Sales Training Tip #405: What Makes a Stupid Customer?

If you are quick to label a customer “stupid,” a stupid salesperson is usually close by. And their sales motivation is probably in the tank.

What makes a salesperson think a customer is stupid?  More often than not, it’s because the salesperson chooses to believe the customer is stupid.

And why would a salesperson think this way, you ask.  It’s simple — the customer is usually not going along with what the salesperson is saying.

The way I look at it is the customer may appear to be stupid in the mind of the salesperson, but it’s more due to the salesperson’s ineffectiveness in connecting with the customer.

I’ll be upfront right here and say that yes, over the years in my selling career, I’ve referred to customers as being stupid on numerous occasions.  However, when I objectively look back on each situation, it was more a failure of me being able to communicate effectively with them.  Simply put — it’s not that the customer was stupid.

It’s that I was stupid.

If the word “stupid” didn’t mean anything, I’d let it go. But the problem is it does mean something.  Plain and simple — it’s a negative word that eats away at our own mental state.  It starts to destroy our sales motivation. And our integrity.

What it does is very subtly eat away at the positive perspective we need to be exhibiting 24/7 if we’re going to be top performing salespeople.

Now if your goal is to be a below average salesperson, then go ahead and use the phrase “stupid customer” all you want.

I’d suggest, however, that each time you use the phrase “stupid customer,” you also use the phrase “stupid salesperson.”

Sales is a wonderful profession. What makes it great is the ability to interact and impact so many people each and every day.

If that is your objective, then you’ll agree with me there is no such thing as a stupid customer.

Copyright 2011, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter.” Sales Motivation Blog.

Share the Post:

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Downloadable Sales Resources

Sales Leader Rules of Engagement

A Mind for Sales: for salespeople feeling stressed out, burned out, and bummed out. If you’re a sales professional, this book is written just for you. Get your mind right and close more deals with this new business development book.

Subscribe Now

Subscibe to The Sales Hunter Email list to get the latest posts and exclusive sales content right in your inbox.

The Sales Hunter Podcast

The Sales Hunter Podcast features Mark Hunter and top sales leaders, delivering actionable insights to help you become the salesperson you’re meant to be. This show isn’t just for entertainment—it’s designed to empower you with strategies to turn prospects into profits. Subscribe, leave a review, and start selling with confidence!

The Sales Hunter University

The Sales Hunter University offers top-tier sales training available in real-time or on-demand, accessible on any device. Named a Top 10 Sales Development Program in 2022, it’s perfect for sales teams, managers, and driven individuals. Each course is expertly designed by Mark Hunter to deliver the results you need.

Sales Logic Podcast

Ready to amplify your sales impact?

Hosted by sales experts Mark Hunter and Meridith Elliott Powell, Sales Logic answers today’s toughest selling questions with a logic that will help you win more deals and make more money.

When you sell with confidence and integrity, uncertainty becomes your competitive advantage and the sale becomes logical.

The Ultimate Email Prospecting Guide - Mark "The Sales Hunter" Hunter

Download the Ultimate Email Prospecting Guide today!

Enter your information and we’ll immediately send you our most popular download, and add you to our weekly Sales Tip newsletter.