travel pulse   |   September 02, 2010

Joystar Reinstated in California, on Track for Florida

Published on: October 17, 2008

Host agency Joystar said it is once again a licensed seller of travel in California, Nevada and Washington. The state of Florida also verified that Joystar has submitted all the required items and the company said it expected to be reinstated in Florida as well by the end of the day. Bill Alverson, Joystar CEO, said that once it has re-established its state seller of travel status, it will be in compliance with CLIA membership requirements and expects to be reinstated with that group as well. Alverson said the nation’s financial crisis had abruptly caused Bank of America, which held Joystar’s business bond, to restructure. The bank notified Florida that it no longer held Joystar’s bond, catching Joystar off guard. Transferring that bond, a requirement to be certified as a seller of travel, took four or five days, Alverson said. Additionally, Joystar staff had completed issuing commission checks due to agents at the end of the day Thursday, said Kathy West, executive vice president of Joystar.

“So all the agents are current as of this week,” Alverson said. He added that there had been “a lot of false information put out there by competitors.” But he said that Joystar has always treated its agents well and the reinstatement of its state seller of travel licensing and CLIA membership will reassure Joystar members. On a separate matter, Alverson said Joystar has sent a letter to Royal Caribbean International, which last year ended its relationship with Joystar and other agency groups that Royal Caribbean had determined were card mills. Joystar is disputing that decision, saying it is a legitimate host agency and not a card mill. Alverson said if the matter is not resolved, “then we will more than likely be forced to examine the next level. No on wants to sue anybody, but at the same time we believe there’s been some damage.” For more information, visit www.joystar.com.
 



Reader Comments

Card mills have always been questionable and I know that CLIA and IATAN have not been as diligent as they could be in verification of agencies members. To be upfront and take away the "speculation" I believe that IATAN and CLIA should mandate a copy of W-2 forms or 1099's to verify the commission/salaries of these people. This would maintain the intregrity of the minimum standards for any person on the certification lists. Any agency that would refuse, must not be adhering to the standards of our industry.darlene, MD

Well, Today is friday and I still have not recieved last month pay check.Never mind this months. Bill, You need to let me go with out any strings attached to my bookings. I have been with you guys through the hard times, but hanging up on me is the weakest thing ANY Business Owner has ever done. I just want a fare shake. That was not it. Drew Drew's CruiseDrew, FL

Bill, I hope you do not leave the company in a time of dire need, and go on the Holland America Cruise tomorrow. Making sure you company and AGENTS are taken care of seems to me to be FIRST Priority!!! Just saying...................Drew, FL

Funny thing about that whole article above is it not correct. As of today Joystar is not on par with the FL Seller of travel license. I called today! I also called CLIA today, and they are not in good standings with them either. If any of the Cruise Lines are reading this. HELP US!! Give us an option to move our clients. We are trying to look out for our clients best interests, and need you guys to do the same. I am very afraid for my clients. Enough is enough... Drew Owner of Drew's CruiseDrew, FL

Contrary to the precepts of Journalism 101, Travel Pulse has failed to do any fact-checking related to Joystar debacle for two articles in a row. Plus, they also conveniently forgot to mention anywhere that Joystar still owes them money for long past due advertising. Could it be they are better served by given a false impression about Joystar's status in the hopes they will be rewarded with advertisment payment restitution? Kudos to Drew from Drews Cruise for blasting Travel Pulse for running literally word-for-word what is obviously a press release from Bill Alverson and disguising it as an article. Drew Axelrod, Fort LauderdaleDrew, FL

As of Wednesday October 22nd, 2008 many agents have still NOT received any commission checks in the mail from Joystar. If checks were mailed out on Friday, October 17th 2008, they should have reached agents by now! Just because Bill Alverson say's that the agents got paid, someone should be checking directly with the agents to verify. I think it's time for the Federal Government to step in and help the agents out. Patty, AL

I am an agent in NJ and as of 10/26, we have still not received any payment from Joystar. They have stopped answering phones and have lied about checks being mailed. I have client documents that I can not get for them and commissions owed to me that are needed to pay my bills. In this economy, this is not fair and Joystar owes it to the agents it supports to stop the lying and pay us the commissions due. Andrew, NJ

today is 10/27 and I still have not received my check. I heard today that they have still not been sent outdiane , NJ

today is 10/27 and I still have not received my check. I heard today that they have still not been sent outdiane , NJ

I got a check finally (let's hope it doesn't bounce!) for $379!!!! Joystar is STILL outstanding to me for $2500! I send emails to the "commissions" dept and they advise they have no new information. BUT I found out that Bill received $5 million prior to going on the cruise to pay the commissions....makes you wonder....did he pay the agents or deposit it at the Caymans when they stopped there????? JOYSTAR, THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT IF WE HAVE DIRECT DEPOSITS WE WILL BE PAID ON THE 15TH AND 30TH OF EACH MONTH which means YOU are out of contract. To this date they are NOT allowing agents to move bookings even they are losing agents by the second and will be out of business by the end of the year! Bill doen't respond to emails or messages because I've tried both. Jane, DE




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