The Sale of Business
Opportunities in Alaska

What you should know before investing in a home-based business or other type of "biz opp"

A business opportunity or "biz opp" is a prepackaged business deal where the seller leases or sells products, equipment, supplies, or services to the buyer so the buyer can start a business. The seller also agrees to perform services such as providing locations where the products can be sold, buying back products assembled by the buyer, or providing a marketing plan to the buyer.

This brochure provides information on what you can do to avoid scams involving the sale of business opportunities. While some business opportunities are legitimate, each year thousands of people across the country become victims of biz opp scams.

Business opportunities appear in many different forms, from stuffing envelopes or doing medical billing at home, to leasing vending machines or ATMs and installing them at designated locations, to creating a website to sell certain types of products and services.

If you're considering purchasing a business opportunity, you should know about Alaska's Sale of Business Opportunity Act, AS 45.66.010 - 45.66.900.

This law helps potential buyers by requiring sellers of business opportunities that cost $250 or more to register with the Department of Law, post a $75,000 bond, file a disclosure statement, use a written purchase contract, and meet other requirements. The registration documents submitted to the Department are public records and may be reviewed by members of the public.

What information must a seller give a buyer about a business opportunity?

The seller must give a potential buyer a disclosure statement at least 10 days before the buyer signs a contract or makes a payment. The disclosure statement provides important information including:

The seller's business history
The seller's legal history, including bankruptcy filings
The seller's financial condition, including audits and income statements
A complete description of the services to be provided by the seller
The total contract price and schedule of payments
The basis for the seller's statements about potential earnings

What terms must be in the contract for a sale of a business opportunity?

The contract for the sale of a business opportunity must be in writing, and the seller must give a copy to the buyer at the time buyer signs the contract. The terms of the contract must include:

The payment terms, including the use of an escrow account if the seller asks for a down payment of more than 20% of the initial payment
A description of all services the seller will provide, including training
Contact information for the seller, the seller's agent, and suppliers
The delivery date of the product, equipment, or supplies
A complete description of any buy-back provisions
A statement of the buyer's right to cancel

Do all sellers of business opportunities have to register?

There are a number of exemptions to the Sale of Business Opportunities Act. The complete list of exemptions can be found at AS 45.66.220.

What are the warning signs of a business opportunity scam?

High pressure sales, including pressure to sign a contract immediately
Promises of guaranteed profits or very high income
Claims that you can make lots of money with little investment of time or work
Initial payments that are much higher than what seems reasonable for a particular product, service, kit, or training
Unwillingness to answer questions or provide required disclosures

What should a buyer do before investing in a business opportunity?

Consumers should do their homework before purchasing a business opportunity.

Contact the Department of Law to see if the seller is registered and if so, review registration materials. Check with the BBB (www.bbb.org) for complaint information about the business opportunity, and check other sources on the internet. Talk to current investors, but make sure they are not "shills" for the seller -- persons who are connected to the seller, as opposed to independent buyers. Before signing a contract or making a payment, discuss the disclosure statement and contract with a lawyer, financial advisor, or a friend with investment experience.

For more information, or if you wish to file a complaint about a fraudulent business opportunity, contact:

Alaska Department of Law
1031 W. Fourth Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
269-5200 or toll free outside of Anchorage: 1-888-576-2529

Federal Trade Commission
1-877-FTC-HELP
www.ftc.gov
www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/invest/business.shtm