Terms of Use

Last updated Oct 2026

These terms explain how you may use Heritage Handshake (sellmybusinessdirect.com). By using the site, you agree to them. Please read them carefully.

1. What we are

Heritage Handshake (sellmybusinessdirect.com) is an online marketplace. It lets business owners post listings and lets buyers contact owners. That is all we do.

We are not a business broker, agent, real estate brokerage or realtor, lawyer, accountant, appraiser or financial adviser. We do not negotiate, represent anyone, hold money, or take part in any sale. We do not charge commission or take any share of a sale.

2. No advice

Everything on this site, including guides, the value estimate and the broker-fee estimate, is general information only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, financial, valuation or real estate advice. Before you buy or sell, get advice from your own lawyer and accountant.

3. Listings are posted by users

Owners write their own listings. We review listings before they appear, but only to keep the site tidy and lawful. We do not check or confirm the facts, figures, ownership or condition of any business, and we make no promise that a listing is accurate, complete or current.

If you post a listing, you confirm that you have the right to sell or offer the business, that the information is true to the best of your knowledge, and that it does not break any law or anyone else's rights. We may edit, refuse or remove any listing or message at any time.

4. Buyers must do their own checks

If you are a buyer, you are responsible for your own due diligence. That means checking the financial records, tax filings, leases, contracts, licences, equipment and anything else that matters to you, with help from your own professionals, before you commit.

5. Real estate

Some sales include land or a building. We do not trade in real estate or give real estate advice, and we do not take part in any real estate part of a sale. Any transfer of land or a lease should be handled by each side's own lawyer.

6. Our own interest in buying

The people who run this site, or people connected to them, may be interested in buying businesses listed here. When an owner lists, they can choose whether we may contact them about that. Owners are never required to sell to us, and saying no does not affect their listing.

7. Advertising

The site is free for sellers and is paid for by advertising. Ads and sponsored content come from third parties and are labelled. We do not endorse advertisers, and any dealings you have with them are between you and them.

8. Founding Member offer

The first 1,000 seller listings that we approve become Founding Members, at no cost. Founding Members get: their listing featured in the rotating featured section of our home page for 12 months from approval; a Founding Member badge on their listing; one free emailed value check (an estimated range, not an appraisal or professional valuation); one free listing write-up, which we send to the owner to approve before it is used; inclusion in our buyer email for their province while the listing is active and the email is being sent; and a free printable Exit Plan Checklist.

Places are counted in the order listings are approved. Rejected or withdrawn listings do not count. A listing that is removed for breaking these terms loses its Founding Member benefits. Featured placement rotates, so not every listing appears on the home page at the same time. We may end or change the offer for new listings at any time, but we will honour the benefits already given.

9. Using the site fairly

Please do not post false, misleading or unlawful content, send spam, collect other users' details, or try to disrupt or break into the site. We may suspend access for anyone who does.

10. Limitation of liability

The site is provided "as is". To the fullest extent the law allows, Heritage Handshake and the people who run it are not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your use of the site, any listing, any message, or any deal or dealing between users. If we are found responsible for anything, our total liability is limited to $100.

11. Indemnity

If you break these terms or the law while using the site, or post content that harms someone else, you agree to cover the reasonable costs, losses and claims that result for us.

12. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada that apply there. Any dispute will be handled in the courts of British Columbia.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. We will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. If a change is important, we will also put a notice on the site. If you keep using the site after a change, you accept the updated terms.

Questions about this page? Email hello@sellmybusinessdirect.com.