Online music box shop

Collectors, people buying gifts for birthdays, weddings, baby showers and anniversaries, and shoppers after something sentimental.

You buy stock wholesale or direct from makers and sell at a markup. Extras like gift wrapping, engraving or custom tunes can add to each sale.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Sourcing reliable suppliers
• Careful packing of fragile items
• Customer service

• You need an ABN, and GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold. Check with the ATO
• Australian Consumer Law covers refunds, faulty goods and honest descriptions. Check your obligations
• If you import stock, check customs, GST and product safety rules, including small parts on items for children
• Characters, brands and some modern songs may be copyright or licensed. Check before selling or advertising them
• Fragile stock can break in the post, so test your packaging and consider shipping insurance
• If you store stock at home, check whether your council needs approval for a home-based business

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how you build your website or marketplace listings, and your packaging. These are estimates, so start with a small range you can afford.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on your range, prices, photography and how well you reach gift buyers and collectors. This is revenue before stock, postage and other costs, not profit.

Check ABN and GST registration with the ATO, Australian Consumer Law obligations on refunds and descriptions, and customs, GST and product safety rules for imports. Also check copyright for characters and songs, and council rules for home storage.