Fees & Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing. Free to list, and you only pay when you make a sale.
Free
To create a listing
10%
Seller fee on the item price
$0
No hidden or monthly fees
Fee Overview
The Game Traders uses a simple fee model: it's free to sign up, free to list items, and you only pay a fee when you make a sale. There are no subscriptions, no listing limits, and no hidden charges.
| Fee | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Free | Always |
| Listing | Free | Always |
| Seller fee | 10% | On the item price when sold |
| Processing fee | ~2.9% + $0.30 | Charged to buyer at checkout (covers payment processing) |
Seller Fees
When your item sells, The Game Traders takes a 10% seller fee on the item price only(not shipping, tax, or insurance). You keep 90% of the item price. Payment processing fees (Stripe) are covered separately by the buyer as a small processing fee at checkout — they are not deducted from your payout.
What the 10% covers
- Buyer protection and money-back guarantee
- Marketplace hosting, search, and catalog features
- Offer and negotiation system
- Messaging, notifications, and order management
What you don't pay
- No listing fees — list as many items as you want
- No monthly subscription or membership fees
- No fee on unsold items
- No payment processing fees — Stripe fees are covered by the buyer
- No fee on shipping or tax — the 10% applies to the item price only
Buyer Costs
Buyers pay the item price plus shipping, applicable sales tax, and a small processing fee that covers payment processing costs. Optional shipping insurance can also be added at checkout.
What buyers pay
Buyers also benefit from purchase protection. All payments are processed securely through Stripe, and a money-back guarantee protects every transaction. The processing fee covers Stripe's payment processing costs (2.9% + $0.30) so that 100% of seller fees go toward platform services. Optional shipping insurance (1% of item value) can be added at checkout for extra peace of mind on high-value items.
Shipping Costs
Shipping rates are calculated automatically at checkout using live carrier rates powered by EasyPost. Rates are based on the package weight, dimensions, and the seller's and buyer's addresses — so buyers always see accurate, up-to-date pricing.
How it works
- Sellers enter the package weight and dimensions when creating a listing
- At checkout, live rates are fetched from USPS, UPS, and FedEx based on the package details and addresses
- Buyers choose from available carrier options (e.g., USPS Priority Mail, UPS Ground, FedEx Home Delivery)
- All rates are discounted commercial rates — typically cheaper than what you'd pay at the post office or carrier retail counter
Available carriers
- USPS— First Class, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express
- UPS— Ground, 3-Day Select, 2nd Day Air, Next Day Air
- FedEx— Home Delivery, Ground, Express Saver, 2Day, Overnight
Shipping insurance
Buyers can optionally add shipping insurance at checkout for 1% of the item value. This provides additional coverage for lost or damaged packages beyond the carrier's default coverage.
Sale Examples
Here are some real-world examples showing exactly what sellers earn and what buyers pay.
Example: Selling a Video Game for $30
Buyer pays
Seller receives
Shipping, tax, and processing fee vary based on carrier selection and buyer location. The amounts above are examples only.
Example: Selling a Console for $250
Buyer pays
Seller receives
Shipping, tax, and processing fee vary based on carrier selection and buyer location. The amounts above are examples only.
Example: Selling Trading Cards for $15 (Local Pickup)
Buyer pays
Seller receives
Example: Accepting an Offer of $40 on a $50 Listing
Buyer pays
Seller receives
When you accept an offer, the seller fee is based on the agreed offer amount, not the original listing price. Shipping, tax, and processing fee vary by carrier and buyer location.
How Payments Work
All payments on The Game Traders are processed securely through Stripe, a leading payment platform trusted by millions of businesses.
Buyer checks out
The buyer pays the full amount (item price + shipping + applicable tax + processing fee) through Stripe's secure checkout. We accept all major credit and debit cards.
Payment held securely
The payment is processed and held. You're notified that the order is paid and the buyer's shipping address is shown in your dashboard.
You ship the item
Package and ship your item, then enter the tracking number in your dashboard. The buyer is notified that their order is on the way.
Buyer confirms delivery
When the buyer receives and confirms the item, the sale is finalized and funds are released to your Stripe account minus the 10% seller fee on the item price.
Getting Paid
To receive payments, you need to connect a Stripe account. This is a one-time setup that takes just a few minutes.
Setting up Stripe
When you create your first listing (or from your Settingspage), you'll be guided through Stripe's secure onboarding. You'll need to provide basic identity and banking information so Stripe can send you your earnings.
When you get paid
Funds are transferred to your Stripe account once the buyer confirms delivery. From there, Stripe deposits the money into your bank account according to your payout schedule (typically 2 business days).
What you receive
You receive 90% of the item price. Shipping, tax, insurance, and processing fees are handled separately and do not affect your payout. You can track your earnings and payout history in your Stripe dashboard.
Refunds & Cancellations
We want every transaction to go smoothly, but sometimes things don't work out.
Order cancellations
Orders can be cancelled before the item is shipped. If a paid order is cancelled, the buyer receives a full refund. There is no cancellation fee.
Refunds
If an issue arises with an order, refunds can be processed through Stripe. Refunds typically appear in the buyer's account within 5-10 business days.
Disputes
If a buyer and seller can't resolve an issue, either party can open a dispute. We review disputes on a case-by-case basis to ensure a fair resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to create a listing?
No. Creating listings is completely free. You can list as many items as you want with no limits.
When is the platform fee charged?
The 10% seller fee is deducted automatically when the buyer pays. It's taken from the item price only (not shipping or tax) before funds are sent to your Stripe account. You never receive a separate bill or invoice for fees.
Is the fee calculated on the offer price or the listing price?
If you accept an offer, the 10% seller fee is based on the agreed offer amount, not your original listing price. For example, if you list at $50 but accept a $40 offer, the fee would be $4.00 (10% of $40.00), and you'd receive $36.00.
Is shipping included in the fee calculation?
No. The 10% seller fee applies only to the item price. Shipping costs go entirely to the platform to cover carrier label generation through EasyPost, and are not part of the seller fee calculation.
What is the processing fee buyers pay?
The processing fee covers Stripe's payment processing costs (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). It is calculated on the charge amount before the fee is added, so the buyer sees the exact cost at checkout. This fee ensures that 100% of the seller's 10% fee goes toward platform services rather than being eaten by payment processing costs.
Do I need a Stripe account?
Yes. To receive payments as a seller, you need to connect a Stripe account. The onboarding is guided and takes just a few minutes. You can set this up from your Settings page.
How fast do I get paid?
Funds are released to your Stripe account when the buyer confirms delivery. From there, Stripe deposits to your bank account on your payout schedule, typically within 2 business days.
What if the buyer doesn't confirm delivery?
If a buyer doesn't confirm delivery within a reasonable time after tracking shows delivered, contact us and we'll help resolve the situation.
What about sales tax?
Sales tax is calculated and collected automatically at checkout by Stripe based on the buyer's shipping address. The tax amount is shown before the buyer completes payment so there are no surprises. Tax is not included in the seller fee calculation — the 10% applies only to the item price.
Will I receive a 1099-K tax form?
Stripe may issue a Form 1099-K if your gross sales exceed $5,000 in a calendar year, as required by the IRS. This form is sent directly by Stripe and reflects your total transaction volume. Consult a tax professional regarding your reporting obligations.
Start selling today
No listing fees. No monthly charges. You only pay when you make a sale.