Mailbox supplier to hardware shops and builders

Independent hardware stores, home builders, renovators, property managers and condo or strata boards replacing mailboxes.

You buy in volume and sell at a trade price with a margin. Repeat orders from shops and builders, plus delivery fees on larger jobs, bring in steady income.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Stock and order tracking
• Selling to trade customers

• Check that every product meets current Canada Post requirements, as customers will expect it
• Check your municipality's rules for a home-based business licence and for storing stock at home
• Bulky stock needs dry storage space, and shipping costs can eat into margins
• Check supplier minimum orders and payment terms before committing cash
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• If you sell in Quebec, check French-language labelling and documentation requirements

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage space and supplier minimum orders. Check supplier payment terms before committing cash.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your range, trade customers and order sizes. Bulky stock and shipping costs can eat into margins, so factor them into your pricing.

Check that every product meets current Canada Post requirements, and your municipality's rules for a home-based licence and storing stock at home. Also check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and French-language labelling rules if you sell in Quebec.