| Comment Number: | 522418-07061 |
| Received: | 7/8/2006 10:52:10 PM |
| Organization: | IBO powered by Quixtar |
| Commenter: | A. Shotwell |
| State: | AL |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Concerning FTC Proposed Rule R511993, 16 CFR Part 437. I have been an Independent Business Owner (IBO) powered with Quixtar since 1 September 1999. I enjoy being an IBO and sharing this business opportunity. My goal as an IBO is to continue my personal growth, obtain financial freedom, and teach others, who want to, to do the same. I believe when I registered I received enough information to make a sound decision and I believe I do the same when register prospects. During my presentation or a presentation presented by another team member, we tell the prospects that this is not a “get rich quick” plan, this opportunity takes work and effort, and that there are no guarantees. Currently, when a prospect registers as an IBO, the cost is $31.00. There is a $5.00 fee for the IBOBA Insurance (which is refundable), a $9.00 fee for the IBOAI (which is refundable) and $6.50 fee for shipping and handling. If the prospect orders one of the optional product packs, the total registration cost will be $110.00 to $125.00. As an IBO powered by Quixtar, I don’t believe the 7-day waiting period provides any benefit and would significantly affect my business. There are times when several family members or friends want to resister on the same day. The 7-day waiting period would not allow that. For example, if 10 family members wanted to resister at the same time, it would take over two months. When an individual decides to become an IBO, I offer them a SA-4400, Independent Business Ownership Plan, and a Quixtar contract to sign, as required by Quixtar. Quixtar also offers a 180-day 100% money back guarantee of the products purchased. Additionally, I am required to buy back any currently marketable and unused resource materials as required by our Rules of Conduct. I believe providing a list of local IBOs would not benefit the prospect or me. First, the prospect might decide to register with one of the IBOs on the reference list. Second, the prospect might call an IBO that might not be growing personally or might not be straightforward with the prospect and tell him or her that the business doesn’t work, when in actuality the IBO the prospect called, is not actively building his team and blames his lack of progress on Quixtar. Furthermore, prospects are invited to attend meetings to meet other IBOs and hear them share their experiences. I don’t believe it would benefit the IBO or prospect if we were required to provide a “litigation list” for the past 10 years. I have read several of the complaints posted on the FTC and BBB web sites and have found many of them to have no merit. They’re just people “sounding off” because they were expecting this to be easy and were unwilling to better themselves and realized that this was going to take work and effort. However, it upsets me that some IBOs have misrepresented the Quixtar business opportunity, were unfair or deceptive with their practices. But that doesn’t mean all IBOs are that way. I don’t believe a requirement for disclosing specific earnings or provide personal income would be beneficial to the IBO or prospect. I already provide the average monthly gross income of an ‘active’ IBO and disclose the income potential for the average Platinum with the SA-4400. Additionally, Quixtar provides an annual income incentive report to IBOs. Income potential in a business powered by Quixtar is dependent on your ability to perform and develop leaders of teams who perform-that’s where personal growth comes into play. We are not paid based on a pay scale, time in grade or tenure as in an employee/employer relationship. I don’t believe it would be appropriate to divulge the income I receive from Quixtar. My income from my business is personal as was my income when I was a contractor working for the government. As a contractor, I was subject to immediate dismissal if I inquired about other co-workers income. This is a business, which takes time, effort, commitment, and sacrifice.