| Comment Number: | 522418-03598 |
| Received: | 6/21/2006 9:50:51 AM |
| Organization: | PartyLite Candles & Gifts |
| Commenter: | Linda Habetz |
| State: | NC |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I'm a Senior Citizen, retired after a 30+ year career with IBM, and am quite thankful for the flexibility and part-time income opportunities that PartyLite provides to me and others. Having been a PartyLite consultant for 7+ years, and currently operating my business as a Unit Leader focused on helping others be successful business men/women, I feel very qualified to give you my comments regarding this matter. I strongly object to any consideration by the FTC to regulate direct-selling opportunities by requiring legitimate, reputable direct selling companies such as PartyLite Candles from being able to operate free of restrictions imposed by the FTC. Specifically, I object to the excessive 10 day waiting period before a person can become a consultant. Our consultants are well informed of our policies and programs prior to becoming a consultant, and are intelligent persons that can make decisions about their personal welfare and the welfare of their families without government regulation. If the FTC wants to restrict a business in that way, perhaps you could place a 10 day wait on purchasing cars, prescribed medicines, purchasing gasoline from a specific company, selecting a telephone service provider...in other words, companies that openly gouge consumers without restraint. Also, it is absolutely ridiculous to consider imposing a restriction that we be required to provide a prospective consultants with a list of 10 consultants in his/her immediate area. The appeal of our business is that consultants can operate their business from their home, and that they have the flexibility of being ACTIVE or being INACTIVE for up to 26 months without having to re-start their business....therefore, maintaining such a list would be ridiculously cumbersome. Perhaps the FTC could take a closer look at individual companies that are not reputable and take specific action against those that use questionable business practices VS using a broad-brush to paint all direct-selling ventures as being unethical. In my 7 year association with PartyLite, I have found this to be one of the most reputable, ethical businesses I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with, and am honored to represent them as a consultant and as a leader. Thank you for your consideration. Regards, Linda Habetz