Smart Exit Planning Strategies for Niche Markets

Selling a Gear Dealers Business

A good business is about more than dollars and sense. To make your gear dealers business what it is today, you've had to fully invest yourself in its success. Now it's time to put that same kind of focus into selling it.

When the economy recovers, we expect to see a sudden influx of gear dealers businesses in the business-for-sale marketplace. Although these companies have been for sale, their owners have resisted listing them until a better economy materializes.

Most gear dealers businesses are good business opportunities, a fact that is not going unnoticed by today's discerning buyers.

Dealing with Tire Kickers

Unfortunately, many of the prospects you will encounter aren't serious buyers. 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. Good business brokers are adept at separating serious buyers from the rest of the pack. Never provide detailed information about your gear dealers business until the prospect has been qualified as a serious buyer.

When the Sale Goes Off-Course

Many gear dealers business are tempted to save brokerage fees by selling their businesses on their own. Without brokerage, the risk of your sale going off-course is increased. As a rule, no business should sit on the market for more than six months without attracting the interest of at least a handful of qualified buyers. When buyers fail to exhibit substantive interest, it could indicate unrealistic pricing or an inferior selling strategy. If that occurs, it's time to bring in the professionals to get your sale back on track.

Current Market Conditions

No one plans to sell a gear dealers business in a down economy. Entrepreneurs and investors still exhibit healthy skepticism, despite initial indication that recovery has begun. However, many business sellers don't realize that a full economic rebound can have devastating consequences, particularly if sellers who have waited to list their businesses suddenly create a glut in the business-for-sale marketplace. Like it or not, the time to sell your gear dealers business may be right now, as long as your willing to adequately prepare your business for the marketplace.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary