Online RV parts and accessories shop

RV and motorhome owners doing their own repairs and upgrades, plus small rental and hire operators who need regular supplies.

You sell products at a markup over wholesale prices, and shipping or bundles (such as spring de-winterizing kits) can lift the average order. Sales usually peak before and during the camping season.

• Knowing RV parts and how owners use them
• Online selling and basic website setup
• Customer service and answering fit questions
• Organising stock and orders

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules for online sales
• Some items, such as propane products and chemicals, may have shipping and handling restrictions, so check before listing them
• Get commercial general liability and product liability insurance, since faulty parts can cause damage or injury
• Returns, wrong-fit parts and shipping costs on bulky items can eat into margins
• Sales are seasonal, with a quiet winter in most of Canada, so plan your cash flow

Estimates are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you hold at home or whether suppliers ship directly to customers, and on your website setup.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your range and how many owners you reach. Sales are seasonal, with a quiet winter in most of Canada, and returns and bulky shipping can eat into margins.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home. Also check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, provincial sales tax, shipping restrictions on propane products and chemicals, and liability insurance.