Warning Signs: Red Flags You’re Being Catfished By A Field Service Software Company

Software vendors need to be open and honest with their marketing, and make it easy to evaluate their offer compared to other competitors.

Be on the lookout for any of the tactics below when you’re on a sales call, and keep your guard up to avoid getting pushed into a bad deal for your company’s future.

1. “Act Now,” Or Else

If the pressure to close the deal is nonstop right after the “Hi, how are you?” introduction phase, then there’s a high likelihood that you’re dealing with someone who will vanish or turn toxic as soon as they get your signature on a purchase order. The modern sales cycle involves lots of steps for a reason, primarily so both sides can determine that the potential fit will work. When an unbeatable deal on pricing or promised features is dangled with a hurried timeline, that’s a screaming signal to back away quickly

2. Money First

In tandem with the first red flag, if someone fronting a field service software business starts their intro call by claiming they need a consulting or evaluation fee (or any other poorly defined payment) before they can do anything of real value, then the odds are high you’re being catfished. That kind of a cash grab gets the fraudsters money and potentially pieces of sensitive payment/credit information for your business, which can open the door to ongoing issues that will be even more expensive in terms of time and costs to remedy.

3. No Track Record

Any reputable company making grand promises and proclamations about how much better they are than established industry leaders should have plenty of evidence about the difference they’ve made for existing partners and customers. These can take the form of video testimonials, case studies with quoted executives or leadership from the customer, or third-party coverage from news or trade outlets talking them up. If you’ve never heard of the company on the other end of the line and there’s nothing beyond a slick-looking but content thin website, then that’s a gigantic red flag that you’re hearing empty promises.

4. Low Industry Knowledge

Any field service software company should be employing knowledgeable, experienced salespeople who know about the common issues and latest happenings in the industry. So ask them questions and dig deep. Evasive, cloudy answers from the person on the other end shows that you’re dealing with either a catfisher or someone far too inexperienced to give you the level of service and attention you need.

With these warning signs in hand, be sure to pay close attention to the next sales call you get from a too-good-to-be-true field service software company. Chances are you're getting nothing more than hot air and empty promises.