Online refurbished computer seller

Students, families, remote workers and anyone wanting a working computer at a lower price than new.

You sell each machine for more than you paid for it and the parts, with extra margin from add-ons like a new battery, more memory or a short warranty.

• Basic computer repair and testing
• Spotting good deals when buying stock
• Clear photos and honest listings
• Customer service

• Securely erasing all previous data and keeping a record of it
• Software licensing: check you can legally install the operating system you offer
• Check your provincial consumer protection rules on warranties, returns and advertising used goods
• Check whether your province has electronics recycling or stewardship rules for disposing of scrap parts
• Shipping damage and returns, so pack carefully and consider insurance
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check how it applies to used goods

Estimated startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000 CAD, depending on how much stock you buy and the tools you need. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many computers you sell.

Useful skills include basic computer repair and testing, spotting good deals when buying stock, clear photos with honest listings, and customer service. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week, depending on how much stock you handle.

Things to check include securely erasing and recording data wipes, software licensing for the operating system you install, provincial consumer protection rules on warranties and returns, electronics recycling rules, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.