| Comment Number: | 522418-02728 |
| Received: | 6/16/2006 12:28:22 PM |
| Organization: | Partylite |
| Commenter: | Lisa Zuver |
| State: | FL |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Dear Federal Trade Commission Members: I am writing to ask that you reconsider some of the requirements you are proposing to regulate the direct sales industry. I am a Partylite Consultant who has been proud to be involved in this business for 5 years. I began my Partylite business to put food on my table. My husband had lost his job and was trying to start a business of his own. I had 2 small children at home and with no family around, did not want my children being raised in a daycare situation. I cried many nights knowing I had to find a job to put food on the table. As I was checking out daycares, I was invited to a Partylite show. Never heard of it, but needed a night out to forget my problems. Heard about the business opportunity which would allow me to start a business for FREE, work a couple nights a week (so my husband could watch the kids) and make as much money as I wanted. I jumped on it, being in a desperate state of mind. Had I waited 7 days to think about it, I would have doubted myself, the enthusiasm would have wore off and I would not have tried Partylite. THANK GOD, I did. It was the BEST thing for me and my kids. Partylite was everything it claimed to be and my NOW 3 children have had a stay at home mom, 2 of them go to private school, we have a new pool, can take nice vacations and are able to pay our bills. I can't imagine were I would be now and who would have raised my kids had I not found Partylite and started right away. One of the most important things with this business is enthusiasm. Waiting 7 days, will diminish that enthusiasm. A Hostess who just had a great show, and several friends want to do parties, won't be able to close her show that day if she wants to turn that show into her starter show for her business, it will delay her friends and family from getting there products from 2 weeks to almost 4 weeks, and that can be a deterent right there, because no one wants to hold up her guests from getting their products. Joining a direct selling business is a big leap and takes courage, many people don't believe in themselves that they can do it, but that extra bit of enthusiasm helps motivate some to do something they will truly be glad they did. The proposals you are suggesting would make my business much more difficult and possibly impact my income. Specifically, in terms of the references requirement, I would never feel comfortable providing the personal contact information of other people in Partylite, nor would I want my own personal information given out freely. With my husbands business calls, and my own, I can't have my phone line going crazy with reference calls from people I don't even know. Then they have my information to do whatever they want with it. NOT GOOD! That is why we have Unit and Regional meetings. It is a place to come check out the opportunity and hear from others, and the people are free to walk around and talk to anyone. Some people have been in it a long time, others are just starting, so they can get a great idea of what it is all about. I feel good about sharing Partylite's very real business opportunity with others, and want to continue to easily introduce Partylite to more people who could benefit as I HAVE!! The regulations you are proposing would hinder me from doing so--and would hinder others in starting their business in the timeframe they choose. Please know that I'm thankful that we have the FTC working to protect average consumers like me, but in this case, you will be working against me, impacting my income, my future and my family's future. Please reconsider the regulations you are proposing. Respectfully Yours, Lisa Zuver Independent Partylite