Whatnot Review: Is This Popular Live Shopping App Worth It?

If you’ve seen people talking about Whatnot and wondered what makes it so popular, this Whatnot review will explain how it works and if it’s a good fit for you.

Live shopping is becoming more and more popular, and Whatnot is one of the biggest platforms right now.

I think the best way to describe Whatnot is that it’s kind of like TikTok meets eBay – people like you and me post live videos of them trying to sell stuff, like trading cards, clothing, holiday items, and more, and you can buy stuff right on the app through live auctions.

Buyers like Whatnot because it’s fun, fast, and lets you see items live before you buy them. You can ask questions and watch sellers show items up close. Sellers like Whatnot because they can reach huge audiences, sell items faster than on other marketplaces, and build communities around the things they sell.

You can click here to sign up for Whatnot.

Disclaimer: While Whatnot is fun, fast, and exciting, the live-auction style can feel addictive for some buyers. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, so I always recommend setting a budget, watching a few shows before you bid, and only buying items you really want or need.

Whatnot Review

In this Whatnot review, I’ll explain how Whatnot works, whether it’s legit, what buyers should know before their first purchase, and how it compares to sites like eBay.

What is Whatnot?

Whatnot is a live shopping app where people can buy and sell items through real-time video shows. It’s kind of like a mix between eBay, TikTok Live, and QVC, but it’s much more interactive. Sellers stream live, show their items in detail, answer questions in the chat, and run fast auctions that buyers can join with a simple tap.

The platform is huge, with over 250 categories including fashion, coins, trading cards, collectibles, sneakers, plants, electronics, toys, beauty, vintage, and holiday items. Some items are deals, and others are normal retail prices. Whatnot is also the largest live shopping platform in the U.S. and Europe.

Recommended reading: How I Made $100,000 Selling Used Items

Here’s what the Whatnot app looks like on my home feed. How Whatnot works (for buyers)

Using Whatnot feels different from normal online shopping because everything happens live.

After you create an account, you can browse categories or scroll through live shows that are happening at that moment. When you join a show, you’ll see the seller showing items, talking to viewers, answering questions, and running quick auctions.

When an auction starts, you can place bids right on the screen, and the timer usually moves fast. If you don’t want to watch the whole show, you can also “pre-bid” on items before they go live, which means your maximum bid will be placed automatically when the auction starts.

You can’t bid on an item until you add your credit card information to your account. And, if you bid, make sure you can afford it and really want it, because you can’t cancel if you win.

Each seller ships their own items, and shipping times can vary, but you’ll get tracking updates inside the app. Overall, it’s very easy to use the Whatnot app as a beginner, even if you’ve never tried live shopping before.

Tip for first-time buyers: Before you start bidding, it helps to watch a few shows to get used to the pace. It’s also smart to set a budget and avoid getting pulled into fast bidding wars. And remember, even though many auctions start low, not every item will be a deal, so take a moment to review the item details.

Here are some of the categories I see when I log in. What you can buy on Whatnot

There are many popular categories on Whatnot:

• Fashion is one of the biggest areas, and you’ll find everything from vintage pieces to name brands, basics, handbags, and accessories. Many buyers enjoy the live format because they can see the actual condition of clothing instead of relying on a couple of photos.
• Trading cards (sports and Pokémon) are huge on Whatnot. A card sells almost every second on the platform, and people enjoy seeing card openings, card breaks, and live authentication before buying.
• Collectibles like toys, Funko Pops, comics, manga, games, and memorabilia are also extremely popular. For collectors, it feels like browsing at a fun local shop.
• Sneakers have their own big audience too. Many sellers show shoes up close, explain details, and run quick auctions with low starting bids.

During the holidays, the app can also become a fun place to find gifts, especially since you can actually watch a seller show off the exact item you’re thinking about buying. My app right now is full of holiday gifts, handmade items, Christmas pajamas, etc., for example.

Is Whatnot legit?

Yes, Whatnot is a legitimate platform. The company is trusted and used by millions of buyers and sellers. Whatnot has a Trustpilot rating of 4.3 stars out of 5, with over 4,600 reviews.

The app also has high ratings in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store (it currently has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating, with over 202,000 reviews on the Google Play Store), and most reviewers mention that the experience is fun and easy to use.

Whatnot Buyer Protection Policy (this is important!)

One thing that makes Whatnot stand out is its Buyer Protection Policy. If an item arrives damaged, fake, not as described, or doesn’t arrive at all, you can submit a claim through the app. Whatnot will review the situation, step in if needed, and help you get a refund.

Now, I do want to say that even though they have this policy, I do recommend that you be careful when spending a lot of money on a single item on this app because, like with any online shopping with independent sellers (similar to eBay and Facebook), some items can be fake or the sellers can be scammers. So, it’s best to trust your gut and be smart with your online shopping on Whatnot so that you don’t get scammed. Before buying an item, make sure you trust the seller – for example, you can look at their reviews and ratings first.

Pros and cons of Whatnot

The pros of Whatnot are:

• Live video makes it easier to see items clearly
• Interactive shopping experience
• Buyer Protection Policy
• Easy checkout

The cons of the Whatnot app are:

• Auctions move quickly and can feel rushed
• Limited returns unless the item is damaged or not as described
• Some shows get crowded or competitive
• Easy to overspend if you’re not careful
• If you prefer slow, calm shopping or want more time to compare prices on items, then Whatnot may not feel like the right fit for you.

Now, this isn’t exactly a pro or con, but I do want to mention that if your bid wins an auction, then you automatically buy the product and there are no refunds (unless you qualify for a limited return reason as mentioned here). This is because it is a live auction, and if you decide you don’t want it after your bid wins, then the seller is out their time, and no one “won” the item. So, if you bid on something, make sure you are ready to buy it at that price!

Making money by selling on Whatnot (quick overview)

While this review focuses on buyers, selling on Whatnot is also a big part of the platform, of course.

According to Whatnot, 1 in 10 Whatnot sellers sell full-time on this app, and sellers stream on Whatnot an average of 2.25 hours a day.

Sellers can go live, show their items to a large audience, and sell things much faster than they would on a traditional marketplace. Many small businesses use Whatnot to reach more customers, and live shopping helps them connect with buyers in a more personal way. Fees are lower than other online platforms at around 4% to 8%, which is another reason why people like to sell on this app.

Whatnot requires an application to start selling, but once approved, you can list items, schedule lives, and ship items directly to buyers.

Recommended reading: 15 Easiest Items To Sell That You Already Own for Quick Cash

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to questions that you may have about Whatnot.

Is Whatnot safe?

Yes, Whatnot is safe to use because it has a strong Buyer Protection Policy that covers damaged, fake, or not-as-described items. If something goes wrong, you can open a claim through the app, and Whatnot’s team will review it. Most issues get resolved, and buyers usually receive a refund if the seller is at fault.

How do I avoid overspending on Whatnot?

It’s easy to get caught up in live shopping, so it helps to set a budget before you join a show and then stick to it. Pre-bidding is another great option because it lets you set your max bid ahead of time without getting swept up in the excitement. And my last tip is to only buy things that you actually need – if you’re going to shop just to shop, make sure you set a budget for yourself.

Can you return items on Whatnot?

Returns are only allowed when an item is damaged, not as described, or never arrives. Whatnot doesn’t have general “change of mind” returns because many items are sold through live auctions, and this would waste everyone’s time if people changed their minds after having a winning bid.

Is bidding binding on Whatnot?

Yes, if you win a bid, you are expected to complete the purchase. Auctions go very fast, so make sure you want the item before clicking on the bid button. Winning bidders are charged automatically.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping times depend on each individual seller, but most ship within a few days. You’ll receive tracking information inside the app as soon as the seller prints the label.

Which is better, eBay or Whatnot?

It depends on your shopping style. For slow, traditional shopping, where you compare prices and search for specific items, eBay is better. Whatnot is better if you want to watch live shows, like live auctions, and like seeing items up close before you buy.

Is Whatnot good for collectors?

Yes, whether you collect Pokémon cards, sneakers, toys, comics, or sports cards, Whatnot has huge communities. Many items are rare, exclusive, or hard to find in normal stores.

Are there fake items on Whatnot?

Like any marketplace with independent sellers, there are fake items sometimes being sold, especially in categories like shoes, trading cards, “trendy” items like water bottles, and luxury goods like purses. The good news is that Whatnot’s Buyer Protection Policy covers you if something turns out to be counterfeit, and they take seller violations seriously. If you ever suspect an item is fake, you can open a claim, and Whatnot will investigate and refund you if needed. However, even with that being said, you still want to be safe and avoid scams on Whatnot.

How can I avoid getting scammed on Whatnot?

The best way to avoid getting scammed on Whatnot is to buy from sellers with good reviews, watch their live shows so you can see the item clearly, and read the description before bidding. If something ever feels off, you should skip the auction and find another seller because there are plenty of trustworthy ones on the app. I also recommend being extremely careful and cautious when buying more expensive items, like luxury clothing, jewelry, rare cards, and expensive shoes.

What happens if I get scammed?

If you receive something that isn’t as described, you can open a claim with photos or videos. Whatnot’s Buyer Protection Policy will help you get a refund if the seller is at fault. If you’re buying something expensive on the app, it’s usually a good idea to video yourself opening the package so that you have video proof right from the moment you open it (for example, if the package is empty, then you will have video proof that it was empty when it arrived).

Whatnot Review: Is This Popular Live Shopping App Worth It? – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my Whatnot app review.

If you enjoy auctions, live shopping, and looking at categories like fashion, toys, or trading cards, Whatnot may be worth trying. It’s different from traditional shopping, and many shoppers like how it feels more personable.

And as always, just remember to shop carefully so you don’t overspend or get caught up in winning auctions – it can be a fun app, but staying mindful will help you enjoy it without any surprises. Only buy what you need or what you have budgeted for.

You can click here to sign up for Whatnot.

What do you think of Whatnot and live shopping? Have you ever tried this app?

The post Whatnot Review: Is This Popular Live Shopping App Worth It? appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.