| Comment Number: | 522418-12165 |
| Received: | 7/17/2006 6:46:39 PM |
| Organization: | Lemon Aid Learning Adventures (Business Consulting Services) |
| Commenter: | Christie Northrup |
| State: | TX |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
As a veteran consultant with the party plan industry for nearly 30 years, I strongly urge you to NOT follow through with this proposal. I'm sure a few "fly by night" companies have caused concern with consumers, which is no comparison to the good that the overwhelming majority of the companies and consultants have done for consumers and consultants. Why punish the vast majority of people because of the actions of a tiny, tiny few groups of dishonest individuals? In my research, I've discovered to buy any "large ticket item" there is no waiting period. Can you imagine if car dealerships made consumers wait seven days to make a purchase? Most kits are less than $500--most around $100--and people are anxious to get started. They are impatient to wait a few days for the kit to be shipped. If they use this as a "cool down" time, they become cold to the business. Consultants who desire to recruit will also become "cold" to the business if they have to disclose ten prior purchasers nearest to the prospective purchaser. What if their are no purchasers who live near the prospect? Further, what if the purchasers do not want their names and phone numbers given out? Now we begin to cross other lines dealing with privacy issues. This rule can also inhibit the ability for millions of part time people to add even a hundred or so dollars to their families' budgets--sometimes this is the difference of being solvent and going bankrupt--all with a very small financial cash out lay. Beginning a business with a direct sales company carries an extremely low risk as most companies offer the 90% buyback policy. I ask each of you to consider the impact that the direct selling industry has on our nation's as well as many state's economies. If a slow down occurs because of this rule, you are impacting not only those who depend solely on the industry for their full-time paycheck, but also on thousands of vendors to each of the direct selling companies. I strongly urge you to have testimonies from those of us whose lives have been enriched by being a part of this industy. I purchased by first party plan kit for $60.00 back in 1980. Literally, it was the best investment I've ever made. I have made thousands and thousands of dollars and better yet have had the opportunity to teach others correct ways to build their own companies. If you haven't attended any home parties yet, I invite you to do so. Look into the eyes of the people whose lives really will be impacted with this proposal. And those eyes are every American citiizen! Christie Northrup