How to Quote Prices Over the Phone

A quick and easy way to get a customer is to quote them a quick price over the phone and see what they say about that price. Sometimes they'll agree to the sale right then and there. But you need to use a bit of strategy when you're quoting prices over the phone.

Instructions

1. Look at your normal price table. If you have standard prices posted in a store or on a brochure, you need to make sure you stick to that price. You can't quote a price higher than your published rate, or the customer will eventually learn of your tactic and not do business with you again.

2. Find out specifically what the customer needs. Make note of the exact products or services and thoroughly understand. You don't want to quote a price that is for the wrong product or service, or the customer will be dissatisfied when he comes back to make the purchase.

3. Determine how interested you think the customer is in your product or service by asking how soon the customer would need it by. If he says he needs it fairly soon, you know you have a valid, live potential sale. If he says he might wait a few weeks or months, you know that he quite possibly could be calling around to competitors.

4. Cut the phone customer a deal if you don't think he's motivated to buy now. You might give the customer a lower price if he will buy today, and tell him that. Tell him that if he buys today, he can get the reduced price but if he buys tomorrow, he will have to pay a higher price. Be sure to explain that you have a greater stock today and are trying to get rid of that particular item now.

5. Quote the price, then let the customer speak. Many sales professionals make the mistake of quoting a price then continuing to explain the product or service. If you quote the price, that is an invitation for the customer to say that he wants to buy.