Exit Planning Advice By Market

Selling an Auto Detailing Equipment and Supplies Business

At first glance, an unstable economy would seem to be an unfriendly atmosphere for an auto detailing equipment and supplies business sale. But in reality, now may be the perfect time to sell an auto detailing equipment and supplies business.

Waiting for better economic times to sell your company? That's a common anthem in the small business community.

Many auto detailing equipment and supplies business sellers fail to receive fair market value for their businesses. With the right strategy, your sale doesn't have to end that way.

Average Preparation Time

There are no effective shortcuts for selling an auto detailing equipment and supplies business. Since buyers prefer to see evidence of future cash flow, you'll want to to strategically lock in cash flows and increase profits before you list the business. Next, the business will need to be documented in professional financial statements and manuals that facilitate the ownership transition. At a minimum, plan on spending six months preparing your auto detailing equipment and supplies business for the marketplace. A more likely scenario is that it will take more than a year to create the conditions necessary to receive the maximum sale price.

Identifying Serious Buyers

Many prospective buyers will have a strong desire to acquire your auto detailing equipment and supplies business. The bad news is that they will lack the financial capacity to close the deal. As a seller, it's important to separate the tire kickers from the serious buyers as soon as possible. Each tire kicker is an investment of time and energy that could be poured into finding a more qualified prospect. Your business broker can offer insights about how to quickly spot tire kickers. Never provide detailed information about your auto detailing equipment and supplies business until the prospect has been qualified as a serious buyer.

Sale Costs

In an auto detailing equipment and supplies business sale, pricing is based on a number of factors, including the costs incurred during the sale. Although they can significantly increase the final sale price, brokers typically receive a 10% commission. Professional consultations can also represent a significant expense during the course of an auto detailing equipment and supplies business sale. Likewise, you'll need to consider how much it will cost to promote the sale as well as the lost time it will take for you and your team to navigate the sale process.

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