Running a cartridge refill business. Cartridge refill business: step-by-step guide

BUSINESS OF REFUELING AND RESTORING CARTRIDGES

The modern world is a world of rapid progress and technological development. Almost all areas of human activity can no longer do without computers, printers and copying machines. The growth in consumption of consumables is growing with the growth of the office equipment fleet.

The original cartridge is expensive. Manufacturers, in competition with each other, are forced to sell printers and copying machines on the SOHO market below production costs. They deliberately inflate the cost of consumables several times in order to get their money back and make excess profits.

To prevent the user from overpaying for a cartridge, cartridge remanufacturing technology was invented and implemented. The resource of the original cartridge is approximately three times greater than that declared by the manufacturer, so it can be restored without loss of print quality.

Large enterprises benefit from these technologies. By investing financial resources in equipment and staff training, the company saves office costs on cartridges of up to five once. Also, on the basis of this production, you can organize an additional business to provide refurbished consumables to other organizations at a profit for yourself.

For example, let's look at the most common cartridges for the HP 2612A laser printer. The original cartridge costs $50-55( USA ). Refurbished - $18-25( USA ). Those. the price difference is $30( USA ). Now calculate the savings when using a cartridge per year based on using 1 cartridge per month: 12 months* $30( USA ) = $360(USA ). What if there are a lot of printers and copiers? There are organizations that spend $1,000,000 on original cartridges( USA ) and more per year. For them, the savings will be $750,000 ( USA) and more per year when organizing your own production. Not bad, right?!

Any business begins with a feasibility study.

We will make a justification based on the calculation of costs and profits for one year.

The volume of produced cartridges is 300 pcs. per month. As our experience shows, for beginners in this business these are real numbers even for an average regional city. If you call all the enterprises in your area or city, you will understand how in demand this technology is and how many cartridges can potentially be restored.

First- you need a premises to organize restoration production (you may already have one). For normal production operation, a production premises measuring 30 sq.m. is required. The rental cost averages $2,100 (USA)/year (at the rate of $70 (USA)/year/m3).

Second- purchase equipment. The cost of a set of equipment, depending on the scale of production, ranges from $3,000 to $14,000 (USA). Let's assume that a set of equipment is purchased for $14,000 (USA).

Third- wages and overhead costs will be -$23,800 (USA) per year (at the rate of 1 worker, 1 cartridge assembler, 1 courier - assistants 1 manager, $5000 (USA) advertising expenses, $2000 (USA) general business expenses).

Fourth- average cost of remanufacturing one cartridge is $13(USA). This includes the purchase of a used cartridge $5(USA), the cost of toner and spare parts $8(USA).

Fifth- average selling price of one cartridge is $25(USA).

Sixth- the average production volume for this equipment is 1000 cartridges per month, BUT we will take into account in the calculations the fact that the customer base is formed by 30%, respectively, the production volume in the first year of operation will be 300 cartridges/month

Total turnover for the year: $25 (selling price) - $13 (cost of restoration)*300*12= $43,200 (USA) per year.
Total investment : $14,000(USA) (equipment)
Total expenses for the year: $2100 (rent) + $23,800 (salaries)= $25,900(USA)
Profit for the year : $43,200(turnover) - $25,900 (expenses) = $17,300(USA)

The payback point will be :1, 24 years old*

*Calculation is based on 30% of equipment capacity.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED - WRITE!
Project Manager

The manual is the basis of a business plan and contains sections:

1.Market of consumables for office equipment. Competitiveness and strategy for selecting services provided.

We will talk about the prerequisites for the emergence of the market for consumables for office equipment, review the services provided and analyze possible failures in the provision of a particular service, and determine the dependence of your competitiveness on the strategy for choosing the services provided.

2. Business portfolio “Polyram”

“Tell me who your friend is, and I will tell you who you are” is always true in all cases. Let's get acquainted and perhaps you will take something as a basis for the development of your company. In this section, we tell the history of the company, its development strategy, describe Polyram’s services and development prospects.

3. Analysis of the Russian market for consumables for office equipment from Polyram

When starting any business, we strive to learn as much as possible about the trends and prospects for its development. The success of our enterprises depends on our knowledge. The Polyram team is convinced that copying foreign success does not guarantee its repetition within our country. It is also completely illiterate to use research data from foreign analytical companies to argue the attractiveness of our market. The mentality and needs of Russian clients differ significantly from Western ones. In this regard, studies of the successful experience of Russian companies discussed in this section are of greatest value.

4. Opportunities for organizing your own business and prospects for its development in the consumables market.

There are a lot of options for starting your own business in the consumables market (franchising, purchasing equipment at retail, purchasing turnkey business offers). In this section, we will determine their advantages and disadvantages, and also analyze the cost of entering the market in relation to each.

5. We select sources of financing based on an analysis of the Russian market for financial services for small businesses

One of the significant factors for successful business development is the competent choice of source of financing. At the present stage, the role of the state in attracting financial resources to small businesses is relevant. We offer you an analysis of the Russian market for financial services for small businesses and the most important factors that you can take advantage of.

6. We determine the possibilities of entering the consumables business. Marketing research.

The section is a training, within which a complete and detailed marketing research of a certain company regarding the Beginer business offer with a capacity of 500 cartridges/month was demonstrated. An assessment of the compliance of the client resource with respect to production capabilities was given, an analysis of the external and internal environment, opportunities and threats was carried out and, as a result, a swot analysis was carried out, as well as recommendations for conducting marketing research, practical accents were placed at each stage. The study is relevant regarding the modern development of the economy and politics of our state. It is a ready-made basis for writing a business plan.

7. Technological and engineering aspects of Beginer’s business proposals

The section provides technical characteristics of the equipment for the turnkey business offer, a description of the main and auxiliary equipment and the necessary consumables (from “Polyram”). In the section you will find the opinion of experts on each type of equipment, practical recommendations for operation, test reports, operating principles, and a description of the competitive advantage of the equipment you purchased.

8. Organization of the workplace

This section contains a recommended plan for organizing the workplace and the necessary technical equipment of the premises.

9. Economic justification for business proposals “Beginer”

In this section, we examined all possible risks when organizing a business and identified means to combat them. We carried out an economic justification for business proposals using the scenario method (optimistic, realistic, pessimistic), and determined the prerequisites for the development of each of them. We identified the appropriate payback points and gave many practical recommendations.

10. Project charter (business organization schedule)

A useful procedure that provides you with clear regulations for the implementation of the project implementation plan for organizing your business, provides a clear definition of the necessary labor and material costs, and allows you to create a calendar plan. The section demonstrates the development of the Project Charter, which is the basis for creating a schedule for organizing a business in the Microsoft Office Project program.

11.We develop a strategy for introducing our products/services to the market.

Since printers and other printing devices are found in almost every home today, interest in the business of refilling cartridges becomes natural. How much can you earn in this service sector and is it worth starting your own business based on such an idea?

With simple skills and minimal investment, you can create a profitable business and gradually expand your scope of activity. Thus, even a novice entrepreneur can increase his income and earn start-up capital for some more serious project.

Relevance

Office equipment today is an integral part of everyday life. It is present at home, in the office, every businessman has it. And sooner or later, the ink in the printer, fax and other similar devices runs out. Naturally, no one will buy expensive equipment or even the cartridges themselves every time. It is much more convenient and cheaper to refill them. And this function is performed by a specialist who has the necessary equipment.

With little competition in the city, you can expect this problem to be addressed frequently. You just need to approach the issue of organizing your business correctly and spend at least a little on advertising. Your clients will be:

• private individuals;
• entrepreneurs;
• large offices;
• government institutions, etc.

Almost every organization that ever prints anything has a need for new inks for their equipment. Therefore, refilling cartridges as a business is considered a successful and promising area. Rarely does anyone engage in this process on their own. It is much easier to seek help from a specialist.

The whole activity is quite simple and consists of the following steps:

1. Receive an application for work.
2. Pick up the cartridge from the client or accept it at your own office.
3. Refill your device with high-quality ink.
4. Return it to the customer and receive the agreed amount for it.

You can perform simple operations either at home, in the absence of start-up capital, or in an office located somewhere in the central areas of the city. Think in advance what will be more profitable for you. After all, having your own premises requires high rent, and doing work at home means extra transportation costs.

The advantages of this line of business are:

• Small start-up investment.
• Special skills are acquired in a few days; no special courses or training are required.
• The first orders can be completed even at home.
• You can do the refilling of cartridges yourself, and hire employees only when it is profitable.
• The demand for such services is constantly present in almost every city, so you are unlikely to be left without work.

True, there are some disadvantages. For example, you should not count on high profits, because the cost of services is quite low. In some cities, the difficulty of organizing such a business is that there are already many competitors on the market. Even stores specializing in the sale of office equipment and various computer repair organizations offer cartridge refills among their services.

Even before starting to implement the idea, it is advisable to draw up a business plan and calculate all the expected costs that will have to be incurred in the first few months. Taking into account the expected profit, you can approximately estimate the timing of the return of the starting capital and think in advance whether you will develop the business and expand the scope of services in the future.

If you have no entrepreneurial experience, you can use a simpler method - pay for a franchise and enlist the support of a knowledgeable person. Then they will immediately provide you with ready-made instructions, a step-by-step development strategy, teach you how to run a business, and even help you open your own office and advertise it.

Registration stage

One of the important issues when implementing the idea of ​​refilling cartridges is paperwork in official institutions. Where should a newbie start? Visit the tax office building and write an application to open an individual entrepreneur or LLC. The first option is more preferable, since it does not require a package of documents and high state fees. You will receive an answer within a week and will be able to start your business directly.

Creating a legal entity (LLC) requires the presence of several partners on a financial basis, constituent documents, authorized capital, a large payment for organizational issues and a long wait for results.

It is also worth choosing in advance the tax system according to which you will pay monthly (or quarterly) government contributions from your activities. Which one to choose - UTII, simplified tax system, PNS (patent) - should be decided based on the expected costs, expected profit and size of the premises. You can consult in more detail on this topic with a specialist accountant.

When renting an office, make sure that you have a well-drafted contract for a long period of time. And when hiring employees, you need to register as an employer with social authorities.

Office setup

Although it is not necessary to rent a room for refilling cartridges, it is still advisable to eventually acquire a separate place for receiving clients. After all, this way many more people will be able to contact you and trust in the company will be higher. But it is important to pay attention to its location. It is advisable to have nearby:

1. Office buildings.
2. Government agencies.
3. Educational establishments.
4. Companies that print papers or make photocopies.

You can also target clients living in a residential area. The competition here is much lower, and people also have a lot of office equipment at home that needs refilling. Then it is enough to locate your office next to a supermarket, public transport stop or grocery store.

The room itself should not be large. 20-30 sq.m. is enough. m. But it is advisable to divide it into two compartments. In one part, take orders and communicate with clients, and in the other, directly engage in the work process. Since this area of ​​activity has its own specifics, keep in mind that such an office must have a source of running water and a washbasin.

What does it take to open a cartridge refilling business? Not much money will be spent on equipment and consumables. The usual list is quite simple:

• toners;
• assortment of different inks (by color and manufacturer);
• Phillips and flat screwdrivers;
• pliers;
• special gun for refueling;
• medical syringe;
• a can of water;
• a metal stick with a diameter of 2 mm, slightly curved at the end;
• stationery knife;
• napkins;
• gauze bandage to protect the respiratory tract.

Also, don’t forget about office furniture, shelving for storing materials, office equipment, a cash register and a telephone. At least a minimum number of chairs should be present for customers awaiting urgent orders, and a work space for staff should be provided.

To grow your business as quickly as possible, you need to take into account a variety of requests. To do this, you should focus on existing models of printers and other devices, their laser and inkjet options, popular manufacturers, main ink shades, etc. The wider the range of equipment you can service, the more clients will come to you. But always work only with quality products!

Staff

One person, even the business owner himself, can refill cartridges. This will significantly save labor costs and help you start a business with minimal investment. But if there are too many orders, then it is advisable to hire assistants. In a medium-sized city, it is enough for one company to have 2-3 people on staff.

Since refilling ink is not a very complicated procedure and you can learn it in a few days, it is most profitable to hire an employee without work experience, for example, a student. If there is a large influx, it is advisable that one of them takes orders, and the second does refueling. Ideally, they can replace each other if necessary.

When additionally providing services with the possibility of personal delivery of cartridges to the client and back, care should be taken to ensure that there is a courier on staff. This way, you will significantly expand your customer base and be able to complete more orders.

Today, without an advertising campaign, you shouldn’t even start your own business. To grow your business and find clients, you definitely need to find a good way to stand out, attract the attention of others, and at least inform the public about your existence. A variety of methods are used for this:

1. Advertising on radio, newspapers and magazines.
2. Placing advertisements in public transport, at bus stops, and special boards.
3. Distribution of printed products (flyers, business cards) in places with large concentrations of potential clients.
4. Using the Internet (forums, social groups, contextual advertising), etc.

But sometimes it’s enough just to open an office in a good location and make a noticeable sign. For example, if you rent space in a business center, then, most likely, entrepreneurs working in the same building will often contact you. By installing a sign with information about the services provided on a high-traffic street, you can also attract many interested parties.

But you shouldn’t always leave receiving orders to chance. A more effective way would be to actively search for clients. So, talk to the owners of large companies, enter into several contracts for the constant maintenance of equipment with individual entrepreneurs, cooperate with companies for printing documents and photocopying, and you will always have a lot of orders.

Additional income

If you do not only refill cartridges, but, if you have certain skills and knowledge, offer services for repairing, setting up, connecting and maintaining office equipment, then you will significantly expand your customer base and be able to achieve larger incomes in a short period.

It is also profitable to engage in retail sales of various accessories, related products, new cartridges, and even computer equipment. But the most important thing in the development and establishment of a business is the quality of the services and goods provided. This is the only way to win the trust of regular customers.

In order for your own business to bring significant profits and become successful, you need to approach its organization competently. We will give the following tips for beginners:

• When looking for office space, try to assess the presence of competitors and the number of potential clients. So, the ideal location would be the proximity of office establishments, but the complete absence of companies performing the same functions as you. If you cannot avoid competition, then focus on urgent orders, low prices or some other advantages.
• The wider the range of equipment serviced, types of printers and other devices, the faster the main customer base will be formed. It is better to have ink and toners in stock for a variety of models from popular manufacturers and be able to handle any type of equipment.
• Always purchase consumables from the same suppliers. Initially, focus only on high quality products, so as not to spoil the reputation of the establishment.

Financial part

To more accurately assess the profitability of a business, you need to objectively indicate expenses and estimated income, which is not always easy to do. Depending on what prices are available in your region, the scale of the project and the main idea, the exact numbers will differ. Let us present the average indicators.

True, the amount may be different. Less if you don’t have to use advertising or the rental cost will be lower, more if you need to hire assistants and if the assortment of inks is significantly expanded.

Income also differs in each case. When fulfilling orders on your own, you can only get so much done in a day. If the company employs several people at once, then the profit will be greater. In the first months, earnings may not exceed 20-40 thousand rubles, but with a competent approach and stable development, after six months the profit reaches 150,000. Therefore, it depends only on you how quickly the initial investment will pay off.

Video: refilling printer cartridges - how much does it cost to open a business?

The progress of information technology is now at the stage of active growth and this provides an excellent opportunity to open your own business.

A complete transition from the paper format of office work to electronic will not happen soon, so the market needs this type of service such as creating printer cartridge refill business.

Without them, no electronic document can be materialized.

Therefore, opening a company that provides this type of service will be a fairly simple and profitable way to earn money.

To launch a project, a young entrepreneur will need a minimum start-up capital, a deep reserve of creativity, hard work and patience.

How to create a cartridge refilling business? Where to begin?

So, you can start working by organizing a mini-workshop, in which there will be only one cartridge refiller (at first you will be able to cope with this task yourself) and several couriers.

It's simple: an order arrives, the courier picks up the cartridge, brings it to the workshop, you refill it, the courier takes it back to the customer.

Fast, convenient, economical, and most importantly, debugged! 😉

Start taking care of your image from the moment you open a business and never give yourself any slack.

Your workshop should initially be well stocked with various inks, toner, a working refill gun and other tools necessary for work.

By the way, if you don’t have money to promote your business, then we suggest you look at free advertising options!

Remember that the priority for such a business should be to create a list of regular customers and provide them with quality service.

In second place we place the search and attraction of new consumers of products.

Regular clients bring stable income, so it is wise to pay attention to them first.

Now let's talk about difficulties!

It is very difficult for a new company to earn trust.

People prefer to turn to large, trusted companies that have a positive reputation and have proven their integrity in practice.

To compete with them, it is necessary to study their activities and gradually introduce other people's technologies into yours.

Let's create a business refilling cartridges! Instructions:

1. We register with the tax authorities and receive the status of a private entrepreneur.
2. We rent a workshop in which we will work. It is advisable to select a location in the area where most of your regular customers are located.
3. We purchase equipment and hire personnel.
4. We are conducting an advertising campaign.
5. We are expanding and adding to our core activities ( refilling cartridges) additional services: repair of office equipment, sale of spare parts, ink, etc.
6. We turn your company into a source! (we automate all processes) and repeat the process, creating a network of companies for refilling cartridges.

This business can be organized in any city, because everyone uses office equipment, and the demand for this service remains incredibly high.

What better time to open your own business than during a crisis? More often than many people think, this risky undertaking becomes a success. The main thing is to think through all the aspects of your future business in advance and decide whether it’s worth starting at all. And if it is worth it, then you need, without deviating from the intended path, to fight for your goal (for many who want to open their own business, this means financial solvency and confidence in the future).

There are a huge variety of business ideas today - from the simplest, which do not even require renting premises, to complex, multi-level plans involving third-party investments. You can also start your own business refilling cartridges. This type of work is suitable for beginning entrepreneurs and does not require significant start-up capital. But don’t rush to buy equipment! First you need to conduct a market analysis and think everything through.

Cartridge refill market

The cartridge refilling business is not the most common type of activity, so there is a chance to occupy a free niche in the market. Agree, the idea of ​​opening a store or cafe comes to novice businessmen much more often, while catering is a truly difficult area for a beginner.

The target audience of the cartridge refilling business (read below for where to start) is everyone who has a printer at home or in the office. The main clients will be offices, private entrepreneurs and various government institutions (schools, housing offices, hospitals). Before renting premises and purchasing equipment, you need to analyze the availability of potential customers and competition.

Particular attention should be paid to companies that offer photocopying and printing services. Due to the specific nature of their business, their printer runs out of ink very quickly, so they can become regular customers. It is advisable to enter into a permanent contract with such service customers - this will ensure stability for the cartridge refilling business. Feedback from entrepreneurs confirms that you need to “hold on” to regular customers, perhaps offering them discounts or other special offers.

Business Summary

The market is relatively free, and you can start working, hoping for success and stable profits? Great, but how to open a cartridge refilling business? In general, the diagram looks like this:

1. It is necessary to undergo state registration of an individual entrepreneur or LLC, choose a taxation system and resolve all legal issues.
2. You need to find a suitable room and rent it, set up a comfortable workshop there.
3. Conduct an advertising campaign that will allow you to serve the first few customers on the opening day.
4. Think about creating a source of passive income from the business of refilling cartridges and expanding the network of workshops.

Legal issues

Such a business can be opened by registering an individual entrepreneur or LLC. The first option is easier for many, because you can register an individual entrepreneur yourself, without the help of a lawyer or accountant. Before starting your business, you will also need to choose a taxation system.

Workshop rental

To get started, you need to rent a small office (workshop) in a large business center, next to it, in the city center. A small area is enough, so this stage will not be too expensive. The only requirement for the premises is the presence of a constant water supply - this is necessary for refilling inkjet printers.

Of course, at first you can organize a small workshop at home. This is a completely budget-friendly business option. Trust in entrepreneurs who work in a separate workshop is usually higher than in those who decide to organize a business at home. The latter is especially true for large companies - it may be quite difficult to conclude an agreement with a regular client.

Purchase of equipment

A business plan for refilling cartridges also includes the costs of purchasing equipment necessary for the full functioning of the business. It is necessary to purchase devices and technical means that will allow you to refill laser and inkjet printers, and equipment for remanufacturing cartridges. After the third refill, the cartridge begins to deteriorate, crumble or leak. The resource of not only the cartridge itself is reduced, but also of the equipment with which it is used. Therefore, from time to time it is necessary to carry out technical restoration work.

You will need not only equipment for the cartridge refilling business, but also furniture for the workshop. At a minimum, you need chairs and a table, a shelving unit. You will also need various consumables: color and black ink, toner. A cartridge refill technician also needs some tools, namely a soldering iron, a hot-melt gun, pliers, screwdrivers, and so on. Expenses on consumables are permanent, so they need to be taken into account when calculating your budget.

You will also need a laptop and a phone, and you need to connect to the Internet.

Workshop staff

At first you can work on your own. In general, the cartridge refill business involves the following stages of service provision:

1. Receiving an application from a client.
2. The courier will arrive to pick up the cartridge at the specified address.
3. Directly refill the cartridge.
4. Delivery of equipment back to the client.
5. Receiving payment.

It turns out that if you are ready to be both a master and a courier at the same time, you can do it on your own. Naturally, this is just the beginning. When the business gains momentum, you will need to hire a separate courier or two, a craftsman, a salesperson, and so on - it all depends on how this business develops.

So, you can work independently, or you can immediately hire one or two couriers. If you are just a beginner entrepreneur and/or do not understand the intricacies of accounting, you will also need an accountant. Accounting can be outsourced - it is usually cheaper.

Despite the fact that transmitting information electronically is more popular than the printed version, many documents require printing for further storage. Therefore, laser and inkjet printers are available both in institutions and in residential buildings. But at some point the ink runs out or dries out. Buying a new element is expensive, but professionals can inexpensively refill a cartridge with new ink. The number of companies on the market engaged in “reanimating” printers and scanners depends on the locality. But there is no point in talking about the oversaturation of this segment of services on the market. Therefore, it makes sense for enterprising people to think about how to open a cartridge refilling business from scratch? Where should a beginner start his own business, and is this direction profitable? Details in the article.

Summary

This business idea usually attracts young people who want to earn money for their interests and entertainment. But this activity is also attractive for older people who would like to have a stable increase in their budget from 40,000 rubles. Opening does not require large investments, because the equipment for refilling cartridges is minimal and affordable. Ink injection can be done even at home. This is acceptable for people who do not have the initial capital to rent square meters.

The process consists of several stages:

1. Accept an application from a client.
2. Pick up the cartridge at the specified address.
3. Refuel.
4. Deliver to the client.
5. Get paid.

If you have skills in repairing office equipment, then the list of services can include additional maintenance and sale of spare parts for printers, scanners and other office equipment. Services can be offered to private clients, commercial and government organizations. The organization of a business depends on the target audience. Maintaining home appliances can be a common hobby. Registration of entrepreneur status is not required, because private clients usually do not require a receipt for payment for the service.

But, if you create a full-fledged business, it is necessary to comply with the laws of the Russian Federation. Then you will be able to serve organizations that, according to statistics, provide about 80% of orders to such enterprises.

Organizational stage

To register an activity, you need to select a code according to OKVED. Services for refilling cartridges fall into section 95 “Repair of computers, personal consumption and household items.” This section includes maintenance of peripheral equipment (computer terminals, printers, fax machines), which is the main activity of the individual entrepreneur. The taxation system is chosen independently, taking into account the specifics of the activity, the number of hired employees, and the availability of rented space. The following types are acceptable for individual entrepreneurs:

• UTII (single tax on imputed income) is acceptable if the rented area is at least 50 square meters. m. But to begin with, an entrepreneur needs a department of 15-20 sq. m. m.
• PNS (patent) is applied if the area for customer service does not exceed 50 square meters. m.
• The simplified tax system is also relevant if it is a small business.

Before filing an application for registration with the Federal Tax Service, you need to check with specialists what will be beneficial for you in a particular case.

To register, you need to collect documents, which should include a rental agreement or a certificate of ownership. Therefore, it is worth thinking about the place where your office will be located in advance.

Where to open an office

You can organize refilling of cartridges at home or in a separate area. The choice depends on the initial capital and the location of potential clients. Therefore, first you should analyze where it will be profitable and convenient to provide services.

• If the entrepreneur picks up the cartridge independently or through a courier, then at first you can set up a home office.
• If there is an option for personal contact from clients, then you need an office in a public place that will ensure a sufficient flow of clients. If the house is remote from potential clients, organizing a home office is also unprofitable. These are unnecessary transportation costs, especially in big cities.

When hiring employees, it is also inappropriate to have equipment for refilling cartridges at home. When choosing office space, consider the specifics of your business.

Minimum set to start

Before you start looking for clients, you need to undergo training in the craft, which takes several days, and buy equipment. The set consists of several items:

• Toner.
• Ink (assorted colors).
• Screwdrivers.
• Pliers.
• Refill gun.
• Package.

If the office is equipped in a separate room, additional items will be required:

• Office table.
• Office chair – 2 pcs.
• Rack for storing consumables.
• Laptop.
• Phone (can be a personal cell phone).
• Cash register or sales receipts for receiving money from customers.

The cost of equipment, rental and other items depends on the region, the list of services and the choice of suppliers of consumables. But even 100,000 rubles may be enough to get started. Costs, profitability and other nuances of this business can be read on our website. A business plan for refilling cartridges should be drawn up at the initial stage. This is a step-by-step instruction for a novice entrepreneur and a reason to think about the profitability of the project.

It doesn’t require a lot of expense or time to open a business, so you can analyze the market saturation in the field of cartridge refills and take the first steps.

Advantages and disadvantages

Business has positive and negative sides. It is worth analyzing the pros and cons before implementing it. The advantages include the following points:

• Small investments and no need for special knowledge. Professionalism is acquired in just a couple of weeks.
• You can start at home, without wasting time looking for premises and money on rent.
• At the initial stage, you can work alone, without involving employees who will have to pay salaries and make contributions to funds. Accordingly, you will not have to register as an employer.
• There is always a demand for the service, and the target audience is not limited by any criteria. A printer is a common household appliance, slightly less common than computers. In addition, many business devices (terminals, cash registers, copying machines) are equipped with cartridges.

The disadvantages include the following:

• The income from the service is small. At the initial stage, if you do a good job of attracting clients, your budget will rarely be replenished by more than 20,000 rubles. Greater profits will take time.
• Presence of competitors. Many computer centers and stores offer cartridge refilling services. If there are many such companies in the selected locality or area, then you will have to spend a lot of time and effort to replenish your customer base.

Eventually

Refilling cartridges is a good option for starting your own small business, especially if you are knowledgeable about office equipment. However, you won’t be able to earn a lot from home, and creating and promoting a full-fledged workshop requires time and money. We recommend that you initially focus on servicing the B2B sector and consider the appropriate services (field service, accepting cartridges in the office and delivering them back, repairing office equipment, etc.). By proving to your potential clients that cooperation with you gives them constantly working equipment, you will win them over forever!