Marketplaces for Private Whisky Trading: Fees and Protections

Navigating the World of Whisky Marketplaces as a Private Seller

Selling a rare whisky bottle online isn’t just about listing it and waiting for offers. With the rise of collector demand and digital marketplaces, private sellers must navigate an increasingly complex landscape of platforms — each with its own fee structures, authentication processes, and levels of protection.

The marketplace you choose can impact both your profit and your peace of mind. Choose wisely.

Platform Fees: What You Pay to Sell

When selling privately, fees can eat into your final profit. Here’s how common platforms structure theirs:

• Spiritory: Flat 6% seller fee, 3% buyer fee. No listing fee. Bottle stays with you until sold.

• Whisky Auctioneer: Seller’s commission (usually ~5%–7.5%) + bottle listing fee. Bottles are shipped to auction house.

• Catawiki: ~9% seller fee. Curation and shipping through their partners.

Spiritory offers one of the lowest transparent fee structures in the rare whisky space — with full authentication included.

Seller Protections: Who Has Your Back?

When trading rare bottles, protection matters. That’s why Spiritory make sure that the buyer and also the seller are well protected with:

1. Specialist authentication before payment

2. Payment held securely: Secure payment refers to a protected transaction system that ensures both the buyer and the seller are safeguarded throughout the entire sales process. It’s designed to prevent fraud, increase trust, and make every sale transparent and safe.

3. Shipping labels + EU logistics: At Spiritory you only need to follow the guidelines of how to ship the bottle or the rest they take care. Spiritory will provide the shipping label and also takes care of the EU logistics.

4. Seller don´t pay for the shipping: In comparison with the other platform, at Spiritory the seller does not have to pay for the shipment of the bottle.

Spiritory is built for both sides of the transaction — with a strong focus on protecting individual sellers from fraud, non-payment or damaged goods.

Selling Options: Auctions vs. Market Listings

Depending on the platform, you may be required to:

• Send your bottle upfront to the auction house (e.g. Whisky Auctioneer)

• List and wait for bidding windows (e.g. Catawiki)

• Handle all shipping yourself (eBay)

Spiritory offers:

• Fixed Price Listings: Set a price, and let it sit on the market until matched.

• Live Bidding via Offers: Buyers submit offers, and you can accept or counter.

• No upfront shipping: Bottle remains with you until sold and verified.

• The fastest way to list your bottles available online: Spiritory has the easiest and fastest method of listing bottles in the market

No forced auctions, no rigid windows. Spiritory lets you control the selling experience — on your terms.

Why Spiritory Is Ideal for Private Sellers

• Low, transparent fees: You keep more of your bottle’s value. Authentication built-in: Peace of mind for both you and the buyer.

• Pan-European buyer network: Reach collectors in Spain, Germany, Italy, France and beyond.

• Zero listing fees: No cost to try. You only pay when you sell.

• Easiest and fastest listing: Select a bottle and make an ask- just easy as this.

• Seller tools: Portfolio tracking, price evolution, rarity index and more.

Spiritory isn’t just a platform — it’s a toolkit for private collectors and occasional sellers to step into the market with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Sell Smart, Sell Securely

Not all marketplaces are created equal. When choosing where to sell your whisky bottle, consider:

• Fee transparency

• Protection for both parties

• Control over the selling process

• Reputation and reach

• Easy listing

Ready to sell? Create your free listing on Spiritory and start reaching verified buyers across Europe today.