| Comment Number: | 522418-05481 |
| Received: | 7/1/2006 3:00:17 PM |
| Organization: | MHW International |
| Commenter: | Mary Windle |
| State: | FL |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
My husband and I have been in the Quixtar business for almost four years. We enjoy our business very much and find the people in the business are upstanding with a great deal of integrity. I don't believe any organization can entirely police everyone that signs up in a business, after all we are Independent Business Owners. However, bad seeds are generally weeded out through our system. As for the new proposals being considered by the FTC, I have looked closely at items of interest to my business and would like to address each one briefly: 1.With regards to the seven day waiting period for prospects to sign up. No prospect is hasseled into this business. We encourage each individual to attend a second meeting before making a decision. All of their questions are answered, and our business plan makes sure that all facets of our business are covered. Each IBO has their own individual style, but they are encouraged to do the plan as presented to them. 2. You are considering asking the each prospect be given a list of 10 references for the prospect to contact. The whole idea of this baffles me. What place of employment requires such actions. I consider this item a complete invasion of my privacy and my rights as a citizen of the United States. We would never know to whom this information might be given. Since when did being a business owner require anyone to provide this type of information without the consent of the other IBO's involved. 3. List all allegations, lawsuits, arbitrations and other legal claims agaainst Quixtar and its IBO's. Our business site provides to each and every person who looks at it, the opportunity to visit the BBB, RSA Security and Dunn & Bradstreet right on the front page of the site. There, I am sure, they can obtain any and all information about the integrity of our business. 4. Calculate and make different disclosures for every income claim. I believe that in our plan, we show the various levels of income that can be attained in the business and exactly how each person can attain that level with work on their part. 5. As far as substantiation for incomes claimed, most IBOs in the beginning stages of their business must build to achieve upper income levels. Nobody is given a free ride, it takes work and commitment to be successful in this business, just as in any other business. I am not sure what type of income claims are being referred to, but I personally find it insulting to have to disclose that type of information to somebody who may not even sign up in the business. Again, I believe that the levels of income we talk about in our plan fully takes care of the possibilities that can be achieved. I believe that all of these items are aimed at fraudlent organizations who are hurting others, but our industry does not fit that category. We work hard to build our business and these changes would create a difficult atmosphere in which to operate. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion on this issue. I can only ask that you take into consideration the impact these changes would have on people who only want to own their own businesses and be afforded everything that other citizens enjoy, without the strong restrictions. Mary Windle