| Comment Number: | 522418-11680 |
| Received: | 7/17/2006 2:27:01 PM |
| Organization: | Quixtar, Inc. |
| Commenter: | Larry Whipkey, II |
| State: | OH |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I have been an independent business owner (IBO) with Quixtar and its predecessor for the past 9 years. This business opportunity has allowed me to supplement my income enough that I've been able to cover all my bills on tight months. It's been a blessing! I eagerly look forward to its continued success and growth! When speaking to prospects, I make sure they understand that it takes work to make this business happen just like any other. It's not going to be overnight, and that I'll be there with them to help guide and give suggestions. I asked tons of questions before I signed up and I encourage others to do the same...be skeptical but not closed-minded. When discussing amounts of money to be made, I give the average income of an active IBO saying an "active" IBO buys 1 product in 6 months. I remind them it depends on their own work as to how much they make...it could be more and it could be less! Make it a requirement that the average income of active IBOs be what is disclosed as well as a clear, easy to understand definition of what "active" means. I disagree whole-heartedly with the concept of a mandatory 7 day waiting period. In my experience, most people tend to wait at least that long, anyway, after I share our business with them. However, it has also happened that a prospect is familiar with the business already or was an IBO in the past and he/she is ready to go right away. There's no reason to slow up their business or mine by having the waiting period! Imposing it would give prospects the idea that there is "something wrong" and they should be concerned. Which gives an unfair impression from the very beginning! My prospects are let know that there is a cancellation period of 90 days to receive a full refund of their registration fee and products can be returned for a full refund. They are spending about $50 for their registration and about $100 for their first order of products. Sometimes this is done all at one time and sometimes it happens on two different days. Either way, I make sure they know they are not "stuck" with anything. The waiting period clause should be dropped entirely for any company who offers prospects the opportunity to get their money back. Providing references...not good! It imposes on mine and others' privacy! We are INDEPENDENT business owners. I discuss the way I operate my business not someone else's when I meet with prospects. If I give out other IBOs information, I may lose my prospect to them! Not everyone has enough character not to steal other people's prospects! My prospects are given the opportunity to meet the other IBOs that they would be working with every week. We have a free weekly "team Meeting" to discuss challenges, give suggestions, compare experiences, etc. Every prospect is let know they are invited to attend any time they wish! Quarterly meetings (we pay for tickets to attend) allow them to meet other IBOs outside of our specific area, so they know it's not just a "local" business. The references clause should be dropped entirely. I disagree with the litigation list. My understanding is that all of that is a matter of public record, anyway, so if prospects want to know about it, they could find out. Again, it puts an unfair & "negative light" on my business from the beginning! Drop this one, too! Disclosing my personal earnings is not a prospect's business! It's an inaccurate look at my business! I may be at the beginning stage myself, or I may be re-building. But, disclosing my personal information can give an inaccurate picture of my capabilities and knowledge. Everyone's business develops different and at different rates of speed. I always discuss the entire spectrum of possibilities. For instance, I've met IBOs that have taken 10 or 12 years to reach a point that someone else achieved in only 90 days! Refer to the average income of "active" IBOs suggested in the first paragraph. Thank you for your consideration!