Comment Number: 522418-06497
Received: 7/6/2006 2:19:27 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Heather Foxman
State: WI
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

Hi, I wanted to comment on the proposed changes to the rules about networking business opportunities. I think the rules all sound like good ideas - and that probably is different than what most people write, but there are too many people running around doing and saying dumb things and it makes legitimate business people like myself look bad when these other people do spurious things with networking businesses, whether Quixtar, or some other business. In fact since illegitimate networking businesses have created such a poor reputation for networking businesses, we have given up on networking and we just sell products right now. (Maybe some day we will sponsor a very serious individual.) I do see a couple changes that should be made to your rules, however. I like the idea of references, but it may not be possible to find references in the area - whatever that means. Also, if someone is no longer in touch with their sponsor, like myself, it is very difficult to come up with references - especially if you have parted ways with your sponsor because you disapprove of their business practices. So mandating references would make it very difficult for many IBOs and also unfair if they don't get along with their sponsor or don't know any other IBOs in their area. Conversely if someone has ten stooges then they could meet that criteria very easily. My point is it would just add red tape and not really prevent the rogues out there from continuing their bad business practices. Waiting seven days isn't a big deal, but for some IBOs it will slow them down. Disclosing every little lawsuit might not be very fair since there have been plenty of stupid IBOs who have caused dumb lawsuits to occur. But then again, maybe it will force the company to rein in their IBOs to a greater degree. But it is difficult to provide a free enterprise opportunity to anybody and anyone and keep track of everything they do. Perhaps there needs to be a disclosure to prospective IBOs with more emphasis on the fact that the individual IBOs have great freedom to operate their businesses and that Quixtar is not responsible for all IBO behavior - that would help preseve the company reputation for those of us who actually follow the rules, and avoid having to drag ourselves thru the mud and rehash old issues/lawsuits that may not be at all relevant or relate to current issues. Thank you for your time and consideration. We really enjoy selling products and having our own business from home. Our customers really like our products. Please continue to make your rules protective of legitimate business people but please avoid anything cumbersome for us. There are already so many rules we have to follow just regarding how and to whom we can sell product that it has been hard enough as it is just reaching clients with the very few marketing avenues we are allowed. --Best Regards, Heather Foxman , Quixtar IBO