| Comment Number: | 522418-00574 |
| Received: | 6/2/2006 6:32:01 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Phyllis Bucci |
| State: | PA |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
June 2, 2006 RE: Business Opportunity Rule, R511993 Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing this letter because I am concerned that if proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993 is adopted in its present form, my livelihood as a Nature's Sunshine distributor will be significantly undermined. The very thought of governmental interference in the free enterprise process strikes fear in the hearts of Americans everywhere. Cherished values are a stake, and the FTC needs to be aware of the dangers of ill considered action. The public is not well served by the FTC's overregulation of an industry that is causing absolutely no harm and more than adequately polices itself by remedying any and all complaints by members of the public. Nature's Sunshine complies with all applicable buy back requirements and always makes it easy for individuals to exit the Company, if the business opportunity is not right for them. There are no large start up costs or investments that need protection as is the case with the franchise industry. While the FTC needs to protect the public where necessary, this proposed rule is hopelessly overbroad and misguided. The seven-day waiting period is unnecessary and will interfere with my ability to enter into lawful transactions and enroll new distributors. People buy TV's, cars, and other much more costly items without such a waiting period. This proposed waiting period gives the impression that something is wrong with the plan. And, the burdensome paperwork, which will not even be read by the public, makes it extremely difficult for the individual participant to fully comply, thereby risking fines and other penalties for such failures, however innocent. By these actions, the FTC does a disservice to the consuming public and Americans everywhere who are trying to get ahead by starting their own business or earning necessary supplemental income to help support their family. While I appreciate the work of the FTC in protecting consumers, I believe this proposed new rule has many unintended consequences that could be avoided by a less burdensome approach. Specifically in my case, this rule will destroy a business that I have built over the past 10 years and is my sole source of income for myself and my family. If your purpose is to protect consumers from financial ruin, this rule would cause just the opposite. Thank you for your time in considering my comments. Sincerely yours, Dr. Phyllis Bucci