Open-box and surplus appliance wholesaler

Independent appliance shops, used-appliance dealers, landlords, property managers, renovators and installers.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your lot price. Margins are higher on surplus stock, but you must move it quickly to cover storage costs.

• Negotiating and sourcing stock
• Checking and testing appliances
• Organising storage and deliveries
• Building trade relationships

• Commercial general liability and stock insurance, and cargo cover if you transport goods
• Energy efficiency and labelling rules for appliances sold in Canada, check Natural Resources Canada and your provincial requirements
• Rules for handling refrigerants and for disposing of old appliances, which vary by province, so check your provincial environment ministry
• Whether you can charge GST/HST to resellers, and how resale certificates work in your province, check with the CRA and your provincial tax office
• Damaged or faulty stock, and who covers returns and warranty
• Heavy lifting and storage risks, plan for equipment and safe handling
• Quebec has French-language labelling and documentation rules to check if you sell there

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your storage unit and your handling equipment. These are estimates only, so price your first purchase and storage carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on stock volume, the lots you sell and your buyer relationships. These are estimates, not guarantees, and faulty stock or returns can affect results.

Check energy efficiency and labelling rules with Natural Resources Canada and your province, and refrigerant handling and disposal rules. Also check GST/HST on sales to resellers, insurance for stock and cargo, French-language rules if selling in Quebec, and warranty responsibility.