Buyer FAQ

Answers to common questions about joining the WBT buyer network, how referrals work, fees, and sourcing tips for resellers, flippers, and estate buyers.

Getting started

How do I sign up?

Signing up takes a minute or two. Choose your categories of interest, set your service area by ZIP code and radius, then enter your contact info. There's no credit card required and no obligation. You'll start receiving seller alerts as soon as your account is activated, which usually happens the same day.

Do I have to pay anything to join?

No. Joining the WBT buyer network is completely free. You only pay a small referral fee when you choose to claim a specific seller's contact information. Fees start at $2 and depend on the item category. If nothing catches your eye, you don't pay anything.

How quickly do I start receiving referrals after signing up?

It depends on when sellers in your area submit. Some buyers see a referral within hours, others wait longer. Timing varies by your service area, your category preferences, and seller volume in your ZIP code. Even quiet areas tend to pick up over time as more sellers find the platform.

Where does WBT operate? Is it available in my city?

WBT operates throughout the United States. Buyer signups and seller submissions happen nationwide. Your local activity depends on how many sellers are submitting in your ZIP code area, which grows over time. Even if your area is quiet now, signing up is free and positions you for referrals as the network expands.

How referrals work

How will I get notified when a seller submits in my area?

You'll receive an email alert whenever a seller in your service area submits items matching your category preferences. Alerts come from hello@webuythat.com, so add that address to your contacts to make sure they land in your inbox. Each alert includes item details, any photos the seller provided, and a link to claim the referral.

What does a seller alert actually contain before I pay?

Every alert includes the seller's city and ZIP, the categories and items they're selling with descriptions, photos, the pickup preference, and the referral fee amount. The seller's name, phone number, and email are revealed only after you claim the referral. This way you can decide if it's worth your fee before paying.

How do you decide which buyers get which referrals?

Matching is based on two things: your service area and your category preferences. When a seller submits, the system identifies buyers whose ZIP coverage includes the seller's ZIP and whose categories overlap with the seller's items. Matched buyers receive the alert in real time.

Is my buyer information shared with the seller before I claim?

No. Sellers don't see any buyer information until you choose to reach out to them after claiming. Your name, contact info, and signup details stay private throughout the matching and alert process. The first time the seller hears from you is when you contact them directly.

Pricing and fees

How are fees set per category?

Referral fees vary by category, starting at $2. Lower-value categories like books, toys, and clothing have lower fees, while higher-value categories like furniture, appliances, electronics, and vehicles cost more. The fee is shown clearly in every seller alert before you decide to claim, so you always know what you're paying.

Are referral fees refundable if the seller doesn't respond?

Referral fees are non-refundable. The fee covers connecting you with the seller's contact information as they submitted it. The information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Most sellers respond, but some won't. Fees are low for that reason. Look at the bigger picture: a $5 fee on an estate buyout could turn into thousands in profit. One good deal pays for itself many times over.

Can I get a refund if the deal falls through?

No. The referral fee pays for the introduction to the seller, not the outcome of the transaction. Once you have the seller's contact information, the negotiation, pickup, and any disagreements are between you and them. WBT isn't involved in the deal itself.

What payment methods do you accept for referral fees?

Referral fees are processed through Stripe, which accepts all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Link are also supported at checkout. Your payment information is handled directly by Stripe and never stored on WBT.

Sellers and inventory

Who are the sellers?

Sellers on WBT are everyday people clearing space. Moving, downsizing, settling estates, emptying storage units, small businesses liquidating inventory. They want their items gone quickly without the back-and-forth of a public listing. They've chosen convenience over chasing top dollar, which often translates into better deals for buyers willing to act quickly and take more in one trip.

What kinds of items can I find through WBT referrals?

Just about anything used. Furniture from brands like Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Restoration Hardware. Appliances from Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Samsung. Power tools from DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita. Designer clothing and handbags from brands like Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Lululemon. Antiques, collectibles, electronics, sporting goods, musical instruments, vehicles, full estate lots, and small business liquidations. If a seller has it and wants to move it, you'll see it.

What categories of items are available?

WBT covers 16 main categories: Antiques and Collectibles, Appliances, Baby and Kids Items, Books, Toys and Games, Clothing and Accessories, Commercial Equipment, Electronics, Estate and Household Lots, Furniture, Home Decor, Musical Instruments, Sporting Goods, Storage Unit Contents, Tools and Equipment, Vehicles, and Yard and Garden. There's also an Other category for anything that doesn't fit.

Logistics and pickup

Does WBT handle the transaction or pickup?

No. WBT connects buyers and sellers, then steps aside. Once you claim a referral, you contact the seller directly to arrange pickup, payment, and any other details. We don't broker the deal, hold funds, or get involved in the transaction itself. This keeps fees low and lets you negotiate on your own terms.

What's the typical pickup arrangement?

It varies by seller. Some prefer the buyer come to them, others can deliver, and some are flexible either way. The seller's pickup preference is shown clearly in every alert before you claim, so you know what you're getting into. Distance and item size usually determine which option makes sense.

How long do I have to claim a referral before it goes stale?

Time is of the essence. Good deals don't last long, so if something catches your eye, claim it quickly.

What time of day will I receive seller alerts?

Whenever a seller submits, which can be any time of day. Most submissions come in during typical waking hours, but some sellers list late at night or early morning. Alerts are sent in real time, so you'll get them as soon as the seller's submission is processed.

Account and service area

Can I set multiple service areas with different ZIP codes?

Yes. You can add multiple service areas to your account, each with its own ZIP code and radius. This is useful if you cover more than one region or if you're willing to drive different distances depending on the area. The signup form lets you add as many service areas as you need.

How do I update my categories or service areas later?

Reply to any WBT email with the changes you'd like to make and we'll update your account. We're working on a self-service buyer dashboard, but in the meantime a quick email to us is the fastest way to adjust your preferences.

Are there minimum or maximum radius limits for my service area?

You can set any radius that makes sense for your buying. A smaller radius means tighter, more local matches. A larger one expands your reach but may include sellers further than you want to drive. Most buyers find 20 to 50 miles works well, but it depends on your category and how far you're willing to travel.

How do I unsubscribe or pause alerts?

Reply STOP to any seller alert email and we'll deactivate your account. If you'd like to pause temporarily rather than fully unsubscribe, just reply with that request and we'll set it for the timeframe you want. We're working on automated unsubscribe and pause options.

For resellers and flippers

Is WBT a good source for eBay resellers?

Yes. WBT delivers local sellers directly to your inbox, which means less time scrolling Marketplace or driving between thrift stores and more time listing inventory. Categories like furniture, electronics, antiques, designer clothing, and collectibles all do well on eBay. Buying local through WBT often means lower acquisition costs and higher margins on resale.

How does WBT compare to Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp for resellers?

Marketplace and OfferUp put you in competition with the general public, where sellers often hold out for top dollar and ghost serious buyers. WBT delivers motivated sellers who chose the platform specifically because they want a fast, clean transaction. You skip the haggling games and get straight to the deal.

How does WBT compare to thrifting for resale inventory?

Thrifting is luck-based, time-intensive, and increasingly picked over by other resellers. WBT is targeted and on-demand. Sellers come to you with the items they want gone, and you decide what's worth claiming. Both have a place in a reseller's strategy, but WBT removes the hours of driving and digging.

How does WBT compare to storage unit auctions?

Storage auctions are high-risk and sight-unseen. You're bidding against a room of buyers on a unit you can't fully inspect. WBT works the opposite way: you see photos and item details upfront, decide if it's worth the small fee, and only pay if you want to pursue. Lower risk, lower commitment.

Can I find pieces to refinish, upcycle, or flip through WBT?

Yes. Furniture flippers regularly find solid wood dressers, chests, end tables, and mid-century pieces through WBT. Sellers list everything from estate-sale-quality pieces to items they were ready to donate. If you're looking for refinishing projects, set your categories to Furniture and Antiques and you'll see what comes through.

Can I find estate buyouts through WBT?

Yes. WBT regularly receives submissions from people settling estates, downsizing parents' homes, or clearing out inherited property. These often include full-house lots covering furniture, antiques, kitchenware, tools, and collectibles. Buyers willing to take everything in one trip often get the best deals, since the seller's primary goal is to clear the space.

Can I find business liquidation deals through WBT?

Yes. WBT receives submissions from small businesses closing their doors, retail stores liquidating inventory, restaurants selling commercial equipment, and offices downsizing. Set your categories to include Commercial Equipment and Estate and Household Lots to see these come through. Bulk buyers and liquidators do especially well with these listings.

Trust and legitimacy

Is WeBuyThat.com a scam?

No. WBT is a legitimate referral platform operated by Referrals For America Inc, a registered corporation based in Minnesota. We connect sellers of used items with verified buyers in their local area for a small referral fee. Payments are processed through Stripe, all data is handled securely, and our terms of use are publicly posted. You're free to claim or pass on any referral.

Can I resell items I buy through WBT on eBay or other platforms?

Yes. Once you complete a purchase from a seller, the items are yours to do with as you choose. Many WBT buyers are resellers who flip items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Poshmark, Depop, Whatnot, or in their own retail or consignment shops. WBT has no restrictions on what you do with items after purchase.