Online used instrument reseller

Beginners, students, parents buying a first instrument, hobbyists and gigging musicians looking for a good price.

You earn the difference between what you pay for an instrument and what you sell it for, plus small extras like strings, cables and cases.

• Knowing instrument brands and values
• Basic cleaning and setup
• Clear photos and honest listings
• Negotiating prices

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Check your province's rules for second-hand dealers, as some require records of what you buy and from whom
• Avoid buying stolen goods: keep a record of sellers and serial numbers, and ask for ID where appropriate
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check how your province treats sales tax
• Shipping fragile items needs good packaging and insurance
• Winter shipping and cold storage can damage wood instruments, so store them somewhere with steady temperature

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many instruments you buy to start, your cleaning and setup supplies, and packaging for shipping.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on the instruments you find, your pricing and how quickly they sell. Shipping fragile items needs good packaging and insurance, which affects what you keep.

Check your province's rules for second-hand dealers, as some require records of what you buy and from whom. Also check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.