The National Do Not Call List (DNCL) will launch Today September 30, 2008. It is designed to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls and faxes Canadian consumers receive. Key facts for Small Business Owners!
Telemarketers are those who make calls or send faxes to sell or promote a product or service, or to request donations. Exempt telemarketers include registered charities, newspapers, political parties, as well as organizations that conduct market research, polls and surveys.
Are YOU a telemarketer?
If you make calls or send faxes to sell or promote a product or service, or to request donations, then you are a telemarketer.
"But I only make warm calls, Follow up when clients / customers request it or I was calling because I was given your name as a referral!"
According to the CRTC "Telemarketing" means the use of telecommunications facilities to make unsolicited telecommunications for the purpose of solicitation.
But you might be exempt! Read the rules below and see if they apply to you and under what circumstances.
Also included and important to note for small business owners is that there is exemption when calling:
- to consumers who have an existing business relationship with the telemarketer (e.g., businesses from which a consumer has purchased goods or services within the last 18 months)
- to business customers and
- to people with whom the caller has a personal relationship
Suffice it to say that the next time someone specifically requests that you follow up with them, a client gives you a referral or a contact mentions they wouldn't mind hearing more about your business, you should ensure that permission was granted before picking up the phone, and do so quickly enough that they haven't forgotten the request!
For more information visit http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/dncl.htm
