If you're looking for good, quality businesses for sale, you can look in all kinds of places. You can look on the Internet, ask other people in town if they know any businesses for sale, you can even put an ad in the paper.

But there is also a "secret" way to find businesses where you will get the "inside scoop" on any business you want to buy -- no matter how big or small -- and even dramatically increase your chances of being the one who gets it.

What is this "secret" way?

The answer is simple: Go to business suppliers.

By that I mean people that supply businesses with goods and services.

Why is this the best way to find good businesses for sale?

Because the average seller does not call a priest, minister or rabbi. What they normally do is they talk to their supplier. Reason why is because their supplier is in there every day talking about their needs or goods and whats happening in the business.

And when a business owner gets to the point where he or she wants to sell, youre going to find theyre going to talk to their supplier probably even before they talk to a broker or even their spouse.

Plus, the average supplier knows who the best business owners are. They know who is fudging around with their books. Who are trustworthy. Who are easy to get along with.

And best of all: The average supplier is going to set up an appointment for you if you and he get along. They have a vested interest in whoever buys to be a straight shooter. Someone they can trust and continue to do business with.

In other words, theyre going to call up their business customer who is selling and say, Hi there, I have this great friend of mine, Art Hamel, and Art Hamel is interested in a business like yours that's making $1,000,000 or more a year. Are you still interested in selling?

They then set up an appointment for you.

And the thing youre going to notice is a supplier will never say, Gosh, this bum just walked in off the street. What they normally say is, Im sending over a very good friend.

So, with suppliers, not only do you have somebody doing the analyzing and selecting for you, but they will also set up an appointment for you. Which makes you getting the deal very easy because youve come recommended.