Comment Number: 522418-10372
Received: 7/16/2006 10:45:21 AM
Organization:
Commenter: Hall
State: OH
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

Gentlemen: As an independent business owner, I find it very troubling that the FTC want to place what I feel are ridiculous restrictions on business owners who are building honest, ethical businesses. I realize that there are "get rich quick" schemes out there in abundance, but why put restrictions on business opportunities that are totally above board? My experience as a Quixtar business owner has been nothing but exceptional and has enriched my life, as well as those of my children. When I register a new business owner, they are made fully aware of the average income of a Quixtar business owner via the printed materials (SA4400) they are given to review at their leisure. We hide nothing. Additionally, what other business opportunity, other then Quixtar, offers a money back guarantee for their registration fees? NONE that I am aware of. Again, it's the illegal and immoral "get rich quick pyramid schemes" that fail to provide these safeguards to their prospects. And please do not be fooled into thinking that just because the FTC puts yet another restriction out there, that they will abide by it. They don't abide by the FTC regulations now!!! Nothing will change for those bogus opportunities. If a business is truly an above board opportunity, there should be no question of a return of the prospects money, should they decide that the opportunity is not for them. Does Subway or McDonald's return the investment of a franchisee if the business fails? NOT! Why are direct selling opportunities any different? There is no need to provide any "waiting period". A seven day waiting period could hinder the growth of every business owner. If every business owner has to wait seven days, that is the potential for my business growth to grind to a snail's pace, seven times slower than it is now. Is every other business in the United States required to provide references to prospective employees? I think not!! What about every other type of independent contractor (i.e. real estate agents, contractors, hair dressers, home inspectors?) If I am required to provide these references, they should also. In providing references, I open my prospect to being "talked into" being registered by another business owner, thus hurting the growth of my business. I am not so blind that I am not aware that every business opportunity has good and bad affiliates. Why subject a prospect to the negative ones by being forced to provide references. People are generally rather intelligent and perfectly capable of making good decisions about their affiliations and financial futures. There are also privacy issues here. As a licensced real estate agent, I cannot call anyone without fear of reprisal due to the "no call" list. Why is providing a business owner's name/address any different? I would like to request income tax statements from every member of the FTC for the past ten years, as well as any type of litigation/legal accusations, whether they have merit or not. Silly? None of my business? Right....none of my business. Yet this disclosure law would require me to do just that. Providing personal financial information is a violation of MY privacy. Eliminate these items from the proposal completely, unless you plan on requiring EVERY business, private and public, as well as the corporate officers of said businesses to do the same. As indicated earlier, I do provide every business prospect with a financial statement of the average income of an independent business owner affiliated with Quixtar....nothing else need be said. Thank you for your time......and go after the shady, illegal "opportunities" out there; not the business owner who operates an honest, legitimate, ethical business, who's only goal is to improve their family's life and the lives of those who choose to become affiliated with them in the Quixtar business opportunity.