The Deal I Almost Bought (And Why I Passed)

Walking away from a deal can be one of the hardest decisions a searcher makes—especially after investing months of work and thousands of dollars into pursuing it.

In this Acquisition Lab member panel, two buyers unpack deals they came close to acquiring but ultimately chose to leave behind.

Moderated by Tim Ericson, the discussion covers:

• The moment each buyer realized the deal wasn’t the right one

• What diligence uncovered—and how it changed the story

• What walking away actually cost in deposits, professional fees, time, and missed opportunities

• How the buyers view those decisions with the benefit of hindsight

• What they looked for afterward—and what they eventually acquired

You’ll hear candid stories about the emotional and financial cost of walking away, the signals that made the decision clear, and why passing on the wrong business can be just as important as finding the right one.