How an SDR should reply to 'not interested'
"Not interested" can mean five things. The buyer may be busy, have no problem or already have a supplier. Or the buyer is the wrong person, or wants the call to end. Your reply should find out which in one sentence.
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Five replies
Example: you sell supplier-payment software.
- Busy: "Understood. Would a call on Thursday morning suit you better?"
- No problem: "Fair enough. Which part of approvals works well for you today?"
- Has a supplier: "That makes sense. What would have to change for you to look at another option?"
- Wrong person: "Thanks. Who looks after supplier payments at your firm?"
- Wants to end the call: "No problem, [name]. Thanks for your time."
Use the fifth reply when the buyer is firm. A polite exit keeps the account open for a later call.
One reply, then stop
Make one attempt, then thank them and log the reason. A second push hurts how the buyer remembers you.
See inside
Log the reason
Add a CRM field for the reason given. Use busy, no problem, has a supplier, wrong person or firm no. After a month, count each one. A high share of "busy" points at call timing. A high share of "has a supplier" points at weak targeting.
Practise it
- Role-play the five replies in the weekly team meeting, two minutes each.
- Record three real calls a week per rep. Score the reply on the free SDR call scorecard.
- Change one reply at a time so you can see which change helps.
The cold call script has three more objection replies. The opening lines can lower how often you hear this one. For a weekly coaching rhythm, see the SDR coaching framework.
One page for each reply
- send me an email
- we use a competitor
- no budget
- call me later
- I am busy
- not the right person
- how much does it cost
- we do it in-house
Questions
What is the best reply to "not interested"?
Ask one short question that finds out why. Match the reply to the reason you hear.
How many times should an SDR push after "not interested"?
Once. After that, thank the buyer and move on.
Does "not interested" mean never call again?
No. Log the reason and a revisit date. Circumstances change.
Also: cold call script for recruitment.
Related guides
SDR cold call script
Opener, reason, question, three objection replies and a voicemail.
SDR coaching framework
A weekly rhythm, call reviews and a simple coaching scorecard.
Weekly SDR 1:1s
A 30-minute agenda, coaching questions and a worked example.
Cold call script for agencies
Open with their work and book a first meeting.
Cold call script for fintech
One problem, one question and the checks to run first.
Reply to send me an email
Two word-for-word answers, for a real request and a brush-off.
Turn this into a programme you can run
14 Notion modules and 6 working trackers for SDR leaders. KPI library, comp calculator, cadence builder, interview scorecard, tool scorecard and a 90-day roadmap. £29, 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.