Getting blown off by the “I’m not interested” phrase can be discouraging whether you’re on a sales call or simply trying to convince someone to consider something.
When responding to this objection, understand that the phrase is usually a smokescreen. So, keep three key things in mind: avoid resistance, prevent awkwardness, and keep the opportunity alive.
I have gathered in this article 20 different responses you can give when someone tells you “Not interested.”
As a bonus, you will also learn tips on how to use each suggestion because they will vary depending on the context of the conversation between you and the person.
List of the 20 Best Responses to “Not Interested”
- That’s okay. It’s fine.
- Really? Are you sure?
- May I ask what specifically makes you feel that way?
- Obviously, there’s a reason you said that. Would you mind sharing it with me?
- What aren’t you interested in? Saving money or saving time?
- That’s fine. Would you mind if I contact you in the future?
- Just for my own knowledge, may I ask why?
- No worries. Which part, in particular, are you not interested in?
- Before we leave, I’d like to know how you’re solving for___
- Totally understand, but you’re not interested in improving___?
- Ok, no problem. Why’s that, though?
- Would it be okay if I check in periodically?
- That’s perfect! No obligation and I’ll be here all week.
- That’s exactly why I’m calling
- Not interested in what? I haven’t even said anything yet
- No issues! Is there anything else on your mind?
- I completely understand. Always here to help anyway.
- I see…. playing hard to get, are we?
- No worries, I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe coffee?
- No interest? Guess I’ll have to take the offer elsewhere.
After years of closing high-ticket deals for a digital agency, I’ve learned a key trick when prospects say, “I’m not interested.” You can use future time to your advantage.
For example, when my spouse said no to dinner, I asked why. She’d eaten recently, so I suggested booking a table for later with the option to cancel anytime, which she agreed to because it was flexible.
Similarly, with prospects, suggest future possibilities instead of pushing for a reason right away.
Unlike your spouse, they don’t trust you yet, so use indirect, creative questions—like the 20 in this article—to keep the conversation going.
Quick Tip:
- If someone isn’t interested in a relationship with you, it’s best to walk away and respect their decision. However, if you’re in sales, it’s okay to be more persistent in your approach.
1. That’s okay. It’s fine
In many cases, when someone says, “I’m not interested,” it’s a clear sign that you should stop trying to convince them. The sooner you accept it’s not worth your time, the better.
In this situation, simply say, “That’s okay,” or “It’s fine,” and leave it at that. You might even nod slightly and walk away.
However, if you do want to keep trying, there are better responses. But this approach is best if you’re ready to let it go.
2. Really? Are you sure?
Asking, “Really? Are you sure?” is a clever way to respond when someone says they’re not interested in your offer.
However, before you do, consider whether pressing further will lead to an argument.
The benefit of this response is that it gives you a chance to explain why they should reconsider. But if they still say no, it’s best to drop it.
Pushing further could annoy them and harm any good relationship you might have left.
3. May I ask what specifically makes you feel that way?
Another effective way to handle the “not interested” objection is by asking an open-ended question.
The aim is to get them to share their reasons for disinterest. This approach not only gives you useful insights but also shows that you respect their opinion.
So, asking what specifically makes them feel uninterested can be a smart strategy.
4. Obviously, there’s a reason you said that. Would you mind sharing it with me?
If you want to keep the conversation going and get them to accept your offer, ask why they showed disinterest.
However, asking “why?” directly can turn people off and make them more resistant. Instead, find a creative way to ask the question.
When you do ask, stay quiet and listen carefully to their reasons.
5. What aren’t you interested in? Saving money or saving time?
Assuming you’re pitching a sales offer and the person could gain benefits like bonuses or time savings, highlight those advantages. Ask them to be specific about what they aren’t interested in.
Here’s a smart point: give them two appealing options to choose from—both hard to resist.
You can also add something like, “If I could show you how [benefit or solution], would it be worth 5 minutes of your time?”
This approach often works wonders.
6. That’s fine. Would you mind if I contact you in the future?
From my extensive experience in sales, I’ve learned that “I’m not interested” usually means “I’m not interested right now.”
This response keeps the door open for a follow-up and potential future sale.
7. Just for my own knowledge, may I ask why?
You can save a lot of sales by asking, “May I ask why?” when someone says they’re not interested. Often, their disinterest comes from not fully understanding the service or product.
It may feel daunting to ask this at first, but you’ve got nothing to lose. Turning someone from not interested to closing the deal is a fantastic feeling.
If they’re not interested in this light, it usually means they’ve already assessed your product or service and found it either unnecessary or outside their budget.
8. No worries. Tell me what part, in particular, you’re uninterested in
Another clever way to handle the “not interested” objection is to ask them to clarify what specifically they’re not interested in.
This is particularly helpful if they say no before you’ve had a chance to explain your offer. It might catch them off guard because they may not know how to respond.
But the real aim is to make them realize they might actually have doubts, not disinterest. This can lead them to express those doubts, which you can then address.
9. Before we leave, I’d like to know how you’re solving for__
Using the phrase “before we leave” gives the person a sense of control, making them less defensive since “not interested” is often just an automatic response.
The person could actually be looking for a solution like yours but still say they’re not interested because it’s natural to resist sales pitches.
If you don’t try to push past that objection, you’re not truly being proactive.
That’s why asking, “Before we leave, I’d like to know how you’re solving for (X)” can be effective when someone says they’re not interested.
10. Totally understand, but you’re not interested in improving….?
One of the best strategies when facing an objection is to let them explain further. Start by showing empathy, saying that you completely understand their perspective.
This approach can help you overcome objections more smoothly.
11. Ok, no problem. Why’s that, though?
“Why’s that though?” is another effective open-ended question for handling the “not interested” objection.
It encourages the person to share more details, giving you more to work with in your efforts to persuade them.
From their response, you can determine if they’re not interested because they already have a solution in place or if it’s simply not a priority for them at the moment.
12. Would it be okay if I check in / send over content periodically?
Pushing too hard makes someone even less likely to accept your offer.
But if you want to persist, a smart approach is to ask if they’d be okay with hearing from you occasionally.
The goal is to keep the door open rather than closing the file entirely. Many people prefer not to “close the file completely,” which leaves room for a warm follow-up later.
13. That’s perfect! No obligation. I’ll be here all week.
“Not interested” can mean different things depending on the person’s body language, facial expressions, and tone.
Often, it’s just a form of procrastination or a smokescreen. Knowing this, it’s wise to accept their response gracefully while leaving the door open for future opportunities.
For example, after saying, “That’s perfect! No obligation, and we’ll be here all week,” you can extend a handshake and exchange names to keep the connection open.
14. That’s exactly why I’m calling
If you want to lighten the mood and make them reconsider, try responding with a bit of humor by saying, “That’s exactly why I’m calling.”
You could even add a sassy tone, like, “I’m not interested either; I just wanted to say hi and waste both of our time.”
I’ve often used the phrase, “That’s exactly why I’m calling,” which works well to disrupt the conversation and make the prospect pause for a moment.
15. Not interested in what? I haven’t even said anything yet
One of my old coworkers used to respond to “Not interested” with, “Not interested in what? I haven’t even said anything yet,” and it always made me laugh.
If the person is abrupt, a little reverse psychology works wonders.
It usually gets a chuckle and opens up the conversation for further discussion.
16. No issues! Is there anything else on your mind?
Sometimes, “I’m not interested” can mean more than it seems, instead of just asking “why,” try asking if there’s anything else on their mind.
Starting with “no issues” shows you’re not pushing further and just want to understand their reasons. This approach makes them feel more comfortable and open.
As they explain, you can identify their hesitation and address it, which might even lead to a change of mind.
17. I completely understand. Always here to help anyway
When accepting their feedback, don’t end the conversation abruptly.
This approach shows that you respect their decision and are still there to help, even if they’re not currently interested in your product.
Leaving a positive impression is always beneficial.
18. I see… playing hard to get, are we?
If the situation isn’t too serious, you can say, “I see…playing hard to get, are we?”
This playful remark can lighten the mood, reduce tension, and make the person feel more at ease to respond.
It might not work well in formal contexts like sales calls or street campaigns, but it’s great for casual situations, like inviting a friend over for dinner, and they say they’re “not interested.”
19. No worries, I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe coffee?
Sounding smart can be quite charming. When someone says they’re not interested, you can use a clever play on words to respond, such as “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Maybe coffee?”
This works best in personal contexts. For example, if you invite someone to join you somewhere and they say they’re “not interested,” simply say, “No worries,” and then use the pun.
20. No interest? Guess I’ll have to take the offer elsewhere
You can handle the “not interested” objection by emphasizing what they will be missing out on.
Letting them know that you’ll offer it to someone else can shift their focus to the potential advantage others might gain if they accept the offer.
This can motivate them to reconsider their decision.
Final Thoughts
When someone says they’re not interested, take it as a good sign—they actually took the time to respond, which means you’ve got a small opportunity.
Thank them for their time, and ask if you can reach out again later. It can also help to ask why they’re not interested. Are they working with someone else? Is it not important right now?
If they opened and read your cold email, they were at least curious. Maybe the timing isn’t right, or your offer needs improvement.
The only way to know is to ask. If they don’t reply, no harm is done; if they do, you get valuable feedback.
