Online towing and recovery equipment shop

Independent tow and recovery operators, garages and body shops, farms, and off-road and truck owners.

Mark-up on each product, plus bundles such as starter recovery kits and repeat orders from trade accounts. Shipping is charged or built into prices.

• Product knowledge of towing and recovery gear
• Online selling and basic website setup
• Inventory and shipping organization
• Clear customer communication

• Product liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance, check what your insurer needs for load-bearing equipment
• Working load limits and markings must be accurate, check which standards apply to the products you sell
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Register for GST/HST when required and check provincial sales tax rules, which differ by province
• Heavy items can be costly to ship, so test shipping rates before setting prices
• Imported goods may involve duties and customs paperwork, confirm with your supplier or a customs broker

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website setup, whether you hold small stock at home or ship directly from suppliers, and the range of products you list.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your product range, pricing, marketing and customer base. This is revenue before costs such as stock, shipping and website fees.

Check what insurance your insurer needs for load-bearing equipment, which standards apply to working load limits and markings, and whether a home-based business licence is needed. Also check GST/HST and provincial sales tax, shipping costs and customs paperwork.