Online trade scale reseller

Small food businesses, market traders, workshops, labs, postal and packing businesses and anyone who needs a dependable scale.

Margin on each scale sold, plus add-ons such as accessories, printers, test weights and referrals to a local service engineer.

• Clear product knowledge and good written advice
• Order handling and customer service
• Basic website or marketplace selling

• Scales for trade use usually need to be approved and correctly marked, check with Trading Standards before listing them
• Consumer rules on distance selling and returns, plus how you handle faulty items and warranty claims
• Product liability and public liability insurance, check what your insurer needs for online sellers
• Delivery damage, as scales are sensitive to knocks, so check packaging and carrier terms
• Customers who need calibration or servicing, decide whether you refer them elsewhere

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how much stock you hold and whether you ship straight from the supplier. These are estimates, so build your own budget from supplier quotes and website or marketplace fees.

Scales for trade use usually need to be approved and correctly marked, so check with Trading Standards before listing them. Also check consumer rules on distance selling and returns, and what insurance your insurer needs for online sellers.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many trade customers you win. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, delivery and fees. Time needed starts at around 8 hours a week.