Comments on: The Questionable Ethics of Dragons’ Den http://harrymetcalfe.com/2009/07/questionable-ethics-dragons-den-david-lees-plasma/ Harry's Home on the Web Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:32:34 +0000 hourly 1 By: Andrew http://harrymetcalfe.com/2009/07/questionable-ethics-dragons-den-david-lees-plasma/comment-page-1/#comment-1071 Andrew Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:32:34 +0000 http://harrymetcalfe.com/?p=134#comment-1071 Just saw this episode last night (in Australia, re-run). David claimed he had been offered £3.25m for what was essentially a one-man operation. My reaction was that he was a fool not to take that offer if it was genuine. That amount was enough to retire on (after the 12 months hand-over period) and have a very comfortable life. So I was a bit suspicious of the claim. But I fully understand the logic (and opportunism) of the dragons when they made their offer. They were shrewd enough to quickly realise that they had an opportunity to buy 50% of something that was potentially worth £3.25m for just £225K. And of course the 50% ownership rather than 49% David suggested would increase their power over David to force him to accept the £3.25m offer, if it was in fact proved to be real. I imagine they would have claimed the right to pull out if they later discovered David's claim was bogus, so they really had nothing to lose and a lot to gain by making the offer. I understand that in reality things developed quite differently, but this is my take on how the matter came across on the show as I watched it last night. Just saw this episode last night (in Australia, re-run). David claimed he had been offered £3.25m for what was essentially a one-man operation. My reaction was that he was a fool not to take that offer if it was genuine. That amount was enough to retire on (after the 12 months hand-over period) and have a very comfortable life. So I was a bit suspicious of the claim. But I fully understand the logic (and opportunism) of the dragons when they made their offer. They were shrewd enough to quickly realise that they had an opportunity to buy 50% of something that was potentially worth £3.25m for just £225K. And of course the 50% ownership rather than 49% David suggested would increase their power over David to force him to accept the £3.25m offer, if it was in fact proved to be real. I imagine they would have claimed the right to pull out if they later discovered David’s claim was bogus, so they really had nothing to lose and a lot to gain by making the offer. I understand that in reality things developed quite differently, but this is my take on how the matter came across on the show as I watched it last night.

]]> By: Bez http://harrymetcalfe.com/2009/07/questionable-ethics-dragons-den-david-lees-plasma/comment-page-1/#comment-918 Bez Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:53:43 +0000 http://harrymetcalfe.com/?p=134#comment-918 I just watched that episode today in Kosovo. Obviously we are late in getting these episodes for about two years after you in UK. I was astonished as well and felt sorry for David Lees. I don't know what happened afterwards, and how is he doing now! Cheers from Kosovo. Bez. I just watched that episode today in Kosovo. Obviously we are late in getting these episodes for about two years after you in UK. I was astonished as well and felt sorry for David Lees. I don’t know what happened afterwards, and how is he doing now!

Cheers from Kosovo.

Bez.

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