Introduction

Live auctions and online shopping have transformed the manner in which individuals purchase and sell collectibles, and one of the sites that have spearheaded the trend is Whatnot. Whatnot boasts of its live-stream shopping format, which pairs sellers and buyers in real-time, so that the process is more interactive and exciting. But what are the real people like regarding its use? And here we uncover what not to expect when using the platform and what to expect, based on the reviews of buyers and sellers, who have been honest with us.

What Makes Whatnot Different

Whatnot creates a personal experience that you do not find on regular online marketing platforms, which are simply listings with photos and descriptions. Vendors are livestreaming, showcasing their products via cameras, fielding questions in the moment, and engaging in bidding wars. Customers are still able to engage with the vendors in real-time, see the item in real time, and volley their excitement of bidding as part of the auction experience - like in a brick and mortar store. Shopping within this experience is experiential rather than transactional.

What Buyers Say About Whatnot

To buyers, Whatnot has a community-based vibe to it, and live auctions are often entertaining. In many of the user reviews, the seller states that the site elevates them to a position of a member of the club, where they can find other users. Poke luncheon cards, Funko Pops, comic books, and sneaker collectors often cite that the exploration of the live streams is so entertaining that they find something rare.

Another quality buyers appreciate is the transparency. The sellers are on camera; therefore, buyers can request the sellers to provide them with more details or just ask them questions before placing their bid. Therefore, the uncertainty that may come with online shopping is erased. Shipping is another area where Whatnot receives a positive sentiment, as a majority of customers state their items arrive quickly and are packaged well.

Of course, all reviews are perfect. Some users admit that the live auctions can be competitive and the prices can be above what they were willing to spend. Some feel that it is easy to get impulsive and can spend more than they had originally intended during the process. At least even those reviews also admit that the fun invariably includes the excitement of the live format.

Sellers’ Testimonials on Whatnot

For sellers, Whatnot offers a different opportunity to connect with buyers. Most sellers indicate that the live streaming method helps with that.

Sellers can establish trust faster than from ordinary posts. Because they demonstrate the products live and respond to their customers, sellers are able to create a more personal connection to their audience.

Sellers also appreciate the built-in audience that Whatnot has to offer. There are already thousands of collectors and buyers signing on every day since Whatnot has grown so quickly. This makes it easy for new sellers to receive some recognition, versus opening an online boutique on their own.

But there are challenges to selling on Whatnot. Some sellers say it isn't easy to build a following, and live auctions can be quite lengthy. Sellers must take fees into consideration as well, which could also diminish profits. Regardless, most sellers indicated that the experience of connecting with buyers and the chance of selling quickly make it worthwhile.

On the Platform, Trust and Safety

Buyers and sellers often ask about the safety of Whatnot to use. From reviews, it appears that the site is seen as trustworthy. Whatnot also screens sellers prior to them doing live auctions, which helps to limit scams. Users also stated that customer service is responsive when there are issues, and relates to implementation regarding whether an item was late or spoiled.

Users reported that funds were deposited without issues and were deposited in a timely manner, which also gives them trust in using the site. There really are not perfect online marketplaces, but the general sense from reviews was that Whatnot is attempting to create a safe and fair situation for both parties.

The Community Aspect

The community aspect of Whatnot has received quite a bit of discussion within buyer groups. Buyers regularly remark that they feel as though watching the live feed is more like hanging out with friends than it is shopping. Sellers reported that they retain buyers who continue to show up to their  live. Again, that is a unique experience that is not just involved in selling or buying.

Some critics even note that they have created life-long friendships through the platform. Be it a mutual interest in sports cards, toys, or comic books, Whatnot has developed a place where the hobby can be more social.

Pros and Cons Summarized

Below is a rewrite of the same section with a professional voice in clear, simple, and humanized bullet points:

Pros  

•   Live-streaming and overall sales can be opportunistic and visceral experiences.
•  A sense of community adds to the overall opportunity you and your buyers feel together.
   
•  Greater levels of transparency allow buyers to see the quality of products in real-time, fresh perspectives, and instill trustworthiness in the seller.
   
•  Those buyers and sellers can develop direct relationships that can grow into a viable and long-lasting business relationship.
   

cons   

•  Buyers frequently pay higher prices than they initially expect in competitive auction scenarios.
   
•  Sellers commit a considerable amount of time developing the live stream experience for their customers and managing the actual live stream.
   
•  There are times when both buyers and sellers embrace the sentiment that the platform can be addictive, and that they typically spend additional time and/or dollars engaging with the platform than initially planned.

Final Thoughts

From reading the reviews of Honest Whatnot, it's clear that Whatnot has developed its own space in the online shopping world. Both buyer and seller enjoy the thrill of a live auction and are able to engage the seller directly, and sellers enjoy the trust and community that they receive through the live streams.

Every platform has its issues, but by all accounts, the upside is better than the downside (in most reviews). You can use Whatnot to interact with enthusiastic partners and create an entirely different type of social experience when you are in the buying experience for collectibles, or perhaps consider creating a superb community to interact with in your own selling experience.

If you are truly interested, the only real way to understand Whatnot is to utilize it, catch a live stream, chat, and determine if it is as fun as many buyers and sellers experience.