Comment Number: 522418-10754
Received: 7/16/2006 10:09:31 PM
Organization: IC Solutions
Commenter: Michele Ponsart
State: MA
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I have been an Independent Business Owner affiliated with the Alticorp Company since 1992. The Quixtar business is a great opportunity for me to develop a business with the support of a great infrastructure and team. When I registered in with Quixtar I was given ample information to make a wise business decision for my family. I was given background information, a SA4400 to outline the business plan as well as the average incomes of other individuals in the Quixtar business. When I sponsor other IBO’s I provide them with the same information to make a wise decision about beginning a Quixtar affiliated business. I do believe we need to set guidelines for Direct Marketing businesses, however I am concerned about a number of issues that are being required. A 7-day waiting period will not address the issues your team is trying to avoid. However it will wreak havoc on honest, abiding business owners. Whenever I sponsor or talk with anyone about my business I make it very clear that what we are doing will take time and effort to build. We are building business, not providing “get-rich quick” schemes. It only takes an investment of around $200 to get started of which about $140 are products. These products all carry a 100% money back guarantee; the IBO is only investing around $60 to be registered as a business owner with a global market area. If a business is in legitimate marketing the money flow is from the products not registration. A 7-day delay will only hurt the legitimate business owners not those who break the rules. I am very concerned with the requirement to provide References of other IBOs as well. We work very hard to develop relationships with our potential team members and to be required to turn them over to other IBOs who may or may not have put a legitimate effort into building a business is very frightening. I do introduce my prospects to other active IBOs on my team who will be working with them as quickly as possible. I am also concerned with the litigation list that will be required. In this country any one is allowed to bring anyone else into a court case. Just the request of litigation doesn’t necessarily indicate guilt or misleading practices. Also, because others in the industry have been deceptive does not mean I run my business in a deceptive manner. The SA4400 is an example of how the business plans works, anyone prospect is able to take that example and see how different scenarios would work. It is not necessary to have countless examples in legal terminology and this would create confusion for all involved. The beauty of a simple plan is everyone is able to understand it and see the process for him or herself. When I share the business plan with prospects or other IBO’s I do not share my actual income earnings with them. The SA4400 gives the business potential. In all honesty, I do not share information about my income from my day job with others and do not feel it is proper to share the business income as well. Also, my earnings do not reflect what my prospect is able to earn, they will be Independent and able to build their business as they choose to. I believe it would be an invasion of my privacy to be required to share this information with others. I urge you to please reconsider these matters.