If you are in sales, it is important to understand language and communication because a poor phrase can let you down. One of the phrases that is sadly overused and misused is “Thank you for your understanding.”

In other words, the same words spoken in different contexts could mean very different things. The word “thank you for understanding” means many things: it may be either that you inconvenienced someone or it could mean “I am so grateful that you can see the logic in my argument,” or you’re thanking someone for being able to grasp what was at first an inaccessible concept.

It could also mean that you are demanding someone to comply with your wishes. That’s why the next time you send an email or talk to the prospect on call, instead of saying “thanks for your understanding,” pick something from the alternatives given below.

When “Thank you For Understanding” is used?

Having investigated the different meaning here is are the three key usages were the above phrase comes to help:

1. While Making an Impossible Request

If someone asks you to do something inconvenient, what would be your initial response? Some people might just say okay and go ahead with the request. Others may have a harder time because it's so annoying or they're busy at work.

2. When You Deliver a Complaint

Have you ever complained to a customer care service that the service is not satisfying or the product is defective? If you complain, you hope the other party to compensate for your trouble. Note that it is a very tenuous way of saying that “Deal with my troubles ASAP.”

3. When Apologizing for any Inconvenience

What if you are late for a meeting or sent a shipment very late to the clients? You might apologize that the inconvenience will not repeat again. In this situation, you can send an email saying why the shipment was delayed and use the word “thank you for your understanding” accordingly.

10 Different Ways to Say “Thank you for Understanding”

1. I appreciate your flexibility

When you thank someone for their time or allow the liberty of extending the deadline, you can use “I appreciate your flexibility.” because this phrase communicates better to what you are really thankful for.

Example: “I appreciate your flexibility about the need to reschedule our meeting. I hope you can find the time for me to come in and talk with your team soon!”

2. Thank you for your cooperation

“Thank you for your cooperation: '' is a much simpler expression than directly saying “thank you for your understanding.” The above expression is used when the situation is direct.

It is usually said to the person whom you are requesting inconvenience, but the other person has no choice but to comply with the request all the time.

Example: “Thank you for your cooperation with this project. But this project is assigned to John.”

3. I would be grateful if you could oblige me in this matter

Bring out the professional in you. This phrase may sound a bit stuffy and sometimes bland, but you can use this sort of tone if you are talking with a powerful person. Maybe the president of your company or city mayor.

The word “oblige” explains that the other party is doing you a little favor in this expression.

Example: “We would be grateful if you could oblige us in this matter by providing the funds to set up a new management software.”

4. You are the best

“You are the best '' is an alternative for thank you for your understanding. The word “best” means your friend has taken up a request even though they are not obligated to do so.

I know you might have heard this phrase several times before in movies and series. But this sort of expression is relevant for only close friends as the tone is quite informal.

Example: “I’m sorry, I won't be able to make it tomorrow. Can you cover for my position? You are the best.”

Thoughts: This is a very short piece of text in which a person asks his friend if he could "cover" for him at their meeting where he was unable to attend due to an emergency.

5. I thank you for your commitment to working through this

This phrase is appropriate if you're working through some issues. If a client or prospect is okay with you solving the problem, don’t forget to say, “I thank you for your commitment to working through this.”

Example: “I know it’s not going as the way you would like, and we are not yet at the finish line, but I thank you for your commitment to working through this”

6. I’m grateful for your understanding

To understand a situation, you don’t need to walk in the other guy’s shoes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t support them. This phrase must be used in a scenario where your prospects are really interested in your product and are supporting your product or service vigorously.

Example: “The meeting was intense, but I am grateful for your support and understanding”

7. Thanks for your encouragement

This expression is suited if you have let down your client or prospect with the product or service but still get encouragement from them.

Example: “Thanks for your encouragement. I really needed that today.”

8. I value your trust

This phrase “thank you for understanding” alternative can be used when a prospect has allowed you to demonstrate your product in a meeting with other executives and peers.

Example: “I appreciate the opportunity you gave me to talk to other executives. I value your trust and will work hard to meet your expectations.”

9. Thanks for listening

One way to say "thanks for listening" is when you really want your audience's attention. When writing a sales email, this sentence can be used as an opener and will create anticipation in the reader by starting with gratitude.

Example: “I know how busy life sometimes gets, so thanks for listening.”

10. Thanks for sticking with me

This phrase can be used to thank someone for keeping up with you when you are giving  a long sales presentation. Instead of “thanks for your understanding,” “I appreciate you sticking with me” helps you express better about how thankful you are for the client to put up with the complicated issue.

Example: “Thanks for sticking with me throughout the complicated process.”

Also Read: Prospecting Sales Email Template

The Bottom Line

A great professional always knows how to carry on the conversation without using boring old phrases. Try these 10 alternatives instead of thanks for your understanding to tweak your communication.