Selling Or Buying a Business? - Cheap Isn't Always a Bargain!

What is it about most of us who decide that "cheap" isthe business is worth, you actually loose 23% total!! Not
better? We do it when buying clothes, shoes, furniture,a good deal, but a daily occurrence.
car, etc, only to find out, in most instances, that our2. Buyers decide not to use a lawyer fearing a
decision was not a good one. Why?? Because in the$1000.00 plus charge and eventually find themselves
very short term, clothes look like hell and soonloosing thousands of dollars in litigation fees.
deteriorate, shoes fall apart and last only a few3. Buyers decide not to use a CPA/Accountant to
months, and our furniture rips apart easily, forcing us toperform a due diligence on their purchase (they do not
go buy the same things within months-- doubling ourwant to spend the $500-$1000 required) only to regret
expense!! We do the same when buying a house. Weit and lose thousand of dollars, if not all of their
forgo the best location--in front of a lake or preserve--investment in the process.
to save a few thousands only to lose thousands more4. Buyers want to buy a business based on price
at the time of sale. Remember, location, location??(normally lower price) rather than looking for a quality
Unfortunately, the same thing happens when selling orbusiness with great bottom line results. Crazy!! It is
buying a business. Some examples:better to pay $50K more for a business than to lose
1. Sellers normally look to lower their commission on the$100K on a bad business during your first year of
sale of their business, instead of looking to get betteroperations!! Right??
results. Most good Business Brokers charge aSo, please do what makes sense when selling or
premium 2% over their competition because theybuying your business. Stay away from "cheap" and
know they can get you a better price. Do the math. Ifget quality instead-get professional help when buying
the good broker sells your business for 100% of itsor selling your business.
value and a mediocre broker sells it for 75% of what