~15 min read
Quick Answer:
To sell on Whatnot, apply through the Whatnot Seller Application, wait for approval, and start listing products for live or “Buy It Now” sales. The app is free to use, and Whatnot takes about 11% of each sale (8% commission + 2.9% + $0.30 payment fee).
Introduction — Whatnot: The New Wave of Live Selling
If you’ve been reselling on Etsy, eBay, or Poshmark, you’ve likely heard of Whatnot — the live-shopping app that’s changing how sellers connect with buyers. Whatnot merges community, entertainment, and e-commerce, giving sellers a platform to sell products through live video auctions or fixed listings.
But how do you actually start selling on Whatnot? This guide walks you through every step — from application to setup — plus insider tips on how to maximize your earnings and automate your workflow using Closo.
1. Is the Whatnot App Free?
Yes — Whatnot is 100% free to download and use. You can list items, host live streams, and join communities without paying upfront fees.
You’ll only pay after making a sale:
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8% seller commission
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2.9% + $0.30 processing fee
That’s roughly 11% total per sale, automatically deducted before your payout.
Pro Tip: Compared to Etsy’s listing and renewal costs, Whatnot’s free setup makes it ideal for sellers testing new categories or trending items.
2. How the Whatnot Seller Application Works
Before you can sell, you must apply and get approved as a seller.
Step-by-Step:
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Visit seller.whatnot.com.
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Click Apply to Sell.
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Choose your niche — e.g., collectibles, clothing, sneakers, vintage, etc.
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Fill out:
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Personal & contact info
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Links to your current stores (Etsy, eBay, Depop, or social media)
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Short video introduction (1–2 minutes) explaining what you plan to sell
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Submit your application.
Whatnot manually reviews each submission to ensure product quality and authenticity.
Average Approval Time: 5–14 days
Once approved, you can immediately start listing or scheduling your first live show.
3. What You Can Sell on Whatnot
Whatnot began as a collectibles marketplace but has since expanded to dozens of categories:
| Category | Example Items |
|---|---|
| Apparel & Streetwear | Vintage, sneakers, designer fashion |
| Collectibles | Trading cards, comics, Funko Pops |
| Electronics | Consoles, games, accessories |
| Home & Decor | Vintage glassware, handmade crafts |
| Toys & Plush | LEGO, Pokémon, Squishmallows |
Prohibited Items: Counterfeits, adult material, recalled products, and hazardous goods. Always review Whatnot’s Seller Guidelines before listing.
4. Setting Up Your Seller Profile
Your profile is your storefront. A strong presentation builds trust and repeat buyers.
Must-Have Profile Details:
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Username: Keep it consistent with your brand (e.g., same as your Etsy shop).
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Profile Photo: Use a logo or professional headshot.
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Bio: Add what you sell + your shipping schedule.
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Link Your Socials: Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok for social proof.
You can also connect your Closo account to auto-sync listings and pricing between Whatnot, Etsy, and eBay.
5. How to List Products on Whatnot
Once approved, you can list items in two main ways:
1️⃣ Buy It Now Listings (Static Sales)
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Add title, photos, description, and price.
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No live stream needed.
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Great for evergreen inventory (vintage, collectibles).
2️⃣ Live Show Auctions
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Schedule your stream in advance.
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Load inventory into the show queue.
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Go live, show items, and auction them off in real time.
Each item has a minimum bid (starting price), and buyers can place bids live through the app.
6. Pricing, Fees, and Payouts
Keywords: whatnot sales percentage
| Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 8% | Deducted from every sale |
| Processing | 2.9% + $0.30 | Stripe payment fee |
| Total | ~11% | Automatically applied |
Payout Schedule:
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New sellers: 5–7 days
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Verified sellers: 2–3 days
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Instant pay: <24 hours (Stripe Instant)
Funds are released once tracking updates to “In Transit.”
7. How Live Auctions Work
Live auctions are the core of Whatnot’s success.
How It Works:
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You go live from your phone.
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Showcase items visually and describe details.
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Set auction duration (15–60 seconds).
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Viewers place real-time bids.
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Highest bidder wins, and payment processes instantly.
Pro Tip:
Keep your background clean, use a tripod, and maintain good lighting. Engaging presentation = higher bids.
8. Shipping on Whatnot
Shipping is handled through prepaid labels:
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Whatnot automatically generates labels after a sale.
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Buyers pay shipping costs at checkout.
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Sellers must ship within 2 business days.
You can print labels directly or integrate with your own system if you manage bulk shipments.
Note: Failing to ship on time can delay payouts.
9. Payout Process — Getting Paid
After you ship your item:
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Whatnot verifies tracking.
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Payment is released to your connected bank or Stripe account.
Payout Breakdown Example:
| Sale Price | Total Fees | Net Payout |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | $5.80 | $44.20 |
| $100 | $11.20 | $88.80 |
| $250 | $27.05 | $222.95 |
10. Alternatives — Places to Sell Other Than Etsy or Whatnot
If you’re diversifying, here are top platforms:
| Platform | Strength | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Global audience | ~13% |
| Depop | Trend-based fashion | 10% |
| Grailed | Designer resale | 9% |
| Mercari | All-in-one resale | 13% |
| Etsy | Handmade & vintage | ~10% |
For best results, crosslist items across multiple marketplaces — and Closo automates this process for you.
Automate this with Closo →
11. Tips to Grow on Whatnot
✅ Go Live Regularly
Frequent shows build a loyal audience.
✅ Engage Viewers
Use chat features and shoutouts to increase retention.
✅ Use Themed Shows
Group similar products (e.g., “Sneaker Saturday” or “Retro Toys Night”).
✅ Offer Giveaways
Freebies boost engagement and attract new followers.
✅ Track Performance
Review your sales analytics weekly to refine timing and pricing.
12. Connecting Whatnot with Closo
Once your Whatnot seller account is live, you can connect it to Closo to:
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Crosslist items to Etsy and eBay automatically.
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Sync sold status to prevent double-selling.
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Automate pricing adjustments based on fees and trends.
This unified system gives you full control across marketplaces — perfect for multi-channel sellers.
Cross-Link Resources
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Upward Link (Hub): Closo Seller Hub →
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Sideways Links:
FAQ (People Also Ask)
1. How do I sell on Whatnot?
Apply via the Whatnot Seller Application, get approved, and start listing or hosting live shows through the app.
2. Is the Whatnot app free?
Yes — there are no listing or hosting fees. Whatnot only takes around 11% after each sale.
3. What can I sell on Whatnot?
Anything within approved categories: apparel, collectibles, toys, electronics, and vintage goods.
4. How long does Whatnot approval take?
Usually 5–14 days after applying.
5. Can I sell on multiple marketplaces?
Yes — with Closo, you can automate listings between Whatnot, Etsy, and eBay.
Automate this with Closo →
Schema Setup
FAQPage Schema: Include FAQ entries above.
Breadcrumb Schema: Home → Blog → How Do I Sell on Whatnot (2025 Guide).
HowTo Schema:
1️⃣ Apply as a Whatnot seller.
2️⃣ Set up your shop profile.
3️⃣ List items or go live.
4️⃣ Ship within 2 days.
5️⃣ Receive payout via Stripe.
6️⃣ Crosslist via Closo.
Final Takeaway
Selling on Whatnot in 2025 is easier than ever — it’s free to join, fast to grow, and designed for sellers who love interacting with their buyers.
Whether you’re streaming live auctions or managing “Buy It Now” listings, the platform’s community-driven model gives small sellers big exposure.
Combine Whatnot with Closo’s AI automation, and you’ll have a complete resale engine — from listing creation to real-time inventory sync across platforms.
Automate this with Closo →
