17 Terms You MUST Banish from Your Business Vocabulary (Before Your Client Jumps to the Competition)
Have you ever sent a perfect quote for an amazing toy and… heard nothing back? The problem might not be your product, but the words you used to sell it. In the inflatable industry, where trust and the perception of quality are everything, one wrong word can make a potential client think twice and doubt your solidity.
Inspired by principles of copywriting and sales psychology, we’ve adapted this guide for you, the manufacturer. These aren’t just communication tips; they are traps that could be undermining your authority and preventing your incredible inflatables from reaching parks and parties.
Let’s dive into the 17 most dangerous words and phrases for your business.
1. “To be honest with you”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: You are literally selling safety. If an inflatable manufacturer needs to announce they will be honest now, the hirer immediately questions, “And before, weren’t you?”.
Replace With: Your honesty should be non-negotiable. Instead of announcing it, show it. Use phrases like: “According to the load test certificates…” or “Our quality reports show that…”.
2. “Trust me”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: Asking for trust is the opposite of inspiring trust. Your client (the hirer) needs to trust that your structure won’t deflate in the middle of a children’s party.
Replace With: Show, don’t ask. Present photos of the welding process, videos of stress tests, testimonials from other hirers, and quality certifications. Actions, not words.
3. “Sorry to bother you”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: Are you apologising for offering the solution to your client’s business? This conveys insecurity and diminishes the perceived value of your contact.
Replace With: Be direct and confident. “Hello [Name], I’m getting in touch to present the new line of inflatables with double-stitch reinforcement, developed specifically to increase product lifespan and your business’s profitability.”
4. “I’m just following up”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: The word “just” is an anchor that sinks the value of your proposal. If you don’t take your own product seriously, why should the hirer?
Replace With: “I’m contacting you to finalise this partnership and get started on the production of your custom inflatable.”
5. “But”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: “I know the lead time is 4 weeks, but…”. Everything before the “but” is cancelled out. The client focuses only on the long timeframe.
Replace With: Use “and” to connect and transform the objection into a benefit. “The lead time is 4 weeks and this ensures that every weld point goes through our rigorous quality control, guaranteeing you receive a 100% reliable product for your operation.”
6. “Maybe” / “I think”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: Uncertainty is unacceptable when talking about technical specifications, delivery times, or material strength. It sounds amateurish.
Replace With: Be definitive. “Based on our tests, the 420g PVC material withstands X hours of continuous use.” If you don’t know, say: “Excellent question. I will consult our engineering department and get back to you in 10 minutes with the precise answer.”
7. “I’ll try”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: “I’ll try to deliver by Friday.” The hirer needs certainty to plan their events. “Trying” means there is a significant chance you will fail.
Replace With: “I will do my best to deliver by Friday” or, ideally, “You can expect delivery next Tuesday.” Be transparent and deliver.
8. “You should”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: It sounds arrogant. You are dictating rules to a business owner who knows their market.
Replace With: Use your expertise to guide, not to order. “Based on other clients operating in your region, we recommend the ‘Blaze Troop’ model for its high sun resistance, which is a critical factor there.”
9. “I need you to decide”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: It focuses on your problem (closing the sale), not on the client’s problem (having a quality product on time).
Replace With: Reframe to focus on their benefit. “To ensure your new castle is approved and produced for the holiday season, we need the go-ahead by Friday.”
10. “It’s the same as all other manufacturers use”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: This phrase is the kiss of death for your unique selling point. If you use the same material, the same weave, and the same processes, why would the client not buy from the cheapest? You become a commodity.
Replace With: Highlight what makes you unique. Say: “We use an exclusive PVC formulation that prioritises flexibility in the cold and UV resistance, unlike the market standard” or “Our thread weave is denser, resulting in a weld that is 20% stronger”.
11. “That’s not our problem”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: In a market where after-sales service and support build reputation, this phrase is catastrophic. A hirer with a problem wants a partner, not a manufacturer who abandons them.
Replace With: Adopt a solution-oriented stance. “I understand the situation perfectly. Let’s analyse this together and find the best solution for your needs. Our technical support is here for that.”
12. “That’s not covered by the warranty”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: Said bluntly, it sounds like a flat refusal. The client feels left stranded after the sale.
Replace With: Be empathetic and educational. “I see the wear occurred due to [technical explanation]. Although this specific type of damage isn’t covered by the warranty terms, I can offer you a repair solution with a special X% discount for partners.”
13. “I don’t know, we’ve never tested that”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: It admits a technical limitation that can scare the client. They need products tested and approved for all common situations.
Replace With: Transform the limitation into a commitment. “Excellent question. We don’t have a specific test for that scenario, but I will immediately forward it to our lab for verification. In parallel, based on the known strength of the material, I can give you a reliable projection.”
14. “You’re the one who knows…”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: You pass the buck to the client irresponsibly. The hirer is seeking your experience as a manufacturer. This phrase conveys insecurity and lack of expertise.
Replace With: Position yourself as a consultant. “Based on my experience with other clients in your sector, I strongly recommend option B. It offers better cost-effectiveness for the intensive use you will subject it to.”
15. “It has to be like this”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: It sounds authoritarian and inflexible. There is rarely only one solution. This can end the negotiation prematurely.
Replace With: Explain the reason behind the rule. “This material specification is crucial because it ensures the inflatable maintains pressure even with temperature fluctuations during the day, ensuring children’s safety. We have other options that also meet this requirement; shall I present them?”
16. “That will cost extra…”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: How you communicate additional costs is vital. Said dryly, it seems like a trap or that you’re charging for something that should be standard.
Replace With: Frame the extra cost as an upgrade or a custom solution. “To meet your specific need for [specific need], we have a premium option that includes [clear benefit]. The additional investment is X, but it brings you Y benefit in return.”
17. “No one has ever complained about that”
The Risk for the Manufacturer: It immediately invalidates the client’s concern. Sounding defensive is the worst response to feedback or an objection. It seems like you don’t take the client seriously.
Replace With: Validate the concern and investigate. “Thank you very much for the feedback. This is the first time we’ve heard it put this way. Let me understand better so we can improve. Could you detail how it happened?”
How to Implement This in Your Factory
- Sales Training: Conduct role-plays with your team, focusing on replacing these words with powerful alternatives.
- Communication Checklist: Create a shared document with the forbidden words and their ideal replacements for the niche.
- Recording and Analysis: (With consent) Record negotiation simulations and analyse how often these words appear. Turn this into ongoing training.
Between the Lines
Communication is not a detail; it is a fundamental part of your product. A manufacturer who communicates with clarity, confidence, and expertise inspires the same perception about their inflatables. The words you choose build (or destroy) your brand’s reputation as much as the quality of your PVC. Master this art and observe not only an increase in sales but also the strengthening of long-term relationships with your hirer clients.
Inflated Greetings!
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