Used machinery broker and dealer

Small manufacturers, machine shops, start-up workshops and fabricators who want working equipment at a lower price than new.

The difference between your purchase price (plus refurbishment and transport costs) and your sale price, or a broker commission on sales you arrange.

• Judging machine condition and value
• Negotiating and pricing
• Basic mechanical knowledge or a trusted technician

• Check ownership before buying: search the provincial personal property security registry for liens
• Used machines may not meet current safety standards, and some provinces require inspection or certification, so check before selling
• Commercial general liability, product liability and goods-in-storage insurance
• Cash tied up in stock: a machine can sit unsold for months
• Check zoning and licence rules for your unit or yard with your municipality
• Imported machinery may involve customs duties and import rules, so check with a customs broker
• Heavy lifting and moving carries a risk of injury, so hire qualified riggers
• Holding stock and renting a unit needs significant capital; a broker-only start without stock needs much less money but earns commission only

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000 CAD, depending on stock, unit or yard rental and insurance. A broker-only start without stock needs much less money but earns commission only.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on how many machines you sell and their value. Cash can be tied up in stock, since a machine may sit unsold for months.

Things to check: liens through the provincial personal property security registry, whether used machines need inspection or certification before sale, insurance cover, zoning and licence rules for your unit or yard, and customs duties and import rules for imported machinery.