This is a big red flag for me. Unless you have a plan to operate the business when all new employees, it could be a big problem. Perhaps they are all planning to retire shortly, and that’s why he is selling? How can you buy a business that is to be operated by people who have not even met, let alone interviewed? If a purchase agreement has been signed, then all the more reason why you should be able to interview them. If it isn’t already too late.
It’s good to retain at least some empathy, it’s a pretty serious thing for most people, to lose their jobs. Over time and repetition, it does get more tolerable. We generally stretch it out too long, we give too many last chances, etc. At least by the time we fire them, we are very sure they are not going to improve.
My bar is up 15% over last year, which was our best year ever. The worse the economy gets, the more people need to drown their sorrows, I suppose. Though a recession is never consistent, there are always businesses doing well. A recession just means a higher proportion of businesses suffering than normal.
BBB is nothing but an extortion scam, don’t do it. As someone below said, BBB is boomer Yelp. BBB’s whole business is shaking down business to say they are in good standing. If you don’t pay, they say you are not suitable for membership. Don’t pay them.
The things you describe are not unethical, they are normal business. It’s unreasonable to think that people won’t copy the effective things you do. You can succeed by being more innovative, but you have to keep innovating to stay ahead.
You are overvaluing the uniqueness of what you have done, and undervaluing the importance of executing a plan efficiently. Instead of being upset about what your competitors are doing, focus on ways to do things they won’t be able to copy.