Reply to "we have no budget": 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.
Often it means timing or priority, not a flat no. One question tells you which.
Word-for-word replies
Reply A, for timing: "Understood. When do you plan next year's spend? I can send a short note before then."
Reply B, for priority: "That is fair. If budget were not a problem, would this be something you wanted to fix?"
Do
- Record the date they give in the CRM.
- Set a reminder two weeks before it.
- Ask who owns the budget if it is not them.
See inside
Avoid
- Offering a discount in the first call.
- Saying "we can work with any budget".
- Dropping the lead without a date.
Next step
If the answer to Reply B is no, accept it and move on. See the discovery questions to find the problem earlier in the call.
See also the reply to not interested and the full set in objection handling.
More replies: call me later, I am busy, not the right person.
Questions
Is no budget a final no?
Not always. Ask when budgets are set and whether the problem is a priority.
Should an SDR offer a discount?
No. Keep price for the account executive.
What should I record?
The budget date, the owner and whether the problem is a priority.
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.
Tune every number to your market, deal size and sales cycle.