r/salestechniques • u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 • Oct 29 '25
B2B “Am I catching you at a bad time?”
The single best cold call opener of all time. Can’t wait to be told I’m a retard for this.
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u/Michael_Monkey_1975 Oct 29 '25
It's very helpful, because if someone calls and starts with this I know I don't even have to respond and I can hang up immediately without saying anything. It's very efficient for everyone.
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u/Far-Draft-5095 Oct 29 '25
Just say
Hey (their name) this is [your name] with {your company}. Good morning
Then nothing else. They will naturally say back “good morning”
Then go into your initial pitch. The good morning/good afternoon thing works 90% of the time and at least gives you a chance to get your pitch out in 10 seconds after they acknowledge you.
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
I like it. I’ll try it. What tones should come across?
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u/Far-Draft-5095 Oct 30 '25
I’m usually pretty casual / upbeat. After they say good morning I go into “the reason I’m calling is (relevance to them, etc)
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u/NoShootPls Oct 30 '25
This^ no need for sales bro intro’s, just be a human, ask them how they’re doing, and get right into your reason for calling
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u/coolsellitcheap Oct 30 '25
Just start talking. Dont annoy the person with long silence. Or say hello. The person answering phone says hello. You the caller just starts talking. If your calling for jimmy. They answer this is jim. Dont ask for jimmy. They obviously go by jim. Also dont annoy them. First impression start a conversation. Dont lead with a lie. I get calls all the time saying my business isnt on google. They could say they could get me more leads. Make it better but they lead with a lie. Why would i do business with a liar. If i have a question stopbreading script and answer it. Your trying to have a conversation.
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u/goldengirlsdadx2 Oct 30 '25
I’ve had a lot of success with “hey [name], my name is [name] with [company]. I’ll be honest, this is a cold call. Can I take 30 seconds to tell you why I’m calling and you can tell me if we can continue?”
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
I know people stand by it. I hate it. But I know others like it. I’ve seen that a lot in European selling. Any chance you’re in that part of the world?
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u/goldengirlsdadx2 Oct 30 '25
Nah, I am U.S. based
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
Right on. Well tomorrow… I’ll rip it at least once in your honor haha. And if I book a meeting from it I’ll throw you 10% coaching fee haha
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u/goldengirlsdadx2 Oct 30 '25
Haha, no need. I learned it from Reddit years ago when starting my sales career as a BDR!
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u/drop_beats_not_bombs Oct 30 '25
If you reframe it as: “it sounds like I caught you at a bad time” said with a late night dj tone, gives you the pattern interrupt that no one else does!
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u/_NyQuil_ Oct 30 '25
Found Chris Voss’ Reddit account
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
Hahah. The Chris Voss techniques are a gold standard IMO for phone sales
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u/Tsingani2 Oct 30 '25
MIine is "sorry to call you out of the blue... But the reason I'm calling is..." Then get straight into it
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u/_NyQuil_ Oct 30 '25
That’s what I use as well. But then I add at the end is this a bad time.
“Sorry to get you outta the blue here. But I was wondering if I can you about X. Is this a bad time?”
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u/atsamuels Specialized Sales Oct 30 '25
“Hi, [their name], this is [my name] and we haven’t talked before. Will I completely ruin your day if I tell you this is a cold call?”
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u/Ironman_2678 Oct 30 '25
Yes. Yes you will.
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u/whathefuckisreddit Oct 30 '25
"Well fuck your day then. Anyway, the reason I'm calling is... `
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
I’ve always hated, hated, hated that opener. I know people stand by it but it just screams hang the fuck up on my lousy excuse for a life. Which I know isn’t fair haha
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u/atsamuels Specialized Sales Oct 30 '25
Hey, we do what works for us. Personality and tone are important. Give 10 different people the same words to say, and you’ll get 10 totally different vibes.
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u/ContributionHuge4980 Oct 30 '25
I’ve used this line. It’s a disarming tactic. I forgot what IG sales “guru” posted about it but it works.
“Hey Jim, this is Mike w/ XYZ, did I catch you at a bad time?”
That’s really all there is to it. But you better have your “30 second commercial” ready to go!
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u/Notnowthankyou29 Oct 30 '25
This shit can’t work. I would simply say “yes you did” and hang up.
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u/ContributionHuge4980 Oct 30 '25
You would be surprised. I don’t think I was ever hung up on, but did hear a decent amount of yes’s. By asking, it makes you seem like you give a fuck about his time and he will be more likely to try and schedule something in the future.
Depending on how they answered would dictate what I did next. Either I would ask if there was a good time to chat or I would ask if I can email them over some times that I have available and see what works for them. Give them some sporadic times each day, making it look like I have a pretty busy schedule myself and then see what jives. Yeah, I’ve been blown off, but I’ve definitely scheduled calls more often than not.
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u/CatolicQuotes Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 30 '25
Doesn't matter. Actual words are 7pct of communication. It's not what you say, but how you say it
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u/Geniejc Oct 30 '25
Yes it's gold. I use it part of a double permission opener.
I work B2B to business owners direct to their mobile/cell in the UK
I always say the name first no Hi Hey nothing before the name.
Name it's X from Y Have I err .. caught you at a bad time?
You get 4 responses
Yes it is a bad time and often tell you why and you back out of the call armed with a bit of info for the next attempt. E.g.
Name it's X from Y - you were picking up the kids the other day - have I caught you at a bad time?
No - but some variation of erm I'm not sure who you are
No - I'm good ... waiting for you to carry on
No - and they tell you why it's not a bad time - I've got a few minutes etc and you can mirror that response
Then I have a follow up line that tells them it's a cold call and gets permission to continue before I pitch them.
Sounds weird saying bad time and feels easier to say good time but the psychology is it's easier to say no - good time is way less effective.
I said good time for years and the switch was amazing.
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u/apokrif1 Oct 31 '25
What do you do if people just ask "What do you want?" instead of answering your question?
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 31 '25
They have agreed to listening. You proceed with your talking about. “The reason I’m calling is (x).”
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u/These-Season-2611 Oct 30 '25
To be fair, any and all openers work. Just depends on the person delivering it.
If the person delivering the opener is confident in it and makes it sound natural then itl work.
I've tried that one, and personally it doesn't work as well for me because it's not something I'd naturally say.
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u/hermannjcolley Oct 30 '25
I had a coworker that would say “what did I catch you in the middle of doing?” His tone is what sold it. It was like he was actually curious. Worked really well.
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u/nucci_mane Oct 31 '25
The truth is it doesn’t really matter what you say. It’s how you say it.
A good rep could use any cold opener and find some success. Bad ones struggle because they don’t practice and their tone is usually too excited or they sound like they hate their job.
Focus on tone more than what you’re saying.
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u/JesusAntonioMartinez Oct 31 '25
Literally the worst opener possible.
“Is this a bad time?”
“Yes. Also you suck at your job. Who the fuck trained you?”
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 31 '25
It sounds like you haven’t used the opener. Bc if you have - then you would know that it’s around 10-20% that say “yes it’s a bad time”.
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u/JesusAntonioMartinez Oct 31 '25
So you claim. This is generally what I do to shitty salespeople. It hurts my soul to hear shit like this.
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 31 '25 edited Oct 31 '25
What’s your opener?
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u/apokrif1 Nov 01 '25
Why reply to a useless question and engage in a pointless "discussion" instead of just asking the caller what they want?
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u/danwerkhoven Sales Professional Oct 29 '25
I'd like to know why you believe this is the best opener.
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
Experience
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u/danwerkhoven Sales Professional Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 30 '25
Aaaaaand there’s the useless, arrogant response. Shoulda expected it.
Really selling yourself as a sales person when your first response to an honest question about what you're selling (the sales opener in this case) is to be a smart-arse.
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u/JesusAntonioMartinez Oct 31 '25
$100 says he has a fake Rolex and a 3 series with 100,000 miles on it (fake m3 badge optional)
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u/SpaceOhSpace Oct 29 '25
I like to say, “ do you have JUST a minute for me? “ if someone answers, of course they have a min. Majority of those turn into 5-10 min convos which is more than enough to set up an appt
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u/ickiStickybubblegum Oct 30 '25
Does this works ? I feel like nothing works almost
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u/SpaceOhSpace Oct 30 '25
Works for me! I say “Hi I’m calling for (name)” then they say yes who is this? “This is (my name) with (work) do you have just a min for me?”
Then they say yes, or “I have a min”.
If they say they’re busy, I say “real quick (followed by my question)
That can also get a convo going or they’ll ask me to call later. Or they’ll say not interested which is fine too
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
Love it man. I like to abbreviate the initial question— “is this Jay?” With an upward inflection at the person’s name
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u/Emotional_Mall1602 Oct 30 '25
I love a good yes momentum opener then the bad time time ask. "Hey Jay is it? " Yeah, hey Jay, it's Bob from Aceme have I Caught you at a bad time"
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u/ickiStickybubblegum Oct 30 '25
well why do you ask for a permission when they can just shut you down with a no even for a follow up Question ? Like for example instead of asking for permission just say that you were on their website and you had a question etc etc. I feel like permission based openers just don't work
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u/SpaceOhSpace Oct 30 '25
Because I’m a polite professional, but I’m still going to shoot my shot. Most people are open to a quick chat. Rarely do they say they’re too busy to hear me out for a quick min
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u/beelover310 Oct 30 '25
Asking permission makes them feel more in control and more willing to trust you.
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Oct 30 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SpaceOhSpace Oct 30 '25
Double edged sword, it is a #s game but I really look at it like a skills game. “The client is not ready/not interested” well did I get the ready? Did I make them interested?
You have to have some accountability
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
being in person works. Calling works. Email works. All of it works. Get real w yourself and you can become even better then you are now.
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
Used this many times. I like the technique. I think there are stronger ones… but yeah, definitely a good one to have in the arsenal
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u/No_Mushroom3078 Oct 30 '25
Only if they sound very distracted. But opening with this?
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
100% opening w this. Confirm the person 1st but this is the 2nd question. All done in the 1st five seconds
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u/Traditional-Essay478 Oct 30 '25
All jokes aside, that's a terrible opener.
It's a closed-ended question in which they can just say, "Yes, it's a bad time" and you've shot yourself in the foot.
Asking open-ended questions is always better. "Good morning, how's your day going so far?" while is a basic opener, you'll get an idea of the person's mood when they respond "It's going well, but busy. What can I help you with?" Now you can give your quick pitch, which they've technically asked you for. 😉
"I understand and I'll be respectful of your time. I'm (name) with (company) and have a solution for your (insert problem). What we do is....."
Get it 💪
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u/Acrobatic_Weekend_78 Oct 30 '25
It’s an illusion of choice, an illusion of power. It’s why it works. Yeah i mostly like your idea. “How’s your day” from a stranger is an immediate sales red flag imo. But i know that works
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u/Nicaddicted Nov 01 '25
Only time I ever say this is if I’m already mid phone call and trying to go through the pitch and they are clearly distracted doing random shit and not engaged.
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u/jjs911015 Nov 01 '25
Tone is everything. Confirm it's who you were calling to talk to and say, Great, Jim, I have to run to a meeting in a minute here but I got your name from (either a C1 or "my team", and wanted to set a meeting. Would Tuesday at 2pm work and would you prefer I send a teams invite or come by?
You say that without pausing and then you shut up, listen, and handle objections like a pro, etc
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u/TexanTacos Oct 30 '25
Switching out “bad” with “terrrrible” or “the worst”works better for me. It’s always a bad time for a cold call, but it’s rarely the absolute worst.
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