Is Whatnot legit? Yes, absolutely! Whatnot is the largest live selling app in the world, and it has completely changed the way people buy and sell online. Known for its fast-paced auctions and interactive shopping experience, Whatnot has become a go-to spot for collectors, sneaker resellers, vintage sellers, and hobbyists who thrive on the real-time excitement of live sales. Its rise has been explosive and changed resale.
In this article, we’ll break down how the app works, highlight real feedback from sellers, outline potential risks, and explain the platform’s policies so you can decide if it’s the right marketplace for your business.
💡Tip: Whatnot isn't just for live sellers! With Whatnot marketplace, you can sell things via classic still listings.
Whatnot is a legitimate and thriving marketplace. Seller Caitieco has made millions selling on the app as a teenage entrepreneur!
So, how does Whatnot work? If you’ve never heard of the Whatnot App or don’t quite understand how it works, you’re not alone! Since live selling is a newer way to sell online, most people need a little help understanding it. In the simplest terms, sellers are live on screen showing an item, and buyers are live watching and bidding in real time.
The seller usually holds up each item one at a time, gives a quick rundown, and starts the auction. Any buyers in the room can bid, as long as they’ve set up their payment info. Sellers can adjust auction settings, like how long each item runs and whether there is a time extension if someone bids in the last few seconds, giving everyone a fair chance.
In addition to the auction, which is how most and some of the best selling items on Whatnot are sold, there is also the option to add items to your store on Whatnot Marketplace for Buy It Now purchases. Shoppers can purchase from your still listings at any time, even if you don't sell live.
Here are a few basics to help you understand Whatnot.
💡Tip: Apply to sell on Whatnot here.
💡Tip: Even if live selling isn't for you, Whatnot marketplace is a great place to sell with a huge audience!
💡Tip: Fees may vary for international shipping or category-specific promotions. Make sure to check our Whatnot seller fees guide or Whatnot’s official fee structure for the latest details.
One of the best ways to get a feel for a new marketplace is to hear directly from people using it. Whatnot app reviews are overwhelmingly positive from both buyers and sellers.
Sellers love access to the large Whatnot audience and the community and connection associated with live interaction. Whatnot is a buyer and seller favorite!
Overall, Whatnot has:
With over 470.7K ratings, an average 4.8-star rating is very impressive! Remember, these reviews are from both buyers and sellers on the Whatnot app!
I scrolled the app stores, Reddit, and TrustPilot so you don't have to. Here's what people have to say about Whatnot 👀
On the positive side, many users enjoy the fast-paced, interactive nature of Whatnot. Buyers find it fun, often describing it as an exciting and sometimes addictive shopping experience. Sellers appreciate that they can move a large amount of inventory quickly and reinvest their earnings, something that is harder to do on traditional marketplaces.
Several reviews highlight the sense of community and the reliability of certain groups of sellers and buyers. Bargain hunters also note that unique deals can be found, making it an attractive option for collectors and hobbyists.
On the negative side, poor customer support is a consistent complaint, with some users saying it takes days to get a reply or that their issues are never resolved. Payout and transaction inconsistencies are another problem, including missing sales data, delayed tips, and confusion over earnings.
Buyers have also reported accidental or unauthorized purchases, with refunds often left to seller's discretion. Others warn of scam or unreliable sellers, claiming that Whatnot does little to address them. Finally, technical glitches and regional limitations frustrate users.
💡Tip: Remember to consider that the average person is more inclined to leave a negative review when upset than go out of their way to leave a positive review when satisfied.
Like any marketplace, Whatnot has strengths and weaknesses.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if it makes sense for your reselling business:
Scams tend to be the biggest concern when it comes to trying out any new platform. As a seller, your business, profit, and reputation are on the line, so it’s smart to be extra cautious. Luckily, Whatnot has policies and security measures in place to protect both buyers and sellers.
Some of the ways that Whatnot ensures seller safety:
As with any platform, there can always be issues that fall through the cracks, but it looks like Whatnot is doing its best to keep things safe and ensure that no one is taking advantage of sellers.
Best Practices for Seller Protection:
For more detailed information, you can read the Whatnot Seller Protection Policy.
Looking to scale your reselling business? Explore our Top Rated Online Marketplaces to grow smarter.
Yes, Whatnot is safe and legit. It's a real platform with real sellers making money! It’s steadily grown in popularity and provides clear policies, protections, and support to its sellers to keep things safe.
Sellers who feel confident on camera, can handle fast order fulfillment, and offer in-demand products may find Whatnot a profitable marketplace to grow their business.
If you’re already reselling and want to move your inventory over to Whatnot, Vendoo allows you to import your listings directly to Whatnot in just a few clicks!