| Comment Number: | 522418-11740 |
| Received: | 7/17/2006 3:00:26 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar, Inc. |
| Commenter: | Barbara Duffy |
| State: | NC |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
To Whom It May Concern, As an Independent Business Owner with Quixtar, Inc., I would like to express my concern over the proposed FTC regulations in regards to businesses of our nature (multi-level/direct selling). I do respect and admire the work of the FTC to ensure fair business practices and protect American citizens from those who disregard these regulations for profit. However, there are reputable organizations and people within those organizations that will be hurt by too stringent of regulations. Quixtar will be one of those organizations. Without going into too much detail of my experience as an IBO, let me just say, that I firmly stand in agreement with the IBOAI Board and their suggestions for what is best for the Independent Business Owners within our organization. It is my belief that you should seriously take into consideration what these top leaders believe to be as fair business practice...not only for Quixtar, but other direct selling type businesses. I believe Quixtar has in place fair business practices, including strict guidelines for having customers (thanks to the FTC), how we market products and an equitable return policy. We are not paid on the solicitation or recruitment of other people, but rather by an elaborate compensation chart which rewards our efforts in volume. I have been pleased with Quixtar as a corporation and equally pleased with the leadership amongst its IBOs. They have always done what is best for me as an individual to give me the best opportunity to succeed. One of my greatest concerns is the proposed delay for potential business owners to register. If someone has the information they need, I do not see the reason for delay. We give out FTC regulated information and disclose information to our prospective business owners. Of equal or greater concern is the proposal to disclose all the lawsuits against Quixtar. It is my opinion that if someone wanted to find out that information, they would have to only go so far as the internet to find what lawsuits are pending...unfortunately, no amount of disclosure can determine which lawsuits have merit or are frivolous. I do not believe a new Independent Business Owner should be put in a position to have to answer a myriad legal questions, especially with an organization of good character. They are welcome to call the corporation directly. Quixtar and the IBOAI Board have suggestions in place, and I do hope that the Federal Trade Commission will listen to those suggestions. As one of the largest direct selling organizations, with a generous history of charitable giving both corporate and individual, Quixtar has the Independent Business Owner, and the average American citizen in mind when making their corporate decisions. As with every organization like ours, you will find people who choose to not exercise good character. Quixtar has practices in place to stop such activity without limiting the success of others in the organization. Please allow us the freedom to exercise the right to business in America. I trust the FTC will give our organization and its leaders the full respect of their opinions that can help shape fair business practices in the future. Thank you for your time and for your hard work. Sincerely, Barbara Duffy