Buyer Bluffing Backfires: The Risk of Being Believed | M&A Masterclass Moment

A bold “best-and-final” can look powerful—until the seller actually *believes* you. In this *Sell-Side Masterclass Q&A* clip, Paul Giannamore explains why bluffing is far more dangerous for buyers than sellers. One mis-timed lowball can cost millions when a seller moves on without a counter-call.

*You’ll learn:*
🔹 The classic “$50 M best-and-final” bluff—and how it can blow up
🔹 Why being believed is worse than being called
🔹 How multiple bidders let you ignore a potential bluff safely
🔹 Paul’s rule of thumb for spotting risky buyer theatrics
🔹 A preview of his upcoming Buy-Side series on bluff mechanics

*Connect with Paul Giannamore*
LinkedIn ▸ www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore
Instagram ▸ www.instagram.com/pgiannamore

📌 *Watch the Full Sell-Side Masterclass:*    • Sell-Side M&A Masterclass | Structuring a ...  
📌 *Watch the Full Sell-Side Q&A:*    • Sell-Side M&A Masterclass Q&A: Buyer Tacti...  
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🌐 More resources ▸ www.potomaccompany.com/

🎬 Directed, produced & filmed by Dylan Seals, Verbell Ltd.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – How Do You Tell When a Buyer Is Bluffing?
00:20 – Why Bluffing Is Riskier for Buyers Than Sellers
00:50 – Best-and-Final at $50 M: The Scenario
01:15 – When the Seller Believes You—and Sells to Someone Else
01:45 – Handling “Best & Final” Offers in a Multi-Bid Field
02:10 – Teaser: Upcoming Buy-Side Series on Bluffing

HASHTAGS
#mergersandacquisitions #sellsideadvisor #dealnegotiation #buyerbluff #middlemarket #businesssale #MAMasterclass #paulgiannamore #potomactv #exitstrategy #privateequity #businessvaluation