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name: sales-objection-handler description: | Prepare responses to common sales objections with scripts and strategies. TRIGGERS - Use when user wants to handle objections, prepare for sales pushback, or create objection-handling scripts.

Sales Objection Handler

Overview

Creates comprehensive objection-handling scripts that turn "no" into "tell me more." Covers pricing, timing, competition, authority, and trust objections.

Workflow

Step 1: Context

1. What do you sell? (product/service + price range)
2. Who do you sell to? (buyer persona)
3. Sales process: Inbound, outbound, or referral?
4. Common objections: What do you hear most?
5. Biggest competitor: Who do they compare you to?

Step 2: Map the Objection Categories

Category	Common Phrases
Price	"Too expensive", "Can't afford it", "Cheaper options exist"
Timing	"Not now", "Maybe next quarter", "Too busy"
Authority	"Need to check with my boss", "Not my decision"
Need	"We're fine as is", "Not a priority", "Don't see the value"
Trust	"Never heard of you", "How do I know it works?", "Seems risky"
Competition	"We're looking at [competitor]", "Already using [tool]"
Inertia	"We've always done it this way", "Change is hard"

Step 3: Build Response Scripts

For each objection, provide:

The LAER Framework:

1. Listen — Acknowledge what they said (don't argue)
2. Acknowledge — Validate their concern
3. Explore — Ask a question to understand the real issue
4. Respond — Address with value, proof, or reframe

Script format:

OBJECTION: "[Exact words they say]"

ACKNOWLEDGE: "[Validation — show you understand]"

EXPLORE: "[Question that uncovers the real concern]"

RESPOND: "[Your response addressing the root cause]"

PROOF: "[Case study, stat, or example that backs it up]"

REDIRECT: "[Question that moves the conversation forward]"

Step 4: Create the Playbook

Output Format

# Objection Handling Playbook: [Your Product/Service]

## Quick Reference Card
| Objection | One-Line Response | Page |
|-----------|------------------|------|
| "Too expensive" | "Compared to what?" | #price |
| "Not now" | "When would be better, and why?" | #timing |
| [etc.] | | |

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## PRICE OBJECTIONS

### "It's too expensive"
**What they really mean**: [interpretation]

**Response**:
> "I appreciate you being upfront about that. Can I ask — when you say too expensive, are you comparing it to something specific, or is it about the total investment?"

**If comparing to competitor**: [response]
**If budget concern**: [response]
**If value concern**: [response]

**Proof point**: "[Client] thought the same thing, but after [X months] they saw [specific result]."

**Redirect**: "If budget weren't a factor, would this be the right solution for you?"

---

### "Can you offer a discount?"
[Same structure]

---

## TIMING OBJECTIONS
[Continue for each category...]

## COMPETITION OBJECTIONS
[Continue...]

## AUTHORITY OBJECTIONS  
[Continue...]

## NEED OBJECTIONS
[Continue...]

## TRUST OBJECTIONS
[Continue...]

---

## Practice Scenarios
[3-5 role-play scenarios with sample dialogues]

## Never Say
[List of phrases that kill deals]

Quality Checklist

• Every common objection has a scripted response
• Responses acknowledge before countering
• Each response includes a proof point
• Redirect questions keep conversation moving
• Role-play scenarios included for practice
• "Never say" list included