Should you Offer “Bundling”?

Should You Let Customers Bundle Items on Whatnot? Pros and Cons Explained

If you’re a Whatnot seller looking to streamline your operations or increase your average order size, you’ve probably considered letting your customers bundle items during your shows. At first glance, it sounds like a win-win — they get to save on shipping, and you get to sell more in one go.

But like everything in reselling, there’s a balance. Let’s break down the real pros and cons of offering bundling as an option, whether you’re new to Whatnot or optimizing your strategy to hit those seller goals.

What is Bundling on Whatnot?

Bundling is when a buyer adds multiple items to a cart and checks out at the end of the show — instead of paying immediately after each auction ends. It’s a popular feature among experienced buyers who want to save on shipping and shop multiple items at once.

Pros of Allowing Bundling

1. Larger Order Sizes

When buyers don’t have to check out right away, they’re more likely to keep shopping. It’s a lot easier to justify adding a $5 item when you’re already getting two others. This often leads to higher cart totals and bigger sales per customer.

Why it matters: Higher average order values = more money per customer interaction, which is key for scaling efficiently.

2. Fewer Transactions (More Organized for Buyers and Sellers)

When customers can combine items into one checkout, it simplifies everything. You don’t have to track and ship 10 separate orders to the same person — just one.

Why it matters: It saves time, reduces chances for shipping errors, and cuts down on packing materials — all good things for busy sellers.

3. Lower Platform Fees

Each individual transaction has its own fee. If one buyer makes five separate purchases, you get hit with five separate fees. Bundling cuts this down.

Why it matters: Less money to Whatnot, more in your pocket. Simple as that.

4. More Efficient Shipping

With bundled orders, you’re sending one package instead of many. That means fewer shipping labels, fewer tracking updates, and less room for error.

Why it matters: Time is money. The faster and easier you can ship, the more time you can spend sourcing, listing, and growing your shop.

Cons of Allowing Bundling

1. It Takes Longer to Reach Milestones Like 1,000 Sales

Every bundled order counts as one sale — no matter how many items are inside. If you’re grinding to hit that 1K milestone for credibility or perks, bundling slows your progress.

Why it matters: For newer sellers especially, hitting milestones can unlock benefits and increase trust with buyers. Bundling delays those wins.

2. Some Buyers May Not Pay After Bundling

Not everyone follows through. It’s easy for someone to build a cart during a show and never check out — especially if they get distracted or change their mind.

Why it matters: That’s time you spent auctioning, hyping up the sale, and holding inventory — for nothing. It can also mess up your sell-through data and momentum.

3. Less Urgency During Auctions

When buyers don’t have to commit immediately, they might not feel the pressure to bid high. This “add to cart” mentality can make auctions feel more like a slow scroll than a competitive event.

Why it matters: Urgency is a big driver of high bids. Take that away, and you could see your average sale price drop.

4. Lower Chance at Higher Bids

Bundling can sometimes shift the psychology from auction frenzy to discount shopping. Instead of a bidding war driving prices up, buyers may just be cherry-picking low-bid wins to bundle later.

Why it matters: That dream of a $4 item selling for $20? It’s less likely when bundling is in play.

5. Fewer Reviews

Each checkout is a chance for feedback. Fewer checkouts = fewer reviews. And on Whatnot, reviews build trust and social proof.

Why it matters: Strong ratings can make or break you — especially early on. Bundling slows review growth.

So… Should You Allow Bundling?

It depends on your goals.

• If you’re optimizing for bigger average order sizes, repeat customers, and efficiency — bundling makes sense.

• If you’re chasing metrics like total sales, high review counts, or auction hype — you might want to disable it or be selective about when to use it.

Some sellers only allow bundling on themed shows or “bin nights.” Others offer it as a perk for loyal customers or during clearance sales. You don’t have to go all-in or all-out — just be intentional.

Pro Tip: Set Clear Expectations

If you allow bundling, be very clear in your show description and announcements about when checkouts are due. Give buyers a deadline, let them know non-payment could result in bans, and be consistent.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — and what works for one seller might not work for another. But by understanding the trade-offs, you can make smarter choices that align with your goals.

Have you tried bundling in your shop? Love it or hate it? Drop a comment or DM me — I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.