How it Works
MainMarket connects collectors and sellers in a trusted marketplace. Buy authentic collectables with complete protection and escrow, or sell your collection with the lowest fees in the industry.
What is MainMarket?
MainMarket is a live marketplace for collectables—think retro video games, trading cards, and rare items. We connect buyers and sellers in real-time, similar to how a stock exchange operates.
Unlike traditional marketplaces, MainMarket uses an order book system with Bids and Asks. This creates transparent pricing, instant transactions, and a fair market for everyone.
Every transaction is protected by secure escrow, and we charge the lowest fees in the industry (8.5% for marketplace orders, 4% for Collection Link orders, including credit card processing).
The Bid/Ask Model Explained
Think of it like a stock market for collectables. At any moment, there are buyers willing to pay a certain price (Bids) and sellers willing to accept a certain price (Asks). When a Bid meets an Ask, a sale happens instantly.
For Buyers: You can either "Buy Now" at the lowest Ask or place a Bid at what you're willing to pay. If a seller accepts your Bid, the item is yours.
For Sellers: You can either "Sell Now" at the highest Bid or place an Ask at your desired price. When a buyer matches your Ask, the sale is automatic.
Protected Every Step of the Way
Secure escrow from purchase to delivery: When a sale occurs, the buyer's payment is processed through Stripe but held in escrow by MainMarket—not released to the seller yet. This protects both parties throughout the entire transaction.
Shipping & tracking: Sellers generate prepaid USPS labels and ship within 2 business days. Both parties receive automatic email updates at every stage.
Automatic payment release: Once USPS tracking confirms delivery, funds are released to the seller within 24 hours. If anything goes wrong, buyers get a full refund since we still hold the funds.
We believe every question is important,
but a few are more frequently asked.
Click "Sign Up" in the top navigation. Choose whether you want to buy, sell, or both. Enter your email and we'll send you a verification link. Once verified, complete your profile and you're ready to start buying or selling!
MainMarket charges 8.5% fees for marketplace transactions and 4% fees for Collection Link orders (including credit card processing), which is among the lowest in the industry. Collection Link sales have reduced fees since you're driving the traffic yourself. All fees include Stripe payment processing fees, so sellers keep more of their sale price compared to other marketplaces.
When a sale occurs, the buyer's payment is processed through Stripe but held in escrow by MainMarket—not released to the seller yet. This protects both parties throughout the entire transaction. Once USPS tracking confirms delivery, funds are released to the seller within 24 hours.
Sellers generate prepaid USPS labels and ship within 2 business days. Both parties receive automatic email updates at every stage—shipped, in transit, out for delivery, and delivered. We use flat-rate USPS Ground Advantage shipping.
A Collection Link is a unique URL showcasing multiple items from your inventory. Go to "My Listings", select items, and click "Create Collection Link". Share this link anywhere—social media, forums, your website. When buyers purchase through your Collection Link, you pay greatly reduced platform fees because you're driving the traffic.