Aggressive sales tactics in tender software: how to protect yourself

In recent weeks, we’ve been hearing it more and more from our customers: they’re getting calls from salespeople at competing platforms making bold claims. “We have far more data.” “TenderWolf is way too cheap to be serious.” “They have a free version — that can’t possibly be any good.”

It’s noticeable. Not because the claims are true, but because they follow such a predictable pattern. Time to dissect these tactics — so you as a professional can judge for yourself what holds up and what doesn’t.

Tactic 1: “We have much more data”

This is the most common claim. And it sounds impressive — until you ask follow-up questions.

Always ask this question: which specific data sources do you have that TenderWolf doesn’t?

TenderWolf covers:

• Belgium completely: federal, regional and local tenders via e-Procurement
• The Netherlands completely: via TenderNed and other sources
• Luxembourg and France completely
• All EU countries above European thresholds via TED (Tenders Electronic Daily)

If a competitor claims to have more data, there are only three possibilities: they cover additional countries or sources you need (verify this), they count their data differently (more records doesn’t mean more relevant tenders), or the claim simply isn’t true.

Ask for a concrete example. Ask for a tender they have that TenderWolf doesn’t. If they can’t show you one, you know enough.

Tactic 2: “They’re cheap, so it can’t be good”

This is a classic sales trick that has existed for decades: if your competitor is cheaper, frame the low price as a sign of low quality.

But let’s be honest. There are good reasons why TenderWolf is less expensive than many competitors:

Lower sales costs. We don’t call you unsolicited. We don’t have a field sales team driving around visiting offices. Those costs — and they’re substantial — are passed on in the subscription price at other platforms. You’re not paying for a better product; you’re paying for the salesperson who called you.

Efficient technology. TenderWolf is built on modern technology with AI-powered matching (TenderDNA). This makes our platform scalable without per-user costs growing proportionally.

A deliberate choice. We believe access to public procurement shouldn’t be a luxury. That’s why we offer a permanently free plan and keep our paid plans accessible (from €79/month). Not because our product does less, but because we believe price shouldn’t be a barrier.

A higher price is not a quality seal. It’s often just a higher margin — or higher sales costs.

Tactic 3: “A free version can’t possibly be any good”

TenderWolf’s free plan is not a stripped-down demo. It’s a fully functional product:

• One country of your choice (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg or France)
• 3,000 starting credits + 750 credits per month
• Unlimited search profiles
• Daily email alerts
• AI-powered matching via TenderDNA
• No credit card required, no end date

We offer this because we have confidence in our product. Once you use it, the results speak for themselves. That’s precisely why some competitors get nervous about it — it makes their sales pitch harder when you can simply test it yourself.

What to do when you get the call

When a salesperson calls you claiming their platform is superior to TenderWolf (or any other platform), ask these questions:

The data source test

“Which specific data sources do you cover that [current platform] doesn’t? Can you give me an example of a relevant tender you have that they don’t?”

The feature test

“Which specific features do you have that [current platform] doesn’t? Can I see that in a demo using my own search profiles?”

The price test

“What’s your price per month, including all costs? How many users are included? What does an additional user cost?”

The freedom test

“What’s the minimum contract duration? Can I cancel monthly? Is there a free trial?”

Those with a strong product aren’t afraid of these questions.

Switching? You don’t have to wait

Many professionals think they’re locked in until their current contract expires. You’re not.

Start today with TenderWolf’s free plan. Set up the same search profiles as on your current platform. Compare for two to four weeks which tenders each platform finds, how quickly alerts arrive, and how pleasant the experience is.

You only pay for a paid TenderWolf plan when you’re ready — for instance, when your current contract expires. We’re happy to help with the transition: migrating profiles, onboarding your team, everything.

You pay nothing while you’re still under contract with another platform. Use that period to compare at your own pace.

Our position

We believe our product is better than the competition. But we’re not asking you to take our word for it.

We’re asking you to test it yourself.

That’s the difference between a company that calls you to tell you they’re the best, and a company that says: try it for free, compare for yourself, and then decide.

No sales pitches. No pressure. No obligations.

Start your free TenderWolf account and put it side by side with your current platform. The results speak for themselves.