How to start an online collectables shop in Canada

Hobbyists and collectors across Canada and abroad, plus people buying gifts for fans.

You buy stock for less than you sell it for. Profit comes from the gap between the two, minus marketplace fees, shipping materials and postage.

• Knowing your collectable niche well
• Spotting fair prices and fakes
• Photography and clear listings
• Careful packing and record keeping

• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality
• Check when you must register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency, and how your province handles sales tax
• Fakes and counterfeit items, buy from sources you trust and keep proof of authenticity
• Insure higher-value parcels and check cross-border shipping and customs costs
• Prices can swing quickly with trends, so avoid tying up all your money in one item

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on how much stock you buy, the packing supplies you need and how you set up your online shop. Starting small with one niche can help keep spending in check.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,500, depending on your niche, the stock you can source, your listings and the hours you put in. Prices can swing with trends, so results will vary.

Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality, when to register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency, how your province handles sales tax, and how to guard against fakes. Also check insurance and cross-border shipping and customs costs.