If there were no objections, sales would be an extremely easy job. We’d simply close deals or get rejected, without all the complicated nuances that come with disagreements (or questions framed as disagreements) which can stop so many deals in their tracks, leaving salespeople stumped, perplexed, and unsure of how to proceed.

But sales objections need not be scary, and salespeople should feel confident going into discussions with prospects, no matter how many objections come their way. After all, receiving objections means you’re doing your job, and once you learn how to handle them (or at least feel comfortable addressing them), you’ll be one step closer to sales mastery, a good place to be.

The best way to get started on objection handling is to identify common sales objections and to have a general idea for how to address them. We’ve put together the following list of 7 of the seven most common sales objections, along with some advice for how to handle them. 

1. “The price is too high”

Even if you’re new to sales, this customer objection will definitely ring a bell as it’s one of the most common ones you’ll come across (especially if you are dealing with a small business). When a prospect brings up price, ask more questions to get a better understanding of where they stand.The good news is that a price objection usually indicates interest. So don’t get rattled – dig deeper instead. Dig a bit deeper in your questions to make them count. Is it truly a lack or budget, or do they simply not see the value in what you’re offering? If it’s the former, there’s not much you can do aside from offering a steep discount. But, more than likely, if it’s the latter, you’ll simply have to go back to the drawing board in terms of defining value. 

2. “We’re already working with someone else”

While this common objection will sting, it’s not necessarily a deal killer, and the fact that the prospect is already working with (or about to work with) someone else does indicate that they’re a serious buyer. Whenever you get this objection, you’ll want to be ready to respond with a clearly defined value differentiator.

• What makes you unique, and what do you offer that a competitor cannot?
• Is it a better price?
• Do they have more features?

Whatever the case, as a sales person, you should understand how your product fits into the market and what your unique value proposition is. Now is the time to compete.

3. “I don’t think we need this”

This objection can be a deal-killer, but before you throw in the towel, you owe it to yourself (and to the prospect) to dig a little deeper and see if you can uncover a need. After a potential client has told you that they don’t think they need your product, it’s time to start asking open-ended questions about their situation. Most likely, they know what they’re talking about and there really is no need. But, in some cases, they might reveal something that’s a game-changer, and will give you the perfect opening for another sales pitch. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s worth a shot.

4. “I need to speak with (so and so) first”

When a potential customer tells you that they need someone else’s approval, this can mean one of two things. Either they really do need to get someone else on board, in which case your job is to help them convince the other decision maker(s), or they’re simply trying to stall and avoid turning you down directly. If there are decision makers involved, you should always offer to speak with them directly, or schedule a follow-up with everybody on the same call. But if the prospect balks at letting you get involved, then they might just be trying to get you off the phone in the most polite way they know how, which means you haven’t effectively made your case.

5. “I’ve never heard of your company”

This type of objection comes from a lack of trust. Rightly or wrongly, people are naturally distrustful when it comes to money, and if a prospect has no frame of reference for you and your product, you’ll need to build trust to get over this objection. The best way to do this is to provide social proof, whether it’s through testimonials, examples of large (and well-known companies) who already use your products, or by offering to connect your prospect with an existing (happy) customer. You should also work to build personal trust with your prospect by telling them about you, and getting to know them. The key here is trust, so you should do everything possible to make sure they understand they can count on you.

6. “This isn’t a top priority right now”

When a prospect tells you that their pain point isn’t top of mind, it’s up to you to determine whether it’s simply a brush-off, or if they’re truly not time-sensitive (a real objection).This is (of course) done by asking more questions to get a better idea of where they stand. If their answers are vague, chances are they’re just brushing you off the only way they know how. If, however, they give you a good explanation along with a clear timeline, then they’re likely telling you the truth, which means you’ll have to stay in touch with them until they’re ready to move forward.

7. “Just send me some information”

While a prospect might want to see something in writing, or simply doesn’t have the time for a longer conversation, asking someone to send information over might also just be a way to get them off the phone. You, of course, should send the requested information, but not before making an attempt to have a real conversation. It’s only when prospects begin to open up to you that you’ll find out whether or not there’s a deal to be made. That being said, make sure to always send whatever you’ve promised to send, because ignoring the request would prove that you’re not a person who keeps their word.  Instead, you intentionally prioritize sharing the information requested which will reaffirm your intention to earn their business. 

Bonus tip: The ARC Group “Secret Sauce”

Beyond these 7 common objections and our tried and tested advice on how to overcome these and win business, there is one thing we know for sure:  Over the years ARC Group has really taken the time to develop a sales approach that resonates with our clients and prospective clients alike.  This unique approach is really the “secret sauce” of ARC Group much like the unique special touches of the first in class brands like the attention to detail at Gucci or the modern functional design unique to Apple or the coveted drive of a Lambhorhini over its competition.  While we aren’t going to spell it out for you in this blog, reach out to your ARC Group Account Executive for a one on one consultation.  We would be happy to sit down with you and help you strategize how to grow your business using our team of experts and depth of experience in various sectors to help you curate an approach that will leave you believing that “the proof really is in the pudding!”