Mail-in VCR repair specialist

Collectors, home video archivists, film and video hobbyists, and small organizations that need a working deck for their tapes.

A fixed quote per repair or service level, plus shipping. Premium pricing for rare or high-end models.

• Solid electronics repair and soldering
• Record keeping and organization
• Writing clear quotes and updates

• Insurance that covers customers' equipment while in your care, and a clear policy for shipping damage
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check if your home insurance allows business use
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you work from home
• Collect and remit GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Parts are scarce, so set expectations on repair times and decline machines that cannot be fixed
• Customers' tapes may be irreplaceable, so agree upfront how they are handled

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your tools, test equipment, parts stock and shipping supplies. Also consider insurance that covers customers' equipment while it is in your care.

Things to check: insurance covering customers' equipment and a clear shipping damage policy, commercial general liability, home-based licence rules with your municipality, GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules, and how customers' tapes are handled.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many decks you repair and your pricing. Parts are scarce, so set expectations on repair times and decline machines that cannot be fixed.