---
title: "Warning: Those Gotcha Questions Will Backfire!"
description: Trying to back your buyer up into a corner with gotcha questions is risky. Modern buyers resist and resent these old-school tactics.
image: https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/229%20-%20Consequence.svg
---

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 November 9, 2016

# Warning: Those Gotcha Questions Will Backfire!

[PFPS](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/rca532)  ·   1 minute read

 

![gotcha questions](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/What-Will-Happen-If-281x300.png?width=281&height=300&name=What-Will-Happen-If-281x300.png "gotcha-questions")

Questions used for needs assessment or to heighten urgency and advance the sale don't have to be manipulative.

If you hear yourself asking gotcha questions, check your intention. A recalibration of strategic intention will help you get back on track with more productive and more effective questions. Buyers respond better when they aren't feeling manipulated.

#### **Avoid Asking Gotcha Questions that Set Up Your Pitch**

Another well-known manipulative technique starts with an attention-getting statement followed by a gotcha! question. But even when these are effective in getting buyers to tune in initially, buyers will quickly tune out once they realize they’ve[![cover for site 2015](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-for-site-20151-200x300.jpg?width=145&height=218&name=cover-for-site-20151-200x300.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/DISCOVER-Questions-Get-You-Connected/dp/098973790X) been duped.

#### Examples of Set-Up or Gotcha Questions include:

- The Bush era tax cuts are about to expire. Have you taken steps to protect your family’s income?
- Most mid-size companies are saving big money on data storage options they don’t want smaller companies to know about. How’d you like to hear about their secrets?
- One in ten families declares bankruptcy within three years after the head of the household dies. What will happen to your family if you die unexpectedly?

What follows these questions will, of course, be a generic pitch about the product the seller has to offer. The opening gets the buyer’s attention, so the seller goes full steam ahead into the pitch. The buyer’s interest wanes as the pitch drones on. The realization soon hits. The gotcha question was just a generic set up; the seller led the buyer into an open trap. Feeling foolish, the buyer retreats.

You can do better than this. There's no need to ask gotcha questions, leading questions, shame questions, trite questions, or any other question that is a turn off for buyers. If you're looking for ways to dramatically improve your questions and to advance more sales more quickly, you need [*DISCOVER Questions® Get You Connected*](https://www.amazon.com/DISCOVER-Questions-Get-You-Connected/dp/098973790X). This book covers all the bases and will help you become the ONE seller that buyers actually WANT to talk to.

[![FINAL](https://2524398.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2524398/hubfs/blog-image-uploads/FINAL.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=FINAL.png)](https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com/)

The CONNECT2Sell Blog has been discontinued as our focus has shifted to leadership at every level. Research with buyers demonstrates that buyers respond favorably when sellers show up as leaders. If you'd like to step into your full potential as a leader (and boost sales!), take a look at our free and affordable courses on [https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com](https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com/)

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### [Buyers Want Less Diagnostic, More Dialogic analysis](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/dialogic-needs-assessment)

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### [The Importance of Encouraging Your Buyers](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/importance-encouraging-buyers)

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Putting PEOPLE First since 2005 [deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com](mailto:deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com)

[PFPS Information](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)

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