Rubber products sourcing supplier (home-based)

Small engineering firms, maintenance teams, workshops, farms, builders' merchants and facilities managers who need parts quickly and don't have time to search.

You buy at trade price and add a margin to each order. Repeat orders from regular accounts matter more than one-off sales.

• Reading specifications and drawings
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Reliable follow-up and customer service

• Check supplier terms on drop shipping, returns and who is responsible for wrong or faulty parts
• Product liability and public liability insurance are worth checking, as parts may be used in safety-critical equipment
• Check whether food-contact or water-contact products need specific approvals or certificates
• Trade suppliers may ask for credit checks or payment up front at first
• Check you are allowed to run a business from home with your landlord or mortgage lender
• Register as a sole trader or limited company and keep an eye on the VAT registration threshold

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your set-up, insurance and how you handle supplier accounts. These are estimates, so build your own figures from real supplier quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many trade buyers you win and the size of their orders. These are estimates rather than guarantees, and revenue is not the same as profit.

Check supplier terms on drop shipping, returns and who is responsible for wrong or faulty parts. Also check product and public liability insurance, any approvals for food or water-contact products, and whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows a home business.