| Comment Number: | 522418-06117 |
| Received: | 7/5/2006 2:27:26 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar |
| Commenter: | Carol Lawson |
| State: | IL |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
To Whom It May Concern: I have been informed that you are considering some proposals that would put certain stipulations on home-based business. I do agree, some network marketing "schemes" do need further regulations that would protect individuals from being scammed. While I am a Quixtar IBO, I feel the Quixtar company has fully monitored and set guidelines that, in fact, does what you are trying to do. I have been an IBO for 10 years, and have made additional income to help my household, changed purchasing habits that have made us a healthy family, and made our best friends from being a part of this business. When we were introduced to this, all those things were made available to us, no hidden agendas, we just had to be open to learning and letting people help us reach our goals. We knew it would take time to build a substantial business, and we tell our prospects the same thing. Never have we given anyone a thought that they could get rich quick. Our new IBO's pay approximately $225 to get a Quixtar IBO business going, which gives them web-site access to order, written material, and products that they can use or sell to make part of their investment back. If we had to wait 7 days after showing the prospect the business plan to register them, I feel we would lose 90% of them because of the loss of interest from the time they see the details before they could get their business started. Just imagine getting excited about something so wonderful, but you can't (eat it, drink it, play with it, etc.) for 7 days. By the time it's okay to do it, the excitement is gone and you wonder why you were excited to begin with. That's what would happen in our business if we weren't available to build and nurture our relationship with the folks. And Quixtar is wonderful to void a business and reimburse new IBO's if they change their mind within a certain time frame. In fact, that just happened to us a couple of weeks ago. Their money was returned, and they even got to keep the registration products. Another concern of mine is the list of 10 references. I feel that is not a good decision. It's not that I couldn't do it, but what if the new prospect sees a name of a good friend on my reference list, and then decides to "jump ship" and join in that other person's business? That vulnerability gives no protection to the current IBO. Regarding the Litigation List, when I saw the Quixtar business I don't think I would have bothered looking at it to make my decision. My decision was based on the money making opportunity and the trust that I had developed for the people who were in my upline. Every large company has those kinds of issues, but upstanding companies have the right representation, don't hide those things, and are up front with their business owners. Quixtar has always been up front when controversy happens. Also, as encompassing as Quixtar is, 99.9% of the litagations that would be listed would have nothing to do with my personal IBO-ship. Finally, sharing my personal income from my Quixtar business is a private matter. Quixtar puts the income projections in their business plan, and they are right on the money, actually a little low of what IBO's can possibly make. I don't go around and ask other people their income from their personal businesses, and I don't think it's right that we tell ours. Our prospects can see our lifestyle, we tell them some things that have improved in our lifestyle, but it's none of their business what we make, or for us to know what they make. I'm sure you don't go around telling your salary. I believe if you are wanting to put the halts on many of these scams and get rich quick businesses ( which is needed), then take a look at Quixtar and get our IBOA Board of Directors involved in your proposals. Us IBO's are supported by a great company! Thanks for your time!! Carol Lawson