When to STOP Overcoming the Objection

At what point do you let the job go? When do you shout, “Uncle!” and move on to the next sales challenge? When doing so is in the best interest of the long-term relationship with the client. That’s when.

I am a blackhole for bad customer service. I’ve known this ever since I was young. If there is a customer service disaster waiting to happen, it is waiting for me to find it.

Such was the case when I called the The Boston Globe to temporarily cancel my Sunday newspaper subscription. I wasn’t able to enjoy it as much as I wanted and made the decision to use the $20 a month for an Audible.com subscription instead.

Note: Okay, sure, I am in print and as such should be reading and not listening but don’t judge me, haters. Books on tape are the only thing that get me out for walks. So there.

Here is a rough script of the conversation (this after the usual, “To subscribe, press one. For problems with your delivery, press two.” And all the way down to, “To cancel, press the square root of 81 and subtract the number I am thinking of right now.”):

BG: “Can I help you?
BF: “Yes, I’d like to temporarily cancel my subscription.”
BG: (Delay while that script loaded on screen) “I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask why?”
BF: “Sure. Just wanted to take a break. I love the Globe and I will be back.”
BG: (Not seeing that answer on her list of possible choices) “Uh huh. If I offered you the paper for 25 percent less, would that convince you to stay?”
BF: “Actually, no. I think the Globe is worth every penny you charge for it. I just want to take a break.”
BG: “Okay. Would you say it’s because you don’t have enough time to read the paper?”
BF: “Sure. If that hurries things along. Let’s go with that one.”
BG: “I see. And a lower price would not help?”
BF: “No. A lower price is not going to magically create the time to read the paper.”
BG: “Are you aware of all of the outstanding parts of our paper?”
BF: (Becoming increasingly BS): “Actually, yes. I am. Like I said: Fine paper and I will be back. I just wish to take a break.”
BG: “Uh-huh. So what about this...”
BF: “Stop!!! Please just stop. I wish to end my subscription and I am planning to come back. But I need you to listen to me and stop trying to overcome my objection.”