Comment Number: 522418-11430
Received: 7/17/2006 11:42:17 AM
Organization: Quixtar
Commenter: John Jackson
State: UT
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

I applaud the FTC and their effort to help citizens from being exposed to fake business opportunities. I also want citizens and business owners like myself to have fair and reasonable business practices and means to become involved in business. From my experience of just a little over a year working my business, I've found that Quixtar provides more than enough information on their website regarding their validity as a business and how to get involved to prospects and potential business owners. I've never had any prospect that seriously looked into becoming an independent business owner not find suitable information to make an informed decision. I know that there is nothing to hide and they can ask any question and I can give them an answer or find someone who can. Therefore, I believe that in regards to the seven day waiting period, this should be done away with. People are people and will take as long or as short as they need to to make a decision. Once they decide to become a business owner, they should be fully intitled to. They will have others they will want to share the business with and many of those people will want to start right away. Placing a waiting period prohibits them from ordering products immediately and from carrying on with other business practices. So I see this as an unnecessary obstacle. In regards to the 10 contacts needed, I say do away with. Depending on where some is located, a list of 10 contacts could mean 10 totally independent business owners all working seperately from one another. Providing a list of 10 others might lose my prospect. In addition, I don't want my name on a list given to someone I don't know by someone else I may have never met. I just see this as a violation of my privacy, almost like a telemarketer list. Also, I don't want to disclose anything regarding my income and what I have made. Each person when they sign up knows that there are no guarantees and that they are in business for themselves. They have the help and support of others, but it utimately is up to them if they want to make money. So my experience in the business may be slightly different than theirs and how much I make will vary from anyone else based on my efforts. Everyone knows this upon signing up, so take this away. I don't have to show income levels to other people I want to do business with in other fields or when I interview for a job. Why should this be different? Lastly, I don't think that we should show litigation from the past. There is enough information on the website on Quixtar to show every prospect where the business is headed, how much they have done in sales and how much they have paid out in bonuses to independent business owners. I only think that any past litigation is useless, because if it was in the past, it was in the past. It shouldn't affect my future thinking and direction. If there were past problems, then that particular business would probably be shut down. Also, from a prospect's view, the only way it would make any difference would be if something happened in the last year. Anything before that would be pointless. Additionally, if they want to ask, they are more than welcome to inquire. They shouldn't be denied information if they ask, but I have never had anyone ask about past litigation. If they ever question if it is legitimate, I just tell them to look closer to the website and point out where to research. Also, I give them some books to look at. Basically, the resources are available for prospects to find out. It shouldn't be a requirement for everyone to see it, because frankly, many people don't care or have decided for themselves it is legitimate. I appreciate this time to comment. I expect this to be my career for the rest of my life. I appreciate voicing my opinion on something I feel strongly about. Please take into consideration what I have said and what fellow independent business owners have said. Thank you!