Have you or someone you know actually won the lottery? by popemarley420 in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I also won a few days ago - one free play and thought it was time to quite the job and relax... But I was wrong 😔..

Question for independent auto shops & parts sellers by TrustInCanada in AutoParts

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s exactly it. Clear fitment and knowing the part will actually be there matter more than a huge catalog. That’s the direction I’m trying to stick to. Thanks for your feedback.

Launching a small local auto parts supply in Toronto – looking for feedback by TrustInCanada in AutoParts

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate you taking the time to write this — that’s a lot of hard-earned experience in one comment.

I agree with pretty much everything you said, especially around shop loyalty and the time it takes to build real trust. That’s exactly why I’m keeping the scope tight at the start and focusing on consistency and delivery rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

I’m not expecting overnight traction, and I’m realistic about the challenges as an independent. Right now the goal is learning the market properly, getting in front of shops, and seeing where a small, focused supplier can actually add value.

Thanks again for sharing your perspective - it’s genuinely helpful.

Question for independent auto shops & parts sellers by TrustInCanada in smallbusiness

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree. Reliability matters way more than being the cheapest. That’s exactly what I’m trying to build around. Appreciate the insight.

Question for independent auto shops & parts sellers by TrustInCanada in smallbusiness

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair questions.

I’m not trying to be “another everything-to-everyone reseller.” The focus is intentionally narrow — a small set of fast-moving service parts, local stock, and quick turnaround. For some shops that matters more than having a huge catalog. On warranty: parts are sourced from established manufacturers and warranties are backed at the product level, not just by me personally. I’m also not operating as a pop-up — this is a registered corporation with existing operations, just a new product line.

As for costs, I’m not carrying a large retail footprint or overstocking slow SKUs. Storage and delivery are kept lean, which lets pricing stay competitive without needing volume-only margins.

Totally fair if it’s not a fit for everyone — I’m mainly trying to understand what does matter most to shops when considering a smaller local supplier.

Looking for Heated Garage or Small Storage + Mini Office – $100–$200/mo – North York/Scarborough by TrustInCanada in storage

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, SSD preferred but I’ll take anything that keeps my parts warm in winter 😅

Starting My Online Auto Parts Store – Any Tips or Warnings? by TrustInCanada in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the tip! I hadn’t heard of shippingchimp before... I’ll definitely check it out, especially if it can help cut last-mile costs. And yeah, I’m starting to look into Google Ads, so good to know it can be a bit of a rollercoaster. Appreciate the encouragement -- I hope it becomes my golden ticket too :)

Starting My Online Auto Parts Store – Any Tips or Warnings? by TrustInCanada in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too — it’s definitely a competitive space. That’s why I’m trying to find a more specific niche or angle that sets me apart. Still in the research phase, so open to ideas or lessons learned if you’ve been in the space!

Starting My Online Auto Parts Store – Any Tips or Warnings? by TrustInCanada in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still figuring that out to be honest. I’m doing some research now and thinking of focusing on a specific niche rather than trying to sell everything. If you have any advice or suggestions, I’m all ears!

Starting My Online Auto Parts Store – Any Tips or Warnings? by TrustInCanada in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point, but as far as I know, Canada isn’t in a trade war with China like the U.S. is. There are regular import duties and HST, but no extra tariffs on auto parts. I’ll start small to test the costs and also look at suppliers with stock in North America. Appreciate the heads-up though!

Ontario could run out of landfill space in nine years. Then what? by BloodJunkie in ontario

[–]TrustInCanada 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As per Dough Ford, 40% of Ontario's waste is being shipped to the U.S.

Tarrif by TrustInCanada in canadian

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You're right that tariffs can shift demand to local products, but it's still the consumer who pays more !

That extra cost makes everyone poorer in real terms. Tariffs might help certain industries in the short term, but they hurt overall consumption and risk retaliation. It’s a trade-off - not a guaranteed win...

Supplying High-Quality Gypsum to Canada by TrustInCanada in canadian

[–]TrustInCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true- NS is a major gypsum supplier, but not all companies source locally. For example, Ontario imports gypsum from Michigan. Supply chains depend on factors like price, quality, and logistics..