What's the worst thing a prospect ever said to you?

😂 Sales Humor
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26
UserNotFound
Politicker
15
Account Executive
I'm a female in tech sales... I get a lot of gross comments. By far the worst was when before we kicked a meeting off the client asked if he could tell me about the sex dream he had about me the night before since he "knew we were meeting today". 

Fucking. Puke. 
SalesJesus29
Tycoon
3
Regional Sales Director
This is just disgusting. Can’t believe anyone in their right mind would think this is even close to being in the same realm as acceptable or appropriate in ANY world. So sorry thank you had to go through that experience. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
2
Account Executive
@ConstantineJohns thank you, it was a truly awful experience- and again the only reason I even put it on here to is hopefully encourage people to be proactively supportive of colleagues and offer to assist on meetings if a peer is ever uncomfortable with a DM. This type of thing happens more often than you'd know, every female b2b sales pro I've talked to has similar stories. 
SalesJesus29
Tycoon
0
Regional Sales Director
@MrsTechSales I appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Awareness in this case is the best we can do so that we can help to prevent anything like this from happening again. Unfortunately, I've had reps on my team that shared similar experiences. I made it a point to attend meetings with them the next go round and spoke to the DM afterwards. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
I'm a guy and this triggered my gag reflex. Sorry you had to deal with that.
UserNotFound
Politicker
3
Account Executive
Thank you, the only reason I even told this was to hopefully open some eyes to the shit that female sales pros deal with (and other professions too, yes- but this one specifically incentivizes us to continue to pursue these kind of a-holes until we're financially able to say no to a deal)
newboy
Valued Contributor
0
Complete Sales team
Same here @CaneWolf 
Broncosfan
Politicker
1
Account Manager
I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Just completely disgusting. I once had a new SDR who thought she was booking a meeting but in the exchange it was clear the guy was asking her on a date. I had no idea how to tell her that was happening. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I have a friend who has had similar things happen! She actually got out of tech entirely for this reason, kept having buyers ask her to do dinner meetings or happy hours that she wasn't comfortable with. 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
1
Regional Sales Director
Too very disgusting. Shucks! Can't believe what I read 🙄
MsTech
Executive
1
Business Development Executive
That's really bad. Sorry you had to hear that. 


...great Bravado "handle" by the way... 
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Ha! Back atcha... great minds think alike ;)
Canuck615
Member
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I wish I could be shocked by this. And the double edged sword challenge is a daily grind for women in tech sales. 
JDialz
Politicker
0
Chief Operating Officer
And I hope you let his boss know about that ... ?
UserNotFound
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Nope- I just never went alone again. It's a double edged sword because he was one of my biggest clients and continually helped me hit quota. So, I wasn't about to ruin the relationship. However I did tell him "no, but you can tell my husband all about it" and that put a quick stop to it. 

Still feel like I need a shower after just retelling that... euggh.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
6
🦊
"I'm disappointed."

The subject doesn't matter. These words cut like a freaking knife. 
pitchandputt
Executive
8
Account Executive
Were you talking to my dad??? :( 
Savagedoge
Tycoon
5
Account Executive
On my first job as an SDR


Prospect: My time’s valuable. Do you wanna pay $10/ minute (or some shizz)? Let’s talk if you can. If not stfu and put the phone down. I was shaken for a good minute

JDialz
Politicker
2
Chief Operating Officer
"Wow that's really impressive. If I could help you get to $12/min+ would you give me a discount?"
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
I thought I’d go the smort way, but figured I’m only gonna be wasting my time and getting him more flustered. Saved myself some time lol
JDialz
Politicker
0
Chief Operating Officer
You lived to slang another day. 🙏🏼
CoorsKing
WR Officer
4
Retired King of the Coors Knights
Not mean or anything, but the "Just wanted to let you know we have decided to sign with your competitor." always hurts.

But worst I had personally, called a number, asked gatekeeper to put me through to XYZ, gatekeeper told me they passed away the day before. Had not had one of those before so that was a bit of a shock
jwils
Politicker
4
Sales Manager
Why is it that people always say “your competitor,” like: I know all of them, just tell me the name. 
CoorsKing
WR Officer
1
Retired King of the Coors Knights
Ha they always tell me the name, just kept it vague because I compete with a few people on here ;) 
rekled
Opinionated
0
Strategic Account Executive
Yeah, this is definitely painful. In some of my discovery calls where based on their LI profile they may have used a competitor software in a previous role, I'll flat out ask them their experience and whether they are considering that solution again. 
Dealsonwheels
Opinionated
0
Technical Sales Executive
Agreed, but I like this better than getting ghosted...
wHaTyAgOtCoOkInG
Catalyst
3
Solution Consultant
fuck off dickhead & hung up... my boss listening was like, wow he doesnt even know you...
jwils
Politicker
4
Sales Manager
Wowwwww. Are you sure you built value? Jk 
SgtAE
WR Officer
0
AE
do you work in APAC by chance? I read this in an Australian accent 
Broncosfan
Politicker
0
Account Manager
I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count how many times this has happened to me.
GlassSlinger
Opinionated
3
Carrier & Wholesale Development
Customer won't give me a yes or no on my pitch.  A simple "no" would put an end to my calls/emails.  Instead the guy says "I'm blocking you from ever calling or emailing me again"  

dude blocked me in their exchange server and in their phone switch!  

flash forward a few years and we acquire his IT/Phone company.  He calls in and is forwarded to me and needs my help w some antiquated hardware.

I reminded him of how he blocked me... and then got him some new gear.


JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
Amazing.

Did he remember?
GlassSlinger
Opinionated
2
Carrier & Wholesale Development
O yes, he got little love from me but did get his hardware refreshed.
pitchandputt
Executive
1
Account Executive
You're a bigger person than I would've been in your shoes.
FrodoSwaggins
Contributor
1
Sales Development Rep
oh how the turn tables
FringeGuy
Member
3
Mid-Market Account Executive
Once had the Managing Partner of a law firm ask me what floor my companies office was on in our building. Upon telling him that we were on the 26th floor, he responded promptly with:

"That's awesome. That's a high enough floor that you can jump out the window and kill yourself"

....I called him moments later to inform him I had jumped, not died, and wondered if that showed him I was serious about winning his business... Had to try get some entertainment out of a grim moment.
WillSell4Commish
Opinionated
0
VP of Deez
+10 for creativity friend
FringeGuy
Member
0
Mid-Market Account Executive
Thank you kind soul. Always gotta try have some fun with folks who are jerks to noble salespeople.
JDialz
Politicker
2
Chief Operating Officer
Somebody actually told me that they didn't need any financial planning because if they ran out of money they would just off themselves. Pretty terrible.
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Holy shit. I think that's just a "I'm going for a walk for 20 minutes" after hearing that one. No way you just pick up the phone.
JDialz
Politicker
0
Chief Operating Officer
Yeah. A close friend of mine committed suicide about 1mo before that conversation so it really pissed me off. I made sure his supervisor (existing client) was aware of his gross unprofessionalism.
Canuck615
Member
0
Enterprise Account Executive
What the ever living fuck? Who says this to someone!? Curious what the supervisor replied with. 
jwils
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
I once had a prospect text me that I missed a great party in the penthouse last night and a great breakfast after.
GlassSlinger
Opinionated
5
Carrier & Wholesale Development
What are you slinging?
Marketingpet
Politicker
1
Partner Manager
"The only thing wrong with this product is YOUR SALES PROCESS!" Guy was mad I was trying to ask questions to qualify his use case and that I wouldn't give him a discounted quote with no info.
jwils
Politicker
2
Sales Manager
haha. Classic. I'll give you a discount after you fill out your credit card info. 
JDialz
Politicker
1
Chief Operating Officer
"I don't know what would be relevant to you because I don't know anything about you" is my go-to.
MSPSales
Politicker
1
Partner Development Manager
I'm so glad you are calling from North America. I hate talking to racial slur, racist comment and racial insensitivity. 

My background is  South Asian but I was born in NA. I have a super ethnic name. 

Either this guy was an complete idiot or was trolling me. 

I ended up getting the sale so that's all that mattered 
Ken
1
Enterprise Account Executive
"Listen here you little shit, if you don't hang up the phone right now I'm gonna come over there and shake you to death."

I couldn't stop laughing - I logged it in Salesforce for future reps to enjoy as well!
SalesJesus29
Tycoon
1
Regional Sales Director
God, you’re young. What value can you possibly bring to this conversation... ahhh good times. Gotta love proving people wrong. 
BCD
Politicker
1
BDR
To go dying in a fucking hole...just doing my job, man 
uncorpse
Politicker
1
Sales Development
I got a prospect that once said the following: "I'm going to pass you to my assistant" and he ended up putting the phone next to the toilet and flushed x4 times and then asked me, "What did my assistant tell you?"
jwils
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
Wowwwwww are you serious? 
uncorpse
Politicker
0
Sales Development
I had to take a coffee break after that one! 
Soiboi
Politicker
0
Account Executive, EIAS/Compliance
You've let me down, son.... Oh about work, got dinged on a cold call once for not being able to connect the dots and was then shamed. 
beerisforclosers
Politicker
0
Account Manager
Not the worst thing but I hate being told: "You're young enough to be my daughter." 
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
It's super creepy though.
moreleadspls
Fire Starter
0
Sales Director
Wasn't necessarily directed towards me but still by far the worst conversation I've had in my career.... Had a prospect get super testy with me about whether or not they would have the right to dox a private citizen using our platform (there was an advocacy / emailing component to the software).

Immediately had to take a shower after that negotiation...
CaneWolf
Politicker
0
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
I had one guy threaten to kill me once. That was cool.
WillSell4Commish
Opinionated
1
VP of Deez
Happens daily in door to door 
TheLoneGun
Opinionated
0
Extremely Rad Product Offloading Specialist
I cold called a company, the owner went from "That's nice" to "Fuck off you scumbag fucking cocksucker" . I of course asked him to please refrain from using profanity ;)
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
I think when the gatekeeper says 'Well, I'll put you through but they won't be interested' 

Always hits a nerve as they are basing this just on you alone. 

But then it's always nice when the prospect finally is interested! 
PeterSwan
Opinionated
0
Sales Specialist
"How dare you calling me on my cell phone?! If you don't stop, I will call the police. You have no right calling me!" 
rekled
Opinionated
0
Strategic Account Executive
I'm not sure I see the value over what we are using today. Mic drop. I was at a loss for words. I obviously failed to deliver. 
NoOneLoveSalesLikeGaston
Executive
0
Associate Consultant
"Maybe" or "I don't know."

Yes is best
No is great

Maybe sucks.
PaperTigerFighter
Good Citizen
0
AE (Account Executive)
"The only way you'll get 10-15 minutes of my time is if you hold me down and make me ;)" at 1 am, after he viewed my LinkedIn profile several times...I was an SDR at the time, and it fucked with my head for a few days. Forwarded the email to several other DMs in the company and asked if someone else would be more open to a conversation. 
DataSlangah
Politicker
0
SAE
I was called a fucking scumbag parasite for enforcing a named user license password sharing problem.  I have thick skin, but I had also just used their firm a few years prior to handle an issue for me. 
CarmenRose
0
SDR
Female in tech sales-Once had a prospect continuously hit me up on LinkedIn mentioning how I’m a yoga teacher and sending me selfies and videos of him doing workouts 
elhandsomediablo
Good Citizen
0
Sales Development
I know it isn't that harsh, but I like to build confidence and rapport but this email reply stung a bit:  From Mr. Prospect - "Actually, you don't need to sell me. I will be back when we expand our operations."
Constantine
0
F5 Cloud Managed Services BDM
Calling a prospect in France and despite doing my best to speak French, he said "Learn to speak French" then he hang up...
Constantine
0
F5 Cloud Managed Services BDM
Not the worst, but the countless times prospects from (DACH especially...) have threatened to sue me personally or report me to my company's DPO to get fired for calling them on the number they had on their LI profile or the CV posted on their LinkedIn...
7

Cringiest thing you've ever heard on a sales call?

Discussion
10
17
Members only

Meanest Thing You Have Ever Said To A Rude Prospect?

Question
45
I have told prospects off before
43% I could never
57% Yes, they were being extremely rude and unprofessional
129 people voted
6

Craziest thing you’ve ever said to your boss?

Question
16