Quick Answer:
Whatnot charges sellers an 8% commission on the total sale amount plus a 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee per transaction. Total seller fees typically come out to around 11–12%. Unlike eBay, there are no insertion or store subscription fees, but Whatnot’s model focuses primarily on live auctions and community-driven selling.
Introduction: Why Understanding Whatnot Seller Fees Matters
If you’re a reseller or brand looking to expand beyond eBay, Poshmark, or Mercari, Whatnot has quickly become one of the hottest marketplaces for live selling. But before going all in, you need to understand exactly:
👉 “How much does Whatnot take in fees?”
Whether you’re flipping sneakers, trading cards, vintage apparel, or collectibles, the fee structure directly affects your margins. Whatnot’s model is simpler than eBay’s — no store subscriptions, no insertion fees — but there are key detailsevery seller should know to price correctly and stay profitable.
This guide will break down Whatnot’s seller fees, how they work compared to eBay’s, and how to automate fee tracking and pricing to protect your margins.
What Are Whatnot Seller Fees?
Whatnot keeps its fee structure simple and transparent:
| Fee Type | Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Seller Fee (Commission) | 8% | Charged on the total sale price |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.30 | Charged on the total amount, including shipping |
| Listing Fee | $0 | There are no listing fees |
| Store Subscription Fee | $0 | There are no store or subscription fees |
👉 Total fees typically come to around 11–12% of the sale amount.
Automate this with Closo →Closo calculates your Whatnot fees in real time, so you can price your products correctly without guesswork.
Whatnot vs eBay Fees: Key Differences
While eBay’s fee structure is more complex, Whatnot aims for simplicity. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature / Fee | Whatnot | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Base Seller Fee | 8% | 13.25%–15% depending on category |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% + $0.30 | Included in final value fee |
| Listing Fee | $0 | $0.30 after free listings |
| Store Subscription | $0 | $4.95–$349.95 per month |
| Promotions | N/A | Optional 2–10% promoted listing fee |
| International Fee | N/A | 1.65% extra |
| Best For | Live auctions, collectibles | All categories, wide reach |
✅ Key takeaway: Whatnot’s fee structure is cheaper and simpler. eBay is more expensive but provides greater exposure, more categories, and better long-term scaling.
How Payment Processing Works on Whatnot
Every transaction on Whatnot is processed through their integrated payment system.
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The 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee applies to the entire amount (item price + shipping).
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This fee is non-refundable if a sale is reversed.
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It’s automatically deducted from your payout, so you receive net proceeds.
Example:
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Item: $80
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Shipping: $10
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Total: $90
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Processing Fee: $2.91 + $0.30 = $3.21
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Seller Fee (8%): $7.20
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Net payout: $79.59
No Store Fees or Listing Fees: A Big Advantage
Unlike eBay or Poshmark, Whatnot doesn’t charge you to list or maintain a store.
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🆓 No insertion fees
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🏪 No subscription or monthly store costs
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💬 Live auctions are free to host (with approval)
This can save hundreds or thousands annually, especially for smaller sellers or those just getting started.
Automate this with Closo → Closo factors in these savings when calculating optimal cross-platform pricing strategies.
Real Example: Whatnot Fees on a $100 Sale
Let’s calculate what happens when you sell an item for $100 with $10 shipping:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Sale | $110 |
| Seller Fee (8%) | $8.80 |
| Payment Processing (2.9% + $0.30) | $3.49 |
| Total Fees | $12.29 |
| Net Payout | $97.71 |
Compare this to eBay’s average 13.25%–15%, and Whatnot saves you around $2–4 per $100 sale.
Tips to Reduce Your Effective Whatnot Fees
Although Whatnot’s base fee structure is fixed, you can maximize your net payout with a few smart strategies:
🧠 1. Price Strategically
Factor in the 11–12% fee into your starting price or auction reserve.
📦 2. Bundle Orders
Encourage buyers to purchase multiple items in a single transaction, which reduces the processing fee per item.
🧾 3. Keep Shipping Efficient
Since processing fees apply to the total, unnecessary shipping costs increase fees.
🤝 4. Use Community Features
Whatnot rewards engagement — building an audience can boost sell-through without paying for promotions (like on eBay).
Automating Fee Calculations and Pricing
Manually tracking platform fees across Whatnot, eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark can quickly become overwhelming — especially as your volume grows.
That’s why professional sellers use automation tools like Closo.
Closo allows you to:
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📊 Instantly calculate marketplace fees (Whatnot, eBay, Mercari, Poshmark)
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💰 Automatically adjust your prices to maintain profit margins
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🔁 Crosslist inventory with correct pricing for each platform
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🧠 Identify which marketplace offers the highest net payout
Try Closo for free and stop losing profit to fee miscalculations.
FAQ
❓ What is Whatnot’s seller fee?
Whatnot charges 8% on the total sale amount, plus a 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee.
❓ Are there listing or store fees on Whatnot?
No. Whatnot does not charge listing or subscription fees.
❓ How do Whatnot fees compare to eBay?
Whatnot’s fees (around 11–12%) are lower than eBay’s average 13.25–15%. eBay, however, offers broader reach and category support.
❓ Does Whatnot charge for promotions?
No. Unlike eBay, Whatnot does not charge additional promotional fees.
❓ How can I reduce Whatnot fees?
You can’t reduce the base percentage, but you can price smarter, bundle sales, and optimize shipping to increase your net payout.
Cross-Links
🏁 Final Thoughts
Whatnot’s seller fees are simpler and lower than most major marketplaces, making it a great option for sellers in categories like collectibles, sneakers, trading cards, and vintage goods.
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📉 No listing or store fees mean lower barriers to entry.
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💬 Live auctions help build community and brand loyalty.
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📊 The flat 8% commission plus processing is easy to price around.
However, Whatnot isn’t a replacement for eBay — it’s a complementary channel. Sellers who crosslist between platforms can leverage Whatnot’s lower fees and eBay’s massive reach to maximize sales and profits.
With tools like Closo, this multi-platform strategy becomes effortless — letting you list once, automate pricing, and keep your profit margins consistent across every sale.
