How to Respond to ‘We’re Considering Another Solution’ Sales Objection

Introduction: The Objection That Signals Opportunity

When a prospect says, “We’re looking at other solutions,” most reps go defensive or try to out-pitch the competition. But let’s be clear: this isn’t rejection. It’s reflection.

It means they’re still open. They’re still deciding. And most importantly, they’re still confused.

Your job isn’t to outshine everyone. It’s to cut through the noise. To lead with clarity. To make the decision easier—not harder.

Let’s unpack how top-performing sales teams respond when they’re not the only name on the shortlist.

1. Stay Neutral. Dig for the Evaluation Criteria.

You:

“Totally fair—this is a big decision. Out of curiosity, what criteria are you using to evaluate your options?”

Why it works: It shifts the focus from competition to decision logic. You earn respect by not pushing—and insight by asking the right question.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Write a consultative sales question that gets a prospect to reveal how they’re evaluating competing vendors.

2. Pinpoint the Gap Between Solutions and Needs

You:

“Every solution has strengths. But have you seen anything so far that’s 100% aligned with your biggest goals this quarter?”

Why it works: This pulls the conversation away from surface-level features and into strategic fit. You’re now talking outcomes, not logos.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Craft a response that positions strategic alignment and execution speed over surface-level feature comparisons.

3. Surface What They’re Afraid to Say

You:

“I’m curious—what concerns (if any) are still lingering, even as you consider other options?”

Why it works: Buyers often don’t know how to ask the real question. Help them articulate hesitation, and you win the advantage.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Write a sales question that helps surface unspoken concerns when a buyer is considering multiple solutions.

4. Don’t Pitch. Contrast.

You:

“If I may—based on what I know about [Competitor X], their strength is [X]. Ours is [Y]. The right fit depends on which trade-off matters more to you.”

Why it works: This shows maturity. You’re not bashing the competition—you’re guiding a clearer decision-making framework.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Generate a non-biased side-by-side sales statement that compares your solution and a competitor without sounding defensive.

5. Close with Confidence, Not Pressure

You:

“Sounds like you’re doing the right homework. If it’s helpful, I’d be happy to give you a perspective on what we see across similar teams—and where most people tend to hit friction.”

Why it works: You offer value without urgency. That’s how you get invited back into the conversation.

ChatGPT Prompt:

Write a soft-close message that positions the seller as an advisor, not a challenger, to re-engage a prospect evaluating other tools.

Sales Cheat Sheet: Navigating the Competitive Evaluation

• Ask for criteria → You need to understand how they’re scoring the race.
• Shift to outcomes → Position value, not vanity.
• Expose the emotional friction → The real blockers aren’t always on the slide deck.
• Respect the competitor → Confidence beats comparison.
• Anchor in insight → Be the voice that clarifies, not the noise that confuses.

Final Word: Competing Is Easy. Guiding Wins.

In competitive deals, most reps react. The best ones reframe. They don’t try to outsell—they out-guide.

If your prospect is still exploring, you’ve still got a shot. So don’t chase. Don’t oversell. Instead: help them see what others missed.

Because the solution they choose won’t be the loudest—it’ll be the clearest.

How DocketAI Can Help Here?

When your team is up against competition, DocketAI becomes your secret weapon:

• Real-time competitive battlecards tailored to the deal
• Instant objection handling prompts based on what top sellers say
• Context-aware talk tracks aligned to the buyer’s priorities
• Playbooks that help your reps contrast, not just compare

With DocketAI, every rep becomes the sharpest voice in the deal room—even when the buyer is distracted by shinier options.

👉 Book a demo and see how to win when the buyer’s not just listening to you.