For Hobbyist Sellers

Sell your frags without the drama

Your first listing takes 2 minutes. Zero fees on anything under £50. Build real reputation that follows you.

Create free account

Facebook is free. But free costs you sales.

Without seller ratings, buyer protection, or secure payments, serious buyers shop elsewhere. Reefsy gives you the tools to sell more, build trust faster, and never chase payments.

Why sell on Reefsy instead of Facebook or WhatsApp?

Build real seller reputation

Reviews from verified transactions that follow you forever. Facebook groups have no seller ratings - buyers are flying blind every time.

Buyer protection you cannot offer

Buyers can add DOA coverage that Facebook cannot provide. If it dies in transit, we handle it. This drives more sales because buyers feel safe.

No ghosting or time wasters

Money is committed at checkout. No more 'is this still available?' messages that go nowhere. No arranging meetups where buyers never show.

Get discovered by species and location

Buyers search by coral type and distance. Your reach is not limited to Facebook group members - anyone searching finds you.

No more chasing payments

No bank transfers to strangers. No PayPal Friends & Family where you have zero protection. No awkward cash handovers. Money is committed at checkout through Stripe - you get paid, buyers are protected, everyone knows where they stand.

Dispute resolution when things go wrong

Facebook groups have no accountability system. Reefsy has verified transactions, messaging history, and impartial dispute handling.

What it actually costs

Free under £50. Dead simple above that.

Sales under £50

0%commission

Per listing under £50

  • 20 free active listings
  • Full access to messaging
  • Build your seller reputation
  • Same visibility as paid sellers

Sales £50 and above

3%commission

Per listing £50+

  • Same 20 active listings
  • Full access to all features
  • Half what eBay charges
  • No monthly commitments
Reefsy: 0-3%|PayPal: ~3.5%|eBay: 12.8%

Stripe card processing fees (1.5% + 20p for UK cards) apply to all sales.

How it works

1

Create your listing

No filling in a million fields. No uploading photos in some specific format. No justifications. Just the basics - photos, description, price - and you're live. Most listings take under 2 minutes.

2

Connect with buyers

Buyers message you directly. Answer questions, negotiate, and agree on collection or shipping.

3

Get paid instantly

Quick 2-minute Stripe setup means payouts go straight to your bank. Used by millions of sellers worldwide. No chasing payments, no cash handovers, no sharing bank details with strangers.

Ship with confidence

Buyers can add DOA protection at checkout. Good sellers with low DOA rates never face any clawback.

You are responsible for packaging and shipping. Reefsy is a marketplace and does not handle fulfillment.

Start with collection only

Not ready to ship yet? Start with collection-only listings to build your reputation with zero DOA risk. Many successful sellers start this way and add shipping once they are comfortable.

How buyer protection works

Buyers can opt into DOA protection at checkout for 5% of the item price. If livestock arrives dead and the claim is approved, the buyer gets a full refund. Your DOA rate is tracked over time, and sellers with higher claim rates face graduated clawback on their payouts. Pack well, ship smart, and you will never face any clawback.

Your clawback rate depends on your DOA record

0-5% DOA rate

0% clawback

Good sellers pay nothing

5-10% DOA rate

50% clawback

Room to improve

10-20% DOA rate

100% clawback

Need to address issues

Compare: eBay charges sellers 100% on every DOA claim, regardless of track record.

Good packaging = zero DOA = zero clawback

See our shipping and DOA policy for packaging best practices

Individual vs Business

Not a business? No problem.

Individual account

Perfect for hobbyists

  • Sell as a private individual
  • No business registration required
  • 20 free active listings
  • Same protection and features

Under £1,000/year? You're likely covered by the Trading Allowance. See HMRC guidance for details.

Business account

When you grow

  • Unlimited listings
  • Bulk import (CSV & quick-add)
  • Sales analytics
  • Subscription option (1% commission)

Upgrade anytime when you need more.

Common questions

Why not just sell on Facebook or WhatsApp for free?

Facebook groups work until they don't - and livestock sales keep getting banned anyway. WhatsApp groups are too small. Forum classifieds have no tooling. And on all of them, buyers are sending money to a stranger's PayPal and hoping for the best. No seller ratings, no buyer protection, no recourse when things go wrong. Reefsy costs nothing on sales under £50, and 3% above that gets you a real seller profile, secure payments, buyer protection that drives more sales, and actual dispute resolution. That's not a cost - it's the difference between selling to strangers and building a reputation.

How do I get my first few sales with no reviews?

Start with collection-only listings in your local area - zero shipping risk, builds local trust fast. Price your first few listings competitively. Take high-quality photos. Respond to messages within an hour if possible (buyers see your response time). Your first positive review comes faster than you think, and each one makes the next sale easier.

Is it really free for sales under £50?

Yes. 0% commission on any sale under £50. You pay Stripe's payment processing fee (1.5% + 20p for UK cards), but that's it. No listing fees, no monthly costs, no hidden charges. Most hobbyist sellers stay free forever.

Why do I need to set up Stripe Connect?

Stripe handles all payments securely - we never see your bank details. It takes 2 minutes: verify your identity, add bank details, done. You get instant payouts when you sell, buyers get professional checkout, and nobody exchanges bank details with strangers. Stripe is used by millions of businesses worldwide including Amazon, Shopify, and Deliveroo. Your data is safer with Stripe than doing bank transfers over Facebook Messenger.

Ready to start selling?

Join the growing community of reef keepers on Reefsy. No forum drama, no rejected listings, no hassle.

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