We deal with a lot more products than just snow stakes. Depending on the season and product availability, we may distribute salt, shovels or walk behind salt spreaders. Sometimes, our bigger customers want to try their hand at reselling these products to earn a couple extra bucks. We have had more of our customers turn this into a success rather than fail at trying to become resellers, but there are a ton of risks that you take when trying your hand in the retail game.
Here is an article from Snow Business Magazine that outlines some of the pros and cons of distributing items like salt and other retail items. To be successful and turn it into a couple extra bucks, you obviously need good distributors that will work with you. The distributor should ultimately have your best interests in mind and not try to get you to take on more product than you can probably handle. Also, you need operations set up prior to taking on the product and figuring it out. What I mean by that is, where will you store the salt? can you keep it dry and safe from theft? Do you have someone on hand that can load it for customers? Will you bill customers? Cash only?
Overall there is always money to be made by moving good products and materials but taking the proper precautions is an important factor to consider.