Top 20 Sales Objections (and How to Handle Them)
At Top Quality Recruitment, we help businesses not only hire great salespeople—but also equip teams with insights to handle tough conversations. Whether you're onboarding a new account manager or coaching a tenured sales leader, here are the top 20 most common sales objections—and how to respond to them.
1. “It’s too expensive.”
Response: “I understand budget is important. Can I show you the ROI or cost-savings over time that others in your industry have seen?”
2. “We’re already working with another supplier.”
Response: “That’s great—you value strong partnerships. If you're open to it, I’d love to show you how we might complement or improve on what you’re already getting.”
3. “I need to think about it.”
Response: “Of course. What’s most important to you as you consider your options?”
4. “Now’s not a good time.”
Response: “I get it—timing matters. Can we set a future date to reconnect when it makes more sense for your team?”
5. “Send me more information.”
Response: “I’d be happy to. So I can tailor it better—what specifically would be helpful for you to review?”
6. “I’m not the decision maker.”
Response: “Thanks for letting me know. Would it be helpful for us to loop in the right person together so I can support both of you?”
7. “We don’t have the budget right now.”
Response: “I understand. Can we explore a phased approach or talk about planning for next quarter?”
8. “Your competitor offers it cheaper.”
Response: “That’s worth looking at. May I ask what’s included in their offer, so we can compare apples to apples?”
9. “We’ve tried something similar and it didn’t work.”
Response: “Thanks for sharing. What didn’t work before, and how can we avoid repeating that experience?”
10. “I don’t see the value.”
Response: “Fair enough. Would it help if I shared how companies like yours are using this solution successfully?”
11. “I’m too busy.”
Response: “I get it—things move fast. Can I take 15 minutes to walk through the highlights and see if it’s worth a deeper dive later?”
12. “I don’t want to switch providers.”
Response: “Staying with what works makes sense. But if there's room to improve, would it hurt to have a quick benchmark comparison?”
13. “There’s no need right now.”
Response: “Understood. May I share what others in your industry are preparing for that might affect your future needs?”
14. “I’m not interested.”
Response: “Totally fair. Out of curiosity, is that based on timing, past experience, or something else?”
15. “We handle that in-house.”
Response: “That’s impressive. Many of our clients do, too—but partner with us for overflow or specialized needs. Is that something you’d consider?”
16. “We’ve just signed a contract.”
Response: “Thanks for sharing. Can I follow up when you’re closer to renewal so you have options?”
17. “We don’t work with vendors we don’t know.”
Response: “That’s a smart policy. Can I earn that trust by starting with a small engagement or reference from a mutual connection?”
18. “Let me run it by my team.”
Response: “Absolutely. Would it help if I provided a short summary or joined your next meeting to support the conversation?”
19. “You’re not local.”
Response: “That's a fair point. May I show you how we’ve successfully supported companies in your region—despite being remote?”
20. “We’re a small company—we don’t need that.”
Response: “Many small companies feel that way at first, but often find big value. Can I show you how it’s scaled for others like you?”
Final Thought: Objections Are Signals—Not Stop Signs
The most effective salespeople don’t avoid objections—they anticipate them. They ask the right questions, listen without defensiveness, and guide prospects toward clarity.
If you’re hiring sales talent or looking to upskill your team’s objection handling, Top Quality Recruitment is here to help. We specialize in placing high-performing sales professionals who know how to turn a “no” into a next step.
Let’s connect.
Need sales leaders who close confidently?
Contact us today to explore top-performing candidates for your team.
