Top 10 most common cold call objections

Handling objections is where the real magic of sales happens. Whether it’s a blunt "I’m not interested" or a polite "just email me," every pushback hides a deeper concern. The key is knowing how to decode what prospects really mean - and responding in a way that disarms resistance, builds trust, and opens the door to real conversations. Here’s how I break down the 10 most common objections and what I say to keep the conversation going.

10. "I'm not interested"

What it really means:
"Argh! I hate cold calls!"

How to handle it

When someone hits me with “I'm not interested,” I don’t push back. I agree with them to show I get it - that usually helps them relax. If needed, I try to keep it light with a bit of humor to change the tone. Then, I interrupt the pattern to get them talking.

My favorite response

"I totally get it, man. You probably get dozens of these calls, and I'm guessing you've got most of this handled already. But hey, just so we don’t bother you again, is it that you’re already familiar with what we offer and it’s not a priority right now, or did I simply catch you at a bad time and you’re not really into cold calls?"

9. "Not a priority right now"

What it really means:
"I don’t see a reason to change."

How to handle it

When hearing this, I ask them to walk me through their current process. This way, inefficiencies will likely surface on their own. I focus specifically on manual or time-consuming tasks, and point out their hidden costs. This will get them to question their own process, allowing me to suggest improvements with my solution.

My favorite responses

"Just so I don’t miss anything, can you quickly walk me through how you currently handle [process]?"

"So you’re handling that manually, right? How long does that usually take?"

"[Name], mind if I make a suggestion?"

8. "Just email me"

What it really means:
"I want to end this call without being rude."

How to handle it

When someone asks me to "just email," I typically agree but clarify by asking what specific information they’d find helpful. This keeps me in control, keeps them engaged, and provides insights into their needs which I can address directly on the spot or later in the email. Then I propose a low-risk follow-up by scheduling a short placeholder meeting for the next day.

My favorite responses

"Absolutely, happy to email you. Is there anything specific you'd like me to include that would actually be helpful for you?"

"I'll also drop a quick 5-minute placeholder for the same time tomorrow. If you've got questions we can run through them. If not, just decline the invite - no hard feelings."

7. "No budget"

What it really means:
"No way I’m jumping through hoops to shift budget for something I'm not sold on."

How to handle it

When budget comes up as an objection, my goal isn't to find more money but to get them to see my solution as important enough to shift money that already exists towards it. I first check if their budget is truly fixed or if there’s flexibility. If it’s fixed, I challenge their current allocation by asking if it effectively solves their problem. If logistics are the issue, I offer flexible payment terms.

My favorite responses

"Totally understand. Out of curiosity, is budget completely locked down, or is it more about the complexity of moving things around?"

"Do you feel like the budget you’ve been given is actually enough to solve this problem?"

6. "We already have a solution"

What it really means:
"I don’t like change."

How to handle it

If someone says they already have a solution, I immediately focus on a use case I know their current solution likely doesn't handle well. I prepare a single, targeted question that emphasizes my competitive advantage, creating urgency by highlighting overlooked problems. Then I suggest a low-risk evaluation by offering a demo without pressure to switch immediately.

My favorite responses

"So you’re using [competitor]? Mind if I ask you something? How are you currently handling [specific pain point]?"

"Right, that’s why we at [company] came up with [solution]."

5. "Bad timing to buy"

What it really means:
"That sounds like a problem for future me."

How to handle it

When someone says it's bad timing, I acknowledge their situation and ask for specifics on their current challenges. If valid, I propose a specific time to reconnect, ensuring I respect their schedule while keeping the conversation open. I also offer to send a short summary email and arrange a follow-up when timing improves.

My favorite responses

"I get it, timing can be tricky. Can you quickly share what's holding you back at the moment?"

"With [current project] in full swing, I imagine you're juggling a lot. To make sure this doesn’t fall through the cracks and so I don’t end up overbooked, I’d love to lock in a time now. Would [date] work for you?"

4. "I need to think about it"

What it really means:
"I’m not ready to make a decision yet."

How to handle it

When someone says they need to think it over, I ask them specifically what’s holding them back. This helps uncover their true concerns, allowing me to address them directly.

My favorite response

"Got it - important decisions need thorough consideration. But since I already have you on the phone, what specifically do you need to think about? Maybe I can help answer any question right now, so you have everything you need to decide."

3. "I'm too busy"

What it really means:
"This call is not important."

How to handle it

When someone says they're too busy, I request just 30 seconds to quickly explain why I’m calling. Alternatively, I suggest scheduling a follow-up at a more convenient time. When following up, I show up prepared and make sure to reference previous conversations.

My favorite responses

"Totally understand - can I have 30 seconds to tell you why I’m calling? If it doesn’t make sense, I’ll let you go."

"Look, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll call you back, but let’s find a time when you can actually expect my call."

2. "This is not my responsibility"

What it really means:
"You’ve got the wrong guy, pal."

How to handle it

When someone says this, I get them to clarify organizational responsibility. If I actually have the wrong person, I try and find the right contact. Then, I ask if it’s okay to mention their referral when reaching out. This turns a cold contact into a warm introduction.

My favorite responses

"We usually speak with [position], since their team is typically the end user of our tool. But maybe [process] is structured differently in your organization and falls under [other department]?"

"Sorry about that, [Name] - my mistake. Just to make sure I reach out to the right person next time, would [colleague] be the best contact, since she’s the [position]?"

"Would you be completely against me mentioning that we spoke? Just so she knows my call isn’t totally out of the blue?"

1. "How did you get my name and number?"

What it really means:
"Which magical tool was used to source my contact info" ;)

How to handle it

Be honest and tell them about SalesPort. After all, it is the best tool to find decision-makers and their contact data.

My favorite response

"Oh, with SalesPort, of course. Best phone number provider out there. Lets you find decision-makers and their contact data directly on any website. You should definitely check it out!"