Comment Number: 522418-10837
Received: 7/16/2006 11:03:58 PM
Organization: Henderson Marketing
Commenter: John Henderson
State: IN
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I very recently got started as an Independent Business Owner (IBO) powered by Quixtar. While I am excited with the opportunity that owning my own business will provide for me, I am now more worried than ever at the ill-effects that the FTC Act will have on my getting my business off the ground, let alone getting it growing and thriving after that. While many of the provisions might be well intended, sign-up waiting periods, contact information disclosure and litigation history disclosure can do nothing but hurt small IBO's new to the business, such as myself. I know how very important it is to ensure the average American consumer/prospect that legal and legitimate business is the only business that can be carried out here in our country. Ensuring so, however, should not be so detrimental to those IBO’s (like me) whose intentions to legally grow their business(es) will only be hindered by the efforts of those who have broken the law as a result of a law authored by those combating such law breakers, like the FTC. Seven day sign-up waiting periods do not allow for one's business to grow at the rate that is representative of one's efforts. If such a waiting period is to be placed on internet based direct selling businesses, one should be placed on all sales businesses (such as Cosco or Wal Mart), as it would not otherwise be free enterprise. My business is all about contacting people and inviting them on to my business team; therefore my efforts to make such contact(s) are represented weekly should the provision to disclose come to be law, it will undercut the process of showing personal progress within any one business as well as prevent the achieving of owners’ weekly goals or quotas. More important however is the fact that everyone in my business is also in competition with me to do the same as I am, contacting those who might be interesting in making more money for themselves on a business team just like mine. By having to provide their contact information, they could easily recruit my prospects away from my business team and on to theirs, thus resulting in the supporting of pre-established businesses rather than newer ones such as mine. Many people in this industry do not put effort into the program(s) for which they sign-up, therefore they do not make any money at it and as a result, they criticize the whole industry for their personal failure. I feel that having to disclose ALL litigation brought against the parent company Quixtar, despite its relevance or validity will only kill the entire industry and thus my business and with it, my hopes for financial independence. Doing so would hold this industry to a different standard than any other in our country. Secondarily, it brings down morale in a company that is known for anything but low morale amongst its associates. I know that the FTC cares and understands that there is a better solution to the proposed one and if its true intention is to protect both consumers/prospects and business owners, they MUST find a middle ground where pyramid schemes and other illegitimate and illegal business scams can be more-easily found and shut down while allowing honest business owners to thrive in free enterprise and market. Thank you for your time and interest.