"It's our obligation to recommend Lindsay Sandes excellent service and Link. When we review the experience of the past 3 years, it takes me some time to review all the issues even from the very beginning. Like I always said, we wish we had come to Lindsay before we made the decision of private purchase. It could be a totally different situation if we can had some fair suggestions from Lindsay, the professional agent, and the businessman. No one but Lindsay can get the mission impossible done. Perhaps it's the few wise decisions we have made during the whole process to work with him. It's our obligation to recommend Lindsay's excellent service and Link. It also made us become Lindsay's potential clients if we will purchase any business in the future. We will also seek Lindsay's advice of business undoubtedly because his entire work has proved he is more than an experienced business agent, but also a trustful man with empathy and wisdom. I wish my expression could be better, after all English is my second language. Later I will write another letter in Chinese and saved as a PDF file, in case of any Chinese colleague in Link or clients in the future."
Robert Wang and Bess Lu, Vendors
"We were listed with another Agency and failed to reach a sale. To obtain a sale, we invited Lindsay Sandes from Link Business to sell our motel business. Lindsay advised us of the challenges having Pohutu Lodge sit in the market for a while, however he managed to introduce 51 potential buyers to our sale and despite the interruption of Covid, successfully sold our motel business. Lindsay navigated the normal challenges of landlords / purchasers, kept us informed and achieved a successful sale in tough times. We have no hesitation recommending Lindsay Sandes to vendors or purchasers who want to achieve their desired exit or a purchase."
Mark and Sherwin, Owners, Pohutu Lodge.
"We employed Lindsay from Link Business to sell our motel lease for BKs Egmont Motor Lodge in mid 2019, after running the motel for over 11 years. The lease was more than half way through the 30 year lease period and accommodation business had been a little slow for the previous few years in New Plymouth, so we were unsure what interest there would be. Lindsay did an amazing job and was totally professional and extremely competent. Within 2 months of telling Lindsay we wanted to sell the motel lease, we had had 3 suitable offers, and the sale went through the following month. After contacting Lindsay he gave a list of information he needed, came and met us, and gave us written advice on a selling price range. The process was very organized and thorough and at all times we felt comfortable with Lindsay’s approach. Lindsay’s marketing of the motel was excellent as we had enquiries immediately and the first offer almost immediately. Lindsay was always available by phone or e-mail and carried through everything he said he would do. When the occasional inevitable hiccup occurred Lindsay would sort it out. We have no hesitation recommending Lindsay to anyone considering selling their motel business."
Ross & Sheryll Domney
"Quest Napier. The sale of our business Quest Napier, has recently been completed and we’ve had time to reflect on the purchase and sale of Quest Napier. We first contacted Lindsay towards the end of 2008 as we had been living overseas but were looking for a business to purchase and return to New Zealand. Crazy as it may seem, we completed all our Due Diligence while away and only returned to New Zealand shortly before the business was due to open. Lindsay guided us through the sale process and liaised with the Quest Head office and the Franchise purchase process. It was time consuming but we all got there in the end. Lindsay kept in contact during the 9 ½ years we owned Quest Napier and helped us through some issues we had during our tenure. Finally it came to be our turn to sell and we contacted Lindsay again as he knew the business and the property inside out having been there at the beginning. The sale period was not too long but Lindsay must have fielded and assessed countless applications prior to putting forward candidates. Again he guided the Purchasers through the franchise requirements and ensured that questions and answers were liaised promptly between us and the interested parties. Lindsay’s quirky sense of humour helped alleviate some tense situations and he was patient enough to answer all questions thoroughly and at length. He has meticulous follow up and ensures that all leads are kept active until a decision is made one way or the other. We wish Lindsay well and can recommend him to any potential or current business owner to assist in the 2 sides of being a Purchaser and a Vendor."
Fiona & Ruben Simon
"After inviting submissions to sell our motel, we selected Lindsay Sandes as sole agent as he exuded the professionalism and understanding we thought necessary to achieve a successful sale. We believe we were privileged to be served by Lindsay. Aside from being thoroughly professional at all times, he removed the stress of sale with his calm manner and thoughtful approach to all aspects of inspection, addressing queries and satisfying purchaser enquiries, through to successful settlement. Thank you Lindsay. If you are selling your accommodation business, we recommend contacting Lindsay."
Bronny and Steven Pett
"Waiouru Welcome Inn. Lindsay Sandes, has been visiting with us over the last 4 years, giving advice and encouragement as to how we can present our property best to the market. When we finally decided to go to the market in July 2017, Lindsay came and spent many hours advising us just what and how the process would work, and what he needed to be able to put a suitable marketing plan together. He kept us advised as to the response to his advertising in the newspaper and internet. Lindsay was very specific in requiring prospective purchasers to complete a confidentiality form, before he would give out any information on our property and business records. Lindsay gave us all the statistics regarding the number of phone calls he had received, confidentiality forms completed and the number of motels purchased elsewhere by those same people. When the prospective purchaser came with an offer, Lindsay worked hard between us to get a very satisfactory result for both parties. During this process he was in constant contact by email and phone calls as required, prompting us to contact our solicitor whenever necessary. We found Lindsay to be a very keen, caring and conscientious real estate agent, we would recommend him to any other business owners in the hospitality industry, and we thank Lindsay most sincerely for making the sale of our property come true."
Frances & Barry Hodgson
"The River Lodge. Whether you are buying or selling Lindsay is the go to person. Having purchased our business through Lindsay it was obvious who we would go to when it was time to on-sell The River Lodge some years later. We found Lindsay's handling of our sale nothing less than exceptional, his business ethics and integrity above reproach. His progress reports and follow up faultless. His advice was solid and often what we needed to hear rather than what we wanted to hear, which wasn't easy for him, but vitally important for us to make informed decisions. His support never waned despite the curve balls we threw at him and his patience endless. Lindsay's involvement with us and like most people he works with, doesn't stop at purchase or sale. He regularly popped in to see how we were faring long after it was done and dusted and the welcome mat was always out waiting for him. Lindsay's genuine love of what he does, better than most, is evident. We would recommend him without any hesitation whether it be as a buyer or purchaser for any type of property or business sale if you want it done right."
Gayle Richardson and Denton Beuth
"Ruapehu Country Lodge. We met Lindsay when purchasing a property in the Central Plateau region. As purchasers, Lindsay was always available to us for the many questions we had surrounding not only the property sale, but the business sale as well – by phone and personally on many occasions. He worked tirelessly to complete the sale and his negotiating skills were second to none. He has visited us several times post settlement and is definitely a ‘go to’ person when we have business questions as he has vast experience as well in the hospitality industry. We have an ongoing relationship with Lindsay and continue to look forward to his visits when he is in the region."
Heather Ellis
"Focus on Anzac. The dust has finally settled on the sale of the Management Rights of Focus on Anzac and we feel that we can now put this to bed. To that end we would like to record our most sincere gratitude to you for all of the effort that you put into making this deal come through. There is no doubt that without your diligence, persistence and ability to negotiate we would still be rattling the keys and contemplating our situation. Instead we are happily enjoying our freedom and planning our next venture in Tauranga As a professional in your industry you are without peer, and we speak with some authority, having used your services buying the original Management Rights which was fraught with problems and your negotiating skills were sorely tested. You were tested once again with this sale but we trusted you completely……and you came through again!! Make no mistake Lindsay we will be contacting you when we plan on selling up in Tauranga, so keep your powder dry until then."
Rory & Helen Price
"Thank you for your professionalism with the purchase of Focus on Anzac, your involvement really gave us ‘peace of mind’ through the whole process. We are also grateful for your willingness to assist with educating our committee members in terms of them understanding ‘management rights’ in relation to the renewal of our contract in January 2020."
The Purchaser of Focus on Anzac
"The Quest St Pauls and the Quest on Thorndon (Wellington). Quest Serviced apartment hotels are an Australasian Franchise that operates over 150 serviced apartment hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The brand is widely well known and highly regarded. It offers short and long term accommodation to mainly corporate and business travellers but also serves leisure guests. We have been operating the Quest St Pauls from August 2012 until September 2015 and Quest on Thorndon from august 2014 until February 2019. Both hotels had an average yearly occupancy of 85%+ and were very successful. When we decided to sell each property we engaged Lindsay Sandes as our business broker to market, advertise and sell our Quest Franchises. We found that Lindsay has a great understanding of the hotel business markets and on both occasions he has found the right purchaser. Lindsay was always contactable no matter what time of the day. He also provided the best advice and strategies to attract the most and best possible candidates. He understood our and Quest requirements to find the best fit and the best sales price. We would not hesitate to contact Lindsay again should we decided to look for another hotel business and certainly would recommend him to sell any business. If you have any questions then please feel free to contact me."
Tom Rynaarts
"Quest on the Terrace. Hannah and I met you through our recent purchase of our Quest Apartment Hotel, Quest on Thorndon and would like to thank you for your expert help guiding us to a successful and trouble-free purchase. We have dealt with a few selling agents in the past, but you definitely stand head and shoulders above anyone we have met before. You are true professional; your calm demeanour and knowledge of the business is second to none. We would like to point out you were approachable at any time of the day/night and always answered our questions and helped in a couple of difficult situations without any fuss. If we were to sell any business, in particular an accommodation business I would only come to you. We look forward to keeping in touch with you as we feel our relationship built out of this purchase will be a long lasting one."
Simon & Hannah Gratsounas
"The Waterfront Hotel. The sale of our business The Waterfront Hotel in New Plymouth was finalised last year and now we have had time to rest and contemplate life I want to recommend Lindsay to anyone that is thinking of selling a business or property. Lindsay regularly called in to the Hotel to say hello to our Manager and us whenever he was in New Plymouth. This is the kind of guy he is. When we finally decided to sell up it was the best choice we could have made giving our business to Lindsay to market. Lindsay guided us through the sale process and found us a Multi International buyer, He guided us through the marketing process and we couldn’t have done this without his expertise and experience in dealing with huge International companies as well as National buyers. The sale period took quite a few months as it is quite involved and Lindsay helped us every step of the way. Lindsay weeded out and assessed countless applications prior to putting forward prospective buyers for us to sit down with. Lindsay’s happy and can-do misdemeanour helped alleviate some tense situations that came up on the way to the sale being finalised. He answered all our questions and resolved the issues that came up as we went through the process. He followed up all leads and made sure they were kept active until we had made a final decision. Lindsay was very up front about keeping a strong confidentiality contract with all prospective purchasers which was very important to us as it is a very personal and stressful journey selling a business that you have poured your life into for years, Lindsay kept us informed right through the process so that we knew who and what was happening, he guided us through everything from beginning to end, and was there as a friend when we just wanted to talk. I cannot recommend Lindsay highly enough, he got us what we wanted and we can’t thank him enough.
Sue and Neil Drought
"Lindsay Sandes was the broker who forged a deal for the sale of our hotel and conference centre within the Auckland area in April 2019. When he approached us with an interested party in our property, he was aware that we had no intention to sell. Throughout the intervening months prior to the complete of the sale. Lindsay’s professionalism and patience continued the momentum of a sale process that he dedicated a lot of time and energy to getting a satisfactory deal. We have known Lindsay for many years. Over that time, he has shown us he is competent and very knowledgeable of the market and gives good feedback. He is the consummate professional who gives attention to detail and keeps both parties fully informed of all aspects of each side. We recommend Lindsay as a broker of integrity and we would use his professional services again without hesitation."
Alan. M and Margaret Wansbone
Directors
Springfield Enterprises Limited
