I am not trying to sell anything

I just came from a business website where they were talking about salespeople opening a cold call with, "I am not trying to sell anything." Does anyone here use this as an opener with any success?

I've received calls like this but no i would never open a call saying that.

I'm no expert, but it seem to me that as soon as you say that,the person on the other end is now certain that you are trying to sell them something. I've had these calls before, and they are an affront to my intelligence. If a complete stranger calls me out of the blue and protests that he/she "is not trying to sell me anything" when it is obvious that they are, I terminate the call immdiately. They've already lied once.They'll do it again.

Originally Posted by jrdickens I'm no expert, but it seem to me that as soon as you say that,the person on the other end is now certain that you are trying to sell them something.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by jrdickens I've had these calls before, and they are an affront to my intelligence. If a complete stranger calls me out of the blue and protests that he/she "is not trying to sell me anything" when it is obvious that they are, I terminate the call immdiately. They've already lied once.They'll do it again.

Exactly!

I can't remember a time where the person who said this wasn't lying.

Originally Posted by Agent Smith I can't remember a time where the person who said this wasn't lying.

Ooh, so cynical.

Is anyone really using or teaching that as an opener?

Originally Posted by Milton Is anyone really using or teaching that as an opener?

I have not read or heard about this being taught anywhere. If it's meant to be disarming I think it fails miserably.

That reminds of me of when sales people say "now I'm being honest". This immediately implies that up until now they haven't been honest. Anyone who says these sorts of things is sabotaging their own attempts to sell. Sure they may still make a sale, but it's just another hurdle in the way and will most likely result in a face plant..

Originally Posted by Iceman I just came from a business website where they were talking about salespeople opening a cold call with, "I am not trying to sell anything." Does anyone here use this as an opener with any success?

I use to get calls like that all the time, and it seemed like most of the time they were not trying to sell anything, but get a donation. I found that annoying.