| Comment Number: | 522418-03773 |
| Received: | 6/21/2006 11:05:07 PM |
| Organization: | VEMMA |
| Commenter: | Laurie Fitzgerald |
| State: | PA |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Re: Business Opportunity Rule, R511993 I've have been with VEMMA and it's parent company, New Vision, for 11 years. The products have had a highly benefitial impact on my health and I was eager to share my experience with others. The business has also been very helpful to our family finances. Two years ago, when my husband's company went bankrupt, we would have had to declare bankruptcy were it not for my home business income. I appriciate the fact that you are attempting to protect consumers, but your proposed regulations would greatly hinder all the good this industry is doing for people. Yes, I understand there are fraudulent groups out there, but your new rules unfairly target legitimate direct selling businesses. As a consumer, I don't feel I need more government intervention in my decisions about what I choose to purchase. Your proposed elimination of the $500 business threshold will force direct selling companies to comply with the other provisions of the proposed rule that are not appropriate for this type of business. For example, the litigation reporting rule does not distinguish between winning and losing lawsuits and therefore can put honest, ligitamate companies in a bad light. A 7-day waiting period would cause rediculous administrative problems. When I buy a product on-line or at the store, I don't have to wait 7 days to complete the purchase. My customers should not have to wait 7 days to buy something from me either. And getting references of 10 nearest sales people would be nearly imposible, as I have customers all over the country. This would also violate confidentiallity. I believe you're making a big mistake to impose these regulations on the direct selling industry. The average direct seller is only making $300 - $1000 a month in additional income, but this is often just enough to keep people above water. It's not right that these honest companies and individuals should suffer because unscrupulous companies take advantage of people. All consumers understand that the buyer needs to make their own decisions as to the risk factors involved in any new venture. We don't need more government regulation.