Online surplus and clearance reseller

Bargain hunters, campers, hunters and anglers, hobbyists, and people who like durable ex-military or work gear.

You buy stock cheaply and sell it at a markup per item. Mixed lots and bundles can raise the average sale, and market stalls give you cash sales and quick feedback on what sells.

• Spotting good-value stock
• Photographing and describing items
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking
• Customer service

• Rules on selling items such as knives, replica weapons, optics or ammunition-related goods differ by province, check before stocking them
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules where you sell
• Check that surplus goods are not recalled, counterfeit or restricted, and be clear about condition in listings
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and if storage at home is allowed
• Stock that does not sell ties up cash, so start small
• Market stalls are seasonal in much of Canada, plan for winter

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how you sell it. Stock that does not sell ties up cash, so starting small is worth considering.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on the stock you source and how often you sell online or at markets. Market stalls are seasonal in much of Canada, so plan for winter.

Check rules on selling items such as knives, replica weapons, optics or ammunition-related goods, which differ by province. Also check GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence.