Any business offering value enhanced products that are in high demand will attract distributors with integrity and those that lack integrity. Coastal Vacations is no exception.

As a top Level 3 member I host prospect Q&A calls and group training calls for the fastest growing and largest group in the top rated home based business. I also co-hosted the first ever podcast coverage of the most recently concluded Board of Directors conference from Orlando Florida.

Because of my prominent position with the 11 year old home based business, many individuals contact me for advice after they have been separated from their hard earned money by unscrupulous sponsors. It is hoped that exposing the major scams will prevent others from following these wronged individuals down the same unfortunate path.

Independent entrepreneurs market the Coastal Vacations program as they see fit. While the quality of the travel products have a wonderful track record, complaints are focused at the questionable business practices of a small minority.

There are 5 prevalent scams unprincipled sponsors use. Not just with Coastal Vacations, but with other home based business opportunities as well. They are (1) the disappearing sponsor,(2) the too good to be true offer sponsor,(3) The I am the only way and the light sponsor, which is often also(4) the up sell sponsor, and (5) the pie in the sky sponsor We will take a brief look at each of these and explain the steps people can take to avoid these common scams.

(1) The disappearing sponsor is pretty self explanatory. This individual signs people up and that is the last they hear from him or her. Some of the sponsors in this category are simply part timers unable to clear part of their schedule for training, while others are so fragmented selling so many lotions and potions, that they simply don't have the time. Some that fall into this category just don't know how to help new members, while others may not feel their new associates have what it takes to succeed and feel it would be a waste of their time trying to train them.

Whatever the reason, victims of the disappearing sponsor are unable to get the mentoring they need and are hard pressed to learn how to successfully market the business and the products on their own.

(2) The too good to be true offer sponsor has spent more time setting the trap. The offer may take many different shapes from payment plans to bonuses like cameras and music players that are unrelated to the new associate's success, and even fraudulent releases for a fraction of what a legitimate entry to the business would cost.

While bonuses related to your success, like training tapes or tools, are a good sign and may indicate a sponsor's willingness and ability to follow through, other free gifts may indicate that they will not be there when needed and they want to make up for the lack of mentoring with trinkets.

Payment plan artists seem happy to collect the $500 or $200 down payment knowing that an individual with such a minimal commitment to the business will not follow through and the down payment will be pure profit. They may also become a disappearing sponsor once the initial payment is made.

Those selling fraudulent releases prey on the same clientele that would buy a high definition television from the back of an unmarked van. Like with the stolen television, victims are lured by deep discounts. Even if the fraudulent documents pass the shipping center's securitization for one or two orders, they have no support system to plug into. They entered the business with an individual who does not operate within Coastal Vacations guidelines and has absolutely no incentive to deliver any assistance when needed. Once the scam is discovered, they have about the same recourse as stolen television owners looking for warranty coverage.

(3) The I am the only way and the light sponsor and the (4) up sell sponsor are often one in the same.

These sponsors are often lone wolves who don't belong to any of the major groups in the Coastal community. They don't attend the conferences or participate in any official Coastal Vacations events. They also recommend you don't participate either, so that they can be your only source of help. The assistance often includes the purchase of websites, advertising coops, and marketing tools from them. Rather that offering free help, the answer to your question is the purchase of an expensive, over priced tool.

Common sense should tell you that no one individual is going to discover a method that works for everyone. What are the chances this miracle technique eluded large groups that have profited from this business for over 11 years?

Those who have the greatest success plug into one of the large successful groups and learn from the varied experiences of their leaders and members. The diversity of the larger group makes all it's members stronger. New associates can learn from others who have perfected a variety of methods that have brought them success.

(5) the pie in the sky sponsor can take many shapes. Their success may be overstated and the implication that you can enjoy the same success with minimal effort is at least implied. They may offer deep discounts and then not deliver or they may offer some mysterious success system that will be revealed after you hand over the money.

The pie in the sky director may show you what he says is his house, his car, even his bank statement. They fail to reveal what other products they may sell or how their success can be duplicated.

So how do potential business owners protect themselves from the scams, schemes, and frauds that are out there? Your first defense is logic. Examine the offer in a logical manner. Does it make sense that the offer is genuine?

Next, examine the offer maker. Is you potential sponsor a leader in the business you are considering? Do they answer their own phone on a regular basis, or are all their calls screened? Are they active with a major group in Coastal? Do you hear them on the conference calls regularly? Did they attend the most recent conference in Orlando? The answers to these questions measure the commitment your potential sponsor has to the business and indicate whether or not they operate a legitimate business.

Do a Google search. Do others have complaints about them, or are they a ghost and have no reputation positive or negative on the internet.

Examine the system your potential sponsor is using to sell you. Does it require a master salesperson or computer expert to make it work? Can you visualize yourself utilizing the same system and having the success you desire?

Doing your due diligence will take some time, and you will need to scrutinize the source of any information you see and how it is worded.

For example, those researching the benefits of the Coastal Vacations Sales Center will find criticism from non-member sponsors trying to compete with that system. Attorneys and pre-law students will notice the careful wording as they refer to what could possibly happen. Sure, many things could happen. A comet could score a direct hit on the Earth tomorrow at noon and end our lives, but it is not likely. Competing sponsors have avoided litigation because anything is possible, but anyone with legitimate concerns should contact the Sales Center to learn about all the safeguards they have put in place to protect the integrity of that system.

Other potential criticism may come from other competitors. They should be taken with a grain of salt. If you were considering the purchase of a Toyota Camry, would you ask General Motors what they thought of it? Don't rely on competitors to supply you with factual research data. If you are looking to start a new career and invest your hard earned money, take the time to get your questions answered from the source, and then scrutinize them. Check them out for yourself.

Starting a successful home based business could be the beginning of a new career and the doorway to leading the life you have only dreamed of thus far. It could be your ticket to enjoying vacations in exotic locations or simply a means toward your goal of staying home and raising your own children. It could produce the income needed to purchase your dream home and put you in the driver's seat of the new car you always wanted.

Home based business success can open the doors to a whole new life, but don't get so caught up in the dream that you fail to see the potential problems. Do your homework. When done the right way, your next step can change your life and when done the wrong way you can loose. Don't treat this like the purchase of a new sofa. It is more important than that. Take the time to do your research. Ask the difficult questions and be aware of the source of the information and any other motives people may have for swaying your opinion.

Dean Marino is now a full time Internet entrepreneur, author, and sales consultant, after 22 years in the auto finance business. He has traveled extensively and has aligned himself with Coastal Vacations after an exhaustive search. He hosts live conference calls several times a week for the Coastal Vacations Sales Center, and was chosen to help train that group's membership because of his knowledge, and enthusiasm. Some members say they feel his sincerity and enthusiasm jump through the phone at them. Learn more at http://www.deanmarino.com