Home-Based refurbished computer trade supplier

Independent repair shops, small resellers, schools' IT suppliers and eBay or Amazon sellers who want a reliable source of stock.

You sell at a margin above your buying price, usually by the batch or pallet. Repeat trade customers matter more than one-off sales.

• Knowing computer hardware and how to test it
• Spotting good deals when buying stock
• Building relationships with trade buyers
• Keeping accurate stock and cost records

• Electrical waste (WEEE) rules for sellers of electrical equipment, check what applies to you
• Wiping data properly from used drives, and keeping proof you did it
• Counterfeit or faulty parts, buy from sources you can trust and test before selling
• Prices of used kit can fall quickly, so avoid buying more stock than you can sell
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and checking whether your home policy or landlord allows storing stock
• Whether you need to register for VAT as sales grow

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how much stock you buy and the testing kit you need. Prices of used kit can fall quickly, so avoid buying more stock than you can sell.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the stock you source, your grading and how many trade buyers you build up. Buying from sources you can trust helps avoid faulty or counterfeit parts.

Check what electrical waste (WEEE) rules apply to you, and make sure drives are wiped properly with proof kept. Check public liability and product liability insurance, whether your home policy or landlord allows stock storage, and when VAT registration applies.