| Comment Number: | 522418-02945 |
| Received: | 6/16/2006 5:57:55 PM |
| Organization: | The Herb Store |
| Commenter: | Amanda Russell |
| State: | TX |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing this letter because I am concerned that if proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993 is adopted in its present form, my livelihood as a Nature's Sunshine distributor will be significantly undermined. I have been a Nature's Sunshine distributor for over 10 years, and find this company to be so very ethical in it's business practices. It only costs $40 to become a distributor and that includes $40 of products. There are no minimums to purchase every month like other companies, and no automatic renewals. They provide a great deal of education and support to us. It's very rewarding to help people have better quality of life through improving their health and having the opportunity to have their own business, many who are mothers able to stay home with their children and still contribute to the family finances. The very thought of government interference in the free enterprise process strikes fear in the hearts of Americans everywhere,. Cherished values are at stake, and the FTC needs to be aware of the dangers of ill considered action. The public is not well served by the FTCs over-regulation of an industry that is causing absolutely no harm and more than adequately polices itself by remedying any and all complaints by members of the public. Nature's Sunshine complies with all applicable buy back requirements and always makes it easy for individuals to exit the Company, if the business opportunity is not right for them. While the FTC needs to protect the public where necessary, this proposed rule is hopelessly overbroad and misguided. The seven-day waiting period is unnecessary and will interfere with my ability to enter is to lawful transactions and enroll new distributors. People buy TVs, cars, and other much more costly items without such a waiting period. This proposed waiting period gives the impression that something is wrong with the plan. And, the burdensome paper3work, which will not even be read by the public, makes it extremely difficult for the individual participant to fully comply, thereby risking fines and other penalties for such failures, however innocent. By these actions, the FTC does a disservice to the consuming public and Americans everywhere who are tyring to get ahead by starting their own business, or earning nece3ssary supplemental income to help support their family. While I appreciate the work the FTC in protecting consumers, I believe this proposed new rule has many unintended consequences that could be avoided by a sell burdensome approach. Thank you for your time in considering my comments. Sincerely yours, Amanda Russell Area Manager, Nature's Sunshine Products