150) Clearwater Hampers is a small British company that sells luxury food and drink in various
combinations in picnic hampers. Food and wine are seen as classic, fail-safe gifts in a market
where present-buying is increasingly tricky. Corporate customers, both in the United Kingdom
and abroad, are important to the business. Clearwater has had several orders for more than a
quarter of a million dollars. According to the company’s leading salesperson, Peter Austin, “We
have lots of repeat corporate customers as a result of the importance we place on getting the
hampers out on time and filled with the right products.” Peter Austin is extremely successful and
the major reason for his success is the way he handles objections. He believes that effectively
handling objections is the key to success in a sales profession. Today he is calling the CEO of
Diamonite to make an important sales presentation. Austin is confident of handling the
objections as he has prepared for the call.
During the sales presentation, the CEO announced, “I think the prices for your individual
hampers are too high.” Austin replied, “Give me a minute and I’ll show you how spending a
relatively small amount of money can really impress your customers.” Austin:
A) ignored the objection.
B) postponed the handling of the objection.
C) used empathetic denial to handle the objection.
D) avoided the use of forestalling.
E) used the showmanship method of dealing with objections.