How a purchase works
You join a live show, the seller puts a card or pack on screen, and you either bid or buy at the stated price. You pay that price plus the shipping the seller sets. Check the total before you confirm.
The listing should say where the parcel ships from. A UK seller is the simpler option. An overseas seller can mean a longer wait, and you may have to pay charges when the parcel arrives in the UK.
Whatnot has buyer protection if an item does not arrive or is not as described. Read the current policy in the app before you rely on it.
| What you are buying | What you receive | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Single | The exact card on screen, raw or graded | You want a named card for your collection |
| Sealed pack or box | Unopened product, posted to you | You want to open it yourself |
| Break spot | Only the cards that land in your spot | You accept that the result is chance |
| Surprise or mystery lot | An unknown mix chosen by the seller | You do not. See the warning below |
Singles
Sellers list one card at a time, raw or in a slab from PSA, Beckett, or CGC. You can see the card and the price. This is the straightforward way to fill a gap in a binder.
Quiet shows and end-of-stream clearances are where prices sometimes sit below recent sold listings. Check sold prices on eBay before you bid, so you know what the card has been fetching.
Sealed packs and boxes
Booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, tins, and booster boxes are sold sealed. You open them at home. Compare the price with shops in Swindon before you buy. A live auction is not automatically cheaper than Smyths, The Entertainer, or a local card shop.
Breaks
In a break, the seller opens a box on stream. Buyers pay for a spot, such as a number or a type. You only receive the cards that land in your spot. The cost of the box is split, but you do not choose the cards. Treat a break as paid entertainment, not as a way to complete a set.
Surprise sets and mystery boxes
You pay for a mix the seller chooses. You cannot know the value before it arrives.
Surprise sets and mystery boxes
These are a gamble. The seller knows what they are sending and sets the price so they still make money. Plenty of buyers receive cards worth less than they paid.
Do not use them to build a collection or to hunt a bargain. If you still want to try one, spend only money you can lose. For a named card, buy the single.
Before you bid
- Read the title. Single, sealed pack, break spot, and mystery lot are different purchases.
- Check the seller's reviews and how many orders they have completed.
- Check the ship-from country if you want a UK parcel.
- Set a limit before the auction starts, and stop when you hit it.
- Join through this link if you are new: whatnot.com/invite/jimmybird. The Swindon Post may earn a small commission.
Try Whatnot
Live Pokémon shows, singles, and sealed packs. The Swindon Post may earn a small commission if you join through this link.
Join WhatnotBuying Pokémon locally
If you would rather see the card in your hand, use the guide to where to buy Pokémon cards in Swindon. Atomic Cards, Crazy Collectables, Smyths, and the Swindon Card Show at STEAM are the local options. Whatnot is the online alternative when the card you want is not in stock in town.
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