| Comment Number: | 522418-10698 |
| Received: | 7/16/2006 9:05:23 PM |
| Organization: | AJOMALE ENTERPRISES |
| Commenter: | ADEBOWALE AJOMALE |
| State: | NJ |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I've been an IBO with the Quixtar business opportunity since May '02. Due to some personal & career issues, I wasn't able to actively build my business till Jan '05. Since then, I've achieved a steady-growing & profitable business, earning at least $250/month and looking to make $2000 in the next few months. Being an amateur athlete myself, the Quixtar business opportunity has fit very well into my lifestyle, as its focus has always been on Health & Wellness. Aside from generating income, this business has enabled me to achieve a healthy lifestyle through its numerous products & services, as well as acquire and develop entrepreneurial & business skills. I support the Quixtar business because of its level-playing field. One's success in the business stems from helping other people become successful & profitable. All income earned is based on the actual sale of products & services to the end user; in other words, there are no monies paid for the sheer act of recruiting ('head-hunting fees"). When I was registered, I was provided with enough information about the Quixtar business opportunity, the company profile & its parent companies, as well as its annual sales figures and independent publications from non-affiliated organizations. Since, I've been taught to duplicate myself, I provide prospects with the same level of information. When I share the business plan, I emphasize that the opportunity isn't a "get-rich quick" scheme, and that to be financially independent through the model takes 2-5 yrs. Also, I don't guarantee success, but mention that through my mentorship, the only guarantees are a commitment of my time, effort & resources in helping them become successful, as long as they put in the effort. My prospects typically spend $65 to register including an additional $60 for an optional Product Intro Packet, all of which can be returned on a 100% full money-back guarantee. In addressing specific issues related to the FTC proposal, I respond thus : The 7 day waiting period will definitely cripple my sponsoring efforts as prospects may become disinterested if not given the opportunity to experience the benefits & excitement the business opportunity presents, through the numerous products & services and training programs. The 100% money back guarantee of their registration allows them to have a back-door if they don't like what they experience. Thus, they're able to make a fully-informed decision. In the event that a prospect introduces another prospect to the opportunity, the 7-day waiting period would discourage the prospect who is willing to register the newer prospect simultaneously. Providing a list of 10 local IBOs for prospects to contact before registering, violates the privacy of those IBOs and thus exposes my prospect to being solicited by these IBOs. This makes sponsoring a tedious & restrictive process especially for a new IBO; thereby setting a "uneven playing field." Alternatively, I strongly feel that letting other IBOs provide my personal information to their prospects is in direct violation of my privacy. Typically to gain a better perspective on the business, I introduce my prospects to other IBOs of different social & professional interests outside the business, but at the same time who've reached various levels of achievement within the business. In sharing the business plan with prospects, I provide them with an FTC-approved literature packet which discloses the information on the average monthly gross income made by "active" IBOs. I don't believe providing a seperate disclosure of specific earnings will make a difference to a prospect as much as enabling them realize the diverse market potential of the business. When asked, I normally provide my prospects with information on my level of achievement within the business rather than an income statement. I believe being required to offer prospects my finanicial records to substantiate my Quixtar income is an invasion of my privacy.