The realm of sports card collecting has undergone a renaissance, with Whatnot spearheading the charge as the premiere live-stream shopping network spanning across North America and Europe. Armand Wilson, Whatnot’s Vice President of Categories & Expansion, reveals that baseball cards have emerged as a pivotal category on the platform, with a card being sold every second to eager collectors.
Since its inception in 2019 with a focus on Funko Pops, Whatnot has rapidly diversified into various categories, including the immensely popular sports cards segment. Wilson elucidates that the platform initially aimed to tackle the prevalent issue of fraud in online collectibles purchasing. This strategic move has culminated in a platform where sellers garnered a staggering $2 billion in live sales within the first nine months of 2024, propelling Whatnot to unprecedented heights.
One of the pivotal junctures for Whatnot was its participation in “The National,” a prominent midsummer collectibles show. By replicating the convention floor on its app, Whatnot facilitated thousands of sellers to showcase their collections in real-time to potential buyers. This novel approach not only bridged the gap between collectors and sellers but also showcased the platform’s prowess in an innovative manner. Wilson emphasizes, “By grouping our sellers together, we showcased the power of our app.”
What sets Whatnot apart is its commitment to enhancing the user experience for both buyers and sellers, leading to a substantial increase in sales volume. Sellers on the platform attest to selling twice as much as on other marketplaces, owing to Whatnot’s user-centric approach. With a modest 8% commission on each sale, Whatnot prioritizes customer satisfaction, cultivating a sense of trust among its expansive community.
The success stories of sellers on Whatnot underscore the platform’s transformative impact. Entrepreneurs like Geoff Wilson and Dakota Peters have leveraged Whatnot to achieve remarkable financial milestones, substantiating the platform’s potential for growth and prosperity. The platform’s emphasis on building trust between buyers and sellers further solidifies its standing as a reliable marketplace for collectors worldwide.
Whatnot’s exponential growth is evident through its substantial expansion, burgeoning from fewer than 10 employees to nearly 700 within a few years. The fusion of card collecting and online shopping has proven to be a winning combination for Whatnot, amplifying its global presence and attracting a diverse audience of collectors across different age groups.
With its headquarters based in Culver City, California, and a network of hubs spanning continents, Whatnot has rapidly become a dominant force in the collectibles market. The platform’s card-breaking feature, where users engage in communal box openings, has become a fan-favorite, fostering camaraderie and excitement among collectors. Whatnot’s blend of interactive live streams and personalized engagement has cultivated a devoted following, ranging from young enthusiasts to seasoned collectors alike.
As Whatnot continues to revolutionize the collectibles landscape, it is evident that the platform’s innovative approach to merging live streaming with the timeless allure of baseball cards has propelled it to the summit of the industry. With a dynamic and engaging platform, Whatnot has redefined the way people buy and sell collectibles, shaping the future of the card collecting realm.
