1. First, understand why customers only compare prices but do not place an order?
In the first five years of my foreign trade career, I also scolded my clients for "freeloading" every day. Later, I realized that the problem was with myself - clients don't trust you, so they can only compare prices . Especially now that information is transparent, buyers have at least 5 quotations in their hands. If you want to break the situation, you must first transform yourself from a "quotation machine" to a "solution consultant."
2. 6 practical tips + classic cases
1. "Reverse screening method" - use quotation to force customers to reveal their true colors
Scenario : An Indian customer wants 1,000 LED tubes and tries his best to lower the price to $1.8/piece.
operate :
Deliberately report 1.8!"
Immediately replied: "I totally understand! But are you sure they are using full-watt chips ? Last week, a customer bought a low-priced product, and the light decayed by 50% in half a year (attached with test video), and he ended up losing $200,000..."
Immediately send a differentiated quotation:
✅ 1.8: Second-hand chip + 1-year warranty (comparison)
English words :
"Mr. Sharma, smart buyers always compare prices, but smarter ones compare hidden costs . Attached is a video showing why 30% of our clients switched from 'cheaprice' suppliers to us last year. Let me protect your profit."
Result : The customer chose the $1.95 plan on the spot and increased the order to 2,000 pieces.
2. "Fishing Follow-up" - Let the customer rush
Scenario : An American customer asked for a quote three times but did not respond. The WhatsApp message was read but not replied.
operate :
Stop quoting! Send industry updates instead: "John, Texas will enforce the new UL regulations next week (attached documents), can your existing suppliers provide certification? Do you need me to help you pre-compliance review?"
Added 2 hours later: "Just received news that the certification agency's schedule for this month is full. You can apply now to jump the queue (attached with appointment screenshot)."
English words :
"Hi John, my colleague just saved a client from $15k penalty by fixing certification issues. Your project is at risk if we don't act within 48hrs. Let me call you in 20 mins?"
Result : The customer called to place the order within 10 minutes and thanked me for “saving him”.
3. “Pain point kidnapping method” – customer pain point = your selling point
Scenario : A German customer compared quotations from 10 suppliers and requested a 5% price reduction.
operate :
After checking the customer’s official website, I found that the main feature is “environmentally friendly packaging”, but the existing supplier uses commercial foam boxes.
New quotation: "Original price is $10/piece. If you accept paper-plastic packaging (in compliance with EU new regulations), the price can be reduced by 5% and your company's logo can be printed for free (with design drawings attached)."
English words :
"Mr. Schmidt, your competitors are using our eco-friendly packaging to attract Deutsche buyers (see attached market report). With your logo on it, your brand will dominate the shelf. This offer expires in 72hrs as paper material stocks are running low."
Result : The customer not only accepted the price, but also actively proposed to sign an annual contract.
4. “Gambler’s Talk” – Giving Customers the Illusion of “Taking Advantage”
Scenario : A Canadian customer said, “I will place an order if the price drops by another 2%,” but there is no profit margin.
operate :
Firmly refuse to lower the price, but throw out a bait: "I really can't lower the price for this order, but if you post it today, I will personally give you two privileges :
1️⃣ Give priority to using our newly developed anti-counterfeiting labels (exclusive in the market)
2️⃣ Free upgrade to DDP service for next order (worth $350)"
English words :
"Lisa, let's make this a win-win. I'll give you VIP benefits NOBODY else gets (check the attached surprise list), but only if you confirm by 5pm Toronto time. Fair enough?"
Results : We received the PO on the same day and raised the price by 3% when the customer repurchased six months later.
5. "Direct access to the boss" - skip procurement and find the decision maker
Scenario : The purchasing manager in the Philippines keeps lowering the price, claiming that "the boss asked for a price reduction."
operate :
LinkedIn found the CEO and discovered that he was passionate about charity.
Email: "We donate 200 donation (need to sign the contract this week). ”
English words :
"Dear Mr. Cruz, as a fellow supporter of child education, I've reserved a $200 donation in your company's name. This gesture requires your official PO to activate. Let's make business meaningful."
Effect : The CEO directly ordered the contract to be signed, and the purchasing manager no longer dared to make things difficult.
6. “Suicidal order-forcing” – using losses to force action
Scenario : The customer has been delaying placing an order for 2 months, always saying “I’ll decide next week”.
operate :
A sudden notice: "Due to the surge in raw material prices, prices will increase by 8% starting tomorrow (attached with price adjustment letter from the steel mill)."
That night, I sent a private WeChat message: “I have secretly locked up the last batch of original price inventory, but you need to pay a 30% deposit now (attached with a screenshot of inventory monitoring).”
English words :
"Mike, I'm risking my job to hold this price for you. If wire transfer isn't completed by 3pm tomorrow, my boss will release the stock to others. Let me help you win this battle."
Result : The customer made the payment overnight and introduced 3 new customers.
3. The key to becoming a top seller: “Rhythm” is more important than sales pitch
Always prepare "comparison props" : test videos, customer thank-you letters, and market data screenshots. They are 100 times more powerful than empty words.
Control the rhythm of the conversation : When the customer lowers the price, immediately ask back: "When is the latest time you want to receive the goods? Do you have any requirements for the payment method?" - throw the multiple-choice question back.
Dare to play psychological warfare : lose contact appropriately (24-48 hours) to make customers feel that they "will lose you".
The last piece of advice : Don’t treat your customers as gods, but as your comrades-in-arms - help them make money, and they will let you make money!