Online unlocked and refurbished phone store

Budget-minded buyers, students, families buying a first phone, and people who want to avoid a long carrier contract.

Margin between your buying price and selling price on each phone, with higher-margin accessories added to most orders.

• Online selling and product listings
• Testing and grading used devices
• Customer support and handling returns

• Stolen or blacklisted devices: check IMEI status and keep supplier records
• Check your province's consumer protection rules on warranties and returns for used goods
• GST/HST or provincial sales tax on online sales, and when you need to register, so check with the CRA and your province
• Check that chargers, batteries and accessories meet Canadian safety and wireless certification expectations
• Check network compatibility so you don't sell phones that won't work with Canadian carriers
• Cash tied up in stock and thin margins from marketplace fees

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much stock you buy and whether you use your own site or a marketplace. Cash tied up in stock is worth planning for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on stock, pricing and marketplace fees. Margins can be thin, and the estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week.

Check IMEI status and keep supplier records to avoid stolen or blacklisted devices. Check your province's consumer protection rules on warranties and returns, when to register for GST/HST or provincial sales tax with the CRA, and network compatibility with Canadian carriers.