David! Howdy! Haven't seen you around these parts for quite a while. You said: ================= "PS: Gary, were you aware of the stir at the US FTC? There is a new law being introduced that would really set the MLM industry on its ear." ================= No, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for telling me/us. ================= "Kind of a truth in advertising for MLMs with prejudice. It would require full disclosure of any and all lawsuits upfront whether the company won or lost, even out of court settlements. It would require average commission quotes only, not pie in the sky dreams. It would require a 7 day cooling off after these disclosures before anyone could actually join the "business opportunity" It is stated for any business opportunity but is pointed towards the MLM industry." ================= That sort of disclosure is becoming more and more prevalent. The franchising industry in Australia went through that in 1998. The provisions are so extreme. They virtually nail everything to the cross - so to speak. In hindsight, I think the disclosure provisions tip the pendulum too far the other way. Nobody is gonna read 200 pages of instructions and question and answers. Imagine it... "Hi! Join my MLM. Here is your 60 page instruction booklet. That explains the next two booklets. Here is your 70 page standard question discovery booklet. Here is the matching 70 page answers to the 500 questions asked in the discovery booklet." The problem is - and it has been the problem all along - too many people tell too much BS with MLM. When I joined many moons ago I was sold on the "walk the beaches of the world" dream and the "work hard now and retire in 2 to 5 years" dream. Ten years later I was still caught up in the dream - only it was more like a coma than a dream. The longer the "big-pins" can keep you in that dreamy, glassy-eyed state the longer they can attach themselves like a remora fish to your wallets and purses. And Winston... I am glad that you have found karma with your MLM. I say that sincerely ( no tongue-in-cheek). You said: ================== "That being said, though, as with most other mlm's the math is there to support that possiblity." ================== Indeed it is. I have never denied the brilliance of the plan. On paper it makes so much sense. However, like I have said before... the trouble starts the moment you start writing names against the "circles." Good to see you back David. Gary

Glad you welcome me back. I enjoy my time here, too much. So I hope I can ration myself this time enough to keep me from suspending myself again, LOL. Yes, if what the FTC is planning does go through it will be too much. I will be surprised if it goes through. David

Hi David, =========== "Glad you welcome me back. I enjoy my time here, too much. So I hope I can ration myself this time enough to keep me from suspending myself again, LOL." =========== I know what you mean. I have been spending FAR too much time here lately myself. =========== Yes, if what the FTC is planning does go through it will be too much. I will be surprised if it goes through. =========== I won't. You should see the Franchising Code of Conduct and the associated Disclosure Documant provisions. This will keep some Government boffin in a highly paid job for many years to come. The lawyers will also love it. The only ones in the firing line will be those who have to work within its very strict parameters. I have no doubt that it will become yet another massively complicated government requirement that will take the likes of a Rhodes Scholar to decipher. Gary

Gary, Your faith in the US bureaucracy is heart warming. I wish I did not believe the same more than my wishful thinking earlier in saying I doubted it would go through. Public Servants INDEED! Reminds me of the FBI breaking down doors for religious persecution and sending the dogs through the house while women and little children are screaming. Warrant? What's that? David

Wow, Gary, if you weren't wearing a flak jacket, I'd shoot you myself! Do you have any idea how long it takes to read 45 pages of Adland forum? And I read at over 400 words per minute. Sheesh. Apparently I fell behind when on my birthday trip last November and never picked up the thread again. It's now past 3 am here, and tomorrow's a workday. I hate you all, lol. I'm here to answer David about the FTC. David, you know Senator Hatch will never stand for that! Our little corner of the world, is the network marketing capital of the world! He wouldn't let the nutritional supplement piece of the industry be regulated, and I doubt he'll let this happen either. One last salvo, then I'm for bed. The things that you and Gary have experienced sound ugly, sinister and frightening. If they are the norm in the upper reaches of all MLMs, I don't ever want to attain those heights. I hope you'll pardon me for finding it all a bit difficult to believe. Gary, intimidated? No way! Is there anything at all in the world left to say on this subject? I'd be surprised... Cheri