Last Updated: February 2026
Whatnot is the fastest-growing live selling platform in the reselling world, and it's not even close. If you've been selling on eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari and haven't explored Whatnot yet, you're leaving money on the table.
Live selling sounds intimidating — I get it. Talking to a camera while managing bids and shipping? It's a different beast. But the sellers who've figured it out are making serious money, often more per hour than any other platform.
Here's everything you need to know to get started.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- Whatnot is a live auction platform — you sell items in real-time on camera to a live audience
- Seller fees are ~8% — the lowest of any major reselling platform fee comparison guide
- You need to apply and get approved before selling (not instant)
- Best categories: sports cards, coins, sneakers, Pokémon, fashion, beauty, vintage
- Start with a small show (20-30 items) to get comfortable
- Consistency builds audience — same day/time weekly is more important than one big show
- Live selling creates urgency and competition that drives prices UP
- Shipping fast is non-negotiable — Whatnot buyers expect 2-3 day turnaround
What Is Whatnot and How Does It Work?
Whatnot is a live shopping platform where sellers host real-time video shows and sell items through auctions and fixed-price listings. Think QVC meets eBay meets Twitch.
Here's the basic flow:
The magic of live selling is the urgency and social proof. When buyers see other people bidding, they bid higher. When there's a countdown timer, they make faster decisions. This psychology consistently drives prices above what the same item would sell for on a static marketplace.
The Numbers
- Seller fee: ~8% (one of the lowest in the industry)
- Payment processing: Included in the 8%
- Listing fee: None
- Monthly subscription: None
- Payout: Direct deposit, typically within a few business days
Compare that to Poshmark's 20% or eBay's 13%+, and you see why sellers are flocking to Whatnot.
How to Apply and Get Approved as a Whatnot Seller
Whatnot doesn't let just anyone sell. There's an application process, and approval isn't guaranteed. Here's how to maximize your chances.
Step 1: Download the App and Create a Buyer Account
Before you apply to sell, spend some time as a buyer:
- Download Whatnot from the App Store or Google Play
- Create an account
- Watch several live shows in your category of interest
- Make a few purchases (this shows you understand the platform)
Step 2: Apply to Sell
Go to your Whatnot account settings and look for the seller application. You'll need to provide:
- Basic personal/business information
- What categories you plan to sell in
- Your experience with reselling (other platforms, volume, etc.)
- Social media links (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok — if you have a following, this helps)
- Examples of your inventory (photos help)
Step 3: Tips to Get Approved Faster
- Have an established presence on other platforms. Link your eBay store, Poshmark closet, or Mercari profile. Whatnot wants to see you're a real, active seller.
- Focus on in-demand categories. Whatnot is actively growing certain categories (fashion, beauty, coins, sports cards). If your inventory matches, you're more likely to get approved.
- Have social media. Even a modest Instagram or TikTok showing your inventory helps.
- Be patient. Approval can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Don't spam them.
- Check for seller onboarding events. Whatnot sometimes runs open application periods or onboarding webinars.
Step 4: Complete Seller Onboarding
Once approved, Whatnot walks you through their seller dashboard, shipping process, and show scheduling. Pay attention — the platform has specific rules about shipping times, item descriptions, and refund policies.
Setting Up Your First Show
Your first show is going to be nerve-wracking. That's normal. Here's how to set it up for success.
Prepare Your Inventory
For your first show, keep it manageable:
- 20-30 items is a good starting point
- Organize items in the order you'll present them
- Pre-photograph and pre-list items in the Whatnot app before going live
- Have items clean, ready to show, and easy to grab
- Know your starting bid price for each item
Set Up Your Space
Your streaming setup doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to be functional:
- Good lighting — a ring light or two softbox lights make a huge difference
- Phone or camera mount — don't hold your phone for an hour; use a tripod
- Clean background — buyers are looking at your item, not your messy room
- Stable internet — WiFi is fine, but make sure it's solid. A laggy stream kills engagement
- Table or display area — somewhere to show items clearly
Schedule Your Show
Pick a time and commit to it:
- Weekday evenings (7-10 PM EST) work well for most categories
- Sunday afternoons are good for family-friendly collectibles
- Check what other sellers in your category are doing — avoid overlapping with big established shows
- Start with one show per week and build from there
for more data on optimal selling windows.
Going Live: What to Actually Do
When the camera turns on:
Your First Show Won't Be Perfect — And That's Fine
Every successful Whatnot seller started with a clunky first show. Low viewership, awkward pauses, technical issues — it happens to everyone. The sellers who succeed are the ones who do show #2, #3, #10, #50.
Best Categories on Whatnot (2026)
Some categories absolutely thrive in the live format. Others... not so much.
Top Performers
Sports Cards & Trading Cards
The OG Whatnot category. Card breaks, singles, sealed product — all of it works. The thrill of pulling a big card on camera is unmatched entertainment.
Coins & Currency
Coin collecting has a huge, passionate community. Live shows let sellers showcase details that photos can't capture — luster, toning, condition.
Pokémon & TCG
Pokémon cards, sealed packs, and live pack openings drive massive engagement. The gambling element of pack openings keeps viewers hooked.
Sneakers
Hype sneakers do well, especially at below-retail starting bids. Buyers love the thrill of snagging a deal in a live auction.
Fashion & Vintage Clothing
This is one of Whatnot's fastest-growing categories. Sellers do "closet clean-out" shows, themed shows (90s vintage, designer, etc.), and mystery bundles.
Beauty & Skincare
Beauty products, especially brand-name and luxury items at discount, have found a big audience on Whatnot.
Funko Pops & Collectibles
Strong community of collectors who love hunting for exclusives and rare pieces.
Categories That Struggle on Live
- Generic home goods — not exciting enough for live format
- Books (unless rare/collectible) — low price points, hard to showcase
- Basic electronics — commodity items with no excitement factor
The common thread: live selling works best when there's excitement, scarcity, or a "treasure hunt" element. If your item is boring to look at on camera, it's probably better suited for eBay or Mercari.
How to Price for Live Auctions
Pricing for live auctions is fundamentally different from fixed-price listings.
The $1 Start Strategy
Many successful sellers start every item at $1. Why?
- Creates excitement and participation
- Gets multiple bidders engaged early
- Social proof drives prices up — people bid more when they see others bidding
- Items frequently sell at or above market value through competitive bidding
The risk: If only one person is watching and bidding, your $100 item might sell for $5. This strategy works better with larger audiences.
The Floor Price Strategy
If you're not comfortable with $1 starts (especially early on with a small audience):
- Set your starting bid at your minimum acceptable price
- If the item is worth $40 based on comps, start at $25-$30
- You still get competitive bidding without the risk of giving items away
- for how to determine fair market value
The Giveaway Hook
Many sellers start shows with a giveaway or a crazy $1-start item to build initial audience:
- First item: desirable item starting at $1 (loss leader)
- This brings viewers in and gets them engaged
- The rest of your show benefits from the larger audience
Know Your Comps
Even in live selling, you need to know what items are worth. Check eBay sold comps before your show so you understand market value. If bidding goes well above comps, great. If it stalls below your cost, you can choose to pass on the item.
Shipping and Fulfillment Tips
Shipping is where many new Whatnot sellers drop the ball. The platform has strict shipping expectations, and your seller rating depends on it.
Ship Fast
- Target: ship within 1-2 business days after the show
- Whatnot tracks your shipping time — consistent delays hurt your visibility
- Buyers can rate you on shipping speed
Prep Shipping Materials in Advance
Before your show, have everything ready:
- Poly mailers and boxes in various sizes
- Bubble wrap, tissue paper, packing material
- Printer for labels (or pre-printed labels from a thermal printer)
- Tape, scissors, markers
Use Whatnot's Shipping Labels
Whatnot offers discounted USPS shipping labels through the app. Use them:
- Cheaper than retail rates
- Tracking is automatically uploaded
- Buyers get notifications
Pack Well
Your items need to arrive in the condition you showed them on camera. Under-packing leads to damage claims and negative reviews. Spend the extra 30 seconds to pack properly.
The Post-Show Routine
Develop a system for after every show:
Batch shipping saves time and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Common Mistakes New Whatnot Sellers Make
Mistake #1: Going Live Without an Audience Plan
If you go live with zero followers and no promotion, you'll have zero viewers. Before your first show:
- Share it on your social media
- Tell your existing customers from other platforms
- Engage in Whatnot communities and follow other sellers
- Schedule your show in advance so it appears in the app's upcoming shows
Mistake #2: Too Many Items, Too Little Organization
Trying to sell 100 items in your first show is chaos. Start with 20-30. You can always add more as you get comfortable.
Mistake #3: Bad Lighting and Audio
If buyers can't see your items clearly or hear you well, they won't buy. Invest $30-50 in a ring light. Use a quiet room. It makes a huge difference.
Mistake #4: Not Engaging with Chat
Live selling is interactive. If you're just silently holding up items, you're missing the point. Talk to your viewers. Respond to comments. Build relationships. Your repeat customers will be your biggest revenue source.
Mistake #5: Slow Shipping
I mentioned this above, but it's worth repeating. Slow shipping = bad reviews = lower visibility = fewer viewers = less sales. Ship fast, every time.
Mistake #6: Inconsistent Schedule
Building an audience requires consistency. If you go live randomly, people can't plan to watch you. Pick a day and time, and stick to it. Weekly is the minimum to build momentum.
Mistake #7: Not Tracking Your Numbers
After every show, you should know:
- Total revenue
- Number of items sold vs. listed
- Average sale price
- Shipping costs
- Net profit
- Viewer count and engagement
This data tells you what's working and what to adjust.
Scaling Your Whatnot Business
Once you've done 5-10 shows and found your groove:
- Increase show frequency — 2-3 shows per week
- Build themed shows — "Vintage Nike Night," "Dollar Auction Blowout," "Sealed Product Saturday"
- Collaborate with other sellers — guest appearances cross-pollinate audiences
- Create a content flywheel — clip your best moments for TikTok/Instagram Reels to drive new viewers
- Track everything — know your cost of goods, fees, shipping costs, and true profit per show
Track Your Shows and Ship Faster
If you're serious about Whatnot selling, you need systems to manage your shows, track analytics, organize bins, and fulfill orders fast. Doing it all manually with spreadsheets and sticky notes doesn't scale.
Track your show analytics, manage bins, and ship faster with BundleLive — free 7-day trial at bundlelive.com.
BundleLive is built specifically for live sellers. It helps you organize your inventory for shows, track what sold and for how much, manage your shipping queue, and see your real profit numbers after every show. It's the difference between running a hobby and running a business.
New to reselling in general? Check out our fee comparison guide to understand how Whatnot's 8% stacks up against other platforms. And for pricing your items right before going live, read our pricing guide.