Comment Number: 522418-02996
Received: 6/16/2006 8:32:38 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Ginny Vasquez
State: AR
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 about the proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993. I believe that in its present form, it could prevent me from continuing as a distributor of SendOutCards and destroy my small business. I have been involved with these types of businesses for over 25 years. This is what my husband and I do and we rely on the income from it for our current living and for our retirement. We would be devastated if it were taken away from us. Originally, we started a network marketing business because of the products. We loved them and wanted to earn some additional money. Now our family depends on this income. Please don’t destroy our small business, we need it! Some of the sections in the proposed rule would make it hard or almost impossible for companies like ours and many others to sell products and/or services. One of the most difficult sections of the proposed rule is the seven day waiting period to enroll a new distributor. It will give the public the idea that there’s something wrong with the company, the product or our plan and will in-turn reflect badly on me. A person can become a distributor in our company for $299 which includes products and training well worth more than that. People buy TVs, cars, and other items that cost much more than that and they don’t have to wait seven-days. Under this waiting period requirement, I will need to keep very detailed records when I first speak to someone, a prospect, and will then have to send in reports to my company. I am a small home business and this burden could hurt or even destroy my business. This proposed rule is definitely not a wise one. Finally, the proposed rule requires the disclosure of a minimum of 10 prior purchasers nearest to the prospective purchaser. I would be more than willing to provide references, but due to safety factors and privacy issues I would be very uncomfortable giving out the personal information of individuals (with or without their approval) to any one, especially strangers. Unless the FTC is willing to be responsible and pass an addition to this rule prohibiting any type of attack of any kind related to this disclosure and assign a special unit to monitor such actions related to this matter, I can't see how you can possibly pass this rule. I have seen many scams on the Internet and been approached by many crooks. This rule will do nothing to stop them. They are the ones that hurt my business! This rule will not stop Crooks – they violate the current rule all the time. I am a good American citizen and it will hurt me and many others just like me. Is your objective to shut down all small home based businesses? I trust the answer is no and therefore you must not put this rule into place. Thank you and please help me. Sincerely, Ginny Vasquez