How to handle: "My partner handles all the money decisions."
If they truly can't decide alone, you should've had both on the call. Now you fix it.
What they're really saying
If they truly can't decide alone, you should've had both on the call. Now you fix it.
Common variants you'll hear
- "She controls the budget"
- "He's the CFO of the house"
- "I can't sign off on this alone"
Three rebuttals — weak, strong, and elite
Same objection, three skill levels. Read all three, then drill the elite version until it falls out of your mouth.
Weak rebuttal
"Okay, run it by them and let me know."
Why it works: Accepts being passed to a stranger who didn't hear the pitch.
Strong rebuttal
"Got it — and that's how a lot of strong households work. Let's make sure you're not the one stuck pitching this. Three things I want to hand you before you talk to them: the number, the outcome, and the cost of waiting. Want me to write them out so you can text them straight over?"
Why it works: Pre-builds the spouse's case so it isn't lost in translation.
Elite rebuttal
"Totally — and I'm not going to make you become the salesperson tonight. Two options: option A, we get them on a five-minute call right now, I answer their questions in their words, and you stay out of the middle. Option B, you do your best to repeat what we just covered, they ask one question you don't have an answer for, and the deal dies on a technicality. Honestly, A protects you, B protects me. Which one do you want?"
Why it works: Prevents the 'silent partner kills the deal' moment by getting them on the call now.
Follow-up questions
- Are they reachable for five minutes right now?
- What's the first question they'll ask when you bring this up?
- If I were to say one sentence to them, what should it be?
Bridge back to the close
"Let me take the awkward part off your plate — quick three-way call, I handle their concerns directly, and you get to be the hero who brought the right solution home."