The Peek explained: short video for buying and selling TCG cards

Live auctions have transformed trading card sales, but they have a structural flaw: you have to be there, at broadcast time. To fill this gap, Blisterr created the Peek: a short vertical video presenting a catalog item, which you can buy or bid on at any time. This guide explains what a Peek is, how it works for buyers and sellers, and how it differs from the Live.

What is a Peek?

A Peek is a vertical video of up to 60 seconds (200 MB at most) linked to a catalog item: a card, a lot or a sealed product. You scroll through Peeks vertically, like on TikTok or Instagram Reels, and the feed offers two tabs: “For You” and “Trending”. For a quick overview, see The Peek.

Unlike an entertainment social network, every Peek is tied to an item for sale: depending on the format the seller chose, you add it to your cart, you bid, or you join a giveaway, right from the video.

Peek or Live: which to choose?

Both formats coexist on Blisterr and address different needs:

Criterion	Peek	Live
Timing	Asynchronous: anytime	Synchronous: at the live’s scheduled time
Duration	Video of up to 60 seconds	Up to 2 hours, stops automatically
Auctions	Duration in days (5 by default), ends at the displayed time	Countdown per lot (30 seconds by default), 15-second extension
Interaction	Likes, comments, messages to the seller	Live chat with the seller
Ideal for	Regular stock, small lots	Iconic pieces, events
Seller commitment	Recording in advance	Live broadcast

A serious seller can use both: the Peek for regular stock, the Live for premium pieces and events. For the details of the Live, read how a live auction works.

How to buy on a Peek

Depending on the sale format the seller chose:

Instant buy: the price is fixed, you add the item to your cart and go to checkout.
Classic auction: bids are visible, the highest bidder at the end wins. You can set a maximum amount: the system bids for you, just enough to stay in the lead, without ever going past that amount. The minimum increment is €1 up to €99, then €3 from €100.
Silent auction: bids are hidden, the best offer wins at the end.
Drop: a Dutch auction. The price drops automatically between a starting price and a floor price; the first buyer to click Buy wins the item at the displayed price.
Giveaway: a free prize draw among eligible participants (everyone, the shop’s followers or its past buyers, chosen by the seller). The winner pays nothing for the item, the buyer protection fee or delivery.

A Peek auction ends at the displayed time, with no extension. Unlike a Live, where a bid placed in the last 15 seconds resets the countdown to 15 seconds, there is no anti-snipe on Peeks: place your bid or your maximum amount in advance rather than betting on the last minute.

All formats are detailed on the sale formats page, as well as on the classic auction, silent auction, Drop and giveaway pages.

Fees and payment

The buyer protection fee is 6.9% of the item price (shipping excluded) + €0.49 once per order with the same seller. Example: a €50 item gives €3.45 + €0.49 = €3.94, i.e. €53.94 before shipping. The exact breakdown appears at checkout. A Peek auction you won must be paid within 4 days: otherwise the item is put back on sale and a strike is added to your account (see the FAQ on strikes).

Why the Peek suits buyers

You see the card in motion

A static photo hides a lot: light whitening on the edges, a centering flaw, a dulled holo. A video filmed from several angles lets you judge the condition better before you buy.

You buy when you want

No need to wait for a live’s start time: a seller’s Peeks stay available. You browse the feed for a few minutes in the morning and buy what you like.

You can bid at your own pace

A Peek auction runs for several days. You have time to compare with recent sales, ask the seller a question by comment or message, and decide on your ceiling.

You discover new sellers

The Peek feed shows you shops you wouldn’t have searched for, atypical collections, lots you weren’t looking for.

Why the Peek suits sellers

A catalog available at any time

Once published, your Peek stays accessible to buyers without you being online. No need to run a live to sell a few cards.

A limited time investment

Filming a card takes a few moments: you record the video from the app, fill in the item, and publish. The video is then processed, and your Peek is visible a few minutes after you create it.

A format that shows real condition

Video builds trust: you show the front, the back, the holo at an angle, the corners. Fewer surprises on delivery, so fewer disputes.

Compatible with every sale format

You can sell a Peek as an instant buy, a classic auction, a silent auction, a Drop or a giveaway (delivery of a giveaway is paid by the seller). On costs, selling on Blisterr means 0% seller commission and no listing fees: see the fees page.

How to make a great seller Peek

Technical format

Vertical video, 9:16, up to 60 seconds and up to 200 MB.
Recommended length: a few dozen seconds. Long enough to show everything, short enough to hold attention.
Tight framing: the card should fill most of the screen.

Staging

Neutral light (LED or indirect daylight). Avoid harsh neon and overly warm light.
Plain background: black, white or a sober color.
Slow handling: show the front, the back, the holo at an angle, the corners.
Transparent sleeve: it protects the card and highlights the details.

Voiceover

Optional but useful: a few seconds to state the set and number, the condition, any specifics (grading, rare foil, language) and the starting price or fixed price.

Title and description

A concise, factual title: “Charizard Base Set 4/102, PSA 9”.
A complete description: detailed condition, provenance, what isn’t visible on video. This text also helps people find your item through the app’s search.

Choosing the right sale format

Common card: instant buy.
Rare or holo card: classic or silent auction, with a duration chosen in days.
Lot or bundle: instant buy with an attractive volume price.
Iconic piece: save it for a Live; the Peek can serve as a teaser.

To go further on preparing your cards, read how to sell your Pokémon cards in France, and explore the Pokémon category.

The Peek and taxes

Taxes don’t depend on the sale format: they’re the same for a Peek, a Live or an instant buy. They depend on your situation: occasional sale of personal items or regular activity. Check impots.gouv.fr or ask an accountant. Like any platform, Blisterr is required to report certain information about active sellers to the tax authorities (EU DAC7 directive). Our guide How to sell your Pokémon cards in France covers the general points, with sources.

The Peek, the right of withdrawal and buyer protection

The 14-day right of withdrawal provided by the French Consumer Code applies to purchases from a professional seller, with exceptions; it does not apply to sales between individuals. Won auctions are governed by article 8 of the Terms of Sale: read it before you bid.

In every case, the 30-day buyer protection applies to individual and professional sellers alike: item not received, item substantially different from its description, proven counterfeit. In practice, first contact the seller from your order details. If the seller doesn’t help, email support@blisterr.com or join our Discord with photos and proof. We review your case; if a refund is decided, it is credited to your wallet.

Frequently asked questions about the Peek

How long is a Peek?

A Peek is a video of up to 60 seconds, 200 MB at most.

How long does a Peek auction last?

The seller chooses a duration in days (5 days by default). The auction ends at the displayed time, with no extension.

How do I buy an item shown in a Peek?

Depending on the format the seller chose: add the item to your cart for an instant buy, bid for an auction, click Buy for a Drop, or join for a giveaway.

What’s the difference between a Peek and a Live?

A Peek is asynchronous: you watch and buy at any time. A Live is broadcast in real time at a set time, with a chat and a shared countdown.

Is there an anti-snipe on Peek auctions?

No. The anti-snipe (the countdown resetting to 15 seconds when a bid arrives in the last 15 seconds) exists in Lives only.

Get started with the Peek

As a buyer

Download the Blisterr app on the App Store or Google Play.
Create your account with your email address, then complete your profile.
Open the Peek feed, pick “For You” or “Trending”, and scroll.

As a seller

Apply to become a seller: our team reviews every application manually.
Once approved, choose “Create a Peek” in the app: record a short video, fill in the item, publish.
If the video is still being processed, the Peek is published automatically as soon as it’s ready.