What it usually means
Sometimes true, sometimes the quickest way off the phone. Either way, they usually know who it really is.
What to say
Thanks for telling me. Who handles [problem] on your team? I'd like to mention you suggested I call.
Replace anything in brackets with your own words before you say it.
Why it works
Thanking them keeps it warm, and asking for a name turns a dodge into a referral. A colleague's name on your next call borrows trust you haven't earned yet.
Other ways prospects say it
- “That's not me.”
- “You want someone else.”
- “I don't handle that.”
Same reflex, same response. Type any version into the Objection Lookup to check.
If they push back again
If they won't say who, ask whether it's fine to say they pointed you in the right direction. A referral from inside the company opens the next call.
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.