A Buyer's experience on WhatNot
This week has been disappointing for me as a buyer, and I’m going to be frank here. Now listen—my own business isn’t perfect. I’m a full-time seller, and yes, sometimes things arrive broken. Sometimes I miss an imperfection. Sometimes my photos aren’t as sharp as they should be. Mistakes happen, and I own that.
But here’s the thing: I try very hard to make sure those mistakes are few and far between. And when I do mess up, I learn from it, I make it right, and I'm the first to apologize. That’s why I want to share this—so sellers can learn, and so buyers can set realistic expectations when shopping online.
The Hype of Vintage Wars
Once a month, there’s this amazing WhatNot event called Vintage Wars. A couple hosts it, and honestly, it’s an impressive production. The coordination, the setup, the nerves, the adrenaline—it’s a whole vibe.
Sellers get 30 minutes each, using “sudden death” auctions. It’s fast, it’s fun, and the energy is contagious. By the end, each seller might walk away with 80–100 orders to ship. That’s no small task, especially for newer sellers who are still figuring out shipping logistics.
As a buyer, it’s exciting—you’re caught up in the moment, competing, supporting your favorite sellers, trying to snag treasures. But… there’s another side to it.
The Buyer’s Letdown
But there can be letdown when items arrive.
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Broken items because they weren’t packed well.
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Poor quality that wasn’t disclosed.
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Issues not mentioned during the sale.
It’s disappointing, and it makes you wonder: what are my options as a buyer?
Yes, WhatNot will refund for the broken items, but here’s the kicker—too many claims can flag your account.
Why I Don’t File Claims (Most of the Time)
According to WhatNot’s own policy:
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A high rate of refunds can trigger a review.
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Abuse of the claims process can result in corrective action.
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If “previous seller evidence” suggests otherwise, the buyer can be flagged.
So if a seller has loyal fans who never report issues, the one buyer who does could actually look like the problem. That doesn’t sit right with me.
Seller Accountability on WhatNot
Because of that, I am not filing claims on every broken item (yes, I've had several). Instead, I simply won’t buy from those sellers again. I keep a supplier list, and now I’ll be adding a “do not buy from” column.
But here’s the problem, I’m know I'm not the only one doing this. A post to Facebook proved this. Many other buyers chimed in with stories of bad buys. BUT, many other sellers also spoke up about how they are quick to offer a refund if something happens (that is reassuring for sure)
Buyers might:
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Let it go because it was a small amount of money.
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Forget to report it and drop it later.
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Avoid filing claims for fear of losing their account.
- Not leave feedback, to be nice, or out of fear of retaliation from the seller, or their 'fans'
This means sellers may not even know of their mistakes, or if they are purposely cutting corners, they are getting away with it. So, as a buyer we do have to speak up. Leave reviews, and file those claims. Take pictures, document, do an unboxing video or take periodic pictures as you unbox.
A Message to Sellers: Do Better
Here’s my plea to sellers—do better.
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Call out flaws and imperfections.
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Don’t put $2 items in $20 bins.
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Learn to ship correctly. (Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, sturdy boxes—these are not optional when sending collectibles.)
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Stop relying solely on packing paper—it’s not enough for fragile, high-end items.
Collectors value these items. When they arrive broken, it’s not just money lost—it’s the disappointment of a piece of history destroyed.
Closing Thoughts
I want every seller out there to grow and succeed. This isn’t meant to tear anyone down—it’s meant to challenge you to improve.
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Ask questions.
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Seek help.
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Be a sponge.
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Have integrity.
I still hope to one day join a Vintage Wars or other raid train myself. And when I do, I’ll hold myself to the same high standard I expect from others.
At the end of the day, this is hard work. But it’s worth it—because every package we ship carries not just an item, but a memory, a story, and a piece of history.
Love and hugs to all of you sellers out there. Keep fighting the good fight—but please, pack better.