Local Camera Shop with Used Gear and Advice

Hobby photographers, students, parents, content creators, wedding and event photographers, and film photography fans.

Margin on accessories and used gear (usually higher than on new camera bodies), plus trade-ins, simple services, rentals and workshops.

• Good knowledge of cameras and lenses
• Friendly, patient customer service
• Stock buying and pricing
• Basic bookkeeping

• New camera margins can be thin and brands may set minimum orders or pricing rules, so check dealer terms
• Some provinces and municipalities have secondhand dealer rules (ID records, holding periods). Check yours before buying used gear
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance, plus theft cover
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax (PST or QST) registration, depending on your province
• Online competition and slow-moving stock tie up cash, so start with a small range

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the unit, the fit-out and the range of new and used stock you buy. Starting with a small range helps limit cash tied up in slow-moving items.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock and add-on services such as sensor cleaning or classes. Online competition and thin margins on new cameras can affect what you keep.

Check dealer terms, since brands may set minimum orders or pricing rules. Also check secondhand dealer rules in your province or municipality before buying used gear, plus GST/HST and PST or QST registration, and commercial general liability, contents and theft insurance.