“So, Is It Over . . .?”
“Show me a salesperson,” stated Bob the sales manager, “that tells a prospect he isn’t going to buy and I’ll show you a salesperson who starves.”
With that, Bob leaned back in his chair and waited for any of the other salespeople to contradict him. No one did, at least not out loud.
Nick could not help but think of the last customer who bought from him. Looking back on what had transpired, Nick wondered if he were just lucky. Oh my gosh, he thought, I did tell that customer he wasn’t going to buy. But he did anyway. I wonder how I got out of that one. Nick replayed the scene in his mind. . .
“That’s very interesting Nick,” stated the prospect, turning around to look at Nick, “but your price is too high.”
“Oh,” said Nick wanting to kick himself for saying something so stupid. And then when he heard himself speaking again, he really wanted to kick himself.
“I suppose that it’s over.”
“What do you mean by that?” quizzed the prospect.
“Simple. My price is too high, and it is over.” Nick held out his hand to shake the prospect’s hand to thank him for his time when . . .
“Time out, Nick. Your price is high, but your product is better than what I’ve seen.”
“I appreciate that,” responded Nick, “but you aren’t going to buy it, and I want to thank you for coming by.” Nick again put his hand out.
“Actually, I think I will buy it. But I have to tell you Nick, telling people that they aren’t going to buy is no way to make sales.”
“Thanks for the advice,” responded Nick, “I’ll remember that.” Nick presented the signature page to the prospect and the prospect signed and then shook Nick’s hand.
I better not tell Bob about this, thought Nick. Even the customer told me it was no way to make sales.
The RESULT:
When used at the right time, telling a prospect that “it’s over” can make sales since you are forcing the prospect to make a decision. The only direction a salesperson can move in a sales call that does not create pressure is toward the “No.”
Remember when you were little and your mother told you that you couldn’t have something you really wanted. How did you feel when she said that? The truth — you wanted it even more.
Don’t picture your prospects as little children with you playing mom. But consider for a moment how even today when there is something you want badly, and someone tells you “No way,” how you immediately feel. You want it even more and you’ll try and figure out a way to get it.
And, if while you’re trying to figure out a way, someone is there and says, “Would you like me to help you figure a way to get it?” Chances are you’ll accept the salesperson’s offer.
This is not a tactic you’d probably use in the first moments of talking with a prospect. Usually, this tactic is used when the prospect states an objection to the sale going forward.
Two conditions must be met before you use this tactic lest it backfire on you. First, the prospect must have told you how your product will solve his concerns. Second, the prospect has told you he has a big enough budget to buy your product. Make sure these conditions have been met before you go forward.
When you go forward, act the part. Nick really did think it was over. When you make this statement, you must convey to the prospect your conviction that the sale is never going to happen.
And then when the prospect tells you that it’s not really over, offer your help by stating words to the effect, “Oh, I guess I got the wrong impression. What would you like me to do now?”
Then wait, forever if necessary, for a response.
Most people really want what they have been told they can’t have — especially qualified prospects. Just say to them when the time is right, “So, is it over?”
Sandler Training is a global training organization with over three decades of experience and proven results. Sandler provides sales and management training and consulting services for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as corporate training for Fortune 1000 companies. For more information, please contact Karl Schaphorst at (402) 403-4334 or by email at kschaphorst@sandler.com. You can also follow his blog at karlschaphorst.sandler.com