Comment Number: 522418-10458
Received: 7/16/2006 2:29:16 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Norman Foerster
State: TX
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I have participated in the direct sales business on a part-time basis for over 20 years. Although I have never generated a substantial monthly income, the amount I received helped me to meet my monthly expenses. It is especially appreciated now that I am retired and trying to live on the retirement benfits I receive from Social Security. As a senior citizen I appreciate your concern for the protection of the consumer. But this proposed rule uinfairly targets legitimate direct selling opportunities. Looking at it from a personal standpoint, I fear that this proposed rule would put me out of the direct sales business. A requirement which I find very objectionable is the one which requires that the prospective purchaser be given the personal information of other purchasers. As a senior citizen, I am very reluctant to give out any of my personal information or to allow anyone else to give it out. Because I feel that way, I would find it impossible to comply with that requirement. I would not to do something to others that I wouldn't want done to me. In light of identity theft becoming such a major problem, I do not want to particpate in any practices which adds to the ease of it being done. Because of my wish to avoid putting a consumer into a position of risk, I have only promoted those business opportunities which have a minimal up-front cost and which have a generous buyback policy. Such legitimate opportunities should be allowed to compete within an environment free of burdensome rules and regulations. I strongly urge you reject the propsed Business Opportunity Rule, R511993. Sincerely, Norman O. Foerster