hard sell

English

Alternative forms

• hard-sell

Noun

hard sell (plural hard sells)

1. A sales technique of pressuring the potential buyer to agree to a purchase.
   • 1994, "COMPANY NEWS; Lockheed Set to Cut Price on F-16 Fighter," New York Times, 7 Jul. (retrieved 24 Mar. 2009):

     The Lockheed Corporation said today that it would reduce the price of its F-16 fighter plane, underscoring a new, aggressive posture. . . . "It's the old hard sell, which is necessitated by the market conditions both here and overseas," Mr. Dane said.

2. A sales transaction which is challenging for the sales person to make; any act or object of persuasion which is challenging.
   • 2009, Jane Taber, "Liberals fill coffers with pay-per-schmooze," Globe and Mail (Canada), 24 Mar. (retrieved 24 Mar. 2009):

     Mr. Ignatieff's predecessor, Stéphane Dion, was a hard sell on the fundraising circuit, but so far, the new leader has proven to be a draw.

Antonyms

• (sales technique of pressuring the buyer): soft sell