Coastal Vacations Scam?
Mon, Aug 6, 2007
I’ve had a couple of emails recently asking me to look at Coastal Vacations and give my view on whether it is a scam or not.
I must say from the outset that this is a business opportunity I knew next to nothing about before putting in a little research, so if anyone reading this can add to the topic it would be much appreciated.
As with most of the opportunities I look at, Coastal Vacations has large amounts of both positive and negative comments spread across the internet.
Lawsuits
There have certainly been lawsuits with regard to Coastal Vacations and many people have lost money, even gone bankrupt in extreme cases, after signing up. But does this make it a scam?
The first question I asked myself was, “is Coastal Vacations an MLM?”. Well, the answer could vary, depending upon your point of view I guess. Earnings come directly from packages sold and there is no need to continually pass a percentage up to the director above you. However, it is a requirement that you hand over your complete earnings from your first two sales.
This is where the potential scam effect seems to kick in - I have seen a large number of reports from people who have gained the first two sales relatively easily (with support from their director) and then have failed because the director has lost interest for a variety of reasons, chiefly that they will no longer earn from their efforts.
Start-up costs
With large start-up costs involving training and website hosting, two sales would probably leave a new starter out of pocket by $1000, maybe a whole lot more. Obviously for those who are helped to two sales and then never get any more this is going to look like a scam.
With the travel industry being saturated, and very competitive, it is likely that those who are not completely dedicated to being successful would struggle to make more than two sales anyway.
So Coastal Vacations must be a scam right?
WRONG!
I don’t think the principle behind Coastal Vacations is a scam at all. If you have read any of my other posts you will know I hate multi level marketing (and whether this is MLM or not is a matter of interpretation). I certainly wouldn’t want to hand over my first 2 sales to someone, that’s for sure.
Making Money
However, there are people making money from Coastal Vacations. The level of success would appear, as ever, to be dependent primarily upon your personal skills and the amount of effort you are prepared to put in.
That said, there does seem to be a bit of a lottery as to the quality and helpfulness of the various recruiting directors.
If you are considering Coastal Vacations then my advice would be to research the topic very thoroughly before jumping in. Additionally, in this case, it would also be worthwhile doing your homework on the director you will be working with too. Seeing if you can get testimonials from others or searching the internet for their name would be two ways of judging whether they as an individual might be out to scam you.
In conclusion, I would say that Coastal Vacations itself is not a scam but there are certainly individuals within the framework who may scam you or not offer the support you require.
Verdict : NOT a scam, but you definitely need to put in more research.
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Thank you so very much for your well researched opinion!
I am with Coastal Vacations myself, and I can tell you that you are BANG ON! The business opportunity IS valid, but unfortunately there ARE less then ideal business owners in this opportunity as in any other! I would say, however, that the travel industry is NOT “saturated” (the numbers say clearly otherwise) but rather that it IS competitive, increasingly. Thankfully, we have a product that no one else does that really does provide the travel consumer with value. The challenge then, is in knowing your product well so that you can show its value to your prospective client. Training and support is absolutely CRITICAL in this regard.
That was really great advice- people DO need to research the director they would want to work with completely. First, to really see that there is a connection, and second to see that the person you would work with would actually BE there for you. I wouldn’t fault someone for being “new” to the business- we ALL start out new at some point in time. BUT, I WOULD always speak with their trainees, and if they don’t yet have a team- ask to speak with their director. You really need to know if that person is not yet training others HOW they were trained, and what their directors philosophy is.
I would like to add that I have seen several directors that “talk the talk” and DO NOT walk the walk- training and support wise- even for the training sales.
I would encourage ANYONE looking at this opportunity to really DO their homework. If you have the drive and desire, YOU CAN be successful! There is so many people in this business (myself included) that had no previous experience, but learned what they needed to. BUT, make your path a lot easier by finding someone who is genuiniely interested in YOUR success, who will continue to be there for you as a coach and mentor- long after you have your directors release. The product is genuinely valuable, and there is a mulititude of tools to be had to support you- but there is no substitute or replacement for a director whom you resonate with and will have access to when you have questions or need support.
Do your homework before you start this or any other business- and you will dramatically increase your success!
Cheers
Jani Teeter
This woman is full of sh*t and a scam artist!
I have read this and am inclined to ask for help and more info.I have recently been contacted by coastal vacations and am contemplatingjoining but is it really worth it?does it pay off?I dont know anything about this business but i have the drive and ambition and will to succeed.I am currently going through a multitude of medical problems however,actually i am writing this from a terminal at a skilled nursing facility!!I need help and a good trainer/mentor.My biggest wory is if i invest the money beig asked for as a membership fee or whatever is it worth it and will i make that back and more to pay whatever other dues that arise from hat i make and still have enough to live off of?That is my worry!I am willing to do what has to be done but i dont wanna be scammed or waste my time,energy and money.Please assist me in this matter.Thank you and have a pleasant day.
Jan, I am also contemplating joining Coastal Vacations. I am wondering why there isn’t anything in place to weed out bad coach, mentors, directors, etc. so that Coastal Vacations can be more reputable. There is talk about getting a good director but there is not a list of the names provided, so people can choose who to contact and not be afraid of getting a bad deal. I bet there would be more people signing on if they knew which coach, director, mentor was ethicial, legit and so forth. No one wants to join a company, especially where it is known that there are scammers already being exposed in the program. Potential prospects are already cognizant that they are taking a huge change not being successful and loose their money especially when the start up fee costs at least a $1,000 plus dollars. Hoping someone comes up with a plan to weed out the bad ones in the company.
don’t do it. you will be sorry. the vacations don’t work. contact me
Sorry Judy- but I have used the vacations and they DO work, so I would expect you to qualify that comment with specific details especially since we can only assume you represent another opportunity.
David and Irma, I would suggest that you get all of the information you need from an accurate source. You are right, there is no real way to be sure of your success in this or ANY other business. You are absolutely right to ask a lot of questions. Also, try using google to type in the directors name with “scam” after it. That should pull up any naer do wells, right pronto. Fully investigate their tools and system. I simply CANNOT express the absolute importance of DUPLICABILITY. Sure, they may (or may not) do very well- be wary- some DO tell expanded truths! BUT- if they are making these claims- can YOU do what THEY do? Can their system and background help anyone become successful if they have the desire? Are they truly commited to supporting and training you- on a regular, individual basis? Will they really show you the way to be as successful or MORE successful then they claim to be- if that is YOUR goal? Will they be there for you AFTER you get your release? What is their ethical or philosophical grounding? Do you get the feeling that this is a genuine person with integrity that wants to HELP you more then they want to fill their pocketbook?
Best wishes for your success!
Jani Teeter
L3 Director,
Coastal Synergy Group
Business 101, in ANY business, including private owned Franchises! There is a Risk! Look what is happening to GM, they are losing money, so they are cutting jobs and cutting production. What about Banks, IndyMac or Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac?
But let’s look at new businesses. Most go Out of Business within their 1st Two Years. Does that mean Boutiques,Barber shop, or a Auto repair shop is a Scam?
Coastal is a REAL business, the difference between the examples and Coastal. Is we are completely trained, we are in business 100% for ourselves, but Never by ourselves! My Colleague still 2 years later after becoming a Released Plat. Director still holds my hand when I need her! I share my profits with no one, but I’m here for my team and my colleagues!
With the other examples nobody holds their hand and is there to answer their questions or anything else. This is why most try to find security in a JOB… Only problem is Pensions and Corporation are Faux Security in 2008…
What would you do if you had a safety net? That’s what my mentor was for me A Safety Net. I love her and I’m so blessed I answered the HBC ad back in 2006!