Three guys from Detroit go into a Washington showroom. They check out the goods, like what they see and make an offer.
$25 billion.
They get rejected. “No can-do,” says the salesman.
The guys go home, re-group and come back a couple weeks later and make another offer.
$34 billion.
“Whoa-boy,” says the salesman. “I’m not so sure my manager will go for that. I’ll try, but I don’t know if I can get that kind of financing. I’m going to have to go see if my manager will go for this sweet offer. But I make no promises.”
He leaves. The three guys wait nervously.
Buying an industry is a pain.