# Objection Handling Guide

## "We already have an ERP / We're happy with our current system"

**Response:**
> That's great — most of our clients do have existing systems. We're not here to replace them. What we typically do is build the custom pieces that your ERP *can't* do — the specific workflows, dashboards, and integrations that are unique to your business. Think of us as the custom layer on top of what you already have.

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## "AI-generated code sounds risky / unreliable"

**Response:**
> I completely understand that concern. That's exactly why we built our gate-controlled pipeline. The AI generates code, but humans approve at every stage — architecture, visual review, deliverables, and final code review. Nothing ships without explicit sign-off. We don't do 'vibe coding.' Every output goes through the same rigor you'd expect from a senior engineering team.

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## "This sounds too cheap — what's the catch?"

**Response:**
> Fair question. The cost reduction comes from one thing: AI handles the repetitive parts of software development (boilerplate, CRUD operations, standard patterns) while our engineers focus on the parts that require judgment. That's 80% of the work automated. No corners cut — just less wasted time. And you own all the code, so there's no lock-in or recurring fees.

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## "We tried a freelancer/dev shop before and got burned"

**Response:**
> I hear that a lot, and it's the #1 reason we built the pipeline the way we did. Traditional dev shops have a black box problem — you describe what you want, they disappear for 3 months, and you hope for the best. Our pipeline gives you visibility and approval authority at every stage. You see the architecture before we write code. You approve the visual diagrams. You sign off on deliverables. If something's wrong, you catch it before it's built — not after.

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## "We don't have budget right now"

**Response:**
> Totally understand. Two things worth mentioning: First, we're running a Design Partner program right now — significantly reduced rates for companies that help us refine our process. Second, our ROI calculator (https://spookysoftwaresyndicate.com/roi-calculator) can help quantify what the current inefficiency is actually costing you. Sometimes the 'no budget' is actually costing more than the fix.

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## "Can you show me examples of what you've built?"

**Response:**
> Absolutely. I can walk you through our live pipeline where you can see actual project intakes, architecture diagrams, and generated code. We also have the full GhostFoundry-Syndicate platform live at spookysoftwaresyndicate.com which includes our ERP modules, agent systems, and operations tools — all built using Dark Factory. Happy to set up a 15-minute demo.

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## "I need to check with my team / I need to think about it"

**Response:**
> Of course. Happy to put together a one-page summary you can share with your team — includes scope, timeline, pricing range, and how the approval process works. Would that be helpful? Also, our compliance one-pager covers data security and quality controls if that's relevant for your team's review.

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## "What if the AI generates bad code?"

**Response:**
> That's what the gates are for. Our pipeline has 8 gates — from intake draft through code generation to completion. The AI generates, but every output goes through human review. If the architecture doesn't make sense, we catch it at Gate 2. If the visual diagrams don't match your expectations, we catch it at Gate 3. By the time we reach code generation, the specification is rock-solid. And even then, the generated code is reviewed before delivery.

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## "Why shouldn't I just use ChatGPT / Cursor / Copilot myself?"

**Response:**
> You absolutely can for small tasks. The difference is what happens at scale. When you're building a production system with 15+ entities, multiple APIs, authentication, and complex business logic, you need more than a code completion tool. You need an engineering pipeline — intake analysis, architecture design, entity modeling, visual review, and coordinated code generation across the full stack. That's what Dark Factory provides. It's the difference between asking ChatGPT to write a function and having a structured pipeline that builds an entire system.
