by Alain Schuster
The Global Resorts Network offers a discount luxury travel membership as well as an affiliate program for those who want to sell membership to other people. This article provides an unbiased review of both the product (which is the membership package) and its affiliate program.
Two (2) types of membership are offered. One is a Platinum membership which cost US$2,995.00.
If one is a platinum member, he/she is entitled to unlimited vacations per year. His/her membership is lifetime, fully transferable and willable to his/her estate. Resort weeks cost from US$298-699/week in 5 or 4 star resorts (or in a few cases, up to US$799/week in Hawaii, etc.). A member can also offer friends and family guest weeks and they can avail of the same discounts as members do in these resorts.
The Gold membership costs less at US$1,495.
The Gold membership is a 3-year membership. A member is entitled to 3 resort weeks yearly (not exceeding 21 days), and this may be consecutive and in the same resort. The cost per resort week start at US$398 in 4 or 5 star resorts. Unfortunately, guest weeks are not allowed for this type of membership.
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:
- GRN member doesn’t pay a maintenance fee while timeshare requires an annual maintenance fee
- unlimited number of vacations per year as a GRN platinum member; with timeshare, usually only 1 vacation/year
- timeshare initial purchase cost is generally more than GRN membership cost
- cost per resort week is generally less than annual maintenance fees in timeshare
Some Shortcomings of GRN:
- a certain amount of flexibility in travel schedule and in the choice of resort are called for with a GRN membership due to fluctuations in resort vacancies; hence, a member cannot always leave for the resort of his/her choice at a date/time he/she wishes to go because the resort he/she wants to go may already be fully booked at the time he/she wants to vacation
- a member cannot cancel his/her reservation; one of the ways GRN can provide accommodations well below the standard rates is because they receive specific non-cancellable dates when a request is made.
- 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:
This is what makes the affiliate program so enticing to many. This is how it works:
Ist 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.
So for example, 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
You can get started right away with these systems as all of them have back offices containing training resources, guides on where and how to advertise, etc.
What Customers Say:
“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
Here’s Our Verdict:
Our research shows that overall, this is an excellent product. The traveller can save a lot of money and still enjoy the luxury of a 4 or 5 star resort. However, if a member wants a specific resort or location, he/she has to be flexible as to when he/she can travel.
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 become an affiliate, please take note 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 step by step guide. 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 change, 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 whole picture and the why of all the actions you are taking.
The GRN affiliate program does not guarantee to make you rich overnight. You have to be prepared to devote a considerable amount of time to it, spend for monthly fees and other marketing-related expenses such as advertising which can be costly.