Does anyone have any experience purchasing a dealership of any sort?

June 18, 2025
by a searcher from Columbia University - Columbia Business School in New York, NY, USA
Hi all,
I’m exploring the possibility of purchasing a dealership—this could be in any sector (auto, equipment, boats, franchise, etc.) and I’m hoping to learn from others who’ve gone through this process.
If you’ve had any experience acquiring a dealership or even considered it seriously, I’d really appreciate hearing about:
1) What type of dealership you looked into or acquired
2) What the buying process was like (e.g. due diligence, financing, negotiations)
3) Any major challenges or red flags you encountered
4) Things you wish you’d known before starting
5) Any tips or resources that helped you
Feel free to respond here or DM me. I'm grateful for any insights, big or small!
Thanks in advance!
from Villanova University in New York, NY, USA
from Grenoble Ecole de Management in Vancouver, BC, Canada