| Comment Number: | 522418-06507 |
| Received: | 7/6/2006 3:20:45 PM |
| Organization: | Johnson Enterprises |
| Commenter: | Wes Johnson |
| State: | MO |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
We have been Quixtar IBO's since September 1999. Our efforts have enabled my wife to be a stay-at-home mom. We are developing an income that will soon allow me to resign from my job. We expect our Quixtar business to provide a full-time income within the next 12 months. We have enjoyed numerous benefits in addition to the monetray rewards: accociation with other positive-minded people, personal development and having a family business to name a few. We believe that there is a great ecomomic benefit to the United States from legitimate home-based businesses - both the income that they create that is reinvested in the ecomomy and the taxes that are paid. Some of the proposed rule changes would have a major negative benefit on our business. When we registered we had excellent materials to review to make an informed decision. We use these materials and others created since then (including the approved SA 4400) when we share this opportunity with others. We tell prospects that this business has been an awesome opportunity for our family. We also let them know that it takes work - just like any other ligitimate business - but we feel the rewards are more than worth the effort. We register people with a registration and publication fee (about $65) and a product bundle (about $160). All of this can be refunded within the first 180 days. We see no need for a seven-day waiting peoiod. Some people take this long or longer to make a decision however a few want to get started right away. The 180 day refund option offers ample protection for prospects. We are opposed to any requirement to provide a list of local prospects for two reasons: 1. It violates the privacy of those on the list. 2. There is a risk that a prospect might attempt to register with someone else after we did the work. Furthermore we do not want another IBO handing out our names on a list. We hold monthly meetings - prospects are welcome to attend - where they can meet other IBO's. At these meetings IBO's present business information and share their experiences. We are opposed to providing a list of ligitation. Unfortunately, in today's society, many successful companies face ligitation claims. Of curse, not all claims are justified and many are frivilous. Litigation against Quixtar is not the challenge, in my opinion. The major challenge we face is the actions of some "so-called" business opportunities that appear to be neither legal nor ethical in their practices. We applaud any efforts to stop these companies and their practices. Specific earning disclosures are not necesary and would offer too much personal information. The current materials we use give monthly averges and disclaimers. We offer prospects average incomes and inform them that it takes work & commitment to achieve those incomes. We also tell prospects what level we have achieved in the business. We feel it is unnecessary and unwise to offer specific personal financial records. What we have accomplished, as well as what others have accomplished, is not a guarantee of what they can accomplish. This is a great opportunity and we are commited to helping others succeed - however their success is ultimately dependent upon their efforts and committment.