| Author |
Message |
decker2006
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jan 2007
Posts: 222
|
#121 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 09:45
I am very disappointed. Please tell me the autoresponder system will still be in use. This calling system is no more than telemarketing. Most people want to move AWAY from that business model. Most people don't have the time to spend hours on the phone sifting through these phone calls. How many are there just for the free gift?? The person on the other end of the call knows they want to make money from home and they know they are going to get a free gift. To me this is not a warm lead because you have to start from square one to educate them on Coastal (in my case). Now if this is IN ADDITION to the autoresponder system, then I am all for it as an OPTION.
The autoresponder was terrific. The lead was basically a double opt in, would see the movie, would be automatically placed in your back office and start getting the WCYS autoresponder. You can see who was interested by how many times they checked out your site. THOSE were the people to call first. I can hardly believe FTV is moving away from this because the system was fantastic for people who don't want to be a slave to the phone. This was also a terrific tool for those just starting in the business because it really gives them a jumpstart. For newbies, I am not sure the phone sales thing is an attractive option. Hiring someone to take the calls for you is a neat idea, but let's be realistic. Just think about the reality of that concept.......
Unlimited vouchers are a good thing, for those interested in marketing them, but really it is no sacrifice for FTV to give them away because the more people that book vacations, the more money they make. And they no longer incur the printing costs. For me, this does not make up for lack of autoresponder.
I would urge the FTV folks to reconsider abandoning the autoresponder system altogether - if in fact, that is what the future holds.
Noreen
__________________
|
dawnmo
Forums Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 193
|
#122 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 09:51
Agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said, Noreen.
__________________
Dawn Senior Manager, SendOutCards Try it free! Visit my profile link or contact me at [email protected] |
asskusabouttrav
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jun 2007
Posts: 152
|
#123 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 10:26
hey Guys
Although this new program poses different situations for everyone.
Good and bad. I have every faith that they will keep both ,the AR and the New program in place. We will have an official announcement by email very shortly and Im sure Funtime will accomodate all of us.
Those of you people from the call centers could surely use the system and perhaps insert a promo code of some sort to identify your people calling in. But it sounds like a great idea.
I cant report any official news at this point but as always I will let you know what I know
As I learn it. And of course watch for an official Email from Dana coming within the next day or two.
Hang in there guys, I have every Faith that we will all be happy with the result.
Sean Keely
Aviva Steele & Sean Keely
Level 3 Directors CV
FTV SE Distributors
Expect Your Success Marketing
__________________
|
dawnmo
Forums Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 193
|
#124 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 10:34
Thanks, Sean. I am hopeful that the AR system will remain intact for us.
(I'm still a bit peeved that I paid $300 last month for leads and they never got my system working - and as far as I can tell, never had any intention to get it working despite what they continued to promise me...but that is for another thread.)
__________________
Dawn Senior Manager, SendOutCards Try it free! Visit my profile link or contact me at [email protected] |
ateamfuntimer
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 757
|
#125 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 12:10
After the call last night I had many of the same concerns you all do. As most of you are part of my team in some way or form losing a group is devastating to my residual income. At this point I have taken a wait and see approach about the A/R until Dana sends the paperwork she talked about. That is the entire reason for me asking the question I asked last night. Having the option of the system having people call you is a good OPTION but doesnt do alot of members any good. Harold comes to mind when I think of this. He works in the day and has a family to spend time with at night. If we have the choice to pick then im happy. If the new program replaces the current system then I will have to rethink my decision on FTV. As I get any info on this new change I will do my best to send it out asap. I know Rusty reads this forum so im sure he see's our concerns. In addition im writing an email to address my concerns as well. Id suggest others do the same. Again I will keep everyone updated to what is going on and after I receive the flyer explaining the new program as Dana promised I will be holding a forum call for us all to talk about it. You can all contact me for details from my signature link. Send me an email asking for the details and I will get back to you.
Adam
__________________
|
ateamfuntimer
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 757
|
#126 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 12:12
I apologize for being so late in jumping into this conversation but as many of my teammates know I dont work on Fridays and was late getting up. The luxury of working for yourself. I will talk to eveyone soon.
Adam
__________________
|
luvtravel
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 812
|
#127 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 16:25
I heard it thru the gripe vine this whole situation has not been well received.
Terri
__________________
|
dadzathome
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
|
#128 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 17:16 · Edited by: dadzathome
Quoting: vernon dillon As you all know I like a great level of communication and that's why I am doing this post so I can answer any questions
This is from less than a month ago 7-25-07 in this thread.
Terri thats an understatement.
This snafu is reminiscent of the way that FTV introduced itself to the members of Coastal. The PR dept leaves alot to be desired. Currently the Autoresponder is not working, again, and the management of FTV thinks that now is the time to introduce a new product. Leaders of FTV are scrambling for answers to give their downlines because the most recent call implied that the AR was soon to be obsolete. Alot of the current members joined ONLY for this feature and in one fell swoop let them know that it might be discontinued. We/I know that management reads as well as posts in this forum as evidenced by the above quote yet with all the confusion they choose to let us wonder about the future over the weekend. Funny that the monthly fee is due soon. I wonder if they wait until after everyone pays for another month before they let us know. Currently Super Elite members pay $299 for the Autoresponder with 40,000 leads (and this might not be around for much longer) and for an additional $89 a month we can have the "New Program". Does that mean the value of the New Program is worth only $89 per month?
I write this in the hopes that management makes a statement to put out the fire that they started with this call on Thur rather than let us create our own scenarios as we are witnessing here.
For the record, when the AR works it is fantastic.
|
wapahm
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jun 2007
Posts: 202
|
#129 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 20:49
Quoting: hsimpsonjr Terri, I talked to Jeff about this last night. He asked the same question to me. He asked me why not have the calls go straight to the call center. I explained that these leads are no where near the quality we want calling the call center. They know nothing about the call center itself because they are basically just email bizzop leads. It's good when they take the initiative to hit the 1 button to talk to someone but we want the most qualified lead we can get calling in to the call center and that means someone who already knows the startup costs and these Funtime leads won't even know what company you are with when they hit that button to talk to you.
Harold,
I thought you created your own voice message to use with this system. If this is the case, couldn't you have a message that explained to the prospect that if they pressed 1 and listened to a business opportunity they would recieve a free vacation voucher?
I'm not with WCYS and don't know their system, but if I get to create my own message and could send them to WCYS
__________________
wapahm
I'm not perfect, just forgiven!
|
wapahm
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jun 2007
Posts: 202
|
#130 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 21:01
sorry guys hit enter before I was ready
as I was saying......
if I could create my own message there are ways to prequalify the prospect before they press 1.
If they only want a free vacation have them redirected to another number or give them a phone number to call or an web address where they can pick the vacation cert. they want and be able to give a time for you to call them back to gather their info. for their free vacation.
use one of the FT vouchers and make some money from them either way.
these are thoughts just off the top of my head, but I sure there is a way to make it work if the system is all it is said to be.
good luck to all and I'll keep checking back to see how everything is going
__________________
wapahm
I'm not perfect, just forgiven!
|
hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
|
#131 · Posted: 24 Aug 2007 22:03
The way I understand it is that you can choose from several messages but you can't create your own message. There is one that will mention travel but it isn't specific to a company. Also, we won't have any way to get our WCYS id number to them to give the sales rep at the call center. It just won't work for us.
__________________
|
wapahm
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jun 2007
Posts: 202
|
#132 · Posted: 25 Aug 2007 21:58
I was on the FTV web site and found this cert.
. 4 Days/3 Nights Acapulco, Mexico ALL-INCLUSIVE Vacation - Stay at a Romantic Resort where all meals, activities, and beverages are included. Customer pays only $151.00 per Adult plus per night resort taxes of $13.00-$15.00 in Acapulco. Receive a
Guaranteed Airfare Gift Coupon with this package.
Retail Value: $900.00 PK Code: P3CA
can you fly anytime?
are these certificates [b]always[b] available?
are there any restrictions of use?
black out dates?
if I become a member, can I set the retail price?
Thanks
__________________
wapahm
I'm not perfect, just forgiven!
|
goldmills
Forums Member
Joined: 3 Apr 2007
Posts: 184
|
#133 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 03:37
Why not use the leads FTV offers with their new phone system, and push them all so that when they call, they call into your 24 hour recorded message.
Then, use the Hyperdialer system I taught everyone in WCYS to use to get the leads who listen to all your message to press 1 to redirect and call transfer into the call center. You tell them the costs, and you tell them your ID # 3 times so if they do want to connect live to a rep at this point, they are qualified.
Jeff
__________________
|
ateamfuntimer
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 757
|
#134 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 11:09
Hey wapahm,
While FTV has had its problems with their A/R the certs are actually pretty good. Most are booked in house by FTV and therefore have no blackout dates which is a great feature. The trip you are asking about is one such trip. It is 100% resellable, there are no blackout dates and yes you can sell it retail. That is the strength of the program at FTV. I joined FTV for a few reasons. The first was the 40k leads for $299. I was paying much more in the past. But the final deciding factor was the ability to sell individual certs. Many a time ive had a client that didn't want the entire Coastal package as they said they didn't have the $1295 to get started but they still would pay $300- $500 for a single vacation. FTV fills that void for me. While FTV is still having problems with its A/R system and I hope they get it fixed soon I still see it as a viable business option as they provide alot of leads for a decent price as well as letting me use the certs as an incentive to push people to my other programs. In addition I can sell the certs at a profit. Even giving them away has its advantages as I receive a commission on the back end when the customer goes on the trip. I hope that helps out in your questions wapahm and you can contact me if you have any more.
Adam
__________________
|
hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
|
#135 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 15:51
Jeff,
What you say could be done because they will redirect to any phone number but you will be paying for minutes twice if I understand the system. You will be paying for minutes through the funtime system and then the 800 system too. Now it wouldn't be bad at all if you are making sales so it might be worth a try but I still want my leads to see my site if possible and that is only possible through the Auto Responder.
__________________
|
luvtravel
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 812
|
#136 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 18:08
ADAM!
I noticed one person had a website where she was selling the certs as a vacation and asking $250 or some such amount. She isn't actually validating the vacation cert so is that legal to do??
Do you understand what I am asking? hard to explain, I will see if I can locate the site again.
Terri
__________________
|
ateamfuntimer
Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 757
|
#137 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 18:21
I think I get what you are saying Terri. As a FTV distributor you have the right to market their certs. Just like with Coastal where you can maket the packages. While there are strict guidelines in Coastal as to how much you can market the entire package for in FTV you as the distributor can market the certs at your own prices. That is one of the benefits of the program. For instance I have a FLY AND STAY for 2 people to Vegas that will cost them a total of $265. I can market that vacation for $100/$200/$300/$400 or even $500. The total cost to the customer even if I sell it for $500 would be $765. Now thats for a 3 day 2 night stay with AIRFARE included. I profit $500 and they still get a good deal. Look at FTV as a buffet and Coastal as the combination platter. I can market individual certs at market prices while with Coastal I must sell the entire package. Now we all understand Coastal is a better deal for the customer as they save a bunch more money but how many times have you run across someone that wont spend $1295 but still will spend $700 or $800 to go on one trip. Why should another travel agent make the profit if I can accomodate the prospects request. Plus for people that want to get into Coastal but dont have the $1295 this can become a way they can make the $1295. Thats why I joined FTV in addition to the 40k leads for $299. For me a lead is a lead is a lead. It seems you have been contemplating this a while so id suggest you give me or any of the other FTV members a call and spend about 10-15mins getting all your questions answered so you can make your decision. My door is always open.
Adam
__________________
|
luvtravel
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 812
|
#138 · Posted: 26 Aug 2007 22:17
Just curious if it was okay to do somethig like that.
Thanks
Terri
__________________
|
vernon dillon
Forums Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 61
|
#139 · Posted: 27 Aug 2007 12:30
hi everyone and thanks for all your support. i wanted to tell all of you that we have worked hard all weekend to take care of all the issues you great people are talking about. i remember a saying that goes ......mountains were created so we can all learn how to climb.......boy we have sure learned how to climb........all of our hard work has realy payed off. we have a new auto responder system in place and all of you should start seeing real good results in just a few days. we are in the proccess of loading your systems now. some of you are going to see things happen tomorrow. the new system has a few new benifits....
1. a security back up system
2. no server down time
3.capability of mailing...AOL...and....hotmail
and as an added bonus we are temporarily going to be mailing out 40,000 leads per day as a thank you for your patients.
we expect that everyone will be real happy with the new changes to this system having the ability to mail to 2 of the hottest email companys in the world is not a bad deal. just like any business we have been experiencing our growing pains and it has been an incredable learning curve. being a professional coach in a sport i have seen the best of people and the worst of people. and i am happy to see that you fine folks at least give funtime the benifit of the dough and take a wait and see attitude. sorry for the delay in communicating with you but i wanted to be sure that we had everything in place and working properly. we tested this new system and it works great. hope to here from you all soon . thanks for your time
|
dadzathome
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
|
#140 · Posted: 29 Aug 2007 08:14
Quoting: vernon dillon sorry for the delay in communicating with you but i wanted to be sure that we had everything in place and working properly. we tested this new system and it works great
Just to keep everyone up to date on the current status of the autoresponder. It is still not functioning properly. If you are to believe that they are sending out 40,000 emails daily and the members are still not receiving traffic to their site THEN IT IS NOT WORKING and they could send out 1,000,000 a day and it still would not do you any good if they do not get to your site. If your attitude is make lemonade out of lemons with these leads you can buy 25,000 leads for $54 at oppseekers and save yourself the headache and money. I have spoken with my downline and they have received not a single opt in since this fiasco started. The wait and see attitude is costing the membership money as this company deals with its teething pains. Getting back to the PR perspective. Given all the problems this company is having and has been having for the past 2 months this system should still be in the BETA TESTING ,before being put on the market to paying customers. Think about it: no backup in place. They have changed that over this past weekend. You would think that management would have thought of that in advance.IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING JOINING FUNTIME DON"T UNTIL THEY FIX THE PROBLEMS. The owners will have you believe that everything is working, ask the members they will tell you it is not. Normally you get what you pay for but with FTV you don't!
On a positive note: WHEN it does start, I will also let you know. I want this to work, WHEN it does it is a great marketing tool.
|
Page 7 of 9: «« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »»