[mbesto]

As a seller, not going exclusive is an absolute PITA.

Based on anecdotal experience, I'd bet that most of the "50% of signed LOIs" don't actually close because the seller misrepresented themselves.

> There’s an extreme power imbalance in favor of acquirers.

Buyers do NOT like dead deal fees (it doesn't get paid out of the LP fund), so there is little incentive for them to play games there. So, no, this is not true.

[cj]

> So, no, this is not true.

I don’t think you’ve provided any evidence other than “buyers like to make as much money as possible at others expense” which everyone knows to be true which doesn’t bear much weight on a skewed power balance existing.

[tptacek]

Buyers do like to make as much money as possible. That is why they purchase companies. Sellers also want to make as much money as possible. That is why they negotiate. If they can't agree, the transaction doesn't take place, which is usually for the better.

[mbesto]

> doesn’t bear much weight on a skewed power balance existing.

What's your proof that a skewed power balance exists? Just because buyers have experience buying 100s of companies? Well then my experience advising 500+ companies tells me otherwise. So who's right?

Also, you're saying there is a power imbalance because. I was specifically commenting on that power imbalance affecting the poor (50%) success rate.