Buying competitor customer lists

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GoodScout

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We have two competitors who've left the market this year. One just chose to close, the offer suffered a catastrophic fire.
Has anyone broached the subject with closed competitors about obtaining their guest lists? Have you offered to pay for it? Thoughts?
 
Just my two cents worth since no one else has replied.
If the guests of your former competitors liked the area, seems like you have a chance at them anyway so I don't know that I would want to pay very much for a guest list.
If not saved off site would the competitor with the fire even of saved or still have his list?
Maybe a different approach would be to ask if they had guests (former guests) that they would like you to accommodate while they were closed.
 
Jim has an excellent idea. When the B & B north of me retired, even though we had had an inn-to-inn package together for several years prior to their closing, never asked if I would be interested in their guest list nor offered to refer their regulars to me. Of course, by then, although we were on friendly terms, the package had ended because of financial difficulties - it was the package that taught me everyone does the same thing and the fee gets split down the middle. After that my partners always made more profit (my room rates were higher and that is what is used for pricing) but I get what I want so I do not care. Today (they still live in the area) one would think we had been best buddies.
 
Two things I would think about,
1) buy their domain and have just one page that states they are referring all their decent guests to the Phineas Swann B&B
2) ask them to do this until their domain renewal is up, and give them a gift voucher for dinner or something.
3) okay I added a third one... use their name and keywords and write a blog story/facebook page and an area on your own website so people search and find you.
is it legal for them to sell you their confidential guest information? I would not appreciate it, after I have been told my info is private. i would be quite angry with you and them about it. so i would just be happy if I were you that they will all come to you naturally now without coaxing. or you can say any prev guests of such and such use this special code to recieve a discount or welcome gift. although i think you may have them by default so this whole topic is moot. i shall hope so!!!!
 
Two things I would think about,
1) buy their domain and have just one page that states they are referring all their decent guests to the Phineas Swann B&B
2) ask them to do this until their domain renewal is up, and give them a gift voucher for dinner or something.
3) okay I added a third one... use their name and keywords and write a blog story/facebook page and an area on your own website so people search and find you.
is it legal for them to sell you their confidential guest information? I would not appreciate it, after I have been told my info is private. i would be quite angry with you and them about it. so i would just be happy if I were you that they will all come to you naturally now without coaxing. or you can say any prev guests of such and such use this special code to recieve a discount or welcome gift. although i think you may have them by default so this whole topic is moot. i shall hope so!!!!.
Halfmoonbay said:
is it legal for them to sell you their confidential guest information? I would not appreciate it, after I have been told my info is private. i would be quite angry with you and them about it.
This is important. Most websites say they will protect (not sell/transfer) your private info when you join/sign up. There could even be legal issues.
 
Honestly, I would rather buy the domain name rather than the customer list.
 
Honestly, I would rather buy the domain name rather than the customer list..
or an asset purchase, where in a sense, you are buying the business but not the name. (Don't ever buy an S Corp, LLC, or DBA type biz where you take on the liabilities of the past biz!)
 
Honestly, I would rather buy the domain name rather than the customer list..
I second Charlie. Buy the domain name so when they click on "their website" a page comes up with a link to your site, saying that such and such is closed, thanks for your past business, please check out PhineasSwann. This will make everyone happy since you get their guests and the guests think such and such approves you. I think the faster you do it the better before the guests realize its closed and start looking else where for a vacation.
If guests ask about my uncle who used to run our inn, we give him a call and he can decided to come over and see them, etc. It might be a nice token to the owners of such and such.
 
Honestly, I would rather buy the domain name rather than the customer list..
Sometimes, you also may be able to get the phone number, if it was released back into the pool. You can go in and look up if available, and request it. Granted, it might not be easy...
 
If a place permanently closed and was not sold, I might ask to buy a redirect to my site. Also, they might be willing to send an email from them recommending my place. Better to come from the place they gave an email address to, not a third party. I've had experience with this in other business but not in the b&b world.
 
Have you looked at the domain and see when it is up for renewal (s)? Otherwise seems to me you will get the business by default, or wait is there a bunch of other bnbs in the area as well? I was thinking just a few of you, but it is more likely there are more and you are trying to corner the market on those guests. I see I think.
 
I agree with the idea of buying the domains. This will last lots longer than the email list. You may want to pony up a little to the domain purchase to have them send a blanket email to their guests with a recommendation from them about your business.
 
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