Tokens
How tokens work on 12sell — what they cost, how to earn them, what you spend them on, and how to keep your balance topped up.
Tokens are 12sell's in-platform currency. They keep the platform clean (every premium action has a small cost, which discourages spam), and they're how the most powerful features — like Boost — are priced.
You don't need tokens to start. Every new account gets a starter balance, and the most common everyday actions on 12sell are free.
What you can do without tokens
These are free on every 12sell account:
- Browse the Deals, Showcases, and Tales feeds.
- Post a Deal, Showcase, or Tale in normal mode.
- Send and receive messages, including voice messages, attachments, and reactions.
- Like, follow, share, and report.
- Use search and filters.
- View any other user's profile.
Tokens are only needed when you want extra reach or when you bring back content that already had its run.
What costs tokens
| Action | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boost a Deal — 1 day | 15 tokens |
| Boost a Deal — 3 days | 38 tokens (15% off) |
| Boost a Deal — 1 week | 84 tokens (20% off) |
| Boost a Deal — 1 month | 338 tokens (25% off) |
| Boost a Showcase | Same as Deal boost |
| Generate a product image with AI | 10 tokens per image (when creating a showcase or tale) |
| Verification | 3,000 tokens (1-year badge) |
| Repost an expired Deal / re-moderated edits | The current deal posting price — posting is free at the moment, so these are free too |
All prices are set by 12sell and can change. The token cost of any priced action is shown clearly before you confirm — there are no surprise charges.
How to earn tokens
You earn tokens through three channels:
1. Sign-up bonus
Every new 12sell account starts with a free balance — currently 99 tokens — credited automatically when your account is created. That's enough to test boost on your first deal.
2. Referrals
When you invite a business that signs up using your referral code, both of you receive a token bonus. See the Referrals page for the current rates and tracking. Power users on 12sell earn the bulk of their tokens through referrals — it's the cheapest way to grow your balance.
3. Promotions and milestones
12sell occasionally credits tokens for:
- Activity streaks.
- Verified accounts (see Verification).
- Special events and seasonal campaigns.
These are credited automatically and announced in-app or by notification.
How to buy tokens
You can top up at any time:
- Open the Wallet tab (or Settings → Wallet).
- Tap Buy tokens.
- Pick a package.
- Pay.
Current packages:
| Pack | Tokens | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 200 | $9.99 |
| Pro | 1,000 | $39.99 |
| Business | 3,000 | $99.99 |
The bigger packs cost less per token — Pro is ~25% cheaper per token than Starter, and Business is ~33% cheaper.
How payment works
- Web — secure payments via Stripe. Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other Stripe-supported methods.
- iOS — In-App Purchase through your Apple ID.
- Android — Google Play Billing through your Google account.
The token balance is the same across web, iOS, and Android — buy on one platform and the tokens are immediately available on all of them.
Your token balance
Your current balance is shown:
- At the top of the Wallet tab.
- In the boost confirmation screen before you spend.
- In the deal/showcase posting screen if a token charge applies.
If you don't have enough tokens for an action, 12sell tells you exactly how many you're short and offers to top up.
Transaction history
Every credit and debit is recorded. Open the Wallet tab to see:
- Earnings — sign-up bonus, referrals, promotions.
- Spending — boosts, reposts, any other priced actions.
- Purchases — every Stripe / In-App / Play Store top-up with the date and amount.
This is useful for accounting and for understanding where your tokens go.
Tokens never expire
Tokens you buy or earn don't expire. They stay on your account until you spend them.
Common questions
Are tokens real money?
Tokens are an in-app currency you buy with real money. They don't have a cash-out value — you can't convert tokens back into dollars. They're spent on premium actions inside 12sell.
Why does the platform need tokens at all?
Two reasons. First, charging a small fee for Boost keeps the boost spots competitive — anyone can post freely, but only serious sellers/buyers want to pay for top-of-feed placement. Second, the token economy is what makes Referrals work as a real growth incentive: invite a business, both sides earn something usable.
Do I have to buy tokens to use 12sell?
No. Posting Deals, Showcases, and Tales, messaging, and browsing are all free. Tokens are for paid extras like Boost. Many active users never buy tokens — they earn enough through Referrals.
What if my token balance goes to 0?
Nothing breaks. You can keep posting, messaging, and using 12sell normally. You just can't boost or repost expired deals until you top up or earn more.
Will the token prices change?
Prices for Boost, packs, and posting are shown live in the app and can change with platform updates. The price is always shown to you before you spend.
What happens if my purchase is refunded?
If a Stripe / Apple / Google purchase is reversed, the corresponding tokens are deducted from your balance. If you've already spent them, your balance can go negative until you top up or earn the difference back.
Are tokens transferable to another user?
No — tokens are tied to your account. The only way to give value to another user is through Referrals, which credits tokens to both parties when they sign up using your code.
Next steps
- Boost a Deal — the most common reason users top up.
- Referrals — how to earn tokens by inviting businesses.
- Verification — verified accounts get visibility advantages even without boost.