Comment Number: 522418-09300
Received: 7/14/2006 10:43:50 AM
Organization:
Commenter: Fred Janisch
State: CA
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I am writing this letter because I am concerned about the proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993. I believe, in its present form, it will prevent me from continuing as an Independent Affiliate of companies I represent. I am 64 years old and I understand that part of the FTC’s responsibilities is to protect the public from “unfair and deceptive acts or practices,” but some of the sections in the proposed rule will make it very difficult if not impossible for me and several million others to earn a few extra hundred dollars each month by selling purposeful and beneficial products and helping others, like us, to do the same. One of the most confusing and burdensome sections of the proposed rule is the seven day waiting period to enroll new Affiliates. With sales kits that cost $20 to $35, people are entitled to earnings from their efforts. Everyday, people buy items costing thousands of dollars and they do not have to wait seven-days. Many of those items have no money back guarantee. All of the products I represent do! This legislation is the pure example of "Killing The Golden Goose." In one single move, the FTC will take away one of the simple freedoms that has made every company in this nation great. The ability to start a business easily, simply and with little intervention and expanding, designing and building to provide productive lifestyles for masses of people. People can only find the items in Business Opportunity Rule R511993 confusing and oppressive. Why would any one, from the company on down to the sales people, want to be in a business that will be slowed to a crawl in order to build. What's next? Telling a carpenter that he can no longer use power tools because people hurt themselves using them? Is he suppose to respect the FTC invention in the name of protecting the masses who buy the tools and don't read the instructions for their use. The analogy is the same. We have a good system now, it may need an occassional tweaking, but not a sabbotaging revision. People will always choose to do harm to themselves by not using their heads. But that shouldn't be cause for removing the very tools that legitimately provide millions of people with opportunity to be of service. Putting a seven day wait on a $20 to $500 business opportunity is analogous to treating the public as a potential felon ... and trying to purchase a gun. A waiting period on the ability to enhance an individual or families lifestyle? What kind of logic brings intelligent people to that kind of thinking? That my work in the "big bucks" world of franchising, but it has no benefit ... and only harm ... for people of little means. Get it together people. Do those things that make life easier and better for those of us pulling the carts! Help not hinder, legitimate businesses and their associates in their ability to build and compete in a world that is rapidly decaying around us. Don't throw bigger plows in the ground behind the oxen that are already over burdened. Do the right thing! Thank you for your time in considering my comments. Sincerely, Fred Janisch