What it usually means
They can't decide alone, or they don't want to be the one who says yes.
What to say
Of course. What would your boss want to know first? I can put together two lines you can forward.
Replace anything in brackets with your own words before you say it.
Why it works
Treating the boss as a real step respects how decisions get made there. Offering two lines to forward makes them your messenger, and people tend to back what they've helped carry.
Other ways prospects say it
- “I have to run it by my manager.”
- “My boss makes that call.”
- “I'll need approval.”
- “Our parent company decides that.”
Same reflex, same response. Type any version into the Objection Lookup to check.
If they push back again
If they won't bring it up, ask whether it makes sense to include their boss on a short call together. Offer to do the explaining so they don't have to.
If they say “Our parent company decides that.”
What it usually means: A real constraint, or a convenient way to end the call.
Understood. Who there should I be speaking to? And would it help if I sent you a two-line summary you can forward?
Why it works: Accepting it keeps them on your side. Asking who decides, and offering two lines to forward, makes helping you the easiest thing they can do.
The pattern behind every objection
Acknowledge it with something short and human, ask one question about what sits behind it, then propose a small next step with two options, or exit cleanly. Handle each objection once, never argue it, and log every one so you can see where your message or your list is weak.