| Comment Number: | 522418-00194 |
| Received: | 6/1/2006 9:22:14 AM |
| Organization: | Shaklee |
| Commenter: | Georgia Peters |
| State: | MD |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Dear FTC: I am writing to express my strong opposition to this proposed new law. I have been a Shaklee sales leader for 26 years and am very concerned by some of the proposals of this law. Not only am I a sales leader, but I am also a Certified Nutrition Counselor. Certainly, I believe that your motive is to protect consumers against unscrupulous individuals and companies, but in this industry, there are many professional leaders and reputable companies and these proposals place very large burdens on us. It seems to me, this if this proposal becomes law applicable to our industry, than these laws should apply equally to all industries where money is exchanged and where a consumer has to decide upon a purchase. For example, when I go to a medical professional, I should be able to have a list of ten of his/her satisfied patients. I should be able to ask about lawsuits against him/her. I should have a list of this/her ten newest patients that I can interview. Of course, that is ludicrous, but this law proposes that we expose personal information regarding our clientele. As an educated individual, I have the responsibility to know who and what I purchase and/or buy into. Consumers are required to use their reasoning skills before they leap into something. Why place undue burdens on the entire industry because of consumers who don’t use wisdom when they purchase? I do not understand the thought process behind this type of proposed legislation in a culture where our individual privacy is supported and protected. Why exclude our industry professionals and our clients from this protection? Besides, reputable companies and their representatives are very happy to provide WILLING references, not FORCED references. In regards to the seven-day waiting period, if our industry must do this, then all industries should do the same. Recently, we have made several large purchases via several of the home shopping networks. If I would have been required to wait seven days, I probably would not have bought the items simply because the very fact that I had to wait would put up a red flag that something must be tainted about this company. How unfair! Do you realize how much business would be lost if we had to do such things? I’m glad that we live in this country and have the freedom to decide what to purchase and when and who to purchase from. I don’t believe it’s wise to single out one industry and by virtue of the very laws make the industry appear unscrupulous in the eyes of the prospective consumer. Perhaps there are more equitable ways to accomplish your end. Might I suggest that you form a committee of professional leaders and reputable companies like Shaklee to give further insight into suggestions for protection for both the consumers and the companies? I would volunteer for such a committee. Thank you very much for wanting to protect us, I just ask that you carefully consider the consequences of this new law.