When do you take "No" for an answer?

I would like to add my thoughts to this discussion--but I have a question. How many times do you hear the actual word "No" as you have decribed? I mean "No" with those two letters. If my guess, based on my experience, is correct, you seldom hear that word. And--if my guess is correct--what do you hear? What words do they use to express what you hear as a no?

My guess is things like "nah", "no, not really" or "sorry but ... I really ...".

It depends on the sales person and his/her people knockledge to determine if the NO is really a NO here and to decide to put more effort in the sell to approach a YES or just to take the NO and move on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Boye

I would like to add my thoughts to this discussion--but I have a question. How many times do you hear the actual word "No" as you have decribed? I mean "No" with those two letters. If my guess, based on my experience, is correct, you seldom hear that word. And--if my guess is correct--what do you hear? What words do they use to express what you hear as a no?

Yes Gary that is right, I often hear the words *maybe*, *Im not sure yet* *I'll get back with you* or they need to discuss the sale with a 2nd or 3rd person who is not at the meeting at this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanddollar

Yes Gary that is right, I often hear the words *maybe*, *Im not sure yet* *I'll get back with you* or they need to discuss the sale with a 2nd or 3rd person who is not at the meeting at this time.

I can't think of 3 ocassions in 10 years time that i have heard the word no. Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, bad time, maybe even shopping but hardly ever 'no'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by klozerking

I can't think of 3 ocassions in 10 years time that i have heard the word no. Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, bad time, maybe even shopping but hardly ever 'no'.

That being the case--and so consistent with my own observations and that of others I have talked to, wouldn't it be beneficial to get "NO" out in the open? Isn't that more meaningful honest feedback than the fluff and red herrings that prospects offer in place of a simple "no"? Isn't it easier, if we are so inclined, to ask a direct question as a reply to a direct answer--such as "Why?"

So the question of "When do you take 'no' for an answer?" is almost hypothetical. But to answer it, I think we take "no" for an answer when we are prepared to face a current truth with the full realization that the truth can change. The alternative is to play a pretend game that "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, bad time, maybe... " means something other than "no".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Boye

The alternative is to play a pretend game that "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, bad time, maybe... " means something other than "no".

In my experience, "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, maybe..." rarely mean "No" as in "No, I do not want this."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Boye

That being the case--and so consistent with my own observations and that of others I have talked to, wouldn't it be beneficial to get "NO" out in the open? Isn't that more meaningful honest feedback than the fluff and red herrings that prospects offer in place of a simple "no"? Isn't it easier, if we are so inclined, to ask a direct question as a reply to a direct answer--such as "Why?"

So the question of "When do you take 'no' for an answer?" is almost hypothetical. But to answer it, I think we take "no" for an answer when we are prepared to face a current truth with the full realization that the truth can change. The alternative is to play a pretend game that "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, bad time, maybe... " means something other than "no".

anything the customer says that isn't "no" means I need more information so that I can make a new decision. Help me find a way to own your product so I can save face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by klozerking

anything the customer says that isn't "no" means I need more information so that I can make a new decision. Help me find a way to own your product so I can save face.

Think about that. As I recall, the conversation rate was 23 percent. And--you have admitted that you have very rarely ever heard "no". So the other 77 percent who ultimately reject your offer with other words want you to help them find a way to own your product so they can save face?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Smith

In my experience, "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, maybe..." rarely mean "No" as in "No, I do not want this."

In your experience what does "Think about it, sleep on it, call you back, maybe..." mean?

Do you take those statements literally? Do people say to you ""No, I do not want this."?

If, for instance, those statements really mean "I need further information." as the popular meme goes, then why would they want to think over or sleep on incomplete facts? Why wouldn't they say "tell me more." right there and then?

When do you take "No" for an answer?

Closing the Sale Forum