Cancel an order as a seller

If an item gets damaged, misplaced, or is no longer available, you can cancel the order as the seller.

When you cancel an order, the buyer gets a full refund automatically and you don’t need to ship the item. 

Are you a buyer? Request to cancel your order. 

On this page: 

• When sellers can cancel an order
• What happens when you cancel as the seller
• How to cancel an order as the seller
• Add a note for the buyer
• Frequently asked questions

When sellers can cancel an order

Sellers can cancel an order any time before it’s shipped or marked as in transit: 

• If you’ve already created a shipping label, you can still cancel the order, just make sure not to ship the item. 
• Once an order is shipped, it can't be canceled. 

What happens when you cancel as the seller

• The buyer is automatically notified and fully refunded (cancellations can’t be used for partial refunds)
• Any pending earnings from the sale are canceled
• If a payout has already started, the sale amount is deducted from your account balance
• Shipping costs are refunded to whoever paid
• If the item was part of a bundle, the rest of the items remain unless they’re canceled too

We understand that cancellations happen sometimes. However, frequent seller-initiated cancellations can impact your account and may lead to temporary or permanent suspension of seller privileges, or loss of Early Payout eligibility. Learn more about our Community Guidelines and What Actions We Take. 

How to cancel an order as the seller 

Before you cancel, keep in mind that this action is final and can’t be undone.

Cancel in the app:

1. Tap Seller Hub at the bottom of the screen
2. Scroll down and tap Orders
3. Choose the order you want to cancel
4. Tap Cancel Order
5. Confirm 

Cancel on whatnot.com: 

1. From whatnot.com, cick your account icon in the top right
2. Under the Selling tab, click Seller Hub
3. Open the Orders page from the left menu
4. Select the order you want to cancel
5. In the order details sidebar, scroll down and click Cancel Order
6. Select the reason for cancelling and add a note for the buyer
7. Confirm 

Add a note for the buyer

Buyers automatically receive a cancellation notice with refund details. If you’re prompted to add a note, a short message can help maintain trust.

Tips for your note: 

• Give a short explanation (1–2 sentences is plenty)
• Keep it neutral and factual
• Offer next steps if you’ll restock or run a similar show

Example note: 

“Hi [buyer’s name], this item was damaged before shipping so I’ve canceled the order. You’ll be refunded in full. I’ll be running similar items in my next show if you’d like to join.”

Frequently asked questions

What if the item I sold is no longer available?

If the item is out of stock or unavailable, cancel the order so the buyer receives a full refund. 

You may be asked to add a short note explaining what happened, or you can message the buyer directly.

Can I cancel an order after it’s shipped?

No. Once an order is in transit, it can’t be canceled. 

If you shipped the wrong item or need help with a shipped order, contact Whatnot Support. 

What if the buyer asked me to cancel? 

If a buyer asks you to cancel informally (for example, via DMs), ask them to submit a cancellation request through Whatnot instead.

Buyers have a limited window to request cancellation, so timing matters. Once they submit a request, you can choose to accept or decline it.

What if I canceled a buyer's order by mistake? 

Accidental cancellations can’t be undone. If this happens, you can message the buyer directly and relist the item if they’re still interested.