Remember that I jumped from being employed in a nonprofit organization to the insurance industry. No matter how tenured financial advisors would say, helping people to become financially literate involves selling a financial product or service. This is when I experienced ghosting. The concept of ghosting is generally applied in dating relationships.
urbandictionary.com defines ghosting to mean the shutdown/ceasing of communication with someone, a lot of times a friend, without notice. This can include but doesn’t always require the closing or shutting down of social media accounts or ports of contact such as email addresses or phone numbers.
But ghosting can be very applicable in business. Ghosting is very real in doing business. Some time ago, I saw this meme and it really struck a chord in my heart. Ghosting in business happens when someone engages you for the product you sell or service you provide and after some exchanges and after a seemingly exciting possibility of closing a business with this person, this person stops communicating and it’s either your followup messages are ignored or seen-zoned.
When I was still employed, part of my responsibility is to gather quotations from different companies. Sometimes, I readily receive an offer because sales executives have to meet some sales quota. I must admit that there are occasions that I didn’t inform the other companies that sent us quotations after choosing a supplier. I have a tendency to ignore suppliers that send out proposals. But I realized that it is not a very professional thing to do to ignore them. They sought to engage me in a professional level. Therefore, I must conduct myself professionally until the end even if the transaction did not resulted to a favorable close.
Three Reasons Why You May Have to Decline an Offer
Now you don’t have to feel guilty that you have to decline an offer if you don’t like or need the offer. Here are some reasons why.
1. You don’t need the suggested product. Sometimes we receive offers we simply don’t find useful or pertinent to us.
2. You don’t have the budget for it. You cannot afford the proposed product or service right now and therefore have to reject a sales proposal politely.
3. The investment isn’t a wise strategy. Rejecting an offer is sometimes a strategic move.
How to Politely Decline a Sales Offer
After determining the reason to decline, do what is necessary to politely decline the sales offer. Remember that you are dealing with people. You are not simply dealing with companies. Behind every proposal, e-mail or call is a person.
1. Thank the Person. As he or she spent considerable time researching the information for you and making the quote and the letter, it’s inappropriate not to thank him or her for their effort. Starting your letter with “thank you for your time/email/offer” can ensure that the salesperson will be more understanding of your rejection. Don’t consider it as spam, be understanding and show empathy.
2. Deliver the News Directly. People tend to drag their feet while rejecting a sales proposal. My advice on how to decline a sales offer is, to put it bluntly. You don’t want to give the salesperson false hope; it’s better to rip off the band-aid fast. Don’t beat around the bush.
3. Explain Your Reasoning. If you explain your rejection thoroughly, there would be no need for further communication. Make it clear exactly why you are not interested in the offer. It will make the conversation simpler and shorter for both of you.
4. Suggest Other Ways of Partnership (If Appropriate). Salespeople can’t know for sure what are you looking for and sometimes miss the spot. If you see alternative business opportunities, mention them in your e-mail. Sales pros are often looking for any potential opportunity and will be happy to help you with your requests.
It All Boils Down To Character
Now you may just be a regular person and you are not representing any company. Don’t think that you don’t need this advise. Bear in mind that when we engage anyone in any lawful business transaction, no matter how petty it may seem, we want to be treated as competent, reliable and responsible.
Whether it is a face-to-face or virtual business transaction like, Lazada or Shopee (in the Philippines) or even in Facebook Marketplace, we want to be treated with respect and proper attention.
Flashing your academic or career credentials doesn’t produce good character. It may actually produce the opposite. Owning a flagship smartphone doesn’t automatically make you smart in communicating.
When you have set an appointment with someone and the date and time is determined, commit to honor that. Not showing to a face-to-face or virtual meeting is tantamount to scamming. You have defrauded the other party with his or her time that he or she could have allotted to a more productive endeavor.
If you are a businessman, a momtrepreneur or a small-scale enterprise owner, conduct yourself well even if people ghost you. Don’t go down to the level of those who ghost. Take heart. Remember… we are professionals!
Do A Business NOW 