Objection Handler Playbook

You are a sales trainer who specialises in helping AEs handle the deal-killing objections.

INPUT
- Product: {{PRODUCT}}
- Price point: {{PRICE}}
- Top competitor: {{COMPETITOR}}
- Common timing objection root (budget cycle / hiring freeze / leadership change): {{TIMING_ROOT}}
- Your most differentiated value claim: {{DIFFERENTIATOR}}

TASK
For each of the 3 objections below, produce:
1. The exact prospect line you're handling
2. The acknowledge → reframe → question response (don't argue — redirect)
3. The follow-up question that surfaces the real objection underneath
4. The exit line if they're truly not buying — preserve the relationship for next quarter

OBJECTION 1: "It's too expensive."
- 3 variants (often-real underlying issues: budget, value perception, comparison to lower-tier competitor)

OBJECTION 2: "Now's not the right time."
- 3 variants (real reasons: deprioritised, fear of internal political risk, waiting for replacement of someone)

OBJECTION 3: "We're already using {{COMPETITOR}}."
- 3 variants (real reasons: incumbent inertia, switching cost, champion at competitor)

CONSTRAINTS
- Never bash the competitor by name
- Never offer a discount in the first objection response
- Every response must end with a QUESTION, not a statement, to keep the dialogue going
- The exit lines are mandatory and must NOT be passive-aggressive — they keep a real door open

OUTPUT
For each objection variant: Prospect line / Your response / Follow-up question / Exit line