Surge 365 Review: Legit MLM? Here’s Why Joining Is Not A Good Idea For You
Don’t we all want to live our best lives? Isn’t it true that a lot of these dreams revolve around travel? Why don’t we figure out a way to travel and earn money at the same time?
This, my friends, is an offer from SURGE 365, a travel MLM company with a past of controversy.
Isn’t it tempting?
Before you decide whether or not to join, read this business review I wrote about them.
We’ll review SURGE 365 to see if it’s indeed the best MLM course out there.
We’ll even discuss whether multilevel marketing (MLM) is the ideal online business for you.
And lastly, I’ll address some of the most common questions about SURGE 365 and MLM in general.
And most importantly, I’ll show you the exact system I used to build my own internet marketing business to over $40,000 a month in mostly passive income.
Because it uses some of the same skills in a far more powerful and profitable way, this system made me swear off MLM for good!
What Is Surge 365?
Surge 365 is a Travel MLM company that enables customers to get discounts on hotels, rentals, cruises, flights, and other travel services through a platform called “Vortex.” Coach Tomer, Scott Tomer, and Chris Cokley founded Surge365 in 2015. Surge365 has headquarters in Illinois and Canada, as well as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
One of Surge365’s founders, Lloyd “Coach” Tomer, also founded YTB International, a multilevel marketing company, in 2001.
Between 2006 and 2008, YTB was the subject of lawsuits and investigations in Rhode Island, Illinois, and California, alleging that the company was operating an illegal Pyramid scheme. In 2008, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against the company, which was resolved out of court.
YTB International Timeline
2001
In the year 2001, J. Lloyd “Coach” Tomer, his son Scott Tomer, and Kim Sorensen created YTB, a Travel MLM company similar to Surge365, in Alton, Illinois. In 2004, the company’s founders bought majority ownership in a similar company, REZconnect Technologies, increased their marketing budget, and used videos of successful salesmen to recruit new members.
2007
In 2007, Royal Caribbean stopped doing business with YTB, referring to the company as a “card mill,” a term used in the travel industry to describe a company that gives incentives to the general public that are intended for a small number of travel agents.
2008
In 2008, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against the firm. Due to negative news, an out-of-court settlement mandated changes to the company’s economic strategy, as well as a decline in membership. As part of a reorganization, YTB announced the dismissal of 17 workers in late 2008. In 2008, the company produced $44.8 million in sales. YTB’s independent audit, released at the end of 2008, expressed “significant uncertainty” about the business’s capacity to continue as a going concern, a viewpoint supported by the business thereafter.
2009
According to financial filings, the company lost $1.9 million in the first three months of 2009. In the first year, revenue dropped by 49% to $21.8 million, then dropped again to $18 million in the second. The number of paying members has similarly declined, from 138,000 in April 2008 to 60,414 in mid-2009. In 2009, the business sold numerous commercial assets, including its Learjet, due to a drop in sales. [nineteen] RezConnect, YTB’s hardware and booking arm at the time, was also sold that year to two of RezConnect’s officers. Under the terms of the agreement, YTB will cover the new owners for all YTB-related liability.
2011
In 2011, the company’s headquarters and adjacent real estate were sold for $7.6 million. In October the same year, YTB Travel Network was purchased from YTB International by Sixth Scott LLC, a newly formed business. The company was renamed First Alliance Travel a year later.
2012
One of the company’s founders, J. Kim Sorenson, died on February 1, 2012, at the age of 62. In March 2012, YTB announced a merger with LTS Nutraceutical, another MLM company. In May, the company announced a major reorganization and the resignation of President and CEO Robert Van Patton. YTB announced in September that the merger had been called off and that Scott Tomer, the company’s founder, and chairman, had resigned.
2013
On March 1, 2013, YTB International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court in St. Louis. The company’s most recent quarterly earnings report was for the third quarter of 2011, although the report eventually turned out to be inaccurate.
On October 11, 2013, YTB completed the sale of its assets to Chicago-based businessman Sam Hathi of Jamraval, Inc. Hathi said in a statement, “We believe the YTB franchise can be turned around and restore the leading role it once held in the travel services industry,”. Since its acquisition, YTB has operated as YTB Global Travel.
Surge365 Review: Lawsuits?
In August 2008, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against the MLM firm for $25 million, alleging that it was a pyramid scheme among other things. The Illinois Better Business Bureau and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined Brown in the investigation.
At the same time, several former agents filed a class-action lawsuit, alleging that the firm was a pyramid scheme. According to the lawsuit, the company “claims to offer travel services, but says its main business is convincing others to become travel agents,” according to the lawsuit.
In July 2009, the lawsuit was dismissed because non-residents of Illinois should not be prosecuted under Illinois law. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined Brown’s office in his state’s probe after her office and the Illinois Better Business Bureau received more than 150 complaints about the company.
According to the Better Business Bureau, new agent recruiting accounted for 80% of YTB revenue, with agents earning an average of $111 a year, over $400 less than the $499 sign-up fee. YTB was reported to have negotiated a $150,000 restitution agreement with the state of Illinois in May 2011. There were no admissions or denials of guilt in the settlement.
Similar charges were brought against YTB in Rhode Island in 2007.
Is Surge365 A Pyramid Scheme? Is Surge365 A Scam?
Surge365 is a pyramid scheme under disguise. If they don’t recruit, they won’t be able to generate any money. Surge365 is their only source of income, and they can only do so by encouraging others to join. This is enough to prove that this MLM is a pyramid scheme.
Although it is possible to build a profitable and successful MLM business, there are other good options.
Because, unlike Surge365, it delivers solid proof of real achievement from real people who have only been successful a few days ago.
And What’s The Definition Of A Pyramid Scheme?
A pyramid scheme promises participants cash compensation for recruiting new members instead of selling genuine product line or services. Many countries have previously ruled these businesses illegal because their owners have no other way of making money aside from recruitment.
As you can see in the picture below, it is difficult for all members of a business like this to profit because you will soon run out of people to recruit.
So, is Surge365 a scam?
Surge365 is without a doubt a scam. Their travel company objectives are total lies, stating that consumers can make a lot of money by joining and selling “travel” services like tickets and hotel reservations. Customers are just being directed to another ticketing service that sells individual flight tickets and hotel accommodations.
How Do You Make Money With Surge365 As A Travel Agent?
The Surge365 Business Associate Compensation Plan
There are four ways to earn from the Surge365 Compensation Plan:
- Recruitment Commissions
- Residual Commissions
- Matching Bonus
- National Marketing Director Bonuses
Surge365, like many MLMs, uses grand names and fancy words to convince customers that there are multiple ways to make money within the company when, in reality, there is only one thing you need to do in Surge365: recruit others.
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SURGE365 FAQs
What Does SBA Stand For? What Does An SBA Do?
Surge365 Business Associate is abbreviated as SBA.
By selling The Ultimate Travel Solution: Vortex / Vortex Membership / Vortex Platinum, SBAs use the MML platform to grow a team and earn commissions and bonuses. The Jr. Executive Program and the Travel Owner Executive Package Program are the two types of SBAs.
Who Can Join Surge365 As An SBA?
To enroll as an SBA in Surge365, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security Number, FEIN, or equivalent Tax ID Type for your region. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are among the main credit cards accepted.
Is There A Fee To Enroll As An SBA In Surge365?
Yes, by selling the Ultimate Travel Solution products for $19.95 monthly (Jr. Executive Program) or a $99.95 monthly fee (Travel Owner Executive Program), an SBA can earn unlimited commissions and bonuses.
You’ll also gain access to the Winners Win Live Training, the first 60-Day Success Coach (must choose at signup), the Surge365 Mobile App for working on your SBA business while on the go, and the Taxbot app, the ultimate mileage, and expense tracker!
What Does The Surge365 Mobile App Include?
Surge365 Mobile App allows SBAs to send videos to prospects, enroll new members, make 3-way opportunity calls, access their Back Office, which contains a variety of resources and training, monitor leads, view future activities, and get real-time corporate updates. (The software is available for iPhone and Android users.)
Why Should I Use Taxbot?
Taxbot is the ultimate business mileage and expense tracker, with the goal of automating your accounting. Taxbot tracks all of your business driving using the GPS on your iPhone or Android smartphone, allowing you to recognize and categorize your business trips at a later time. Taxbot is one of the few accounting products that focus on IRS (and CRA).
What Tools Are Offered By Surge365 To SBAs?
Surge365 assigns each SBA a unique website URL for team-building reasons; an example of such a website is www.surge365.com/(yourending). In addition to your exclusive marketing website, you have a Back Office (my.surge365.com) where you can access all of your personal account and team information.
Other resources in the Back Office, which may be accessible under Menu > Resources, include:
- Approved Social Media Images
- Vortex Guide
- 2P&C Sales Process
- Surge365 Policies & Procedures
- Compensation Plan
- International How-To
- Presentations
- Spanish Materials
What Does It Mean To Be QTO?
Qualified to Override is abbreviated as QTO. If you personally sponsor three (3) Vortex, Vortex Membership, or Vortex Platinum subscribers, you can become a QTO. You must be a QTO to qualify for Team Builder Commissions, Bonuses, and the % Match.
What Is The 3 And Free Club?
As an SBA, you can share access to the 3 and Free Club with your Vortex, Vortex Membership, and Vortex Platinum. They can become a member of the 3 and Free Club by referring three (3) subscribers who each pay $59.95 per month.
If they personally refer at least three (3) subscribers, their initial fee or monthly charge for a travel membership will be waived. The monthly travel subscription fee will be automatically charged to the Vortex Owner if any of those three (3) fail to make a payment.
Members of the 3 and free clubs should double-check that their referrals are active Surge365 subscribers. The 3 & Free Club does not have a time limit for membership.
Fast Start To Team Builder
You have 30 days to earn 6 personal points and become a TeamBuilder. One point is awarded for a Vortex sale. A Vortex Membership sale is worth one point. Vortex Platinum sales are worth two points.
Team Builder
To be designated a Team Builder after 30 days, an SBA needs a total of fourteen (14) points (six [6] points must be personal). Becoming a Team Builder has no time limits.
$150 Fast Start Bonus
You will receive a $150 Fast Start Bonus if you individually make three (3) sales on any product ($199, $299, or $499) in your first eight days as an SBA. Both the $150 FSB and the $1,000 FSB may be applied to sales. The sales will not count towards the $1000 Team Builder Bonus if you are eligible for one of the Fast Start Bonuses.
$1,000 Fast Start Bonus
You will be eligible for a $1,000 Fast Start Bonus if you personally generate fourteen (14) points in sales in your first 30 days as an SBA. One point for a Vortex sale. One point for every Vortex Membership sold. Two (2) points for selling Vortex Platinum. The $1,000 Team Builder Bonus will be earned after your next sale.
Regional Team Builder
The next level of leadership for a business associate to aim for is the Regional Team Builder Group. To advance to the next level of leadership, you must earn 70 total Team Builder points via Executive Package Sales. After earning 70 total Team Builder points, you will be promoted to this level and will begin building your Regional Team Builder Group with your next personally enrolled Junior Executive (SBA).
What Is The Cancellation/Refund Policy?
You can cancel at any time by emailing cancellations@surge365.com or submitting a Support Ticket on your personalized website. A five-day money-back guarantee is included with all monthly subscriptions.
Surge365 MLM Review: What I Like And Don’t Like
What I Like About Surge 365
I’m going to be straight to the point and won’t mince words. This MLM does not interest me in any way. Surge365 is a scam or a pyramid scheme in disguise, in my opinion. Surge365 is something I would not recommend to anyone.
What I Don’t Like About Surge 365
- This MLM company looks, acts, and talks like the old YTB International pyramid scheme, which was founded by the same people as Surge365.
- Their disappointing Money-Back Guarantee. Surge365’s BBB profile reveals that, despite the promise of a one-year money-back guarantee on your investments, you can only be eligible for it if you meet the criteria. So, if you’re considering joining Surge365 because you’ve heard it’s a “risk-free way to make a lot of money,” think twice.
Surge365 Review: My Final Thoughts
I don’t want to smear Surge 365’s name in this review, but I strongly advise everyone to stay away from this MLM business opportunity. Surge365’s business model is high-risk, and their compensation plan is sketchy, similar to that of pyramid schemes. Perhaps it would be safer for you to look into other MLM opportunities.
What Is Our Top Recommendation To Make Money Online In 2021?
Our review team has discovered a game-changing program in the real estate industry!
It’s all digital, even if it’s not real estate in the traditional sense.
The scalability of SURGE 365 is where it falls short.
There’s only so much time in a day, and you can only sell to so many people on your own.
MLM companies are well aware of this. That’s why they make it so difficult for you to recruit for your downline… As a one-person show, you won’t be able to make a lot of money.
But what if you could generate even more money from small local websites without spending hundreds of dollars on overpriced products or spending a lot of time recruiting people to sell for you?
You may make recurring monthly income online with our digital real estate program without having to constantly sell to your friends or recruit new members!
Does it seem too good to be true!
It certainly does!
But it isn’t…
In fact, many business owners wish they have this skill!
All you have to do is build and rank a LOCAL website, then forward the job listings to a local business owner, or even email them!
This is applicable to any service-based business:
- tree service
- plumbing
- towing, etc.
How and how much do you get paid?
Simple, when you have forwarded the jobs to a business owner and he has profited from them, you simply ask to make the deal mutually beneficial.
10-20% is a reasonable price to charge per lead, depending on the industry…
Let’s take the tree service industry as an example and assume the worst-case scenario.
Imagine you build and rank the site, but only receive 10 jobs per month. The average tree service job costs between $500 and $2000!
That means you have a monthly asset worth at least $500!
See why it’s now referred to as “digital real estate”?
That is a monthly rent payment.
The best part is how simple it is to scale. You don’t need to be concerned about:
- Your upline getting paid first
- Begging your friends and family to buy from you
- Recruiting people all the time
You only get what’s left of the pie if you meet a monthly quota with SURGE 365…
The course we recommend allows you to take advantage of HUGE FLAT RATE DEALS. This is really passive income!
Making money online is taken to a whole new level with this training program. With the occasional voice over while he is sharing his screen, the program’s owner leads you through how to build and rank a site hand in hand.
You’ll learn the importance of keywords, the name of your website, how to send call notifications via email, backlinking, and more.
Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll have access to a Facebook group that, in our opinion, is far better than the SURGE 365 group. This is a lot more active group.
Unlike SURGE 365, where you might make $10 each sale, you might get 10-20X that with this.
A business will always want additional leads and another job. It doesn’t matter that the task isn’t related to their website name; they recognize it for what it is…expanding digital real estate.
Unlike SURGE 365, more people have been able to leave their 9-5 jobs.
Digital real estate allows you to earn a full-time income while spending the majority of your time with your friends rather than selling to them.
Now, I’m sure you have a lot of questions…