Opinions on Sales Ultimatums

Have recently experimented a little bit with going through with ultimatums (whether it be on initial outreach or on the close) and have had varying levels of success. This includes:


  • Simply not discounting in certain situations (company is big and can afford it) despite our prices being designed to be negotiated upon
  • For smaller companies: discount by a certain date or we won't give a discount any more --> and following through
  • Asking people straight up if they are not interested if they are being iffy on the demo (checking their phone, texting etc.)
  • Telling people after multiple follow ups over email that this will be my last email
  • Calling people multiple times and after multiple bins telling them I will never call them again if they hang up on me this time (this one has had really crazy levels of reaction, both good and bad)


For my company (and to my knowledge, most companies), this is not usual, but I'm getting tired of the delays and don't really feel like wasting my time. I don't really care if people do not respect me or they hate my product, just tell it to my face and move on. No more games please!


Wonder others' opinions on this or if ya'll just keep playing the game...


๐Ÿ‘‘ Sales Strategy
16
jefe
Arsonist
7
๐Ÿ
There's nothing wrong with being direct and firm, as long as you follow through. (Which, based on your first point, it seems like you are)
Just be careful not to be a dick about it.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
was that your costume? That's me irl
jefe
Arsonist
5
๐Ÿ
That's my usual Tuesday outfit.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
but.. it's Monday!!??!
jefe
Arsonist
4
๐Ÿ
I guess I'll see you next Tuesday then, asky
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
BDC big d club has finally formed in the WR. Who else is in?
Revenue_Rambo
Politicker
2
Director, Revenue Enablement
@CuriousFox can be an honorary member
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
๐ŸฆŠ
Founding Fox ๐ŸฆŠ
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
I'm with jefe. Being up front and direct is my preference.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
@js2458 I get being tired of the grind. Its natural. Just be careful. All it takes is a call to your boss about "that jerk who called me" to end your job there.

Regarding Pricing - I always try to lead with my best price and if I have to negotiate, I focus on other areas. I don't like dropping my price unless I'm getting something from them as a "tangible to me" concession.
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
๐Ÿ’€
Solid caution flag
pirate
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿฆœโ˜ ๏ธ Account Executive
Definitely yes for sales ultimatums. We're not customer support. We gove and we get. Plus you'll earn respect if you say you won't discount it further
1
Retired Sales Professional
Unfortunately you can't control other people responses, you can only control what you can control and that's your emotional response to any event. Continue to fight a good fight and don't let this bring down or get frustrated. All the best.
ChumpChange
Politicker
1
Channel Manager
Is this still top of mind for you? Based on that response... you should get an idea of what your next play is. From my personal experience, the need is there but the timing isn't.
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
1
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
I have never been a fan of fake ultimatums! I somehow lie very poorly. And when I lie about some ultimatums like discount coupon expiring / having just a few discount coupons with me: my voice actually dips a little and there's no conviction in it.
While this being it, I know how bad it is in the market with competition sometimes playing ugly. So it all starts from call 1: Make the rapport in a way that they tell you when they are not going ahead with you. Make the communication clear and have them trust you with information pieces.
If you are going to follow through the discount being for certain dates and then the price bouncing back to original one, you might as well want to keep the communication a bit empathetic and clear. That you are doing this out of company's directive and that you'd appreciate them to sign up before this date (if the stars align).
Telling people this is my last email sounds a little like a pissed girlfriend. Those threats don't work on prospects - I'd not embarrass myself like that.
Asking people straight up - NO! Again, sounds like a girlfriend who just wants to pick a fight with you. Ask them if things have changed? Ask them if they are now looking at other vendors? Ask them if there's any way you can be of help in expediting the process
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
I don't look at "ultimatums" as harshly as that. I look at them as mutually agreed upon conditions. If I get what I want (a close by x date) you'll get what you want (favorable pricing terms, etc). If you as the customer try to change your side of the deal, that changes the deal, and I'm going to hold you accountable to what we agreed to. It doesn't need to be cold - but it is an agreement, and if purposefully done, should be pretty clear what the result of changing the terms will be.
While you're right about having empathy (don't offer them things that aren't meaningful or won't help), it's important to have your customers also accountable for fulfilling their end.
HVACexpert
Politicker
0
sales engineer
I love it. Get them to commit either yes or no so you can move on to the next opportunity and stop wasting everyone's time.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Maybe I am a push over, but if I offer a discount and the company can sign by then, but comeback and are ready to sign. I am gonna give them the same discount, Revenue this year is tough to come by so I am going to sell to any willing buyer with budget
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
I think this is the way to go in certain markets. Asking straight up if they are interested during the demo is something I did as well
SportsSalesGuy
Tycoon
0
Enterprise Account Executive
I like all these. I was told that you have to run your accounts/territory as if its your own business. Do what is necessary to get things done.
I am still learning and implementing the points above. Especially being firm and to the point not letting ppl ghost me and just getting the hard rejection out the way. Are you not longer interested is it price? if so just say it so we can find something reasonable. And tying things with discounts to be time driven.
waterjugsales
Politicker
0
Account Executive @ Funemployed
Yeah at my last org the ultimatums always happened at the EOQ but whatโ€™s funny is most never stuck.

Ultimatums only work unless you are serious. One win I had early in my career came directly from my manager telling me โ€œwe canโ€™t go lower, make sure you tell him thatโ€. I asked what if he says no ( young dumb naive me, I was worried weโ€™d lose the deal because the prospect kept asking for more discounts etc).

My manager said โ€œthen we wonโ€™t do business, heโ€™s already a pain in the assโ€

Won the deal, got my commissions and I learned a powerful lesson. So yes they can work but you have to be willing to walk away.

My previous org would do these price ultimatums but they always felt forced because the prospect knew if they didnโ€™t sign now, theyโ€™d get the same or better price at the next EOQ.
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
There's nothing wrong with holding buyers accountable after negotiations to sign on the dates agreed to.
lowhangersalesbanger
Executive
0
Director of Sales
Being direct is a good way to manage your pipeline and protect your time. Nothing worse than the feet dragging buyers who are usually just playing the game for the sake of playing it your being indecive.
I say keep it up. If they have a real objection like "budget won't be open for 3 months" then hit them with the ok so if I include in the contract that your payment and implementation doesn't start for 90 days you can get that back to me by EOD/W/M.
I like it.
lajefa
Good Citizen
0
Enterprise Account Executive
You think customers don't know the game? So if you make an ultimatum be prepared to go through with it, otherwise you've lost all credibility.
I'm straight with people, but then again - I do a very thorough discovery/business case so I pretty much know if I'm going to be ghosted or not.
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