Online and market vinyl record seller
Sell second-hand and new vinyl through online listings and weekend record fairs, with no shop rent.
- C$500-4k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small record business run from home. You buy used collections, source new reissues, then sell through online marketplaces, your own web page and local record fairs or flea markets.
Your first three steps
- Buy a few collections from estate sales, thrift stores or online ads, and learn to grade and price them using sold listings
- Set up an online store or marketplace account, and photograph and list your first 50 records
- Book a table at a local record fair or flea market to meet buyers and find more stock
Who pays
Collectors, DJs, casual music fans and people looking for gifts or particular albums.
How it makes money
You sell records for more than you paid for them, with extra income from rarer pressings, cleaning and grading, and bundles of records.
Skills that help
- Knowing music and pressings
- Grading records honestly
- Photographing and listing items
- Packing records safely for shipping
Watch out for
- Check whether your municipality requires a business or home-based business licence
- Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
- Shipping costs, damaged parcels and cross-border customs if you sell to the US
- Counterfeit or bootleg pressings, so check before buying and selling
- Insurance for market stalls and for stock stored at home, so check your cover
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: online and market record seller
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start selling records in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your packing and display supplies. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $400 to $3,000.
What rules should I check before selling vinyl records?
Check whether your municipality requires a business or home-based business licence, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, plus provincial sales tax rules. Also check for counterfeit or bootleg pressings, and your insurance cover for stalls and stock.
What skills and time do I need to sell records?
Useful skills include knowing music and pressings, grading records honestly, photographing items and packing them safely. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week. Check shipping costs, damaged parcels and customs if selling to the US.
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