| Comment Number: | 522418-10335 |
| Received: | 7/16/2006 7:21:46 AM |
| Organization: | Lia Sophia Fashion Jewelry |
| Commenter: | Regina McShane |
| State: | NJ |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am opposed to the proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993. It could prevent me from continuing as aLia Sophia Advisor, and that would be unfair to me. Althougthe FTC's responsibility is to protect the public from "unfair and deceptive acts or practices," some of the sections in the proposed rule will make it very difficult, if not impossible, for me to sell Lia Sophia products. I became a Lia Sophia advisor after 34 years of teaching. I need the extra income in retirement. This company has been good for me and my family.It is an ethical company serving people for 30+ years. The proposed rule, if approved, puts me and Lia Sophia at a complete disadvantage. It removes the excitement of getting started in a new business, taints our image, and results in a lot of useless paperwork - when we've done nothing wrong! Additionally the proposed rule requires the disclosure of a minimum of 10 prior purchasers nearest to the prospective purchaser. While I don't mind providing references to my customers, I will not do so without obtaining permission from those references. I don't want to put them at risk in today's world of identitiy theft. Furthermore, if I am spending time getting permission from references to give out theri names and phone numbers, it woudltaint my business relationship with those references. Also, to provide the list of 10 prior purchasers nearest the newest buyer, I'd have to contact Lia Sophia and wait for them to reply. Another waste of times. Who buys anything anywhere where they have to wait for days to get the names of 10 past buyers? This requirement is ridiculous, in my opinion. Finally, I think the sentence of the proposed rule that states, "If you buy a business opportunity from the seller, your contact information can be diclosed in the future to other buyers," could prevent someone from signing up as an advisor. People don't want their privacy infringed upon! I appreciate the work the FTC does to protect consumers. But I also believe that this proposed new rule has unintended consequences. Most of us, like all businesses, work ethically and honestly. Please let us continue to do so without unnecessary burdens. Thank you for considering my comments. Respectfully, Regina McShane