| Comment Number: | 522418-05874 |
| Received: | 7/4/2006 1:35:57 AM |
| Organization: | the-team.biz |
| Commenter: | paul huettner |
| State: | NV |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Thank you for hearing my comments... I have been a member of The-Team.biz affiliated with Quixtar for approximately 3 years, and previously participated in the Amway business as a teen. We are slowly progressing in the TEAM business, and it has positively changed our life. The benefit to our marriage, and the education system have greatly increased our knowledge and skills, that not only help us in business, but have increased our value in the job market, and increased our personal relationships. We received enough information upon getting started, and were encouraged to explore all information about this business until we were comfortable, we do the same with our new IBO's. Our prospects understand that the TEAM/Quixtar business opportunity is not a "get rich quick" plan, that hard work is required, and that there are no guarantees of success. They learn this information, by our informing them, and they are encouraged to listen to and read an introductory pack that tells them this, and a formal TEAM meeting that tells them this. Our enrollment is around $250. With the exception of consumable products that they consumed. If all items are returned within 6 months, they will receive full refund, initial except shipping costs, return shipping is free. Our business promotes a waiting time to input new registrations naturally, but forcing this would hurt our business, because new registrants cannot shop until they are registered, and many want to begin shopping as soon as possible. A forced waiting period would simply create too much paperwork, and additional burden on myself, and fellow IBO's that already have many rules and reams of paperwork, especially tax documents, to keep and file, and follow.I feel that a wait time should be promoted but not mandated! Quixtar is very unique, in that they have a 6 month satisfaction guarantee, and new registants are informed of this. Our TEAM information clearly outlines this. If I was required to provide a list of local IBOs for your prospects to contact before they decide to register it would be unfair, and a violation of privacy. I would not want my information freely handed out to persons whom I do not know. Much of my information would contain a home address that could affect the safety of my family if freely handed out. The TEAM has Tuesday meetings specifically designed to introduce new registrants with other TEAM members, and those persons that he/she would potentially be working with. This is the opportunity for them to ask any questions, and meet many of the regular TEAM members. Our prospects usually meet other IBOs in your group when they register and before via these TEAM meetings, and house meetings, and one on one meetings and learn about their experiences. This proposal doesn't adequately cover what a "seller" is, meaning that I may have to list all litigation involving Quixtar itself as well as the entire IBO force across the country.This would also not be limited to cases found against the seller but even filed cases with no merit. This would not be fair. Eliminate the requirement to disclose past litigation. I would have to make a different disclosure for every income claim.This would include any examples I might use during an opportunity presentation to illustrate how the Plan works. I agree with this, but TEAM/Quixtar has a very simple explanation, given in every meeting, and it is duplicatible and taught to be the same. The complete payment structure is also available through Quixtar for anyone who requests it. I suggest that if disclosures are needed, require a simple, standard, easily understood disclosure. I would be required to provide prospects with personal financial documents to back up ("substantiate") any income claim. IBOs should possess substantiation for any claim but should not be required to disclose it except when required by the FTC and similar state agencies. We are taught not to use personal income statements for this reason. Thank you