| Comment Number: | 522418-01203 |
| Received: | 6/6/2006 10:35:34 PM |
| Organization: | Mannatech |
| Commenter: | Beth Bascom |
| State: | NH |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
June 6, 2006 Dear Sir or Madam: This letter is regarding proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993. I have been in direct sales since 1976, providing services and goods to millions of people. During the 70’s and 80’s no one else was providing the small rural communities of New England with inspirational books. Direct sales provide a valuable service to many people, including stay-at-home moms, like myself, the opportunity to earn income while caring for our children. I understand that part of the FTC’s responsibilities is to protect the public from “unfair and deceptive acts or practices,” but some of the sections in the proposed rule will make it very difficult if not impossible for me to continue to run my home based business. Seven-day Waiting Period. Why a seven-day waiting period? My daughter was talked into buying a new car at 18% interest. Even if she tried to sell the car, she would have lost thousands of dollars, instead she paid it in interest. No one made the car dealer wait seven days. To get started in a home-based business with my company is under $100, with a full guarantee buy back. I run my business myself, out of my home. Who is going to keep track of who I spoke with when and do all the paperwork required by my company to be sure I am in compliance? I don’t have an office staff to do that type of record keeping. This restriction could very well force me out of business. Litigation Information. In this country someone is innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, if you are going to propose a rule requiring providing information regarding lawsuits involving misrepresentation, or unfair or deceptive practices, it needs to be restricted to convicted cases only. References. I understand you are trying to protect people from fraud, but there are serious problems with requiring a business to disclose personal information about their customers: identity theft, harassment, assault, etc. Would you do business with someone who gave your personal information to strangers? My legitimate home based business not only provides valuable services to thousands of people, but provides my family with needed income and allows me to be at home so I can raise my children to be productive and caring citizens. I know of hundreds of other mothers who are doing the same thing. Please be careful in the way you craft this bill. I appreciate that the FTC is attempting to protect consumers, but as the bill is currently written, I believe it will have unintended consequences. Please investigate other means for achieving your desired results. Thank you for hearing my concerns. Sincerely, Beth Bascom