The Global Resorts Network: Profile and Customer Feedbacks
There are two (2) aspects to the Global Resorts Network (GRN): first is the product which is a discount luxury travel membership package and second is its affiliate program which features a Perpetual Leverage Compensation plan. This report covers both aspects.
Two (2) types of membership are offered. One is a Platinum membership which cost US$2,995.00.
A Platinum membership is a lifetime membership, fully transferable and willable to one’s estate. There is also no yearly fee and the platinum member is entitled to unlimited vacations per year. The resort week costs from US$298-699 per week in 4 or 5 star resorts although in some places like Hawaii, the cost may go up to $799/week. Guest weeks are also available, allowing members to offer stays for family and friends.
The second type of membership is a Gold membership. The cost is US$ 1,495.
Membership Features: 3-year membership, 3 resort weeks per year and not exceeding 21 days, maybe consecutive and in same resort, no guest weeks allowed, resort weeks cost start at US$398 in 5 and 4 star resorts
The memberships are actually with Gold Crown Resort which purchases excess inventory from timeshares and resorts around the world
Why Memberships Are Better Than Timeshare:
- there is no maintenance fee under a GRN membership; with timeshare, there is an annual maintenance fee
- only 1 vacation per year usually with timeshare compared to an unlimited number of vacations with a GRN platinum membership
- GRN membership cost generally is less than timeshare’s initial purchase cost
- the annual maintenance fee in timeshare is generally more than the cost per resort week in a GRN membership
Some Shortcomings of GRN:
- there is no guarantee that one’s preferred vacation schedule and resort can always be accomodated due to fluctuations in resort vacancies; therefore, one has to be flexible as far as travel schedules are concerned.
- reservations cannot be cancelled because GRN is able to give its members very low rates is because when it makes a reservation request, it receives specific non-cancellable dates.
- the available inventory decreases with the increase in the number of members; while GRN used to be sold solely through a personal presentation, it is now being sold through network marketing online and the number of members has increased since then.
The Affiliate Program: Perpetual Leverage Compensation Plan
Many people are joining its affiliate program because of the compensation plan. In brief, this is how the plan works:
First Sale: You don’t earn anything yet on your first sale as this is passed up to your sponsor or upline to activate your first level
Sale # 2 and thereafter: You receive US$1000 on each sale (if you sold a platinum membership) or US$500 (if you sold a gold membership). Your upline receives the same amount on each one of your sales as well
Affiliate Sales: Every time your affiliate makes a sale, you also earn US$1000 or US$500 depending on what type of membership your affiliate sold.
For instance, you have 5 affiliates which sell 2 platinum membership per month, you earn US$10,000 monthly.
How Do You Sell Memberships:
The GRN has its own official website but there are various third party systems which provide the necessary tools to market the product. Each offers a marketing site/landing page, information pages, contact or list management and autoresponders. They vary in cost and some have additional features. Among them are:
GRN System (by Priceless Possibilities) US$29.95/ month, Ty Coughlin’s Reverse Funnel System US$299.00/month, GRN Biz Builder (run by QuickLister) US$34.95/month, GRN Team Buidler (run by B.O. S. S.) US$79.95/month, Global Pro Builder US$39.95 - 69.95/month plus set up
All these different systems have back offices to help you get started as soon as possible.
Customer Feedback:
“Global Resorts Network is also the first & only company I have ever seen were there truly is a product in place that is in demand & of real value unlike the majority of the 2 & 3 step money games with products that have no value. Meaning you can actually go out & sell this product / membership aside from the opportunity….” Source: http://www.work-at-home-forum.com/14_2845_0.html
“Well, I did everything step by step and used their exact key words and phrases for advertising. I utilized everything they suggested. $15,000.00 later still no sales! …” Source: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/318/RipOff0318260.htm
“Global Resorts Network is for real…and a great deal. Where else can you get a lifetime membership for less than $3000 one time…no recurring fees, no exchange fees, no maintanance fees, and can book weeks at 4-5 star luxury condos for under $300 to $700 as many times as you want. The company that provides the condos has been doing this for 20 years very successfully. I’m a member and think it’s a fantastic value….” Source: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40329
“I do not have a problem with Network Marketing, and I am not calling this a scam. However, I do have a problem with reverse funnel system, and Ty Coughlin’s screaming loud recordings on my answering machine …” Source: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/308/RipOff0308997.htm
What Our Research Suggests:
With the cost of a resort week in a 5 or 4 star resort way below standard rates, a GRN membership is a great product. However, one needs a certain flexibility as far as travel schedules are concerned due to fluctuations in resort vacancies.
The membership fee can be recovered easily from the savings earned from heavily discounted rates. So even if you just become a member and avail of the travel benefits, you will eventually recover the cost you paid for your membership fee.
If you like to sell memberships as an affiliate, please remember that while there are third party marketing systems to help you, you still need to acquire long-term skills on affiliate marketing. Most of these systems focus on practical implementation and step by step guide. But to acquire long-term skills is not to have you follow instructions like a robot. The world of internet marketing is always in a state of flux, trends emerge and disappear and if you haven’t acquired long-term skills, your ability to make money online is only temporary or close to zero. You need to understand, acquire skills and practically implement techniques and at the same time see the overall picture and the significance of all the actions you are taking.
The GRN affiliate program is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You have to be prepared to spend for monthly fees and other marketing-related expenses such as advertising which can be costly.