☰What’s in this guide12 sectionsShowHide
Sell products live, build an audience and turn £1 auctions into serious profit—one of the fastest-growing side hustles right now.
What Is Selling on Whatnot?
What if we told you there’s a way to sell products live, create hype in real-time, and build a loyal audience who come back to buy again and again? That’s exactly what Whatnot offers.
It’s essentially live-stream selling—think eBay meets TikTok Live. You host shows, auction items (often starting at £1), and viewers bid in real time.
Sellers in the UK are making anywhere from £100 to £1,000+ per session once they get momentum. You also get a bonus between £20-200 when you sign up here or £25 guaranteed here.
How Does It Work?
Here’s the basic process to get started:
Apply as a seller - You’ll need to apply and get approved to sell on Whatnot
Set up your profile - Choose your niche (cards, clothes, collectibles, etc.) and build a simple storefront
Schedule a live show - Pick a time, list your items, and promote your stream
Go live and sell - Auction items, engage with chat, and ship orders after the show
What Can You Sell?
Some of the best-performing niches right now:
✅ Trading cards (Pokémon, sports cards) ✅ Vintage & streetwear clothing ✅ Electronics & gadgets ✅ Funko Pops & collectibles ✅ Jewellery & watches ✅ Clearance / wholesale bundles
💡 Tip: Boring products don’t sell well live. You want items that are visual, collectible or exciting.
Fees & Costs
Understanding the fees is key to actually making money:
Whatnot Fees (UK sellers):
- ~8% commission fee per sale
- payment processing (~2.9% + 30p)
Rough total: ~11–12% per sale
Other costs to consider:
- Shipping supplies (bags, boxes, labels)
- Product sourcing cost
- Time spent live
Example: Sell an item for £20 → you’ll receive roughly £17.50 after fees
Bonuses & Incentives
When you first start, Whatnot often offers:
- Free shipping credits for buyers (boosts conversions)
- Seller incentives / onboarding bonuses
- Extra exposure for new sellers
These can massively help your first few shows perform better
How to Source Products
This is where most people win or lose.
Top sourcing methods:
1. Charity shops / car boot sales
- Cheap stock with resale potential
- Great for clothing & collectibles
2. Wholesale / bulk buying
- Buy low, sell across multiple auctions
- Works well for bundles
3. Clearance / retail arbitrage
- Tesco, B&M, TK Maxx etc.
- Flip discounted items
4. Your own unused items
- Easiest way to start with £0 risk
The goal: buy low enough that even a £1 start can still be profitable long-term
Auction Strategies That Actually Work
This is where Whatnot becomes powerful.
£1 starts
- Brings in viewers fast
- Creates bidding wars
- Increases engagement
Bundles
- Sell multiple items together
- Boosts average order value
Fast pacing
- Don’t let auctions drag
- Keep energy high
Show structure matters
- Start with strong items
- Build hype
- End with your best pieces
How to Increase Viewers
This is the biggest factor in success.
Before the show:
- Schedule shows in advance
- Share on social media / Facebook groups
- Build followers over time
During the show:
- Engage constantly with chat
- Call out usernames
- Keep energy high
Growth tactics that work:
✅ Giveaways – keeps people watching
✅ £1 auctions – attracts new viewers
✅ Raids – send/receive viewers from other sellers
✅ Follower goals – “Giveaway at 500 followers”
✅ Consistency – same time every week
Early on, focus more on building an audience than maximising profit
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Starting with overpriced auctions ❌ Low energy / boring streams ❌ Poor lighting or audio ❌ Selling random, low-demand items ❌ Not engaging with chat
Whatnot is entertainment as much as selling
What Can You Realistically Earn?
This varies massively depending on effort and niche:
- Beginners: £50–£200 per show
- Consistent sellers: £300–£1,000+ per show
- Top sellers: £5,000+ per week
It’s not passive—but it scales well once you build an audience
Final Word
Selling on Whatnot isn’t just about products—it’s about personality, consistency, and momentum.
Treat it like a live show, not just a marketplace.
You won’t make huge money instantly—but if you stick at it, build a following, and source smart, it can turn into one of the best side hustles out there right now.
Frequently asked questions
Is selling on Whatnot worth it?
Yes—if you’re willing to put the time in. Early on, it can feel slow, but once you build a following and repeat buyers, it can become a very strong side hustle. The key is consistency and sourcing products with margin.
Do I need stock to start?
No. You can start by selling items you already own (clothes, collectibles, unused tech). This is actually the best way to learn the platform with zero risk before reinvesting profits into stock.
How much money do I need upfront?
You can start with £0 if you sell your own items. Realistically, £50–£200 is enough to begin sourcing stock and testing what sells.
What sells best on Whatnot?
Items that are visual, collectible or exciting perform best. This includes trading cards, vintage clothing, bundles, collectibles and anything with resale hype. Generic or boring products tend to struggle.
Can you lose money?
Yes. If you overpay for stock or your items sell too cheaply, you can lose money. This is why sourcing is crucial—buy low enough that even £1 starts work in your favour over time.
How do £1 auctions work profitably?
Individually, some items may sell below value—but across a full show, bidding wars, bundles and engaged viewers typically balance things out. The strategy is to build momentum and average profit across multiple sales, not rely on one item.
What equipment do I need?
At minimum:
A smartphone
Stable internet connection
Basic lighting (natural light or ring light)
Better setup = better conversions, so improving lighting and audio over time helps.
How long should a show be?
Most successful shows run between 1–3 hours. Short shows can work, but longer streams give more time to build an audience and increase sales.
How do I get my first viewers?
Start by promoting your show in advance (social media, communities), use £1 starts to attract people, and stay consistent. Your first few shows may be quiet—but momentum builds over time.
Are earnings taxable in the UK?
Yes. If you’re making money consistently, it counts as income. You may need to register as self-employed and declare earnings to HM Revenue and Customs.
Can I do this part-time?
Absolutely. Most sellers start part-time alongside work. Even 1–2 shows per week can generate decent extra income once established.
How long does it take to grow?
Typically a few weeks to a few months. Growth depends on consistency, niche and how engaging your shows are. The sellers who stick with it are the ones who usually see results.