When a homeowner says the decision-maker isn't there, don't promise to return at a specific time. Instead, ask when they'll be back and say you can't promise you'll return, positioning yourself as a resource they might need rather than someone chasing them.
When selling door-to-door and a spouse says that the other decision maker isn't home, don't try to say, "Oh, I'm going to come back at 5:30." Instead, do this. Say, "Look, even if I were able to come back, which I can't because I can't promise you, we're busy, what time would he even be around?" "All right, cool, around 5:30." "Look, I might be able to come by later. I can't promise you though." And then on your pins, mark that the other spouse is coming home at 5:30. So if you're in the vicinity, you can make another go at the house. But what you don't want to do is be super overbearing and be like, "Come back at 5:30," because they're gonna say, "No, no, no, don't come back," right? Saying, "I can't promise you," makes it sound like you're more needed in the neighborhood, and it doesn't come across as needy.
