Yahoo News Dragons' Den viewers call Steven Bartlett a 'pushover' after flattery wins him over
Dragons' Den returned to our screens but Gary Neville is yet to make his debut
What did you miss?
Amused Dragons' Den viewers said Steven Bartlett was a "softie" and a "pushover" after he agreed to invest £100,000 for just three percent of the second hand luxury traders business.
Ben, 23, Joe, 28, and Oliver, 28, representing their business Luxe Collective - that sells second hand luxury goods to customers - secured an investment from the social media loving dragon at the end of the first dramatic episode in the den.
Sara Davies had no qualms telling her fellow dragon that he was a "soft touch" when he agreed to meet the trio at three percent. Social media was awash with viewers at home agreeing while others praising how the negotiation went down in Dragons' Den.
What, how and why?
After they shook on a deal and the trio had left, Davies turned to her fellow dragon to playfully mock him. She told him: "You absolute soft touch. They played you. They had no negotiating power. They stroked your ego. 'Steven, I love your podcast!'"
Touker Suleyman and Deborah Meaden had also shared their interest in the business. Both Davies and Peter Jones counted themselves out of the negotiation early. Bartlett put his offer on the table, saying: "I’m going to offer you all of the money for five percent."
After a discussion at the wall, Luxe Collective's Ben told all the dragons: "Thank you for all your offers. We really appreciate it." Then he flattered Bartlett saying he loved his podcast The Diary of a CEO and that he had "helped" him a lot during a difficult time in his life.
Speaking to Bartlett, he added: "So like, when I was 19 I kind of didn't really like the direction my life was going in. I decided I needed to start working on myself. I started listening to your podcast Steven. The conversations you’ve had with all these people really helped me get back on track and live. I never thought I would be in this position now. You’ve helped me out a lot man! I appreciate it. Can someone help me out? We would prefer to work closer with Steven."
Suleyman wasn't impressed they wanted to take Bartlett up on his offer as he commented he only had eight years of experience. However, Bartlett didn't mind as he cut in to say: "It’s fantastic experience. We’ve got a deal."
Ben then begun the bargaining process and he had no qualms pushing back on Bartlett's five percent offer. He said at five percent: "It’s too high. We will do three percent, that’s where we are at Steven. We would shake hands on a deal at three percent right now."
Bartlett asked them to meet him in the middle but Ben stood firm saying: "I think three percent is a good deal."
The dragon responded: "So you wouldn't be willing to go to four percent?" There is a long pause in the den as tenses rise. With Ben not backing down, Bartlett can't resist signing up to the deal anyway. He said: "Sometimes in the den I want to see a bit more willingness to negotiate in the middle. I’m a dragon so I’m meant to be a tough guy that’s gonna like... I’m in love with your story and I’m in love with what you’re doing. I think you are great guys. So in this case I’m accepting the three percent."
People at home declared Steven was a "softie" and a "pushover" for giving into the negotiation. Among the comments, one wrote: "Steven is a softie." Another added: "And the fact they sweet talked you and stroked your ego for three percent."
"Call the bizzies Stephen ffs, you have been robbed! Dragon’s Den." Others wrote, "I’ve come to the conclusion that Stephen is a pushover. Dragon’s Den."
"Omg Stephen Barlett not such a dragon after all three percent soft touch. Dragon’s den. But I guess, why wdnt ya?!"
There were plenty of people praising how the negotiation went down too. People wrote: "One of the best negotiations I’ve ever seen in the Den by the Luxe Collective guys. Were willing to go to 4%, sold Steven Bartlett on flattery, saw it landed so stood firm & played hardball for three percent and won."
Others said: "three percent wow," "SARA DAVIES NOW WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT TO STEVEN," and "glad they went with Steven he could do a lot for that type of business…when they said three percent I thought Steven was going to back out lol."
What else happened on Dragon's Den?
Gary Neville is yet to make his upcoming Dragon's Den debut. At the time his appearance was announced, Meaden said: "A first next year in BBC Dragon's Den when we have some guest Dragons...first up @GNev2 who was utterly brilliant and owned that chair!!"
Ahead of his appearance on the show, the Manchester United star spoke about his experience on the show and he said it was a "test of endurance". He told The Mirror: "The thing that really stuck out for me was the length of the pitches. It really was a test of endurance – the concentration span needed was something I'd not thought about before."
He added: "I think it's becoming more and more normal particularly for the younger generation to want to change career paths and I think having that agility and flexibility in life is important. But also being bold and brave enough to do it. Being an entrepreneur by the very nature of it means that you are courageous, and you take risks."
