The world of collectibles is experiencing a renaissance, and at the forefront of this resurgence is Whatnot, a live-stream shopping platform that is transforming the way people buy and sell items like baseball cards. Armand Wilson, Vice President of Categories & Expansion at Whatnot, emphasized the platform’s emphasis on sports card collecting, with a card being sold every second on the site.
Since its inception in 2019, Whatnot has seen exponential growth, expanding from its roots in Funko Pops to include categories like sports cards. The platform was born out of a need to address the challenges buyers faced in the online collectibles market, particularly concerning fraud. This evolution into sports cards has been a natural progression, with the average buyer acquiring 12 items per week.
One of Whatnot’s key milestones was its participation in “The National,” a renowned midsummer collectibles show. By recreating the convention experience within its app, Whatnot brought together thousands of sellers to showcase their inventories live, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for buyers. This innovative approach solidified Whatnot’s position in the market and highlighted the platform’s unique capabilities.
Despite charging an 8% commission on each sale, Whatnot has proven to be a lucrative platform for sellers, with many reporting significantly higher sales volumes compared to other marketplaces. Wilson attributes this success to the platform’s unwavering focus on enhancing the user experience for both buyers and sellers, prioritizing a seamless and enjoyable interaction over concerns about competitors.
The success stories of Whatnot sellers further underscore the platform’s potential. Entrepreneurs like Geoff Wilson and Dakota Peters have leveraged Whatnot to achieve significant sales figures and transform their hobbies into full-time businesses. With a commitment to fostering trust between buyers and sellers, Whatnot empowers its users to build and maintain reputations that drive growth and success.
Headquartered in Culver City, California, Whatnot has rapidly expanded its reach across North America and Europe, hosting an impressive 175,000 hours of live streams weekly—one of the highest in the industry. The platform’s emphasis on card-breaking, a thrilling practice where users open card packs together, has proven to be a major draw for collectors, enhancing community engagement and creating a sense of excitement among users.
What sets Whatnot apart is its personalized and interactive approach to selling collectibles. Sellers engage with buyers in real-time, creating a sense of community and connection that transcends the transactional nature of traditional marketplaces. This personalized touch has helped Whatnot cultivate a diverse and loyal audience, spanning from young collectors to seasoned enthusiasts, fostering a community that transcends generational boundaries.
As Whatnot continues to expand and innovate, it is clear that the platform has revolutionized the collectibles market by combining the thrill of live-streaming with the timeless appeal of baseball cards. Through its dynamic approach to buying and selling, Whatnot has established itself as a leader in the ever-evolving world of collectibles, reshaping the way enthusiasts interact with their favorite items.
