You know what really grinds my gears?!

[*insertusernamehere*]

Maybe just another sales-related gripe here, but when people ask you to build an integrated, visualized component that doesn't technically exist yet into a custom software platform that was already built for them by another company. And then are anxious about the time it takes to scope / price it, and then aren't willing to share what budget they can allocate to it. Really? So you're going to ask a company to build something that isn't an off the shelf product, and you aren't willing to at least offer up a range that you can invest in it so that time is not mutually wasted on both sides (with sales, engineering teams, client side, etc.)? I have a feeling Gerald feels me on this per some of the conversations we have had in the past.

I mean come on, I get holding your cards a little close to your chest if you're negotiating on a used car lot or something but we are talking about corporate budgets here. You know it's going to be expensive by nature and yet all you offer up is that you want to spend "as little as possible". It's an annoying part of the job when you have to go through a long song and dance for a customer that mostly likely will end up balking at the price anyway.

I'm 100% sure your situations are a lot more delicate than what I deal with advance but have you ever played "well you're gonna get what you pay for" kind of reasoning on them? Or are your situations too delicate for that kind of ultimatum speak.

Exact conversation i had:
Me: alright it's $42.99
Customer: FORTY TWO NINETY NINE?! you don't have anything cheaper?
Me: yeah we have one for $15.39, it doesn't have a warranty.
Customer: OK are those good ones? can i bring it back if I don't need it?
Me: no they're cheaper and probably going to break and you can't bring it back that's why it's priced that way
Customer: *blank stare*
Me: I'll go grab them for...
Customer: ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT JUST GIMME THE OTHER ONE

Humans. So easy to guilt trip into my sale lol.