Online fridge seller with local delivery

Households after a better price than the high street, landlords buying several units, and students or tenants needing a quick replacement.

You sell at a margin over your trade price, and charge for delivery, installation and removal of the old appliance.

• Basic online listing and photography
• Sourcing stock and comparing trade prices
• Organising deliveries and handling heavy items safely
• Clear, prompt customer service

• Distance selling rules: customers usually get a cancellation period and rights on faulty goods, so check the Consumer Contracts Regulations and your return terms
• WEEE obligations on selling electrical goods and offering take-back of old appliances, check what applies to an online seller
• Waste carrier registration if you collect old fridges, and safe handling of fridge gases
• Goods-in-transit and public liability insurance, and whether your van policy covers business use
• Damage and returns on large items, which can eat into small margins

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £2,500 to £12,000, depending on your stock, storage space, website or marketplace fees, delivery set-up and insurance. Starting with fewer models can keep the first stock purchase smaller.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £2,500 to £12,000, depending on your range, prices and delivery area. Damage and returns on large items can eat into small margins. Allow at least around 15 hours a week.

Check distance selling rules, including cancellation periods and rights on faulty goods under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. Check WEEE take-back duties, waste carrier registration for collecting old fridges, and goods-in-transit, public liability and van insurance.