| Comment Number: | 522418-00105 |
| Received: | 5/30/2006 8:10:00 PM |
| Organization: | Mannatech |
| Commenter: | Douglas Wickham |
| State: | NV |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| Attachment: | 522418-00105.pdf Download Adobe Reader |
Comments:
Dear Sir or Madam: The news about the proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993 has been brought to our attention. While laws are meant to protect the public, they should not be a burden. Laws are formed so things can run smoothly. It is questionable whether this law is achieving that purpose. Our family has been a part of the Mannatech company for 12 years which is direct selling. We had no prior experience with direct selling before Mannatech. Not only have thousands of people been aided health wise with this Wellness industry, but they have been able to get their products paid for by receiving a check from Mannatech ($100) every month. And with the $1099 pack they get enough product to substantially restore their health, and an opportunity to get that $1000 back. Financially helping them as well. Also, a lot has to be said about the qualities one must develop as a person to best assist people and give a helping hand. Direct selling gives people a team experience. People watch teams on television all the time and awe as a team plays. We feel a similar awe and spirit. We have seen thousands and thousands unburdened because they finally found an opportunity to change their lives financially. We went from barely being able to hold our head above water financially, to a very good income and can now help others instead of being a drain on others. The government has to be happy about that since that is one more person they don't have to support through assistance programs. We must look at the figures/numbers and know this is a valuable financial vehicle as it stands. Now in direct selling paper work is stream lined for efficiency. Why would we want to clog up the wheel that is running smoothly and loose money that affects everybody? You can not separate the parts from the whole and not have the whole affected. With the growth of direct selling, even people like Donald Trump recognize direct selling as a good financial vehicle. Reading through the law, anyone can recognize it is not designed to keep the production and distribution high through direct selling. Unnecessary provisions in the law such as: casting direct selling in a negative light, record keeping and administrative problems, and unnecessary and unfair delays are observed. What next? To be fair we should have to wait 7 days to drive a car off the lot? Or buy a DVD Player? Litigations can be deceiving when it does not distinguish between winning or losing lawsuits. Do retail stores have to post such information? To be fair retail stores should also post any slip and fall litigation, complaints etc. If a company is in litigation, last time we knew, you are innocent until proven guilty. Why must litigation be posted? To give out 10 prior purchasers nearest to the prospective purchaser could be a cause for identity theft. Who do we take to court in that case? There is a degree of privacy that is being invaded. When we go into a retail store, will we then expect the retail store to supply 10 names of people who bought a particular product? Can we see where all of this is going? We have seen great value in direct selling and are glad to have had this option in our lives. Your attention and soundness of mind in this matter is appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration.