Online appliance parts shop

Homeowners fixing their own appliances, landlords, and small repair technicians who need parts quickly.

Markup on each part sold, plus shipping fees. Extra income can come from model-number lookup help and bundles such as a full repair kit.

• Reading appliance model numbers and parts diagrams
• Online shop setup and basic product listings
• Customer service and handling returns

• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality
• Register for GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check how your province handles this
• Wrong-part returns can eat into margins, so make model matching easy
• Check supplier terms on selling genuine versus aftermarket parts, and be clear with customers which is which
• Quebec customers may expect French-language listings and support, so check the rules if you sell there
• Get product liability insurance, as faulty electrical or gas parts can cause harm

Estimates typically put startup costs around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your shop platform, whether you dropship or hold a small stock of fast-moving parts, and your insurance and marketing choices.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many parts you list, how easy you make model matching, and how well you handle returns. Revenue is not profit, as supplier costs and shipping come out of it.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and when to register for GST/HST (and PST or QST). Check supplier terms on genuine versus aftermarket parts, product liability insurance, and French-language expectations if you sell in Quebec.