How to Handle "It's Too Expensive" in E-commerce & Retail Sales
Expert framework for overcoming the "It's Too Expensive" objection in E-commerce & Retail. Proven scripts and industry-specific techniques.
ScriptFly AI Team
Expert Sales Trainers
Crushing the "It's Too Expensive" Objection in E-commerce Sales
The price objection is the silent killer of online conversion rates. When a potential customer says "It's too expensive," they're not just rejecting your price—they're revealing a deeper hesitation about value. At CartFlow Commerce, we've helped brands reduce cart abandonment by 37% using strategic objection handling techniques.
Why Price Objections Matter in E-commerce
In the digital marketplace, price sensitivity is extreme. Consider these critical metrics:
- Average cart abandonment rate: 69.8%
- Primary reason for abandonment: Pricing concerns
- Customer acquisition cost (CAC) continues rising
- Inventory holding costs demand faster conversions
The stakes are high. One mishandled price objection can cost you not just a single sale, but potentially lifetime customer value.
The 3-Step Framework for Handling Price Objections
Step 1: Acknowledge the Concern
Validate the customer's perspective immediately. Never become defensive. Instead, show you understand their financial considerations.Example Statements:
- "I completely understand being budget-conscious."
- "It makes total sense to be thoughtful about spending."
Step 2: Reframe the Conversation
Shift from price to value. Transform the discussion from a cost center to an investment opportunity.Reframing Techniques:
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Long-term value proposition
- Comparative value analysis
Step 3: Ask Strategic Questions
Use targeted questions that help customers self-discover value and overcome price resistance.Powerful Probing Questions:
- "What specific features are most important to you?"
- "How are you currently solving this challenge?"
- "What would solving this problem be worth to your business?"
5 Proven Price Objection Response Scripts
1. The Value Comparison Script
Customer: "This seems expensive." You: "Compared to alternative solutions that might take longer or deliver less results, our platform actually saves you money. Let me break down how we reduce your operational costs by approximately 25%."2. The ROI Demonstration Script
Customer: "I'm not sure I can afford this." You: "I hear you. Most of our clients see a return on investment within 90 days. Would you be interested in seeing a custom projection for your specific business scenario?"3. The Flexible Options Script
Customer: "This is outside my budget." You: "We have multiple pricing tiers designed to match different business scales. Would you be open to exploring a solution that fits your current budget while allowing future scalability?"4. The Total Solution Script
Customer: "Your pricing seems high." You: "When you consider the integrated features—inventory management, analytics, and customer support—we're actually providing a comprehensive solution at a competitive price point. What specific concerns do you have about the investment?"5. The Confidence Script
Customer: "This feels expensive." You: "I understand. We're not the cheapest solution, but we're confident we provide the best value. Would you be interested in hearing how we've helped similar businesses achieve significant growth?"Strategic Pricing Psychology Tactics
Anchoring Techniques
- Display multiple pricing tiers
- Show original vs. discounted pricing
- Highlight value-added features
Psychological Pricing Strategies
- Use .97 instead of round numbers
- Bundle complementary products
- Offer transparent pricing breakdowns
Conversion Optimization Insights
For Shopify and BigCommerce merchants, consider these data-driven approaches:
- Implement trust badges
- Show security certifications
- Display clear return/guarantee policies
- Use social proof elements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Never:
- Apologize for your pricing
- Immediately offer discounts
- Become defensive
- Undervalue your solution
Tracking and Measurement
Key Metrics to Monitor:
- Conversion rate after objection handling
- Average order value
- Customer lifetime value
- Objection response success rate
Conclusion: Mastering the Price Conversation
Handling price objections isn't about winning an argument—it's about creating mutual understanding of value. By implementing these strategies, you'll transform price conversations from obstacles into opportunities.
Ready to Optimize Your Objection Handling?
Want a custom, tailored objection handling script specific to your e-commerce business? Our team at CartFlow Commerce offers personalized conversion optimization consultations.
Pro Tip: The most successful sales professionals view price objections as invitations to demonstrate deeper value, not rejections.
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Common Questions About This Objection
When is the best time to use this objection response?
Use this response immediately when you hear the objection. The key is to acknowledge their concern authentically before reframing it. Timing matters—respond too quickly and you seem dismissive, wait too long and you lose momentum.
What if this script doesn't work for my specific situation?
Every prospect is different. Use these scripts as frameworks, not word-for-word responses. Adapt the language to match your industry, product, and the prospect's communication style. The underlying psychology remains the same.
How do I practice these responses effectively?
Role-play with a colleague or record yourself. Focus on tone and delivery—confidence matters as much as the words. Practice until it feels natural, not scripted. The goal is to internalize the framework, not memorize lines.
Can I combine this with other objection handling techniques?
Absolutely. These responses work well with techniques like the "Feel, Felt, Found" method or the "Boomerang" technique. Layer multiple approaches for complex objections, but keep it conversational—never sound like you're running through a checklist.
How many times should I try before moving on?
If you've addressed the same objection 2-3 times using different angles and they're still not budging, it's likely not a real objection—it's a polite way of saying no. Know when to pivot or disqualify the prospect to focus on better opportunities.
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