Comment Number: 522418-11728
Received: 7/17/2006 2:54:30 PM
Organization: Quixtar
Commenter: Ceanne Richards
State: CA
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I have been an IBO with Quixtar/Amway since 1984. I have reached the level of 4000PV a few years ago, when I was actively building my business. In the beginning I loved the products and wanted to purchase them at the discounted price then decided to build a business in 1994. I received a tremendous amount of information from my sponsor and made an informed decision to join this great business opportunity. In the building of my business, I probably gave my new members too much information, but have always believed that one can never have enough information to make an informed decision. The new members understood that this wasn't a "get rich quick" scheme, that it required time, effort and study. There are those that changed their minds, and just wanted to buy products, and those who quite because it wasn't easy. From my experience with my upline mentors and "sponsors" , I have learned better business organization, how to talk to people, and how to help others to help themselves. The money spent to get involved is about $200-300. This includes signing up, getting their IBO number and packet of catalogs and information, and for some books and training CD's. The 7 day waiting period, would be a great hinderance in the growth of my business. People are so busy today, with their schedules, that this long waiting time hinders the momentum of the growth of my business. If then they (the new member) had to wait 7 days, their ability to earn a profit sharing check their first month in greatly diminished. The newest members, have the opportunity to meet other IBO's at the monthly meeting and gatherings and then the quarterly events that are held. Giving out a "litigation list" seems to NOT adequately cover what is really going on. This should be done with ALL business, not just a MLM. I am aware that there are many people who misrepresent what they do, but then there are a lot of businesses that do the same thing. Quixtar supplies a document, which each IBO is to give to their prospects, which is a SA4400, that talks about the average monthly gross income. I tell my members, that this business has enhanced every area of my life for the better, my income has increased $400-500 per month, and that this happens through the TEAM effor. I do not share my 1099 info with them, as I do not expect them to share that info with me on their earnings. I just want to say that I appreciate what you, the FTC is attempting to do with this bill. I also understand that AMWAY/QUIXTAR has been in the fore front of this MLM industry since 1959. They have experienced a number of lawsuits and a lot of "bad press". This business has helped a lot of people, to do better in their own personal lives, their communities, and for our country. May I say that we don't need more laws to govern us, maybe just better enforcement of the laws that we already have. There will always be those who will try to make a "quick buck" on the backs of others and take advantage of them. That is not the people I know in the QUIXTAR business. Thank you for your attention to this matter, I appreciate your open minds to hear from us, the IBO's of Quixtar. Sincerely, Ceanne Richards