Local toner and ink delivery for offices

Small offices, medical and dental clinics, accountants, law firms, schools and local shops that print regularly but don't want to order online and wait.

You earn the margin between wholesale and your selling price. Regular supply agreements bring repeat orders, and you can add paper and basic office supplies to each delivery.

• Customer service
• Organised record keeping
• Knowing printer models and cartridge types
• Sales and follow-up

• Big online retailers and office supply chains can undercut on price, so compete on service and convenience
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Check GST/HST registration once your sales pass the small supplier threshold
• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for stock and your vehicle
• Selling remanufactured or compatible cartridges may carry warranty and quality risks, so check your supplier's terms
• Check local rules on recycling and disposal of used cartridges

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how much cartridge stock you hold and how you set up your records and deliveries to local offices and clinics.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many regular clients you win and how often they reorder. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.

Things to check: any home-based business licence if you store stock at home, GST/HST registration once sales pass the small supplier threshold, insurance for liability, stock and your vehicle, supplier warranty terms, and local rules on recycling used cartridges.