Fraud Complaint Form
The online form to use if you are a victim of mail fraud.
FTC Consumer Complaint Form
File a complaint about a particular company or organization.
Additional Resources
Better Business Bureau
These "red flags" indicate a travel scam. Take steps to protect yourself.
Get What You Pay For
A travelers' advisory posted by the Federal Trade Commission.
Free Vacation Scam
The U. S. Postal Inspection Service describes how the "free vacation" scam and others work.