| Comment Number: | 522418-12582 |
| Received: | 7/17/2006 11:01:32 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Carol Turner |
| State: | TX |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
As a Quixtar IBO since April 1980, I applaud the FTC's commitment to safe-guarding consumers as they are presented business opportunities. However, I have concerns about negative consequences to some of the proposals. All would benefit from a simple, standardized income disclosure, but no one should be required to disclose personal financial information. My personal income would not be as valuable as an average income based on a broader sample. Also substantiating every income claim could create confusion for the prospect without actually providing any more helpful information. Every reputable business should be open to a reasonable cancellation policy. However, a seven-day waiting period would negatively impact the earning potential as each person would have to wait seven days, making profit to cover business expense a protracted affair and discouraging many business owners.The direct-selling industry is an answer to business ownership for many. However, not everyone understands the nature of a profitable business or the work to create one. Creating a seven-day waiting period would hinder that development. Each person presented the business plan represents an investment of my time and money. Providing a list of references exposes my potential business associates to others who might not always have the best of intentions in speaking to them. I always give potential associates the chance to meet and speak with my personal associates whom I know to be reputable after 26 years in this business. Nor do I want people I do not know calling me or my daughters who are also IBOs. While I can speak to this opportunity, I might not know the person who introduced it. I also believe it might expose us to safety concerns. It is because of the reputable nature of the people that I choose to associate with that I believe that a listing of all legal allegations against Quixtar and its IBOs would be counter-productive. In this litigious age when anyone can sue over the most trivial and at times specious circumstances, that a listing tarnishes many unjustly and accomplishes nothing. Quixtar has been quick to answer any reasonable complaint that I might have had and refunded the cost of any purchase with which I was not pleased. In the electronic age, anyone who wishes to find negative statements about Quixtar and Amway can easily find sites on the Web. Unfortunately, truth or right has no standard there. I hope that the FTC will consider these arguments and make any rule changes fair and reasonable for the protection and benefit of all.