| Comment Number: | 522418-09599 |
| Received: | 7/14/2006 7:44:20 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar |
| Commenter: | Chesley |
| State: | NY |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I read with interest the FCC proposal on direct selling businesses. I have been an IBO with Quixtar for about 4 years. It is not a get-rich quick scheme, and IBOs progress at their own paces. I personally took about 6 months to join (asking question after question!), and I certainly do not pressure anyone to join without providing them full information about the opportunity. This is not a get-rich quick scheme and much hard work is needed for one to progress to the highest levels in the business (as with most businesses). The registration fee is comparable to that of the large bulk stores (BJ's, Costco, etc.), except that IBOs can get back all their money if they decide to leave the business. (In fact, we can even return open items if we decide we don't like them - try that at BJ's or Costco!) I do not believe a 7-day waiting period would benefit a new IBO, and is certainly not necessary. When a new IBO "gets it" (and it takes some of us longer than others), they don't want to have to wait an additional week. If they don't ever "get it" they will not join. It's as simple as that. Potential IBOs have many opportunities to meet local IBOs in business meetings, seminars, product fairs, etc. Potential IBOs are encouraged to talk to everyone at these meetings, seminars, and fairs. If an IBO chooses to give his/her name and phone number to that potential IBO, they certainly are free to do so, and there is no potential invasion of privacy. Quixtar provides information to IBOs about litigation and what is involved, without bias. When litigation has no merit, Quixtar provides that information. When there has been merit, Quixtar provides that information as well, and then discusses what it has done to rectify the situation. Having to list all litigation, even when not against the company, or when already proven to have no merit, would be a huge burden to me as an IBO. Quixtar is very open about what the opportunities are, and that many IBOs do not reach the maximum income potential. The income each IBO makes is totally dependent on how hard she/he is willing to work on the business. As mentioned above, I am not a “go-getter” in the business; I do not make a lot of money, but I have many other benefits from the business. I am always honest, as is every IBO I know, with my potential IBOs about potential income and benefits other than monetary. There are many direct selling businesses available that are not run the same way Quixtar is, and some of these regulations might be useful for people looking at those businesses. However, I believe the regulations as written need more work before they can truly protect the innocent or naïve. As they are now, they are merely a burden to prospective and current IBOs.