How do I contact the seller of a business?
In order to contact the seller of a business, you must do so directly through the BusinessForSale.com site. You should click on the ‘Contact Seller’ button. This will allow you to send an enquiry directly to the seller or the seller’s agent.
Please note that the seller may ask for more information from you before they give you further information on their business. At some point, you may also be required to sign an NDA.
How do I get more details about a business for sale?
If you want further information about a business for sale you must contact the seller or the seller’s representative (an agent, broker or intermediary) directly via the site. BusinessesForSale.com does not have any more information about a business for sale than is currently available on the site.
We are not a broker or an intermediary. We are an advertising medium, like a newspaper or magazine but on the web. Therefore, to contact a seller please click the ‘Contact Seller’ button on the listing.
Please note: the seller may request more information from you than the information you provide in your initial enquiry. They may also ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement before disclosing any further information about the business.
Can I still contact the seller through the website after a business has been sold?
A Private Seller advert expires after their selected paid subscription length. It is rare to have a business that has sold but still has their advert visible on our site. A seller will delete the listing from their account.
If a Private Seller receives an offer, they can add the “Sold STC” tag (which means they have an offer and it is subject to contract if the sale is finalised). In this case, the buyer can still express their interest by sending a message through the website and this will be considered by the seller if the sale falls through.
Brokers, on the other hand, usually advertise bigger volumes of businesses and don’t always keep up with removing their listings when sold. We try to keep the site as up to date as possible and so will follow up on any active ads for businesses that have now sold and ask the broker to remove the ad. Brokers also have the option to add the Sold subject to contract tag.
Why hasn’t the seller got back to me?
The most common reason why a seller will take some time to get back to you is that the seller needs to send the right information through to you. Make sure that you stand out as a serious buyer when you make an enquiry so that the seller makes you a priority.
You can do this by indicating that you have done your research and know how you are going to finance your purchase.
Don’t forget to check your voicemails and your junk folder to make sure you don’t miss their response. Don’t be put off if you don’t hear back from one seller. Most sellers will respond in a timely fashion!
It is also often the case that a seller will need you to sign a confidentiality agreement before handing over further information about their business. This can be a critical requirement in order to protect the seller.
What should I include in my enquiry?
You will need to include as much information as possible when enquiring on a business. This will help to prove you are serious about buying and help you to stand out from other enquiries.
You should explain why it is that you are requesting more details about the business by explaining that you have looked into financing and expressing your desire to move forward with purchase immediately.
You should be prepared to wait about a week for a response from the seller. However, if you have still not heard from them after a week has passed, you can contact Customer Services and we will chase them up for you. You will need to be a Premium Member if you would like to take advantage of this service. You can find instructions in Your Account area to upgrade to Premium Membership.
When you contact us as a Premium Member, Customer Services will investigate why the seller has not got back to you. We will try contact the seller for you or send you their direct contact details if they are available.
Can I search by business reference number?
If you have visited the site and seen a business you like, you can make a note of the 6- or 7-digit listing id and search for it by typing this number in the search box on the homepage.
You can also save businesses to a shortlist however you need to be a registered buyer in order to take advantage of this service.
Why doesn’t BusinessesForSale.com get back to me?
Customer Services assistance is a Premium Buyer benefit. The majority of buyer queries can be solved by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions page.
If after reading the FAQs you haven't found what you are looking for, please feel free to contact us. However please note, it may take some time for us to respond due to the high volume of queries we receive.
How to find businesses for sale?
BusinessesForSale.com has invested heavily in connecting buyers and sellers of businesses for sale. There are a number of ways you can use the site to help you find and buy your ideal business.
Keyword Search and Browse:
You can find businesses by typing your keyword search, e.g. Restaurant, into the text box found on the homepage or on the search results pages.
Browse links allow you to drill down through the sectors and categories of businesses for sale and can be found on the homepage under 'Search by Sector'. You can also 'Search by Region' and click on the most popular searches listed in 'Top Searches'.
Advanced Search:
Advanced Search allows you to narrow down your search criteria by location and price.
Email Alerts:
Let us email you details of businesses for sale that match your requirements. Email Alerts is a free service. You need to have an account with BusinessesForSale.com in order to sign up for Email Alerts.
RSS Feeds:
Sign up for RSS Feeds and have businesses you are interested in delivered directly to your computer or mobile device via a feed. You’ll know about them as soon as we do.
How to price a business for sale?
You will need to consider how much money you will be make from the business once you have bought it. Therefore, take into account the historic cashflow and the assets of the business.
Does the business have a profitable track record and tangible assets? Is there an established customer base that will allow you to make profit from the day you take over? If the answer is ‘yes’ to these questions, the value of the business will increase. Current market conditions and the reason that the owner is selling will also impact the value of the business.
It is helpful to consider the valuation process from the point of view of the seller so you know whether or not a business is correctly valued and how much room for negotiation there is. You will need to conduct a thorough due diligence before purchasing a business so that you can ensure you can correctly value the business.
How do you buy a business with no money?
There are several options for buyers looking to raise finance to buy a business. You can negotiate seller financing, or you can apply for a commercial loan. Read through our guide to financing your business in order to get a clear idea of how you can buy a business.
How do I buy an existing small business?
If you are curious about the buying process or you need more information on the process, we have put together a step by step guide that will give you everything you need to know. Most importantly, you will need to research the process so that you are in a positive position when going into negotiations.
How do I start a small business?
The process of buying a business can take anywhere from 8 to 12 months. This is from initial research to the handover. Don’t rush, though. Try to take emotion out of the process and be thorough in your due diligence.
How long does it take to buy a business?
It depends. Are there extenuating circumstances that would speed up, or delay, the seller? Are brokers quick to respond? Are there any hurdles that might complicate contract negotiations? All of this and more can play into the duration of the sales process. In general, you can expect to spend around 6 - 12 months buying a business.
What is Buyer Due Diligence?
Due diligence will give you the opportunity to uncover all aspects of the business that you are considering buying. Get a professional to look through the finances of the business, value the assets and make sure you cover legal, commercial and financial aspects of the business.
We go into buyer due diligence in more detail in our guide to buying a business.
What is the difference between a Business Broker, Business Transfer Agent, Business Sales and Mergers & Acquisitions consultant?
A business broker or business transfer agent will usually operate on a smaller scale. In other words, they will handle local or regional transactions. Small business buyers and sellers will make use of their services.
Business sales and mergers and acquisitions consultants will operate on a national or global scale. Any business buyer or seller that has complex mergers or a business that spans multiple locations will require their services.
Buy a Business or Start your own business?
You will need to consider all your options before deciding whether to buy or start a business. Buying a business will take a larger initial capital investment at first. However, if you start a business from scratch, it can take years before you see a profit.
Buying a business that has been going for a few years will give you the chance to invest in a product or service with a proven track record. Although, some entrepreneurs thrive on the risk and creativity that comes with developing an idea from inception to success.
Make sure that you think carefully about your reasons for embarking on a particular venture.
What portion of the sale will the Seller finance?
Seller financing is when the seller of the business agrees to finance a portion of the business sale. While it can be the primary source of financing, it is more likely that it will become one portion of the total buyer finances for the purchase of the business.
Sellers that provide financing will do a credit check on the buyer before they agree to it and will sometimes ask for collateral or a personal guarantee from the buyer. The seller will also most often require a down payment from the buyer.
When can I have copies of the financials and tax returns?
Once the provisional terms are agreed on, the due diligence process can begin and the financials and tax returns should be made available to you. The seller will most likely require that you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before handing them over though. This is standard practice in order to protect the seller.
I do not have any representation - can you recommend legal and financial counsel?
BusinessesForSale.com provides you with a services directory that you can use in order to find the right professional help. Make sure that you get references before entrusting anyone with your money or information.
Can I talk with the owner(s) of the business prior to making an offer?
Click the "Contact Seller" button on the business listing. This will open a contact form that allows you to enter your details and a personal message to the seller.
All messages to sellers are delivered through the BusinessesForSale.com email system. The seller will reply to you directly. This can all be done prior to making an offer on a business.
How complicated is making an offer to buy a business?
Before making an offer to buy a business, you need to have a clear idea of how you will finance the purchase. You should also be prepared to negotiate. Have funds available for a deposit when you make an offer.
Look at other similar businesses so that you know what a reasonable value is. Open the negotiations at the lowest fair price. During negotiations, be prepared with questions and information that you can use to justify the price that you are offering.
When you buy a company do you buy its debt?
This will depend on the type of sale. If you are purchasing the assets of a business, you will not be purchasing the company’s debts- unless this is agreed upon during negotiation. If, however, you are purchasing the company’s stocks, you are taking on all seller debts and obligations.
The most important way to protect yourself when buying a business is to conduct a thorough due diligence with the help of a professional such as a lawyer or accountant so that you know exactly what you are taking on when you purchase the business.
If you want further protection, you can have the seller sign an indemnity agreement.
What if a business advert contains insufficient/inaccurate information or the location is unclear?
While we do our best to ensure that all businesses advertised on the site are genuine, we do not create the listings. All the information provided comes from brokers acting on behalf of the sellers and the sellers themselves. We encourage advertisers to provide as much information as possible, especially when it comes to the location of the business.
If you want further information about a business for sale you must contact the seller or the seller’s representative (an agent, broker or intermediary) directly via the site. BusinessesForSale.com does not have any more information about a business for sale than is currently available on the site. We are not a broker or an intermediary. We are an advertising medium, like a newspaper or magazine. Therefore, to contact a seller please click the ‘Contact Seller’ button on the listing.
Please note: the seller may request more information from you than the information you provide in your initial enquiry. They may also ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement before disclosing any further information about the business.
Do I have to pay to register as a buyer?
No. You can complete the registration process and create a free Standard Buyer account. We do, however, offer a Premium Buyer service that is paid and offers various benefits like prioritised enquiries and customer support.
The Standard Buyer account, though, will still allow you to save your searches, keep track of messages and get email alerts!
How do I change or update my account details?
In order to change or update your account details, you will need to sign in to your account with your username and password.
Once you sign in, click on ‘Edit your name, address, email and password’ to update your contact details, or change your username and password details