Online spring supplier for trade buyers

Small manufacturers, engineers, maintenance teams, repair workshops, agricultural and garage businesses, and keen makers.

You buy in bulk or per order and sell at a margin. Extra income comes from quoting for custom batches, sourcing hard-to-find sizes and setting up repeat orders.

• Reading drawings and spring specifications
• Quoting and negotiating with suppliers
• Good organisation and stock control
• Clear, reliable customer service

• Product liability and public liability insurance, check the cover suits what you sell
• Springs used in safety-critical jobs such as lifting or vehicles, check specifications and keep supplier certificates
• Customs, VAT and import costs if you buy from overseas suppliers
• Storing stock at home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender, check first
• Larger customers may ask for quality standards such as ISO 9001

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you hold and how you build your website. These are estimates, so get supplier quotes and check your own needs before committing money.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, your customers and the hours you put in. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week. Revenue is not profit, so allow for stock and supplier costs.

Check that your product liability and public liability insurance suits what you sell. For springs used in lifting or vehicles, check specifications and keep supplier certificates. Also check customs, VAT and import costs, and whether larger customers expect ISO 9001.