Special offer

Want a free lesson in handling objections? You can get one from your next sales solicitation call!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

 

How to get a free sales educationI guess that up until now I had been looking at this backwards. I considered those pesky sales calls that we all get at the most inopportune time to be a nuisance.

But I have had an epiphany. I now consider these solicitations to be a free educational opportunity.

After all, many of these callers are so comfortable with their scripts, that they seamlessly handle just about any objection with conversational aplomb.

And so I have prepared a list of common objections that I get from prospects, and when given the chance, I offer them to the salesperson on the other end of the line.

I pay careful attention to both the method of delivery and the behavior modification intent of the response.

After all, these callers are well trained and well coached. So even when I try to throw them a curve ball they always have an answer at the ready. Sometimes I even compliment them on their phone skills.

Now is it fair for me to take advantage of them and waste their time in the middle of a busy business day?

Do you even have to think about the answer to that question?

 

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Richard.....more often than not, these callers pronounce my name improperly.....that grates me the wrong way and then I play with them....I tell then that's not how my name is pronounced and they have one more chance, and instead of asking me the right pronounciation, they take the chance and if they're wrong, bye-bye now!!!!

Oct 03, 2010 02:30 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Love the attitude.  I hate sales calls, but listening in and hearing how they are handling our objections is great. 

Oct 03, 2010 02:42 AM
Dan Derito
Success! Real Estate - Brockton, MA

Richard, good points.  Sports teams do the same thing by studying game films to find out how opponents will react in certain situations. You mention curve balls. If you can't hit the curve then, every pitcher in the league is going to throw you that pitch for strike three.  Now, how do we get that list again? 

Oct 03, 2010 02:44 AM
Bruce Swedal
Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate

I have complimented many of these guys on their sales skills on the phone. I never buy from them and tell them that up front, but if I have the time I will sometimes chat with them to see if there are techniques I can pick up.

Oct 03, 2010 02:56 AM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Oh, my gosh- that is brilliant. Lately the sales calls I've gotten have come from really odd area codes, so I haven't answered..but if one of them happens to catch me at a "good" time, I might have to reconsider letting it go to voicemail.

Oct 03, 2010 03:03 AM
Laura Sargent
Carolina One Real Estate - Mount Pleasant, SC

How fantastic. I've been getting a few calls lately and had been really annoyed but you are right.  Most things are an opportunity you just have to twist your mind a bit and get ready to grow!

Oct 03, 2010 03:03 AM
Valerie Duncan Stewart
(Metro First Realty) - Oklahoma City, OK
Real Estate Agent-Broker, OKC, OK

Richard,

Now that is seeing the glass as half full. I like it. And..no, you aren't wasting their time.

Oct 03, 2010 03:16 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Richard,

Great way to have a free education on how to overcome objections! By now you know what your next post is..your list of questions..you have everyone waiting!

Oct 03, 2010 03:34 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

I never thought of a "pesky" sales call as an opportunity, thanks for that, Richard

Oct 03, 2010 03:34 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Is it fair for you to use there time? Well, is it fair for them to assume they can take up your valuable time?

Oct 03, 2010 03:37 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

I keep this handy:

1)      Why do I need your services?

2)      What makes your service better than your competitors?

3)      Why can’t I do it better myself?

4)      How much will it cost and how do you justify your price?

5)      Have you researched me and do you know where I already stand in relationship to your offering?

6)      How much do you know about Newnan Georgia?

7)      Can you email me specific data related to my area and my area alone?

8)      How many customers have you signed up today/this week/this month?

9)      How many customers have dropped the program?

10)  Will you give me a free trial period WITHOUT a credit card?

11)  Will you guarantee results?

12)  May I have your personal contact information so I can contact you directly?

13)  May I have a list of the owners, managers and supervisors of your company with their contact information?

14)  May I have a list of five customers that I can call as reference?

Oct 03, 2010 04:05 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

When I see the out-of-state area code, I am always wary.  But since it could just be a genuine call, I always answer.  Your list of suggestions is good but I would worry that I'm leading them on.  But I love the idea of listening to the dialog to glean some tips!

Oct 03, 2010 04:25 AM
April Hayden-Munson
Brookfield, WI
Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

I'm chuckling now Richard, thanks for that!  PLEASE keep them busy talking with you, and NOT calling me!

Yesterday I had a knock on my door at home - I was in the middle of a telephone discussion with a listing agent trying to put a deal together - the party at my door wanted to "get to know" me to sell me Financial Services.   He didn't ask if I had a minute!  Even if it's a Saturday, some of us are working, just like him. How rude, I couldn't get away from him and finally just shut my door in his face.

Oct 03, 2010 04:32 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Richard, you could do an entire post on those questions.  I like them and will have to use them.

Oct 03, 2010 04:49 AM
Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA

I'm loving both your idea and your list of questions!  Now I am actually looking forward to one of those calls to try it out - LOL

Oct 03, 2010 06:10 AM
Dawn & Charlie Tetro
PalmerHouse Properties & Associates - Johns Creek, GA
Real Service Real Results

Richard what a great twist in viewing those very pesky phone calls.  I too largely screen my phone for calls and if it is an unknown number I generally do not answer.  I have found sales pitches to be extremely rude and if I should answer, more often than not, I am forced to hang up on them.  Now, maybe if they took their examples from some very successful agents, they would offer something of value in those pitches for free! LOL!

Oct 03, 2010 06:29 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Richard... I couldn't agree more. I didn't read any of the comments.. but I have been doing this for years.. I do listen what the caller has to say and how they object to things... and most of all, I love firing back at them specific questions... and many aren't prepared because of their so-called scripts. I don't always do this with every caller though. I am sometimes to busy or sometimes they just have one thing to say and that they repeat it over and over.. thanks for the post.

jeff belonger

Oct 03, 2010 06:32 AM
'The Diamond Group' 'A Cut Above The Rest'
The Diamond Group @ Keller Williams - Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Texas Real Estate

Richard what a clever post, now it will be so much better sport talking to these eveing crawlers, I mean callers

Oct 03, 2010 08:02 AM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Richard this is by far the best thought out and intellgent, thinking out of the box post I have read today, maybe even this week, Love it, suggested...

Oct 03, 2010 09:11 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

I think they have their hands full when they call you Richard.  Time isn't free but if they call me I own them until I hang up with them.

Oct 03, 2010 12:50 PM