How to Make the Most of Whatnot

Finding Your Niche in the Marketplace

I bet you have probably heard of eBay: great deals and tons of options. Whatnot is like that, but better. It offers the same competitive prices, but with a live-auction format, allowing for live negotiations and community building with buyers and sellers alike. Whatnot is an absolute goldmine for collectors, but if you don’t know where to look or even what to look for, it can feel overwhelming. The platform is broken down into categories, and for Lego fans like us, the Lego section is where the real fun begins. Here, you’ll find tons of live auctions pretty much 24/7, varying for drawer games to dollar-start shows.

The key is to narrow your focus early: do you want Star Wars, Super Heroes, or bulk lots? By honing in on a niche, you make the entire experience less chaotic and more rewarding. I'm going to try to break down all the best practices I have learned as a Whatnot regular.

Good Sellers Equals Good Shows

Not all sellers are created equal, and that’s okay. The beauty of Whatnot is that you can shop around before committing to anything, swiping up and down from seller to seller. A good seller isn’t just about pricing, it’s about trust, presentation, and community. Look for hosts who clearly show the condition of their items, are upfront about shipping, and keep the energy positive. Bonus points for sellers who run theme nights or giveaways, because that makes the whole thing more than just shopping: it becomes an event.

As you grow to become part of these small communities, you start to get in the groove and can gauge what each seller is willing to negotiate on. Sometimes you might even get really lucky and get some crazy good deals. Here are just some of the deals I was able to snag:

1. New Commander Sato (sw0758) -> $15.00 (usually $40.00+)
2. New Clone Cadet (sw1408) -> $8.00 (at peak when selling for $20.00+)
3. Used Clone Trooper, 327 Star Corps (sw0128) -> $6.00 (usually $15.00+)

And lots more that I may or may not have missed.

Saving Shows & Staying Organized

This is where a lot of people miss out. Because there are probably hundreds of shows a day, you can easily overlook the ones you want to join. You can save upcoming shows you’re interested in, which means you won’t have to rely on memory (or luck) to catch them. Trust me, nothing stings like missing a dollar-start rare fig because you forgot a show was happening. Use the save feature (shown in image above) religiously, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Community is Everything

Now here's the part no one really talks about: Whatnot is a community as much as it is a marketplace. The live chat gives you the chance to meet fellow collectors, trade knowledge, and even form real friendships. Some of the best parts of my Whatnot experience came not from a figure I bought, but from people I met who share the same collecting passion. Stick around after shows, talk in the chat, and you’ll quickly see how easy it is to build your own circle of friends.

Another thing, befriending sellers is always a good way to get steals. Exclusive shows, personalized discounts, Lego AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) meetups, and so much more come your way. Join the hype!

Leveling Up with WhatFig

Then there is one more thing you can do! Join WhatFig:

"WhatFig is a free mobile app designed to help LEGO enthusiasts identify minifigures and determine their U.S. market value by simply taking a photo or uploading a screenshot. With a database of over 16,000 figures, it's a valuable tool for collectors, buyers, and sellers."

If you’re serious about diving headfirst into the Whatnot world, the WhatFig app is your best friend. It’s basically a collector’s assistant, helping you track prices, keep an eye on new releases, and stay connected with sellers and events. Pairing Whatnot with WhatFig is like upgrading from casual browsing to pro-level collecting. It literally notifies you when anything of relevance happens in the Lego Whatnot community, from high-end minifigure sales to jawdropping giveaways. What is even cooler is you will be supporting a Whatnot seller, JSparrow, who built and designed the whole application!

Final Thoughts

So, how do you make the most of Whatnot? Easy:

1. Find your niche (Lego, duh),
2. Discover trustworthy sellers,
3. Stay organized (save shows),
4. Invest in the community,
5. And have a great time!

It’s more than shopping; it’s an experience. And if you play it right, you’re not just buying Lego, you’re building a whole new part of your collecting journey. I know I enjoy it. Do you?