Local auto accessories supplier to garages and shops

Independent garages, tire shops, used car dealers, detailers, small auto accessory stores and fleet operators.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your wholesale price. Regular repeat orders from a handful of shops matter more than one-off sales.

• Selling and relationship building
• Stock tracking and organizing
• Knowing which products fit which vehicles
• Reliable delivery

• Check which rules apply to aftermarket lighting, as provinces restrict certain colours, brightness and strobe lights
• Product liability and commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for stock and your vehicle
• Check whether your municipality allows storing and running stock from your home, or whether you need a unit
• GST/HST and any provincial sales tax: check how to register and how wholesale resale certificates work in your province
• Cash flow: you pay suppliers up front, so be careful offering long payment terms
• Demand for items like winter mats is seasonal, so plan your stock and cash through the year

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000 CAD, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you store it at home or rent a unit, and your insurance. You pay suppliers up front, so cash flow needs care.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on how many local businesses you supply and your product range. You can start from around 15 hours a week. Items like winter mats are seasonal, so plan stock through the year.

Check which rules apply to aftermarket lighting, as provinces restrict certain colours, brightness and strobe lights. Also check whether your municipality allows storing stock at home, your insurance, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration and resale certificates.