Comment Number: 522418-08429
Received: 7/12/2006 7:32:01 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Brian Powers
State: MI
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

My wife and I have enjoyed a 4-1/2 year IBO venture affiliated with the Quixtar Corporation, that has given back our hopes and dreams. We were shown this opportunity with honest accurate facts and figures. We were never high pressured or told we had to do something. We were given the information we needed to make an informed decision to become IBOs. Our IBO start up costs were about 250.00. This included about 150.00 worth of products for our personal consumption. The balance went to a couple web page set ups and a book published by a very successful business man. The entire registration fee went to start our business. With a money back guarantee if we were not satisified with the products. We were told up front that this was not a get-rich-quick scheme and that to build a business would require some time and work. Prospective IBOs are contacted by people we know, shown an opportunity, given audio, visual, and written information about our business and a web address to get additional information. They are incouraged to attend an information meeting and attend a local seminar with a written money back guarantee if it is not for them before becoming IBOs. We support reasonable and responsible rules that govern business and applaud the FTC for the difficult task of identifing bogus businesses that take advantage of people. These proposed rules will impact our business. We have been successful at helping several others develop incomes that have provided them lifestyles that they did not know were possible. I see no benefit to anyone having to wait 7 days, who sees our business, once given the facts, who wants to start right away. Our business has leveled the playing field for ordinary people like ourselves who are not afraid to work hard. We do on occassion come across folks who learn that we told them the truth and find out it does take work and learn that they actually have less ambition than they thought. Those people get a refund of their money. A second concern we have is the requirement to disclose income. Every IBO has a different idea of their income needs. We are required annually to provide proof of our personal and business income. It really is none of my business what my neighbors income is or my fellow IBO. We do share with business prospects and have a formula that will determine their possible income based on a volume of product flow. The requirement to provide written references with phone numbers and addresses is really an invasion of privacy. We do invite prospects to meetings where we can personally introduce them to other IBOs to have additional questions answered. Folks, my wife worked for a snowmobile traction control company and would come home at night not being able to breath after sucking up welding fumes all day. When we saw this opportunity, we knew this was her way out. We live in the richest country in the world with a free enterprise society. In 1-1/2 years we were able to replace my wifes income with our IBO and today she injoys being a full time grandmother for our 6 grandchildren. By this note, you can tell I'm not a published author. We are ordinary people who have renewed hopes and dreams because we have figured out that the world is an ever changing place. We know your task is a tough one and have belief that you will develop the rules the best you can to provide for public protection and not impact the lives of those who are doing the right thing because they want to restore a culture to our society that our grandchildren will be proud of. By using the principles of franchising established long ago, we have a vested interest in others success. We use a Team approach that exemplifies a society that has long since past that we fully intend to restore. Please use care in the decision making process to insure that the right decisons are made. I trust you all have all of our best interest at heart. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed rules. GOD bless Brian & Sherry