Do Not Call List

Today you will receive a memo about the upgraded Prudential Grand Valley Realty Do Not Call List software. We now have a web address (password protected) where you can check a phone number quickly to see if the number is on the Do Not Call List. We've even ensured that the web page works on your blackberry! It's fast, simple, and efficient if you just need to check a number before you call.

When you get the memo, bookmark the URL and stash away the password. You can rest assured it will come in handy later.

Do Not Call List - Short Version Update

Most of you are aware that the Do Not Call List is being phased in at this time. It deeply affects you as a sales representative if you are making telephone solicitations for business.

If you are making calls, you will need to cross check the numbers you are calling with the two lists to ensure their number is not on the list. The first is the National Do Not Call list which we have puchased for the local area code. It is an excel spread sheet in numerical order that you can quickly check to see if a number is on the list. The second is a Prudential Grand Valley list that, if requested, we must add their names. If you are calling and someone asks that nobody from Prudential Grand Valley calls, then you must report this to you administrator and we will add the number to our company list.

So, in short, you must crosscheck both lists and add any people requesting to the company do not call list.

We will have a meeting in the next couple weeks to deal with the lists and questions. We'll talk about the logistics related to you accessing the lists as well.

You can read the document in detail at Realtorlink.

Even though people are calling in as we speak to be added to the list, the policy is not enforced until October 31st

Do Not Call List

CREA has created the booklet “The National Do-Not-Call List” to provide more information to REALTORS® about how they will be affected when the list comes into effect on September 30, 2008. The booklet can be viewed on the DNCL Compliance section, posted in the Compliance Centre on www.realtorlink.ca. The information below can be found in the booklet.

Real estate brokers or representatives, making unsolicited telephone calls qualify as telemarketers. This doesn’t mean that REALTORS® cannot contact consumers in other legal ways, such as direct mail. It means that if the consumer, private sellers included, puts their name and telephone information on the National Do Not Call List, you cannot contact them at that number (phone or fax) to sell them a product or your services or in any way solicit business, unless:

the call is to a consumer who has an existing business relationship with your company, or
the call is to a business consumer.
An existing business relationship, such as one between a consumer and a real estate brokerage, is defined in three ways:

The consumer purchased or leased a product from the organization within the past 18 months;
The consumer had a written contract (such as a Listing Agreement) with the organization that expired within the past 18 months
The consumer had made an inquiry with the organization within the past six months (for example the consumer called for a listing presentation).
An individual can also specifically consent to be called by a certain organization, even if he or she is registered on the National DNCL.

CREA provides the example of an Open House and consent to be contacted.

The REALTOR® is hosting an open house. Mary and Bob Ford come in for the tour and sign the guest book. Does this mean that the REALTOR® can call the Fords to offer his services?

YES– if they signed the guest book or otherwise indicated their interest and intent in a business arrangement.

NO– if they signed the book but specifically asked not to be contacted. Then the REALTOR® would have to add the Fords to his corporate do-not-call list. (Under Canada’s Do-Not-Call legislation, all telemarketers must also maintain their own do not call lists– even if they are making calls that are exempt from the National DNCL rules).

Other tips

If a consumer makes the request to be placed on an internal do-not-call list, you must process that request immediately.
Be sure to disclose the purpose of your call and the company or individual you are representing right away. It’s a good idea to have a prepared script to work from.
The CRTC intends to launch a public awareness campaign to publicize the web address and telephone number for consumers and telemarketers to access once the National DNCL becomes operational.