What does "Let me think about it" really mean?

What do you do when someones says to you "Let me think about it".

It's probably the most commonly misunderstood expression because let's face it ... the truth of the matter is the other person isn't actually going to "think about it".

I know that may come as a shock to some but the facts speak for themselves because when you call the other person a few days later what do they say? ... "I haven't had a chance to think about it yet?"

In a few cases they will have had a think about it but it is only a few ... so what does "let me think about it" really mean?

Some would suggest the other person is saying "no" but doesn't want to simply say "no" in case it upsets you ... some would say it's an easy way of getting out the door and away from you (the other one is "I need to go because I've to pick the kids up from school) ... others would argue it's an objection for you to overcome.

If it's an objection how would you answer it ... there's no easy way to overcome such a vague objection (if it truly is an objection) ... so what do you do?

One of the best ways is to simply find the real objection and answer that ... and a good way of doing that is to offer some choices (three works best for me).

In future say something like ...

"Can I tell you that when someone says they need to think about it what they are really saying is one of three things ... One, they want to say no but don't want to upset me ... Two, they can't afford it ... Three, they don't need the product. So can I ask you which one do you think it is?"

At the very least you'll get an answer that means you'll not be hanging around fruitlessly waiting for the other person to call back ... I'll leave you to think about it.

Jim