Online used game and retro console shop
Buy, test and resell used games, retro consoles and accessories through your own site and online marketplaces.
- C$500-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
An online store run from home. You source used games and consoles, test and clean them, photograph them and sell through marketplaces and your own website, shipping across Canada.
Your first three steps
- Buy a small batch of used games and consoles from local sales, thrift stores and online listings, and note what they sell for
- Open a seller account on a marketplace and set up a simple shop page with clear photos and honest condition notes
- Work out your shipping costs with Canada Post or couriers and set a pricing sheet that covers fees and postage
Who pays
Collectors, retro gamers and gift buyers across Canada who can't find these items locally.
How it makes money
You earn the gap between what you pay for items and your selling price, after marketplace fees and shipping. Bundles and rare titles can lift margins.
Skills that help
- Knowing game and console values
- Testing and cleaning items
- Photography and listing writing
- Packing and shipping
Watch out for
- Check whether your province or municipality has second-hand dealer rules and record keeping for items you buy
- Avoid counterfeit, modified or stolen items and keep proof of purchase
- Marketplace fees and shipping can eat into margins, so price carefully
- Check whether you need a home-based business licence and when to register for GST/HST
- Damage in transit is a risk, so pack well and consider tracked shipping or insurance
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: online used game and retro console shop
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online used game shop?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $5,000 CAD, depending mainly on how much stock you buy and what you spend on testing, cleaning and packing supplies.
How much can an online retro game shop earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $600 to $5,000 CAD, depending on your stock and sales channels. Marketplace fees and shipping can eat into margins, so price carefully.
What rules should I check before selling used games online in Canada?
Check whether your province or municipality has second-hand dealer rules and record keeping for items you buy. Also check whether you need a home-based business licence, when to register for GST/HST, and avoid counterfeit or stolen items.
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