Comment Number: 522418-09530
Received: 7/14/2006 5:30:03 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Colvin
State: CA
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I have been a Quixtar IBO for over 10 years and have found that the quality of my life has improved significantly as a result. I was given adequate information to make an informed decision to become an IBO. I always make sure that I make available the appropriate information to prospects and encourage them to study the information and ask questions before they make their decision to join. No one has ever said that they did not have enough information nor that they were misled. I really like the money back guarantee that we can offer, as this makes it a no risk decision regardless of the outcome. I support efforts to create a level playing field for all by requiring clear,simple and standardized income disclosures as well as a standardized cancellation policy. I see no reason to require a seven day waiting period before a prospect can register, a standardized cancellation policy with a money back guarantee (usually longer than 7 days) provides the necessary protection. If a prospect wants extra time before making a decision, I encourage them to take it and use the time to study the information further - the decision is theirs, not mine and not regulated. If a seven day waiting period was imposed, I see that this signifcantly increase the cost to me (and other IBOs) to operate my business and so reduce profitability. This would result in a snowball effect in slowing down the growth in our business with a result of a degraded appeal to prospects. I do not support the requirement for a seven day waiting list. I do not support the idea of requiring the provison of references. Firstly, I do not know the exact details of another IBO's business, they may operate in ways that I personally do not agree with. Secondly, a prospect could make assumptions about other businesses thinking they are like mine and are not. I would also be concerned with protecting my personal information and would not want to increase the likelyhood of Identity Theft, if either I passed someone's information or someone passed my information. I am really concerned at the negative possibilities here. I think the requirement to disclose litigation details is extremely vague and open to varying interpretation. With the advent of the Internet an enornous amount of information can be located very easily and although there is much 'mis'-information on the Internet, this is one way to find information and determine for yourself what is relevant to you. I do not support the requirement to provide a litigation list to prospects. I do not support the requirement to disclose financial substantiation to prospects, a standardized income statement is much more relevant and appropriate. The financial details of my business should not be required to be made public, this seems a major invasion of privacy. Also a prospects business is not dependant upon how successful my business is, their success is dependant upon their work ethic and desire to achieve their goals. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.