Online oriental rug dealer

Homeowners furnishing a room, interior designers looking for one-off pieces, and people who like vintage and traditional rugs.

You buy rugs at wholesale or on consignment and sell at a markup. Each rug is a high-value sale, so a few sales a month can cover costs.

• Knowing rug types, materials and quality
• Product photography and clear descriptions
• Customer service and negotiation
• Packing and shipping bulky items

• Check import duties, labelling and any textile rules if you import directly rather than buy from a Canadian wholesaler
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules (PST or QST) in your province
• Rugs are heavy and costly to ship, so work out shipping and returns policies before you list
• Check the origin and authenticity of each rug, since misdescribing a rug can lead to disputes
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you keep stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your photography and shipping setup. Start with a small range and check import duties if you buy directly from overseas.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your stock, pricing and how many rugs you sell. Rugs are heavy and costly to ship, so work out shipping and returns policies before you list.

Check import duties, labelling and textile rules if you import directly, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax (PST or QST) rules for your province. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you keep stock at home.