| Comment Number: | 522418-09860 |
| Received: | 7/15/2006 11:52:47 AM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Kathleen Kurre |
| State: | GA |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
These comments are in regard to: Business Opportunity Rule R511993. First, thank you for reviewing this area of business. Having read the material points of the new ruling, it is my opinion that it is extremely burdensome to the small business person. Yes, there are many products in the market - some good, some bad. Some sold in stores and others sold by individuals. In theory, we have a "free marketplace" - in practice these rules impose significant barriers to both buyers and sellers. For example, there is not a 7 day wait period for buying cigarettes, alcolhol, pharmceutical drugs or over the counter drugs, perfume, vitamins, food, candy - or any other product sold through the channels we call "stores". There are no disclosure requirements. There is no tracking of individuals who say they like a particular product or they don't like a particular product. After all, some believe that Coca Cola is terrible - they prefer water or Pepsi or coffee or even tea. These types of businesses are fueling the economic growth in the US. Many, like myself, have participated in the traditional economy with traditional jobs. Those opportunities have changed rapidly. In my opinion, the government has the responsibility to balance the sometimes competing dynamics of the free market, consumers and sellers. The consumer doesn't need protection as much as we just need readily available information. Regulating forms, process and information that is warehoused in goverment systems is not effective nor efficient - it just creates more bureaucracy and expenses. Our consumer society is driven by the internet - trading of information occurrs every second. It would be far better to create a consumer marketing campaign to educate the consumers and remind them to check out the product and sellers of whatever they are considering. And, it would be far better to create the ability (website - blog) for consumers to share their experiences - this worked, this didn't work. Then consumers - acting in their best interest - could see the range of experiences and make their choice - just as they do when the walk into any store, having been exposed to commercials, and chose - freely. Thank you.