Comment Number: 522418-08224
Received: 7/12/2006 2:20:12 PM
Organization: affiliated with Quixtar as an IBO
Commenter: DeGraaf
State: MI
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I am an IBO with Quixtar and appreciate your efforts to police the emergence of businesses that seek to take advantage of people. However, some of the proposals you are entertaining will directly harm those of us who are legal, moral and ethical. The Quixtar company bends over backwards to be legal, moral and ethical and require that of its IBO's as well. This is a magnificent company and a great opportunity for many individuals besides my self. Of course there are always some in every industry that break rules and should be policed, but overall, many of the changes you are proposed have great potential to cripple or even destroy this legal and moral business. In today's business climate, no business can succeed if it is slow to respond or if it puts obstacles in the way of customers or partners -- requiring a seven day delay in the business relationship process directly harms us. Of course there needs to be a full disclosure statement up front, but the delay is not necessary, and actually unfair. No other kind of business is required to do this before doing business. In this day of 24/7 ability to do business, internet or otherwise, people EXPECT the option to do immediate business, or they go elsewhere. You, the FTC, SHOULD require some standardized format for disclosure information to be offered up front by every organization in this industry, that would level the playing field and address your concerns, but without a required delay. You SHOULD also require a reasonable cancellation/refund policy, for those that discover they are dissatisfied within a 30 day period of registration. This is plenty of time to do additional research and get to know the people in the organization they are doing business with. Additionally, requiring 10 references is both ridiculous and unreasonable. A person new to business wouldn't be able to have built references yet, so you would be directly stopping any legitimate business growth of an organization. Again, a 7 day wait just adds an unfair delay which is not acceptable in today's business climate. Past litigation is not even relevant if the claim is not substantiated - innocent until proven guilty works here too - Claims decided against an organization is information that should be tracked and available from the Attorneys General or the Better Business Bureau, and available for an individual if interested. Again, this kind of policy would be singling this industry out for unfair requirements that would inhibit fair and legal business. Should we start expecting 10 years of litigation claims to be posted on the front doors of Meijers, Microsoft, Walmart, Best Buy, GM or any other business model out there? It makes no sense. While I truly appreciate and desire the FTC to police this entire industry, because those that use this type of business for illegal activities and take advantage of people hurt my business as well. But please find ways that won't hurt or even destroy my legitimate business opportunity with Quixtar.