A side business works when it has rules strong enough to survive a busy week. The playbook is deliberately narrow: specialize, protect margin, move inventory, and record every decision.
Build the system
- Pick one to three lanes. Familiar coins are faster to grade, price, and describe.
- Maintain a price sheet. Track recent sold prices, melt floors, and maximum buys for 20–50 common targets.
- Buy with the exit written down. Expected sale price, fees, shipping, supplies, and required profit all come before the offer.
- Use a weekend rhythm. Source, photograph, list, ship, and reconcile in repeatable blocks.
- Manage age. Inventory that sits for 90 days gets repriced, bundled, or wholesaled.
Rules that protect the business
- Never exceed the written maximum buy.
- Do not buy raw key dates from unknown sellers.
- Grade conservatively and disclose flaws.
- Keep collection money separate from inventory money.