| Comment Number: | 522418-07058 |
| Received: | 7/8/2006 10:04:40 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar |
| Commenter: | Anton Nordby |
| State: | MI |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Dear Sirs: My wife and I have been IBOs with Quixtar for almost 2 years. We have enjoyed many benefits both financial and personal through the association with other IBOs. We understand that this is not a "get rich quick" scheme and inform prospects that hard work and commitment are required. We applaud the FTC's efforts to punish individuals who misrepresent their businesses or operate fraudulently. However, honest law-abiding business owners should not have to pay the penalty for other's misconduct. We have several problems with the proposed rules. First - the seven day waiting period would affect our business in a negative way. Many new IBOs are excited and ready to start building their businesses right away. Many have friends and family that are also eager to start their own businesses. Waiting 7 days would create frustration and would impede the momentum of an energetic team. Second - I see no benefit of providing references of other IBOs for prospects. I believe this would be a severe invasion of privacy. While I would have no problem supporting another IBO in his efforts to build his business, I do not want my personal information required to be handed out to strangers. Also, I believe that prospects would feel uncomfortable calling strangers. We usually introduce the prospects to the IBOs in our group prior to them signing any paperwork anyway. Third - requiring IBOs to provide a litigation list would be a ridiculous and cumbersome rule. Would you require a doctor to provide a list of all other doctors in his hospital with "pending litigation" before he could see a new patient? Also, can the FTC control frivolous lawsuits against honest business owners? We are INDEPENDANT business owners. We should not be punished for other people's lack of character and integrity. Fourth - the requirement for specific earnings disclosures - we currently provide general income examples to prospects; again with the understanding that WORK is required by the prospect; before any paperwork is signed. I believe that any person with the intelligence to create a successful business will also understand that there are no guarantees of specific numbers. Our personal rule is to "under promise and over deliver". As far as disclosing my personal income from the Quixtar business, I believe that to be personal information. I believe any income potential is the responsibility of the individual IBO and my income is nobody's business but my own. I thank you for your kind attention and look forward to your revised proposals to protect prospects from deceitful individuals. Anton Nordby