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Whatnot vs eBay: which keeps more?
Live auction energy vs the everything store — per sale.
Whatnot charges 8% commission plus 2.9% + $0.30 processing; eBay takes 13.6% final value fee plus $0.40 per order. Enter your item once and see which leaves more per sale.
Whatnot: 8% commission on item price (4% coins & money, 5% electronics) + 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the buyer's total
eBay: 13.6% final value fee on item + shipping (most categories) + $0.40 per-order fee on orders over $10
Category rates vary on both sides — eBay Motors is far lower than 13.6%, and Whatnot's electronics rate is 5%. Confirm your category before pricing.
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Why Whatnot usually wins on fees
Whatnot's 8% + ~2.9% + $0.30 lands around 11–12% all-in on a typical sale, versus eBay's 13.6% + $0.40. On a $30 item that's roughly $3.72 vs $5.16 — over a dollar per sale stays in your pocket. The gap narrows on very cheap items where the $0.30 processing minimum bites.
The format trade
Whatnot sells live — auctions, breaks, drops — which suits collectibles, cards, and anything with bidding energy. eBay's fixed-price and auction listings reach a far larger general buyer base. Fees decide margin; format decides what your inventory can actually do.
Time is a cost too
Live selling takes hours on camera; eBay listings sell while you sleep. If your time has a price, value the hours before declaring the fee winner the real winner.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to sell on Whatnot or eBay?
On fees alone, Whatnot usually: ~11–12% all-in (8% commission + 2.9% + $0.30) vs eBay's 13.6% + $0.40 per order. Run your item above — the gap is typically $1–2 per sale.
What are Whatnot's seller fees?
8% commission on the item price (4% for coins & money, 5% for electronics) plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the buyer's total. No listing fees.
What is eBay's final value fee?
13.6% of the total sale (item + shipping) for most categories, plus a $0.40 per-order fee on orders over $10 ($0.30 at or under). Some categories differ.
What sells best on Whatnot vs eBay?
Whatnot favors live-friendly categories: trading cards, collectibles, sneakers, and anything with break/auction energy. eBay's broader buyer base suits general merchandise and fixed-price listings.
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