| Comment Number: | 522418-00076 |
| Received: | 5/24/2006 4:48:42 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Stephen Hand |
| State: | NC |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
The New Business Opportunity Rule R511993 is a significant impediment to the network marketing industry and a significant burden to free market trade. The proposed rule requires a seven-day waiting period to enroll new distributors, even if the start-up fee is a mere $19.95. While I support some of the disclosures with modification, I am opposed to a seven-day waiting period because it is excessive burden to any company and distributor who would be required to document and follow-up on the process and an impediment to new business development. The rule also calls for release of any information regarding prior litigation and civil or criminal legal actions involving misrepresentation, or unfair or deceptive practices, even if you were found innocent. In our lawsuit-happy culture, anyone can be sued for anything almost with impunity. Irregardless of the outcome, you would have to disclose it and explain it to a new business associate which is unfair. I would only support the disclosure of previous litigation involving fraud and misrepresentation if the party is found guilty. If the defendant is found not guilty or if the opposing parties agreed to settle without admission of guilt, then it should not be necessary to disclose this information. If the parties agreed to settle without admission of guilt, there usually is some public document available, particularly if it involves a government agency and further disclosure therefore is unnecessary. Lastly, the rule requires the disclosure of a minimum of 10 purchasers closest to you. While it is a good practice to provide references of satisfied customers, this is a burden for small businesses and, as a requirement, is a violation of personal confidentiality. In addition, it subjects these references to cross-marketing by competitors. I am recommending that contact information for purchasers be available upon request, that their availability be published on company materials, and that due to Internet-marketing, they not be limited to geographic proximity. The network marketing industry is one of the few remaining opportunities for people to leverage their time and limited resources to earn additional income or to create a new career. Once scoffed at by investors, many network marketing companies are publicly traded on Wall Street including Herbalife, Nu Skin, Pre-Paid Legal Services, USANA and others. Network marketing is being used by blue-chip corporations including Citigroup, MCI and IBM. Top business management leaders and New York Times best-selling authors Robert Kiyosaki, Paul Zane Pilsner, and Steven Covey have endorsed network marketing. The industry is also growing in popularity and contributes to the US economy. This growth should be encouraged. Sales of products and services through network marketing are estimated at more than $29 billion in 2003. I understand and value the role of the FTC mission "to stand up for America's free market process and for its consumers, who benefit from competitive markets in which truthful information flows." However, I believe this proposed new rule exceeds what is necessary and needs significant modification. We live in a free market economy where people have the responsibility of making informed decisions based on best information. A better approach would be to provide consumers with objective criteria when analyzing a business opportunity and let an informed market proceed. I am in support of the disclosures should be made during the sales process without the requirement of a seven-day waiting period, only if modified as suggested. Thank you, in advance, for reviewing and posting my comments.