
Savoir Business Sales, Valuations & Financial Advisories
Buyer Inquiry Process
No company information, including financial data, customer structure, employee information, or supply chain details, may be provided to a potential buyer before the potential buyer formally signs a Confidentiality Deed (NDA) .
Operating procedures
1. Obtain buyer information and registration
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Collect and register basic information of potential buyers (name, contact information, company or background).
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Buyers are required to fill out and sign a Buyer Registration Form to confirm their genuine intention to purchase the company.
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Evaluating the buyer:
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Sources of funding and financial capacity;
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Industry background and experience;
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Does the buyer have a reasonable purchase motivation and a track record of past transactions?
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2. Arrange initial contact (without disclosing core information)
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Arrange for a buyer:
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Go to the agent's office;
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Alternatively, an initial meeting may be arranged at a location outside the company.
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Note: Before signing the NDA, it is strictly forbidden to disclose sensitive information such as company name, financial data, and customer information.
3. Sign a confidentiality agreement (NDA).
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A confidentiality agreement must be signed before any form of business information is shown to buyers.
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The agreement should clearly define the buyer's obligations, including:
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Information must not be disclosed to third parties;
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You must not contact the seller's employees, customers, or suppliers directly;
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Violation of these terms will result in legal liability.
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4. Briefly introduce the company overview.
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After the confidentiality agreement is signed, provide the buyer with a brief overview of the company, either verbally or on-site:
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A Company Profile/MOI can be provided for introduction;
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No electronic copies or physical documents will be provided;
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The content should include business model, industry position, financial summary, market opportunities and growth potential.
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5. Site visit arrangements
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If the buyer shows genuine interest, an on-site visit to the company can be arranged.
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The following regulations must be observed during the inspection:
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Accompanied by an agent;
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Restrict access to information by employees;
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The purpose of this inspection must not be disclosed to the public;
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If the business is sensitive, visits can be arranged during off-peak hours or on rest days.
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6. Inquire about the buyer's intentions.
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After the on-site inspection, a preliminary conversation should be held directly with the buyer to understand their purchasing intentions:
Does this company meet your acquisition criteria?
Is this price within your acceptable range? -
If the buyer has a clear interest, they can be guided further into the formal transaction stage.
7. Provide a complete information memorandum (MOI/Profile)
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A complete copy of the company's information will only be formally provided after the buyer has confirmed their explicit intent.
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This includes comprehensive financial statements, lease documents, employee structure, customer information, etc.
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Accessible via a restricted data room or on-site viewing;
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It is recommended to set viewing time limits and document watermarks to prevent data leakage.
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8. Facilitate the signing of transaction agreements.
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Guide and assist buyers in completing the following key legal documents:
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Letter of Intent (Heads of Agreement)
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
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Formal Purchase Agreement (Sale of Business Agreement)
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Coordinate the involvement of the buyer's legal counsel and financial advisor in the review process;
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If necessary, arrange meetings between the two parties to assist in negotiating the details of the terms.

What is a "Buyer Registration Form"?
A Buyer Registration Form is an official document used by Australian business brokerage firms to register potential buyers' intentions to purchase a business. This form typically collects the buyer's personal information, financial status, and professional background in order to:
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Assess the buyer's qualifications and purchasing power.
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Compliance with privacy and confidentiality obligations
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Understanding buyer preferences and purchasing criteria
Buyer registration forms typically also include a confidentiality agreement (NDA) to protect the seller's sensitive information from being disclosed.
In Australia, business brokers act as intermediaries connecting business sellers with potential buyers. Before disclosing detailed information about a business (such as financial statements, employee information, lease agreements, or trade secrets) to a buyer, the broker must ensure that the buyer is genuine, serious, and willing to abide by confidentiality obligations.
Therefore, filling out a “Buyer Registration Form” is a standard procedure for buyers before obtaining company information (such as a business profile or information memo).
Main contents of the buyer registration form
Buyer details include name, contact information, address, and identification documents, used for legal identification and subsequent contact.
Source of Enquiry helps brokers understand how buyers found the business (such as through website ads, referrals, or the official website).
Business Interests: Understanding the buyer's industry preferences, price range, expected returns, and work-life balance requirements (e.g., whether they want to operate five days a week).
Professional Background: Collect information about the buyer's current profession, past experience, and the timeline for their planned purchase of the company.
Financial Position assesses the buyer's sources of funds and payment ability (such as existing cash and financing options) to facilitate the initial screening of suitable buyers.
A confidentiality clause legally binds buyers to keep the company information they obtain confidential and prohibits its disclosure or improper use.
Why is the buyer registration form important?
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Protect the seller's trade secrets from being disclosed
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Ensure that the buyer has a serious and genuine intention to buy.
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Helping agents accurately match suitable business opportunities.
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This provides a legal basis for the subsequent disclosure of detailed information.
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Compliant with Australian privacy laws and fair trading regulations
Legal and Industry Considerations
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Under Australia's Privacy Act, all buyer information collected must be kept secure and used only with the buyer's consent.
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Brokers may need to conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) checks and assess the source of funds to ensure compliance and risk control.
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Most buyer registration forms include confidentiality clauses or separate confidentiality agreements for buyers to sign.
