The buzz around baseball cards has never been louder, with Whatnot emerging as the trailblazer in the world of collectibles. Whatnot, the largest live-stream shopping network in North America and Europe, has capitalized on the resurgence of sports card collecting to revolutionize the way people buy and sell unique items.
Armand Wilson, the Vice President of Categories & Expansion at Whatnot, sheds light on the platform’s meteoric rise. Whatnot has established itself as a powerhouse in the market, with a card being sold every second on the platform. Wilson highlights baseball cards as one of the biggest categories driving Whatnot’s success, with sellers raking in impressive earnings, some even transitioning to full-time careers on the platform.
The inception of Whatnot in 2019 marked a significant shift in the world of online collectibles, initially focusing on Funko Pops before venturing into sports cards. Wilson emphasizes that Whatnot was created to address the challenges buyers faced in purchasing collectibles online, especially amid concerns of fraud in the market. The seamless expansion into sports cards aligns perfectly with the platform’s vision, seeing an average buyer collecting 12 items per week.
A pivotal moment for Whatnot was its participation in “The National,” a renowned midsummer collectibles show. Whatnot brought the convention floor experience to its app, enabling thousands of sellers to showcase their items live, fostering dynamic interactions between buyers and sellers. This innovative approach propelled Whatnot’s reputation in the market, showcasing the platform’s capabilities and fostering a vibrant collectibles community.
With a modest 8% commission on sales, Whatnot offers sellers a platform that significantly boosts their sales volumes compared to other marketplaces. Wilson attributes this success to Whatnot’s unwavering focus on enhancing the user experience, catering to the needs of both buyers and sellers. By prioritizing user satisfaction, Whatnot has differentiated itself in a competitive market landscape.
The remarkable growth trajectory of Whatnot is evident in its workforce expansion, from less than 10 employees to nearly 700 in a short span. Baseball cards have played a pivotal role in driving this growth, with sports cards merging seamlessly with online shopping to create a compelling product offering. Wilson emphasizes the platform’s commitment to facilitating success stories, with sellers like Geoff Wilson and Dakota Peters achieving remarkable milestones on Whatnot.
Trust is paramount for Whatnot, with a strong emphasis on building credibility between buyers and sellers. While the platform does not directly authenticate products, sellers earn trust by consistently delivering high-quality items and addressing customer concerns promptly. This commitment to trust-building has been instrumental in Whatnot’s journey towards becoming a global force in the collectibles market.
With a headquarters in Culver City, California, and a strong presence across North America and Europe, Whatnot has cemented its position as a global leader in live streaming auctions. The platform boasts an impressive 175,000 hours of live streams weekly, vastly surpassing traditional shopping networks like QVC. Buyers are drawn to Whatnot’s engaging live streams, spending an average of 80 minutes daily immersing themselves in the collective excitement of the auctions.
Card-breaking has emerged as a fan-favorite feature on Whatnot, fostering community engagement and creating an electrifying atmosphere for collectors. Sellers like Wilson emphasize the thrill of watching these fast-paced auctions unfold, keeping users hooked and returning for more. Whatnot has successfully crafted a social and interactive experience for collectors, transcending the traditional notion of a marketplace to create a vibrant community.
As Whatnot continues to expand its reach and reshape the collectibles market, its innovative blend of live streaming and collectibles trading sets a new standard for the industry. By infusing the timeless appeal of baseball cards with the dynamic nature of live auctions, Whatnot has solidified its stance as a visionary in the ever-evolving world of collectibles.
