I recently stumbled across a post in the c/Europe community (https://lemmy.world/post/24641691) that highlighted alternatives to software and infrastructure from Big Tech companies. This got me thinking - is there a similar resource available for Canadians, or would there be interest in creating one?
If you’re okay with older homelab-esque equipment, the ERA, also on eBay as Calgary Computer Wholesale, often has really cheap rack mount stuff. This being said, the ERA is a pretty sketchy organization overall (it’s closer to a small e-waste recycling business that takes advantage of its status to reduce liable taxes (with variable employee salaries equivalent to dividends) and take advantage of free volunteer labour, than an actual non-profit organization). Sometimes, provincial government surplus auction sites have rack mount equipment as well.
You can also check mouser electronics (mouser.ca)
Not sure if you need a business account for some of the products, but I definitively know people ordering from there. Some may have a “fake” business account though.