What to Say When They Say They Can't Afford You | Businessing

Businessing with Pat Miller · Sep 22, 2026 · 25m

They liked the whole thing right up until the number. Then came "I can't afford it," and the first instinct is to apologize for the price and start cutting. Don't. That sentence usually means one of two things, and there are two questions that tell you which one you're dealing with. Today: those two questions, five ways to save the deal without giving up your profit, and how to walk away clean when it really is a no. Plus the Idea Slam mailbag on following up after a prospect goes quiet, and the fight between Meta and Amazon over who owns the recommendation.

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