A professional awareness bulletin for practice owners navigating unsolicited purchase offers
A Personal and Confidential Envelope Arrives at your office.
It’s addressed to you, handwritten in blue ink.
A real stamp is affixed, not a machine-generated indicia.
Your receptionist, respecting the “Personal and Confidential” note, leaves it untouched.
It sits on your desk. Unopened. Days pass.
Eventually, you open it… and to your surprise, it’s not a complaint or concern.
It’s someone offering to buy your optometry practice.
You don’t know them. The letter is unsolicited. But it feels sincere.
Here’s the Reality:
These letters are increasing in frequency and sophistication.
Many of my clients share them during the appraisal process, believing they’ve landed the perfect buyer.
They’re excited. Yet behind the scenes, these letters are often mass-produced.
Generated by software, stuffed by students, and mailed with AI-generated envelopes to mimic authenticity.
Why It Matters:
There’s a new generation of buyers.
They’re savvy. Strategic and often, aggressive in their approach.
They research you online.
They profile you based on your graduation year or website and social media photos.
They visit your clinic as phantom patients—or send family members in for eye exams.
They gather intel on your policies, procedures, and even take photos of your space.
If you think this isn’t happening, think again.
The Motivation Behind the Letters:
These buyers aren’t looking to start from scratch.
They don’t want to associate, break even in 3–5 years, or join a corporate chain.
They want ownership. They want your practice.
And they’ll use every tool—digital or deceptive—to get it.
What Should You Do When You Get One?
1. Don’t be flattered too quickly.
2. Don’t reply in haste.
3. And certainly, don’t share sensitive information.
If you receive a letter like this, feel free to text us a photo at (416) 520-7420.
I’ll let you know if it’s a genuine opportunity—or just another well-dressed solicitation.
Protect Your Practice. Know Your Value.
Before making any decisions, get a professional valuation.
Empirical data gives you leverage—whether you work with a broker or not.
And remember:
The most dangerous buyer is the one who knows more about your practice than you do.
Have you received unsolicited letters? CLICK HERE – 10 second survey
JACKIE JOACHIM
Jackie has 30 years of experience in the industry as a former banker and now the Chief Operating Officer of ROI Corporation. Please contact her at Jackie.joachim@roicorp.com or 1-844-764-2020.
