# The homeowner says "I need to ask my spouse." Practice what your tech says next.

Source: https://garagedoorscience.com/academy/show-homeowners-what-you-see/when-the-homeowner-says-not-today · part of [Show homeowners what you see, keep your crew sharp, and get found](https://garagedoorscience.com/academy/show-homeowners-what-you-see) · 5 min

Your tech has just fixed a broken spring and recommends the one on the other side too. The homeowner says, "Okay, that all sounds good, but I need to ask my spouse first." Your tech can push for a yes, or say "sure" and leave with nothing. The first makes the homeowner guarded. The second leaves them with nothing to show at dinner, so the second spring is forgotten.

The homeowner is not stalling. A joint decision is a fair answer. Your tech's job is to give them what they need to make it.

## Give them something to show

The Sales Coach's strong answer to this one does three things. It agrees that it is a joint decision, with no push to decide now. It offers to text the written quote. And it offers a short video on why springs fail, so the spouse sees what the tech saw. The video with this lesson is the kind your tech can send: a short one on what happens when a torsion spring breaks, and why that is not a DIY fix.

The reason for the second spring should be the maker's, not your tech's. Clopay, a door maker, says that if a door has two springs, it's possible that only one of them is broken, and both should be replaced at the same time for smooth operation and door longevity. Clopay also says a broken or worn-out spring can suddenly give way, causing the door to slam shut or even fall. That is the honest stake. Your tech says it once, plainly, and does not lean on it.

The homeowner may have read a spring quote article before you arrived. The article listed with this lesson walks through what a spring quote can contain and what to ask, so your tech hears the same questions they read.

## Five conversations to practice

The coach has five situations, each one a moment where a job stalls:

- **"I need to ask my spouse."** A broken spring fixed, the second spring recommended.
- **"I need time to think."** An older door, replacement suggested.
- **"I'm getting another quote."** A replacement opener quoted.
- **The neighbor knock.** A job just finished two or three houses down, and your tech knocks on another door on the street.
- **The soft upsell.** A routine repair, and the tech saw worn rollers and cables.

## How a practice call works

Pick a situation, then pick a homeowner. There are six, each with their own home and their own way of talking. Start a voice call, or type it instead. The homeowner answers the way a real one would, and warms up or gets more guarded depending on what your tech says.

When the call ends, the feedback shows:

- **How many moves your tech made,** out of the moves that situation calls for. A move counts only when the tech's own words are quoted for it.
- **The homeowner's verdict,** in their words: would they go with you, and why.
- **The moment that decided it,** one tip for next time, and how a strong answer sounds.

Typing is free. A voice call uses your team's voice minutes and earns points; a typed call earns none. Each person sees only their own past calls.

## Try this

Open [Sales Coach](/developers/team/coach) and run "I need to ask my spouse" yourself first, typed, so you know what your techs will see. Then hand it to one tech before their next spring call. The app needs you signed in, on a company team whose plan includes it. If you are signed out, the link opens the sign in page, and once you are in it takes you straight to Sales Coach.

## Go further

- Video: [Spring Safety · Intro](https://garagedoorscience.com/videos/spring-safety-intro)
- Article: [You got a garage door spring quote. Here are the three options it can contain.](https://garagedoorscience.com/blog/garage-door-spring-quote-three-options)

## Sources

- [Do I Have a Broken Garage Door Spring?](https://www.clopaydoor.com/blog/post/blog/2021/03/05/do-i-have-a-broken-garage-door-spring)
- [Garage Door Spring Systems: A Buying Guide for Homeowners](https://www.clopaydoor.com/residential/buyingguide/garage-door-spring-system)