Online games seller with market stalls
Sell used games, board games and collectables online and at local markets and conventions, run from home.
- C$500-5k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A home-run games business selling through your own web shop, online marketplaces and weekend stalls at markets, fairs and gaming conventions.
Your first three steps
- Buy a first batch of stock from local sales, collections or a wholesaler and list a few items to test prices
- Set up a simple web shop or marketplace account and compare Canada Post and courier rates for games
- Book a table at a local market or convention to meet buyers and gather repeat customers
Who pays
Collectors, retro gamers, board game fans and parents shopping for gifts, locally and across Canada.
How it makes money
Margin on stock bought from trade-ins, garage sales, collections and wholesalers, sold at higher prices online or at stalls.
Skills that help
- Spotting good-value stock
- Product photography and listings
- Packing and shipping
- Knowing what collectors will pay
Watch out for
- Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
- Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
- Counterfeit or reproduction games and cards, check authenticity before buying and selling
- Shipping costs, damage in transit and cross-border duties if selling to the US
- Market stall fees and the cost of storing stock at home
- Business insurance cover for stock and for stall events
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: online games seller with market stalls
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online games business in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you set up your own web shop, and what stall equipment you need.
What should I check before selling used games in Canada?
Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and when to register for GST/HST and provincial sales tax. Also check the authenticity of games and cards to avoid counterfeits, cross-border duties if you sell to the US, and insurance for stock and stall events.
How much can an online games seller earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your stock, listings and how many markets you attend. The idea estimates at least about 8 hours a week.
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