Making an offer

[Sumit Verma]

I have a quick question.

I'm interested in purchasing a gas station. The gas station is NOT on the market for sale. Long story short - I am positive that owner will sell it if there is offer on the table. I do have owner's company address with me I got it from the county department. 

I am thinking to write a letter to his business/company address, showing the interest and asking for the official books if he wants to proceed. I spoke to the employee for the sales details already but I would to see the books too. Do you think writing the letter is good idea? what other way I can do it? 

[Chris Mason]

Quote from @Sumit Verma:

Quote from @Chris Mason:

Send him a letter, emphasize that you are personally yourself the end-buyer, include proof of funds, include something attesting to you being financeable (unless your proof of funds is for the full cash purchase price).

If he owns 20 local businesses, good chance he's in at least one chamber of commerce, and if he's not, he 100% knows people that are, who will spill the beans and offer to do an intro if you mention you're interested in buying a gas station over a beer or a meal (there's probably like 3 people in that city that fit this description, why not get introduced to all 3?), at that event's monthly lunch, or whatever it is. 

When you meet him, mention that letter 30 minutes into that meeting, the light bulb will go off, but now you're not just the rando letter person, you're also the person that knows the person who introduced you, etc.

That's sounds a good strategy. Yes, I will do that. Thank you!

As I want to see the books before decide the buying value. I should not include any value in the letter, right?

I am looking into chamber of commerce as well.

 You don't want to give any reason to shut the door on the conversation, you're goal is to elicit interest. 

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

Do a little digging to determine his schedule at work-if he even goes there. Find out what he looks like and have a 'chance meeting' with the owner if possible. That's where I would focus my effort first. 

[Sumit Verma]

Quote from @Bjorn Ahlblad:

Do a little digging to determine his schedule at work-if he even goes there. Find out what he looks like and have a 'chance meeting' with the owner if possible. That's where I would focus my effort first. 

I know what he look like. He have 20+ businesses, his all gas stations are managed by operators. I have sent message through operators but no response yet. I would also prefer the meeting.

[Sumit Verma]

Assuming you are the owner, what would you prefer in this situation?

[Chris Mason]

Send him a letter, emphasize that you are personally yourself the end-buyer, include proof of funds, include something attesting to you being financeable (unless your proof of funds is for the full cash purchase price).

If he owns 20 local businesses, good chance he's in at least one chamber of commerce, and if he's not, he 100% knows people that are, who will spill the beans and offer to do an intro if you mention you're interested in buying a gas station over a beer or a meal (there's probably like 3 people in that city that fit this description, why not get introduced to all 3?), at that event's monthly lunch, or whatever it is. 

When you meet him, mention that letter 30 minutes into that meeting, the light bulb will go off, but now you're not just the rando letter person, you're also the person that knows the person who introduced you, etc.

[Sumit Verma]

Quote from @Chris Mason:

Send him a letter, emphasize that you are personally yourself the end-buyer, include proof of funds, include something attesting to you being financeable (unless your proof of funds is for the full cash purchase price).

If he owns 20 local businesses, good chance he's in at least one chamber of commerce, and if he's not, he 100% knows people that are, who will spill the beans and offer to do an intro if you mention you're interested in buying a gas station over a beer or a meal (there's probably like 3 people in that city that fit this description, why not get introduced to all 3?), at that event's monthly lunch, or whatever it is. 

When you meet him, mention that letter 30 minutes into that meeting, the light bulb will go off, but now you're not just the rando letter person, you're also the person that knows the person who introduced you, etc.

That's sounds a good strategy. Yes, I will do that. Thank you!

As I want to see the books before decide the buying value. I should not include any value in the letter, right?

I am looking into chamber of commerce as well.

[Chris Mason]

Quote from @Sumit Verma:

Quote from @Chris Mason:

Send him a letter, emphasize that you are personally yourself the end-buyer, include proof of funds, include something attesting to you being financeable (unless your proof of funds is for the full cash purchase price).

If he owns 20 local businesses, good chance he's in at least one chamber of commerce, and if he's not, he 100% knows people that are, who will spill the beans and offer to do an intro if you mention you're interested in buying a gas station over a beer or a meal (there's probably like 3 people in that city that fit this description, why not get introduced to all 3?), at that event's monthly lunch, or whatever it is. 

When you meet him, mention that letter 30 minutes into that meeting, the light bulb will go off, but now you're not just the rando letter person, you're also the person that knows the person who introduced you, etc.

That's sounds a good strategy. Yes, I will do that. Thank you!

As I want to see the books before decide the buying value. I should not include any value in the letter, right?

I am looking into chamber of commerce as well.

 You don't want to give any reason to shut the door on the conversation, you're goal is to elicit interest.