Used CD and Music Shop

Local music fans, collectors, students, gift buyers and people selling or trading in their collections.

You sell discs at a markup over what you paid, with buy-and-trade programs bringing in fresh stock. Extra income can come from online sales, events and related items.

• Deep music knowledge and pricing know-how
• Customer service and community building
• Buying stock fairly from sellers
• Basic bookkeeping and inventory tracking

• Rent and a multi-year lease are the biggest risk, so negotiate terms carefully
• Check your state for sales tax registration and your city or county for a business license
• General liability insurance and coverage for stock are worth checking
• Some states and cities have secondhand dealer rules that may require records or a permit, so check locally
• Never buy or sell bootleg discs, and keep records of larger purchases

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, lease terms and how much stock you buy. Rent and a multi-year lease are the biggest risk, so these figures are estimates to test against local quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, stock and opening hours. This is revenue before rent and other costs, and it is only an estimate. Expect to work at least about 35 hours a week.

Check your state for sales tax registration and your city or county for a business license. Also check general liability and stock insurance, and whether local secondhand dealer rules require records or a permit. Never buy or sell bootleg discs.