Reply to "I am busy": two word-for-word answers
Want a ready reply for this one? The SDR Toolkit has it inside the Cadence Builder, with call openers and exit rules, £12.99 + VAT.
The buyer was interrupted. Respect that, then ask for thirty seconds or a time.
Word-for-word replies
Reply A, for thirty seconds: "I will be quick. I called about supplier payment approvals. Is that something you handle, or should I speak to someone else?"
Reply B, to book a time: "Sorry to catch you at a bad moment. Can I call back at 3 pm today or 10 am tomorrow?"
Do
- Apologise once and move on.
- Ask a yes or no question.
- Keep the call under a minute.
See inside
Avoid
- Starting the full pitch.
- Saying "this will only take a second".
- Arguing that it is important.
Next step
Read the opening lines for short openers. Score how reps handle this on the free SDR call scorecard.
See also the reply to not interested and the full set in objection handling.
More replies: not the right person, how much does it cost, we do it in-house.
Questions
What should an SDR say when a buyer is busy?
Apologise once, then ask a short question or offer two call-back times.
How long should I stay on the line?
Under a minute unless the buyer wants to talk.
Should I call back the same day?
Yes, if the buyer agrees to a time.
Related guides
Reply to not interested
Five replies for five reasons, and when to stop.
SDR objection handling
Replies to send me an email, we use a competitor and no budget.
SDR cold call script
Opener, reason, question, three objection replies and a voicemail.
Put this into practice
The Cadence Builder has a ready reply to this objection, plus call openers and exit rules. £12.99, one payment, plus VAT for UK and EU buyers.
Treat benchmarks as starting points. Tune them to your market, deal size and sales cycle. Every figure shows its source and year.