Useful Tips on How to Refuse a Customer’s Order or Request

As unserious as that may sound, it is usually a day-to-day occurrence for you as an entrepreneur. When it comes to closing a deal, there are a thousand and one things that could make it go well… or go the other route. 

Let’s talk about the number of factors that can help you decide on whether or not you want to accept an order:

1. Your potential customer’s preference.
2. Availability of the item being requested for.
3. Price.
4. Distance.
5. Time to deliver.

How do you keep a customer you’re not ready to sell to?  How do you receive them? How do you speak to them? Remember, nobody likes to hear a ‘NO’. It’s simple! Be an amazing seller!

To make your “crenovating” journey easier, here are 5 amazing ways to politely refuse an order…

BE HONEST: If you’re keen on building healthy relationships with your customers (which you should by the way), integrity is an element you shouldn’t do without. Let them in on why you wouldn’t be able to deliver an item. “Thank you for reaching out to me. However, I do not have this particular product in stock” 

OFFER TO HELP: A great way to leave your customers content without selling to them is to help them get what they want. If you can’t get it done at the moment, recommend someone else who will. They will remember you for it. You can say: “I would not be able to deliver within the time you need it but I can recommend someone who would do just the perfect job!”

TELL THEM YOUR PLANS: If you do not have the product in stock but you can get it across to them later, let them know. People would usually get things ahead of the exact time they need it. Who knows, your delivery date might just be perfect for them! Try: “I may be unable to finish these orders by the time you need them, It will most likely take up to — days to finish them and I would not want to disappoint you. If that date is fine by you, then I can go ahead. If not, you can check again, some other time. Thank you”.

SOLVE THEIR OTHER PROBLEM: People love to be treated like royalty. You do too! Before they leave your store/DM/site, ask them how else you can be of help. It would give them the perception that you care about them and would want to make sure they have all they need at all cost. Here’s a  perfect example, “I’m sorry, we do not have that product in stock. Have you checked…… (recommend an alternative product) You can go ahead to tell them the benefit of the alternative product. This product has…….and……and it will do…….for you. You could give it a try and let me know what you think.”

Have you been in a situation where you had to turn down an order? Please share your experience.

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