What is your personal opinion on whatnot?

Options
COINS MAKE CENTS
COINS MAKE CENTS Posts: 1,907 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited July 12, 2026 6:48PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Me and some fellows coin dealers were having a conversation over a few beers this weekend and whatnot came up. All of us had mixed reviews some good some bad some unknowns. This got me thinking what other coin dealers and collectors thought about buying on whatnot and how it is affecting the coin collecting world....

Keeping the poll anonymous to hopefully keep down on any drama

*** the second one is suppose to say I think its HELPING coin collecting somewhat.... dont know how to change it

New inventory added daily at Coins Make Cents
HAPPY COLLECTING


What is your personal opinion on whatnot?

Sign in to vote!
This is a private poll: no-one will see what you voted for.

Comments

  • MasonG
    MasonG Posts: 7,565 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    There isn't an option that works for me. I know what it is and although I don't currently use it, I can't say for sure I never will. As far as its impact on coin collecting, I don't have an opinion either way.

    So that's my vote.

  • skier07
    skier07 Posts: 4,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I don’t think a lot us on this forum myself included are familiar enough with whatnot and understand how it works. So I’ll defer.

  • Nephasth
    Nephasth Posts: 206 ✭✭✭
    Options

    I think it and ebay live help dealers move inventory faster than they would otherwise. I also think some of the dealers use predatory sales tactics.

  • ProofCollection
    ProofCollection Posts: 8,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I think it gives dealers a good way to clear out the dreck.
    I think it's good for people who with lots of time on their hands who like to buy common or low value widgets and bullion.

  • Capgun
    Capgun Posts: 978 ✭✭✭
    Options

    No experience there, however have seen PawnBroker Pickers on YouTube. They boast about selling on Whatnot. Amusing at best.

  • Walkerguy21D
    Walkerguy21D Posts: 12,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ProofCollection said:
    I think it gives dealers a good way to clear out the dreck.
    I think it's good for people who with lots of time on their hands who like to buy common or low value widgets and bullion.

    I don’t have an opinion, either, as I have no experience with it. However, a smaller dealer friend of mine told me at FUN last week that someone was looking over the case of his lower end raw coins, and asked for a price on the whole lot, which he then bought. He wasn’t interested in the other case with the slabs and more expensive material, just the “dreck”. He was a whatnot seller.

    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • USSID18
    USSID18 Posts: 652 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I'm not a dealer but I would think the more eyes balls on your coins the better. However, Whatnot would be the last place I would go for the "MOST" exposure to your coins,

  • Kliao
    Kliao Posts: 5,802 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    It's a good way to move out lower value junk for (sometimes) crazy high prices.

    I liked how a dealer described it: It's like the TV coin marketers. It's another form of entertainment where you're paying for hours of entertainment.

    Collector
    Over 100 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 57 members and counting!
    instagram.com/klnumismatics

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 6:05AM
    Options

    I know what it is. I have no intention of ever using it. But, I think it’s good for the hobby, because it’s stimulates interest and seems to be very popular.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • TwoSides2aCoin
    TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,216 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I have an account there. Without a massive build up of followers , it is almost like taking stuff to the Goodwill store.

  • RandomSchmoe
    RandomSchmoe Posts: 73 ✭✭✭
    Options

    As a collector I like to take my time and look hard at what I may purchase. Whatnot is just not the right format for me.

    Rare-Change.com - Low listing fee

  • BLUEJAYWAY
    BLUEJAYWAY Posts: 11,794 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    El Paso.

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • TallahasseeCoinClub
    TallahasseeCoinClub Posts: 474 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 10:11AM
    Options

    I did not vote, but have tried WhatNot experimentally as both a buyer and a seller.

    It is a site that I will no longer use.

    Official PCGS account of:

    www.TallahasseeCoinClub.com

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    You likely would have more participation if one of the options was closer to something truly neutral like "It likely neither helps nor hurts a great deal as it is simply another venue".

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • Project Numismatics
    Project Numismatics Posts: 1,886 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I used it extensively about a year ago for a period of about 3 months. I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It’s very addictive but my issue was that it became more about the thrill of acquiring and entertainment than collecting. I stuck with reputable dealers (there are some!) and my acquisitions were generally at fair market value, just ultimately wasn’t for me. Prefer to collect with a more goal oriented / intentional mindset which is hard on Whatnot.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    whatnot = whatever. i look thats about it

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @TomB said:
    You likely would have more participation if one of the options was closer to something truly neutral like "It likely neither helps nor hurts a great deal as it is simply another venue".

    Or eliminated the usage question. What if I think Whatnot is good for the hobby but don't want to use it?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ElmerFusterpuck said:
    I've looked at it for a bit and decided it wasn't for me. It felt like I was in a small room full of screaming toddlers while trying to concentrate on an open heart surgery.

    Lol. It definitely doesn't appeal to everyone. But it does appeal to a lot of people.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I think it's not very user friendly like ebay, gc, etal. JMO
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @jesbroken said:
    I think it's not very user friendly like ebay, gc, etal. JMO
    Jim

    It's designed for a very different experience. If you like whatnot, you would probably be bored to years at GC or HA. Ebay, of course, has now embraced the whatnot format and offers live auctions.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Colonialcoin
    Colonialcoin Posts: 923 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I have gone on a couple of times. From what I have seen, it’s people selling as Laura put it, widgets. Mainly cheap, raw stuff that sells from $1-$100.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @Colonialcoin said:
    I have gone on a couple of times. From what I have seen, it’s people selling as Laura put it, widgets. Mainly cheap, raw stuff that sells from $1-$100.

    That is the bulk of auctions. But there are certain sellers who sell fairly high end stuff. The site is only really defined by the style of the auctions, not the items sold.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • ProofCollection
    ProofCollection Posts: 8,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Colonialcoin said:
    I have gone on a couple of times. From what I have seen, it’s people selling as Laura put it, widgets. Mainly cheap, raw stuff that sells from $1-$100.

    That is the bulk of auctions. But there are certain sellers who sell fairly high end stuff. The site is only really defined by the style of the auctions, not the items sold.

    I don't know about that. Could a dealer profitably sell a few dozen $1000+ coins and make a profit in that format? Not from what I've seen because the $1000+ customer base is not attracted to that format. Which isn't to say it couldn't be cultivated and couldn't be done, but still.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    @ProofCollection said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Colonialcoin said:
    I have gone on a couple of times. From what I have seen, it’s people selling as Laura put it, widgets. Mainly cheap, raw stuff that sells from $1-$100.

    That is the bulk of auctions. But there are certain sellers who sell fairly high end stuff. The site is only really defined by the style of the auctions, not the items sold.

    I don't know about that. Could a dealer profitably sell a few dozen $1000+ coins and make a profit in that format? Not from what I've seen because the $1000+ customer base is not attracted to that format. Which isn't to say it couldn't be cultivated and couldn't be done, but still.

    Your experience is limited. People don't always start things at $1 and go. They are people that do wall scans, all of actions is interested and then start it at a "fair price". I've seen sales of a much as $5000 for coins.

    This wasn't coins, but I also saw one card dealer sell 250 $1000 boxes in about 10 minutes. It was amazing to watch.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 6:27PM
    Options

    @ProofCollection said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Colonialcoin said:
    I have gone on a couple of times. From what I have seen, it’s people selling as Laura put it, widgets. Mainly cheap, raw stuff that sells from $1-$100.

    That is the bulk of auctions. But there are certain sellers who sell fairly high end stuff. The site is only really defined by the style of the auctions, not the items sold.

    I don't know about that. Could a dealer profitably sell a few dozen $1000+ coins and make a profit in that format? Not from what I've seen because the $1000+ customer base is not attracted to that format. Which isn't to say it couldn't be cultivated and couldn't be done, but still.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Comment As ...

Categories