How Do You React When You Recieve Cold Calls?

Now that I work in sales I am definitely much nicer whenever I get a cold call even if it is about my cars warranty๐Ÿคฃ I'm curious if working in sales has made anyone else nicer or if you are just as harsh as the prospects we speak to daily?

๐Ÿ“ž Cold Calling
14
LordBusiness
Politicker
5
Chief Revenue Officer
it really depends on my mood and the presentation of the call.ย  I'm usually diffused by the "this is a cold call, do you have 27 seconds to hear me out" opening - but some days I'm just not mentally in the right headspace to listen to a cold value prop.ย  I'd rather have a well prepared cold call though, than a shitty spam email "sequenced" by software.ย 
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Amen LordBusiness. I get people have cadences, but those emails do get old especially when they are offering something I will never use.
softwarebro
Politicker
5
Sales Director
Iโ€™m not a jerk but if you didnโ€™t do your research or pitching something that is not relevant Iโ€™ll usually interrupt and say not today thanks.ย 
Bandido
Politicker
4
Client Director
I rarely answer my phone if I don't know the number, robo calls have gotten out of control these days.ย  However, if someone knocks on my front door selling something I always give them the time of day because that takes cojones.ย 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Yes it does. A good reminder next time I might be nervous to make a call "Hey you don't have to go knocking door to door so make the call already"
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
๐ŸฆŠ
If it's a call my robocaller app missed to block I admit I get a little pissy ๐Ÿ˜’
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
๐Ÿ‘‘
I'm probably a lot nicer than I used to be, because I've now been in their shoes. If someone cold calls me I'll be straight up with them, treat them nicely, and not waste their time. More than I can say for a lot of the people I call...
RedLightning
Politicker
2
Mid-Market AE
I answer most cold calls, unless I'm actively doing something. I'd be a hypocrite not to.ย  I'm honest with the caller about why or why not.ย 

I hang up on any robo calls like the extended warranty thing immediately. It's mostly recruiters that call me at this point or BDR's who have targeted really poorly. I try to give feedback if they're open to it or compliment them on asking good questions. It's one of those pay it forward things.ย 
SlanginCyberSec
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
As an individual contributor and not a decision-maker, I don't really get any cold calls from vendors.

The closest thing that I get is when some scammer calls me about 'illegal activities associated with my social security number.'

Psychotically, I never hang up, go along with their BS & I give them a hard time until they give up and hang up on me.
Dealsonwheels
Opinionated
1
Technical Sales Executive
same. good for you. The more we do this, the less time they spend on the phone with people who may fall for it.ย 
SalesSpectre
Opinionated
1
AE
I dont answer the calls that my phone marks as "telemarketer". I answer everything else and am courteous and transparent.ย 
Grant_Horun
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I am respectful and listen to the first 30 seconds. If it is something I have no reason to listen to I say, sorry not interested and they usually hang up.ย 
Savagedoge
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Oh, I've been tamed for sure. I know when someone doesn't know the first thing about me but calling me and I try to not fuck up their day. I try to be as polite as I can be depending on my mood haha
JustImpaired
Executive
1
Director of Sales
I'll listen if they did enough research to know what I do.... If they are trying to sell me something that makes no sense for my role... well. Do your research.
DaveFromCollege
Notorious Answer
1
Account Executive
I dont get many, but when I do I always look out for fellow SDR's. If it's a scam though I just hang up.
salesnerd
WR Officer
1
Head of Growth
I'm usually pretty honest and straightforward about whether whatever they're pitching would meet my needs. And if I'm using a competitor I tell them as such but give them the expiration date so they can follow up correctly.

Edit: this is if I'm a fool enough to answer my phone lolol
Captain_Q
Arsonist
1
Sr. Account Executive
I'm typically nice about it.ย  Hear them out, then let them know that I'm not interested.ย  ย Depending on what I'm doing I'll give them some feedback.ย  ย BUT I always finish by letting them know that I appreciate their hustle and to keep grinding!
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Love this
theHeater
Member
1
Sr AE
I try to get them to sell me. Give them a weak reason for not being able to talk and see if they can overcome the objection.ย 
Hocael
Fire Starter
1
Partner Manager
Depends on the quality of the cold call. If youโ€™ve done more than read a script, then Iโ€™ll give you some time. Iโ€™m kind of a harsh critic having done the job myself, but immensely generous of someone is doing a good job. Same with waiters. Been there, done that, appreciate a job well done.
Soiboi
Politicker
1
Account Executive, EIAS/Compliance
I cold call so I give anyone calling into me a few minutes.
missme
Good Citizen
1
AE
I've always entertained a conversation from a cold caller and let them down easy
PeterSwan
Opinionated
1
Sales Specialist
I must say that I'm, too, much nicer to these people since I started working in sales. I know how stressful it can to pick up the phone and start dialing.ย 
SenRes
Personal Narrative
1
Business Development Manager
I will usually extend some professional courtesy and hear them out. If I'm not a fit, I'm quick to tell them that as well. I always say to prospects I don't want to waste anyone's time, so I try to give that feedback if they would be wasting their time trying to sell to me.ย 
Selichimorpha
Celebrated Contributor
1
Growth Executive
My title on linkedin is more fluffed up than what my actual status is (Client facing "Director of Client Strategy"), so I get a lot of pitches with people trying to sell into my company. I usually just say they have the wrong POC and I wouldn't even know who to point them in the right direction to but I always wish them happy hunting.ย 

I feel like as people that have been the ones cold calling and cold emailing it's only right that we treat those that came after us with some kindness - sales is hard and we shouldn't be the ones that make it hard for others.ย 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Well said โค๏ธ
KingKon
1
Sr. CAE
I used to own a business and would get 20-50 cold calls every day. Needless to say, my cold call karma is terrible cause I was awful to those poor callers.ย 
Having done cold calling I am now infinitely nicer, but also much more annoyed by bad cold callers. I've tried to giving constructive criticism, but that felt pretty lame.

friendlyginge
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Iโ€™m an AE so usually wonโ€™t get cold calls. Then again, I wouldnโ€™t know because I never answer my phone if I donโ€™t know the number. There are just too many robocalls. Iโ€™m always surprised when an exec that Iโ€™m cold calling answers their cell phones but then I remember they meet and deal with a lot of people every week!ย 
Sales4what
Opinionated
0
Co-Founder & VP Sales @ PLURiTy
I give them my email and tell them Iโ€™ll get back to them within 3 days.

i typically do. When they catch me and Iโ€™m extremely busy, I will actually ask them what theyโ€™re calling about and if itโ€™s not real my Iโ€™ll tell them right thereย 
ATX
Good Citizen
0
ENT Sales / Risk Management
Certainly nicer to other sales people making a cold call after having done it myself. I'm never the right person they need to talk to, but I'll give them 3-5 minutes to get the reps in, practice their intro/value prop, etc.ย 

Could make their day just being nice and wishing them good luck.ย 
here2learn
Old School Bravo
0
Chief Operating Officer
I answer all of them, if possible. I want someone to sell to me. It's great to hear everyone's pitch. If possible I try to share feedback on what they could have done better or what they did really well.ย 
PIPboy69
Catalyst
0
CSM
100% I used to hang up on people just trying to make a living. Now I just ask them about their experience and goals and try to give them some tips.ย 
Chep
WR Officer
0
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Funny how it changes your perspective when you do the role. I used to tip horribly than I was a barback in college who lived off tips and sure enough, I tip a lot better now๐Ÿค
proudprospector
Catalyst
0
Business Development Representative
Would loveee to hear how @GeneralCorpย answers a cold call ๐Ÿ˜‚ย 
7

When someone cold calls you, what do you do?

Question
9
What do you do?
24% Hang up
76% Give them a shot
42 people voted
4

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Discussion
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5

Illumination questions on cold calls

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