Today I would like to talk about how to overcome the “I am with my local bank” objection. In my experience simply explaining how this process really works will help you win this sale or at least give you an opportunity to do the analysis. Here is an example conversation with a merchant and the pitch I use to overcome this objection:
Agent: “Do you mind if I ask who you are using for your credit card processing needs?”
Merchant: “I use my local bank and am very happy with them. They actually gave me a loan to start my business, so I could never switch from them.”
Agent: “For you to bring that up is interesting, Bob. Many of the customers I have now felt the same way about their local bank before I explained exactly how the process works. Here is what I have explained to dozens of merchants: your local bank doesn’t actually do credit card processing. They simply provide their business clients information as leads to a third party processing company just like mine. The difference is that the bank also wants to get a cut of the profit. So the processing company usually prices these types of accounts very high. They figure they have to pay the bank, and they know the business owner will feel obligated not to switch because it would seem disloyal to the bank. The reality is this: if you called the number on your statement, you wouldn’t speak to your local bank. You would speak to the processing company. Even if you decided to switch processing companies, you would not be cancelling on your bank. The folks at your local bank would just lose a small amount of profit sharing on your account, but they would probably not even know you had switched. Now I could be wrong; you might be getting a great rate. But I would like to test my theory by looking at a statement and showing you a price comparison. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I did a free analysis just so we will know how our pricing compares; would you?”
I have even gone so far as to call the 800 number on the statement and put them on speaker. The person answers, “Thank you for calling customer support. Can I have your merchant ID number?”
My response, “What company did I call?”
The answer, “This is (processor’s name)” I love the look on the merchant’s face when he or she realizes what is really going on.
Hope this helps!
James Shepherd
Read the previous post: Win the Sale – Not the Argument
Win the Sale – Not the Argument
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Avoid the Price War