| Comment Number: | 522418-01893 |
| Received: | 6/12/2006 6:05:14 PM |
| Organization: | PartyLite Gifts |
| Commenter: | Joan Griffith |
| State: | OR |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am writing to ask that you reconsider some of the requirements you are proposing to regulate the direct sales industry. I am a PartyLite Consultant who has been proud to be involved in this business for 11 years. I began my PartyLite business to stay home and raise my children while at the same time take advantage of an opportunity to replace my full-time pay. The income I earn has allowed me to quit my job (10 years ago), be available for children every day, attend and volunteer at school and in girl scouts, assist my family in buying a home, and enjoy some wonderful travel experiences (both in and out of the US). I am so thankful that I discovered this business. The proposals you are suggesting would make my business much more difficult and possibly impact my income. Specifically, in terms of the references requirement, I would never feel comfortable providing the personal contact information of other people in PartyLite, nor would I want my own personal information given out freely. This would feel like an invasion of my privacy. In my 11 years experience, I have sponsored many new consultants and I can remember only one person ever asking me for the names or phone numbers or current or past representatives. I provided them freely after obtaining permission. The need for “references” may never have been a problem because PartyLite is a reputable company, because I am an ethical business woman and, lastly, because our meetings are always open to guests to gather more information. INVADING MY PRIVACY OR THAT OF OTHERS AND FORCING PERSONAL REFERENCES IS NOT THE ANSWER! I feel good about sharing PartyLite’s very real business opportunity with others, and want to continue to easily introduce PartyLite to more people who could benefit as I have. The regulations you are proposing would hinder me from doing so – and would hinder others in starting their business in the time-frame they choose. I have met and worked with many people who took THEIR time (1 day, 2 weeks, a month, and even, four years!) to decide to start a PartyLite business. Our business meetings are always open and welcoming to any guests to come to discover more about our business and about the people who are working in the business. Everyone has a unique story and people work a direct-selling business for different reasons; therefore, at any meeting you could find people making their business a career or a hobby, and the respective incomes accordingly. Back in 1995 when I started my business, I earned almost $700 in my first month and generated $1400 in my third month. So the immediate start-up ability and prompt profit return is one of the many wonderful benefits we offer – FORCED WAITING PERIODS ARE NOT THE ANSWER! Please know that I’m thankful that we have the FTC working to protect average consumers like me, but in this case, you will be working against me, impacting my income, my future and my family’s future.