What if I don't have a money-back guarantee?

Don't use the first part of the close («you can try it risk free») if it's not true. You can use only the second part (the etymology of decide and «which future are you cutting off?») when they hesitate, or combine with other closes that don't depend on a guarantee.

Is the etymology correct?

«Decide» comes from Latin «decidere» (de- + caedere): to cut off, to kill off. The idea of «cutting off other options» is correct. If you prefer not to cite Latin, you can just say: «to decide is to cut: you're ruling out one path. Which path are you ruling out?»

Doesn't «which future are you cutting off» sound pushy?

It depends on tone. If you frame it as a reflection («the question that helped me was: which future am I cutting off?»), it invites. If it sounds like «you have to decide now», it can backfire. Use it after you've offered the risk-free option, so they feel they already have an out (try with guarantee) and the reframe is about what not moving means.

Both Options are Risk Free

10 March 2026

The «both options are risk free» close combines two ideas: (1) You can't make an informed decision until you've actually tried it; everything else is guessing. The good news is you can try it risk free —e.g. 30-day money-back guarantee— so you're not even asking them to decide right now, just to make an informed decision once they've tried it. (2) If they still hesitate, the etymology reframe: «decide» comes from Latin (to cut off, kill off options). Doing this is a decision; not doing this is also a decision. Which future are you cutting off: the one where you get closer to your goals or the one where you get further away?

The script

«The bad news is you can't really make an informed decision until you've actually tried it. Everything else is guessing. The good news is you can try it risk free. So I'm not even asking you to make a decision right now, I'm just actually asking you to make an informed decision, which you can do once you try it. If after 30 days I'm not what I said, this product doesn't do what I told you, I didn't fulfill my promise or you don't think it's going to work for you, you let me know and I'll give you the money back, no questions asked.»

They say something.

«Totally understand. Can I share something cool with you that helped me make a decision a while back? Do you know where the word “Decide” comes from? It's Latin for de-cadere which means to kill off or to cut off. Doing this is a decision. Not doing this is also a decision. So the question is, which future are you cutting off? The one where you get closer to your goals or the one where you get further away?»

Why it works

The first part takes the pressure off: it's not «decide now», it's «try risk free and then decide with information». The guarantee (30 days, money back no questions) makes «trying» credible. If they still hesitate, the second part —the origin of «decide»— reminds them that not deciding is also deciding: they're «cutting off» a future. Framing it that way makes indecision visible: which future am I cutting off? The one that gets me closer to my goals or the one that takes me further away? It reinforces that both options are «risk free» in a broad sense: trying has a guarantee; not trying has the cost of not knowing.

How to use it well

Only use it if you have a real, deliverable money-back guarantee (or risk-free trial). If you don't, don't say «you can try it risk free». Adapt the period (30 days, 14, etc.) and conditions to your offer. The etymology of «decide» (Latin decidere, to cut off) you can state as-is or simplify: «to decide is to cut off other options». After the reframe, don't repeat the guarantee in a loop; if they still don't move, work on the concrete objection that comes up. Calm tone: you're offering a frame, not an ultimatum.

Next steps

If you want to work on this and other closes with your sales team, we can review your process in a no-obligation call. At Miranda's Consulting we support teams in the demo and closing phase.

Frequently asked questions

What if I don't have a money-back guarantee?: Don't use the first part of the close («you can try it risk free») if it's not true. You can use only the second part (the etymology of decide and «which future are you cutting off?») when they hesitate, or combine with other closes that don't depend on a guarantee.
Is the etymology correct?: «Decide» comes from Latin «decidere» (de- + caedere): to cut off, to kill off. The idea of «cutting off other options» is correct. If you prefer not to cite Latin, you can just say: «to decide is to cut: you're ruling out one path. Which path are you ruling out?»
Doesn't «which future are you cutting off» sound pushy?: It depends on tone. If you frame it as a reflection («the question that helped me was: which future am I cutting off?»), it invites. If it sounds like «you have to decide now», it can backfire. Use it after you've offered the risk-free option, so they feel they already have an out (try with guarantee) and the reframe is about what not moving means.