Refurbished computer lots for repair shops

Independent repair shops, small resellers, refurbishers, schools and nonprofits buying several machines at once.

You earn the margin between the bulk purchase price and your per-unit or per-lot price to trade buyers, with repeat orders from regular customers.

• Testing and grading computers
• Negotiating bulk prices
• Inventory tracking
• Clear product listings and customer service

• Check your state's rules on seller's permits and resale certificates for wholesale sales
• Wipe all drives properly and keep records, since leftover data is a legal risk
• Ask about Windows licensing for refurbished machines before you sell them with software
• Check local and state e-waste rules for units you can't resell
• Home storage may be limited by HOA, lease or home occupation rules, so check them
• Unseen lots can contain faulty or missing items, so start small and check seller terms and returns

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how large your first lots are, testing tools and storage. Unseen lots can contain faulty or missing items, so starting small helps limit risk.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on lot sizes, buyer demand and your purchase prices. The estimate assumes at least 10 hours per week. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check your state's seller's permit and resale certificate rules for wholesale sales. Also check Windows licensing before selling machines with software, wipe drives properly and keep records, and check state and local e-waste rules for units you can't resell.