I have been calling companies in the USA for the past few months. What I noticed with gatekeepers is that they have the same job, not to let cold calls get through. So in order to do it in a nice way without being rude they have invented some lies which I think they are good in doing.
1. "He's on a meeting". Right, I can understand, managers usually have meetings, but I wonder why their meetings can last for a day and even for a week? Hmm I was once in a management position in a company dealing with US markets but I remember we only had meeting at least twice a week. Our everyday meetings would be those before and after the shift, like 6-10 minutes. How can you be productive if you're always sitting in the board room discussing about SWOT? So he's on a meeting means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
2. "He's in an out all day." Hmmm I just wonder is he always meeting people outside the company? Or does the company hire people who can work anywhere they like? How come the secretary doesn't even know his schedule? Well, again it's just another way of saying, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
3. "He is on his vacation". Okay that's great they have to enjoy away from work. But when I asked, "When is he coming back," they would say okay next week. Then I call back the next week and guess what he is still on his vacation. Good thing companies allow people to extend their vacation? vacation means "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
4. "He is not in today." Well could be his day off on the weekdays. Wow that is a nice day off. But if I asked, "will he be in tomorrow?" They would say, "probably, don't know his schedule?" Well who knows?
Again, not in today means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
5. "He's with a client." That's okay, since it's business so they could meet clients anytime of the day. But chasing them all the or all week and the owner or manager is always with a client, wow he must be a very busy man. Again, he's with a client means, "I'm sorry I can't put this call through."
6. "Nobody does that." If asked if the purchasing manager, they would say, nobody does that, we don't purchase anything at all. Seriously? What keeps the company in operation? Do you ever purchase water? I guess not as well?
7. "He doesn't accept cold calls." I think some are very honest to say this and I would understand. But for all those other excuses, I hope that they would just be honest enough to say that it's impossible to speak with the right person at all.
hahahaha
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