Online used guitar dealer

Players looking for good-value second-hand gear, collectors and beginners wanting a ready-to-play instrument.

The difference between what you pay for an instrument and what you sell it for, plus extra for setup work and accessories like strings and cases.

• Spotting good-value instruments
• Basic setup and cleaning skills
• Photography and clear listings
• Careful packing and posting

• Instruments can be damaged in transit, so use good packaging and check courier insurance
• Consumer rights rules on distance selling and returns, check what applies to you
• Keep records of who you buy from and be wary of stolen goods
• Check your home insurance and whether you need permission to run a business from home
• Marketplace fees can eat into margins, so build them into your prices
• Stock can sit for a long time, so don't overspend on rare items early on

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, setup tools, packaging and your website. Avoid overspending on rare items early, as stock can sit for a long time.

Things to check: consumer rights rules on distance selling and returns, keeping records of who you buy from and avoiding stolen goods, and your home insurance plus whether you need permission to run a business from home.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on prices, how quickly stock sells and marketplace fees, which can eat into margins. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.