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Buying & Selling a Business

Can a broker refuse to bring me offers they think are too low?

TSL Written by the Treadstone Law team· Updated August 2026

No — a broker acting for you as seller is generally expected to present every genuine offer to you, even one they personally think is too low, and let you decide whether to accept, reject, or counter it. Deciding for you which offers are worth hearing about isn't consistent with a broker's duty to act in your interests and keep you informed; it substitutes their judgment for a decision that's yours to make.

If you suspect a broker is filtering out offers before you see them, ask directly how many inquiries and offers have actually come in, and whether every offer received has been presented to you. Some listing agreements include an obligation to present all offers in writing, which gives you something concrete to point to if this becomes a dispute. A broker who's declining to bring you an offer they think is too low, rather than simply advising you it's weak while still presenting it, is behaving outside the normal scope of their role. A Treadstone business lawyer can review your agreement for any express presentation obligations and advise on next steps if you believe offers are being withheld.

Key takeaways

  • A broker is generally expected to present every genuine offer, not filter out weak ones.
  • The decision to reject a low offer is yours to make, not the broker's to make for you.
  • Ask directly whether every offer received has actually been presented to you.
  • Some listing agreements include an explicit obligation to present all offers in writing.
This is general information, not legal advice. It doesn’t create a lawyer–client relationship, and the rules can change. For advice on your situation, a Treadstone business lawyer can help.
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