# Why is telemarketing legal?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 14, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054 "2002-05-14T18:36:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054/21 "2002-05-15T02:01:09Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I think the telemarketers would argue that that’s what answering machines are for, so you can screen your calls and ignore 'em.

And shall I send them a bill for the answering machine?

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**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054/22 "2002-05-15T02:16:28Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by friedo \*
> 
> Finally, there are laws against types of telemarketing which cost the recipient money. Telemarketers may not legally call cell phones, and fax spamming is against the law because it wastes ink.

Really? My wife just got a new cell phone a couple of months ago and the next day she got a call from a telemarketer even though she didn’t give out the number to anyone yet (even I didn’t know the number at the time).

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**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054/23 "2002-05-15T04:50:28Z")

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The telemarketing page at [http://www.junkbusters.com](http://www.junkbusters.com)

Works really well, I keep it handy by the phone. I’ve noticed that once they figure out you are on to their silly reindeer games they usually try to hang up quickly. I always throw in a “Federal Law prohibits you from hanging up on me.” (Is that true? heh) and it works every time.

From there, I use the standard form/questions listed above and they are usually pretty cooperative. Very few phone calls anymore. Still ain’t right, I shouldn’t have to go through this shit, nor anyone else.

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**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2002, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-telemarketing-legal/109054/24 "2002-05-15T06:21:21Z")

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A panhandler on Canal Street walked up to me and asked for a buck.

What’s the difference?

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