TECH-014Sell2 min read
Don’t answer a price question with only the price.
A number on its own gives the customer one thing to judge: is it cheap? Give them a reason to keep talking instead.
Price first. Then one reason to care. Then one easy question.
By Rihanoor Protik Rana
Desk lamp
Hi! How much is the desk lamp?
It's $48 plus delivery.1 The arm adjusts, so you can put the light right over your work.2 Is it for reading or desk work?3
Mostly reading in bed honestly
Why “$48.” loses the sale
Most people who ask the price aren’t ready to decide yet. They’re checking if it’s worth a closer look. A bare number forces that decision too early, and the easiest decision is to leave and compare.
The extra sentence gives them a reason to stay. The question gives you what you need to recommend the right thing, so your next reply can be even more useful. Sometimes the number really is all they need. If they’ve already told you what they want, skip the question and help them buy.
For more on the opening reply, read the longer guide on how to answer “What is the price?”.
Hi! How much is the desk lamp?
$48.
Seen
They have nothing to reply to except yes or no.
Hi! How much is the desk lamp?
It's $48 plus delivery. The arm adjusts, so you can put the light right over your work. Is it for reading or desk work?
They get an easy question about them, not about the price.
Illustrative example, not a customer result.
How to write the reply
Give the price first
Say the number for the exact item, and what it includes. If it's a range, say what changes it. Never hold the price back until they answer you. That feels like a trap.
It's $48 plus delivery.not
Inbox me for priceAdd one reason to care
Pick one true feature and say what it lets them do. Just one. Three features turns the reply into a pitch, and people stop reading.
The arm adjusts, so you can put the light right over your work.
Ask one easy question
Ask something whose answer changes what you'd recommend. “Reading or desk work?” tells you which lamp fits. “Are you interested?” tells you nothing. They just asked the price, so they are.
Is it for reading or desk work?not
Are you interested?
RememberThe question isn't there to keep the chat alive. It's there so your next reply can be more useful.
Steal this template
Fill in the blanks for your product and save it as a quick reply.
It's price. feature, so you can what it lets them do. Is it for use A or use B?
Same trick, different shops.
Pick the one closest to what you sell.
Maya
Clothing · Linen shirt
price?
It's $35. The linen stays cool in hot weather and doesn't cling. What size do you usually wear in shirts?
Why this reply works
- Price, no conditions.
- “Stays cool” answers the real worry with linen in summer.
- Size is the next thing you need before they can buy.
Sadia
Skincare · Night cream
How much is the night cream
It's $22 for a 50 ml jar. It's unscented, so it's easy to add to a night routine. Is your skin more on the dry side or the oily side?
Why this reply works
- Price with the size, so they can compare.
- Unscented is a real reason some people choose a cream.
- Skin type tells you if it's the right cream at all.
Jamal
Online course · Excel course
what's the fee for the course?
It's $49 once, and you keep access. Every lesson uses a real sales sheet you can reuse at work. Are you starting from zero, or do you already use formulas?
Why this reply works
- Price and terms (one-time) in one line.
- “Reuse at work” is the outcome they care about.
- Their level tells you if this course fits.
Tanvir
Phone repair · Screen repair
screen change price?
It's $60 to $90 depending on the phone. We do most screens the same day. Which phone model is it?
Why this reply works
- A real range, and what changes it. No “inbox for price”.
- Same-day repair answers “how long without my phone?”
- The model is what you need to give an exact price.
Illustrative examples, not customer results.
When not to use it
- They're ready to buy. If they say “I'll take it”, send the total and how to pay. Don't restart with questions.
- They asked for a price list. Send the list.
- It doesn't fit what they need. Say so. An honest “this isn't the right one” builds more trust than a forced sale.
- They said no. Stop selling.
Before you hit send
- The price matches the exact item and option.
- Extra costs like delivery or tax are mentioned.
- The reason to care is true and fits this customer.
- Their answer will change what I suggest next.
This comes from Inbox to Revenue, a short book written for anyone selling in Messenger and DMs. See the book
The next message matters more than the first reply.
Rana answered “mostly reading in bed”. Here’s what to send next.
Read it