The Franchise Group at the Federal Trade Commission in all their ego and glory has proclaimed that franchise disclosure laws are "Cost Effective." I hate to break it to the FTC, but your comments and court are completely naked. The folks at the FTC are wearing no clothes. In a recent franchise report put out by the commission they actually had the tenacity to say that these rules and regulations in the franchise law are cost effective.
What on God's Earth are they talking about? How can the FTC purport that as truth? That is a farce indeed. For instance the printing costs alone do not show anything in the way of cost-effectiveness. Printing costs are the real costs after the preparation costs of 25-35k, not including the registration costs and on-going changes which are made every time another brilliant judge in some Kangaroo Court wants to make a statement triggering additional case law and therefore new clauses in the franchisor's UFOCs. The whole thing is just a complete joke really. Yet no one says anything, because if you complain about it, you are "Unprofessional" instead franchisors are to simply accept this and pardon the figure of speech "bend over and take it like a man" from the parasites of the regulators and the terrorists, extortionists lawyers. (CYA- this is personal opinion, using common phrases and figures of speech, well know in the entrepreneurial sector; those noble innovators who provide and build everything you see, every where you go, anywhere you live and everything you buy).
The cost alone to print UFOCs is not cost effective. What is the real cost. I'll throw out the number $4.65 to print a UFOC, and most franchisors do not print just one at a time, we print 50 or so at time, some franchisors print 250 ? 500 at a time due to the number of potential inquiries. These are 1998 costs, generally UFOCs have gotten bigger since then as lawyers have further put a strangle hold on the industry and without some tort-reform; they will just get bigger and bigger. I imagine they will continue to bulge at the seams as we add more pages due to this Federal Trade Commission future ruling.
Many UFOCs never get used because there is always new case law showing up on the ABA Forum on franchising and so we are constantly modifying them. It makes it hard to lead a franchise company when all the agreements are somewhat different to CYA yourself from the changes caused by litigation in the private sector, apparently franchising has joined the ranks of mold, ADA law, employment law, sexual harassment, wrongful death as a good way to make easy money for lawyers? Think about it, spilt hot coffee, the hamburgers made me too fat, forgot to disclose or mention your dog's name when you were five years old and suddenly and magically a lawsuit. We made 22 changes in the 2002 UFOC for the state of CA for renewal. We had about 10 left over, which became invalid and were be tossed out as the new redlined copy becomes the latest CA version. So really we had $46.50 in throw-aways, and that is just CA, one state. Remember we have 12 viable registration states. So multiply that times twelve and a yearly occurrence. And large franchisors are probably stuck with 10 times that number. Especially those who print 50 or more copies and deliver them to master franchises, who are told to throw them all out and start over every time some new case law shows up or a state registration renewal comes due. Cal-if-forn-ia is not the only registration state, just the most ridiculous one, you would swear that the Liberal crowd in Boston, Merry Land and NY are trying to become close runners up by the proposed franchise legislation and the insanity of their registration requirements. Someone really needs to talk to those folks about what capitalism is, how it works and what is meant by free markets. Any and all UFOCs, which were printed as of this date will most likely be thrown out due to law and rule changes, case law and future possible rule changes here at the Federal Trade Commission. I have talked with some larger franchisors, who claim a $500,000 per year budget in printing. Yah sure, like that is somehow "Cost-effective?" Of course the way government throws around and wastes money, apparently they believe money grows on trees just like the ones that are cut down to print all this over disclosure. May I ask what happened to the Paper Work Reduction Act? The idea behind it is to streamline, not pass on the problem to the private sector.
Yah, what a joke and we pass this off as responsible government, its time to bring Ronald Reagan's ass back down from Heaven and cut out the fat. Cost effective indeed and what on Earth would government know about being cost effective, give me a break. Think about it and thanks for listening.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
One of the great challenges for independent professionals and small... Read More
Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if... Read More
If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More
To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More
A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best businesses... Read More
Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More
Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
When it comes to cost, how much can you afford... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More
One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
Many mobile car wash operators would like to add de-ionized... Read More
How many hours do you work a week? When was... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Franchising has made the world look really small. The well... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
There are many choices when thinking about a small business... Read More
There are many factors to be considered when you are... Read More
For the employees, payday is the brightest day; they finally... Read More
Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
-- Building Credibility Through Success Stories --Successful solo entrepreneurs spend... Read More
What is a Family Business? A family business is basically... Read More
"Inch by inch, row by row...that's the way my garden... Read More
Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More
It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More
In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More
There are many potential niches for pressure washing companies that... Read More
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity magazine,... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
Small Business |