in US: legalities of cold-calling a phone number

is it really illegal to call someone cold?

[paybacksa]

With all the telemarketing laws and such in the US I am now seriously confused about some very basic business stuff.

What's the bottom line - can I call a person who's phone number is listed on a website, and offer to sell them a service or product? I never considered myself a telemarketer, but now that I have a business directory I need to call specialists and ask them to be in it. Is that illegal? Ditto for an event I am sponsoring.... how can I let them lknow about it if I can't call or email?

Similarly, is sending an email to them illegal also? I understand it's not a million automated spams, but since they didn't "opt in" is it really illegal?

Thanks for the real world practical guidelines/comments!

[paybacksa]

It seems "business numbers" are exempt from the DONOTCALL rules. So I suppose if someone posts there number as a contact for their profession (even if it is their home number) it is ok to call? This can get sticky with a physician, for example, if they have put their home number on the DNC Registry.

At $7000 for the database, or a few area codes per year for free, there doesn't seem to be any solution for the small business (perhaps 5000 customers throughout the U.S.)

[percentages]

Read the Do Not Call List rules again. I don't call anyone, and personally hate everyone that calls me. But the rules are full of holes.....so if you must, I guess you will.......Just don't call me!

[patricks]

From what I understand, if you are selling something to a consumer and that number is listed in the DNC, you could get sued. But, if you are selling something to a business, cold calling is allowed even if the number is in the DNC.