Second-Hand instrument shop

Local students, parents, hobbyists, gigging musicians and people clearing out instruments they no longer play.

Margin on instruments you buy and resell, trade-in deals that bring in fresh stock, and steady sales of accessories. Simple repairs or restringing can add income.

• Valuing instruments fairly
• Playing or testing a range of instruments
• Customer service
• Stock and cash management

• Check your municipality for business licence, zoning and signage rules
• Check your province's second-hand dealer rules, as some require recording details of items you buy and may require holding items for a set period
• Register for GST/HST and check your provincial sales tax obligations
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus cover for stock
• Lease terms and rent are a big fixed cost, so negotiate carefully
• Stolen goods risk: ask for ID and keep purchase records
• Slow winter periods and the cost of holding unsold stock

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the premises and how much stock you buy. Lease terms and rent are a big fixed cost, so negotiate carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on location, the stock you hold and the season. Winter periods can be slow, and unsold stock has a holding cost.

Check your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules, and your province's second-hand dealer rules, which may require recording items you buy and holding them for a set period. Also check GST/HST, provincial sales tax, and liability, property and stock insurance.