| Comment Number: | 522418-08225 |
| Received: | 7/12/2006 2:20:23 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar.com |
| Commenter: | Rich Gierach |
| State: | WI |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Hello, I am an independent business owner operating under the guidelines of www.quixtar.com. I have been with the business less than 1 year now and have greatly appreciated the opportunity it has created for me to organize and begin my own business. The opportunity had been presented to me for the first time almost 2 years ago now and I finally found the interest and time to begin. We have just begun to learn some of the educational principles of the business and are enjoying the prospect of helping other people begin their own business as well. I understand that the proposed rule is designed to prevent deception, severely restrict unlawful practices and shut down bogus business opportunities. I applaud that but have some concerns with some of the proposed regulations. Since Quixtar offers a prospect any or all of his money back if he is not satisfied I don’t understand the benefit of the 7 day waiting period. I would eliminate this requirement. Regarding providing prospects with a list of 10 references, I don’t believe that is consistent with free enterprise. Other stores and manufacturers are not required to publish where else the consumer can obtain the identical goods for the same price. We do provide references and there are many ways that a prospect can check up on Quixtar. The requirement to disclose past litigation opens up legitimate businesses to false accusations. This is simply not right and will not limit those businesses that are illegitimate. It is difficult enough to assist a person in understanding the income potential without requiring a different disclosure for each income claim. A simple statement of average monthly gross income for active IBO’s should be sufficient. If personal financial documents are required to be provided to substantiate income claims then why do we not force doctors and lawyers to provide the same information when we go to them to get assistance. Our business is for the purpose of providing ongoing income even when we are not personally working our business. Finally, I believe that providing every prospect with important information about prior experiences is good for Quixtar and the entire direct selling industry. However, there are better ways at restricting bogus companies without putting undue requirements on legitimate businesses.