| Comment Number: | 522418-07026 |
| Received: | 7/8/2006 5:33:08 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar.com |
| Commenter: | Mary Horsley |
| State: | CA |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am a single woman (widowed) and a Christian. I work in the special education field as a principal. When I registered to become an Independent Business Owner with Quixtar (Oct. 2005) my sponsor provided me with a printed detailed plan about the business, and about the opportunities from meeting new people, earning extra income, providing an efficient and effective means to shop for household and personal products, to helping others. I was informed that this is not a "get rich quick" plan but that if I did my due diligence, that is, become informed and educated as to the effort required to make my business successful, the results would directly corelate to the time and energy put into it. Thus far this business has and is changing my life. The cost to register was <50.00. The product pack of which I used myself and showed, cost 60.00. The benefit derived from my short time as an IBO has not been monetary, but when I see the potential, larger picture of helping myself and others achieve financial independence it is satisfying. I have enjoyed learning about the business from selected CD's, recommended books, large business functions and small bi-weekly business meetings with other IBOs. To address specific concerns in the FTC proposal I list as follows: *The 7 day waiting period prior to registering is ridiculous. An adult reviewing the Quixtar plan should be allowed to make a decision to register by their own volition. Eliminate the waiting period. *Disclosing names and addresses of other IBOs to a prospect is an invasion of privacy. As a single woman I do not want my personal information handed out to people whom I do not know. IBOs have many opportunities to meet other IBOs at business functions and to hear about their experiences and successes. *Handing over a list of lawsuits, arbitrations and other legal claims for the past 10 years involving Quixtar and its IBOs would merely open up legitimate companies like Quixtar to false accusations. False accusations are currently perpetuated on the WWW and the FTC is not doing anything to protect them now from such accusations. The dishonest companys would ignore the rule anyway. This disclosure should be eliminated. *Making a disclosure for every income claim is confusing. When I was shown the plan, the presenter made very clear to me the income opportunities from Direct Selling. It was shown in the brochure when we reached the potential for income section. The Quixtar brochure uses a simple, standard, easily understood disclosure of "average monthly gross income for 'active' IBOs." *Providing prospects with personal financial documents to back up personal income is inappropriate. Each person's potential income is directly connected to the amount of time and energy put into the business. Whether that is buying products for self, for others or showing the business plan and registering new buyers. With a full time day job I am limited to the amount of time I spend growing my business. Others may be able to put in more time and energy thus increasing their opportunity to earn more. The IRS is the only agency I am concerned with showing my personal income at the end of the year. I believe it is important to provide every prospect with important information about the Quixtar business prior to their making a decision to register. Quixtar has the history, the product reputation, governing boards (IBOAI) and the guidelines of the US Direct Selling Association (DSA) to help ensure DS companies remain legitimate. I am proud to be associated with a company such as Quixtar. I hope to continue building my DS business without burdensome, imposed requirements which would penalize me and other honest entrepreneurs. Respectfully submitted, Mary J. Horsley Yorba Linda,