OpTree

YTB, the embattled online travel website has just announced the launch of their brand new updated website. The direct sales company, which has been in the news lately due to a variety of lawsuits regarding how the company operates, hopes that the new site will attract new users as well as provide visitors with more detailed information about the company.

The newly updated site includes lots of bright bold colors and graphics as well as user friendly tools and improved navigational capabilities but we really liked the old one better. The company has also expanded the content of the site to give users more information on the company and its leaders.

New features on the site include details of the soon to be completed corporate headquarters, features on company founders and a brand new Investor Relations page. The Investor Relations Page is probably the most important due to concerns about the company hiding details about its business practices. Visitors to the site can now take a look at the company’s stock information, SEC filings, press releases, information on the Board of Directors and corporate officers as well as and FAQ section and general corporate information.

“This new site will provide our online visitors with a more exciting and informative look into YTB today and provide a taste of where we are going tomorrow,” said J. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB.

Regardless of what you think of the company, the new site is worth taking a look at. It is very user-friendly and has a lot of really good information about the company. The new site is big and bold and colorful and chock full of relevant up to date info on the company and its financial standing. The only odd thing about the site is that it seems that it was built purely for investors and those interested in the financial side of the company. There is not a lot of information on how to become an agent for the company, or its compensation plans. Take a look and let us know what you think…….

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The news just keeps getting worse for YTB after being sued by former employees, having a class action suit filed against them and being sued by the California Attorney General, along with the most recent firings of over 20 of its employees, now comes word that a board member has resigned.

John Simmons, a prominent attorney, has just announced that he has resigned from the board of YTB. Both Simmons and the online travel company were careful when making statements about his departure.

YTB released a statement saying, “Mr. Simmons’ resignation was prompted by his belief that as a general matter he could not effectively influence the practices of the company’s management. Mr. Simmons has not furnished the company with any written correspondence concerning the circumstances surrounding his resignation.”

Simmons, an attorney specializing in personal injury law, did return calls to reporters, but declined to offer any other statement, instead saying that he had reviewed the statement given by the company and that comment will have to suffice.

Simmons served on the company’s Investment Committee and was considered and Independent Director by YTB.

YTB made sure to file all necessary papers, and did file the appropriate 8K with the SEC to formally announce the resignation.

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Adding more insult to injury for YTB, we just got word that The Waterford School District in Michigan which was once a distributor of YTB has decided to disassociate themselves from the embattled company.

“Last fall, in an effort to generate revenue for the Waterford school district, we entered into an agreement with YTB Travel to place a link to their website. The Waterford School District did not pay any start up costs and we have never paid any monthly maintenance fees to provide the link.”
“During the last school year, the Waterford School District did receive small commission checks as a result of our staff and community utilizing YTB Travel. Just recently, the decision to disassociate ourselves from YTB Travel was made. We no longer promote their travel website on our website.”

The Waterford School District

We actually have a cached version of the old webiste which once had a link to YTB on it which you can see here. It also seems the YTB/Waterford site is still up as well. Guess no one at YTB was told of the breakup. The new version of the Waterford site no longer features the YTB link.

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Although online travel company YTB proclaimed their innocence and defended themselves against accusations of fraud, it seems all is not well over at YTB headquarters. Apparently the lawsuits have begun to affect the company in a very short period of time. YTB International Inc. has reportedly terminated 25 people from its corporate headquarters this past Wednesday.

One employee who was laid off said that he and over two dozen others were told their positions were being terminated due to the tough economic situation in the United States. They were told that the management “regrets this necessary decision.”

The laid off man who asked to remain anonymous, said that ever since the California Attorney General filed a suits against YTB the company has continued to tell employees that all if fine, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

In a recent statement, YTB CEO Scott Tomer defended the company saying, “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on pending litigation. However, we can tell you that YTB believes the allegations we’ve heard are without merit, and we will vigorously defend ourselves

YTB Employs between 300 and 350 people at its Wood River Illinois headquarters. Currently the company is spending $25 million to expand the facility. While YTB has grown significantly over the last few years, it seems that this case is hitting them hard.

A local Wood River Paper attempted to contact the company, but to no avail as the company would not respond to any inquiries regard layoffs or the current financial situation at the company.

YTB is pretty adamant about their innocence and feels justified telling their employees that all is “OK” with the company. However, for a company that is allegedly financial sound and feels secure with their business model, it seems odd that they would “lie” to their employees about the company’s stability, only to turn around and lay their loyal employees off. Instead of spending a ridiculous amount of money expanding an organization that is under attack, they should focus on treating their employees better and defending themselves against fraud allegations.

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