About The RealReal

The RealReal sells authentic, luxury consignment goods for men and women, from clothing and shoes to handbags, jewelry and accessories.

The company aims to revolutionize resale. It believes in empowering consignors and buyers to extend the life of luxury goods. Their motto is that the future of fashion is circular, and they seek to build on this process with authenticity. Each item is authenticated under the guidance of leading experts to ensure quality standards.

The RealReal is part of a global diversity movement in fashion that focuses on engaging all ethnicities in a collaborative culture. The RealReal is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

So is this a company worth buying and selling? That’s exactly what I want to find out. In this review of The RealReal, I’ll take an in-depth look at the buying and selling process, best-selling pieces, customer reviews, promotions and more to help you decide if this is the right consignment brand for you.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our goal is to help you make better, more informed purchasing decisions. Our team spends many hours on research, consultations with medical experts, peer reviews, customer feedback and product analysis to provide you with the information you need.

Pros and Cons

Before I go into the details, let’s briefly list the advantages and disadvantages of The RealReal:

Pros

• Authenticity: The RealReal guarantees the authenticity of all items it sells. A team of experts thoroughly checks each product for authenticity before it is offered on the platform, reducing the risk of counterfeit items.
• Quality: The RealReal focuses on selling high-quality luxury items from well-known brands. If you are looking for designer fashion, accessories or household goods, you will find a large selection of authentic and well-preserved products on the platform.
• Competitive pricing: As a consignment store, The RealReal offers competitive prices for luxury items compared to their original retail prices. This makes it an attractive option for shoppers looking to purchase designer products at a more affordable price.
• Sustainability: By participating in the resale market, The RealReal contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry. It extends the life of luxury items and reduces the waste and environmental impact associated with fast fashion.
• Consignment services: The RealReal offers a convenient consignment service that enables private individuals to sell their used luxury items. The company takes care of the entire process, including authentication, pricing, listing and shipping, making it easy for consumers to sell their used luxury items.

Cons

• Price structure: Although The RealReal offers competitive prices, some shoppers may find the prices relatively high compared to other shopping options. Prices are influenced by factors such as brand popularity, condition and demand, which can result in different price points.
• Fees and commissions: Sellers incur fees and commissions when selling items through The RealReal’s consignment service. The RealReal takes a percentage of the final sale price, which can affect the overall profit sellers make on their items.
• Limited return policy: The RealReal has a limited return policy. Once a purchase has been made, the buyer has a limited time frame to request a return and the item must be in its original condition. This can be limiting for buyers who need more time to evaluate their purchase.
• Availability of goods: RealReal works on the basis of available stock from consignors, which means that the availability of certain items can be unpredictable. If you are looking for a specific item or model, it may not always be in stock and you may have to wait until it becomes available again.
• Possible quality deviations: Although The RealReal guarantees the authenticity of items, the condition of used items may vary

How to Sell With The RealReal

If you have designer handbags lying around that you hardly use, or if you want to sell your luxury pieces to earn money for new ones, The RealReal offers a straightforward selling process. The company now offers a pre-sale service where you can sell pieces from selected brands and get paid instantly.

To start pre-selling, you need to make an appointment and get advice from the experts on the process. Once you have become a seller, you will receive an advance payment by direct deposit or credit on the spot within 2 weeks.

In my research for this review of The RealReal, I found a simple sales process. You start by choosing your method. There are three options for virtual consignment:

1.Book a free virtual consignment appointment and video chat with a luxury manager
2.Book a free virtual expert consultation with video chat
3.Ship your items to RealReal with free UPS pickup

That’s pretty much all the work on your end. Afterwards, the experts evaluate your goods and you get your money. Not bad at all.

The RealReal Women’s Collection

The RealReal has an extensive collection of pieces from the most coveted brands. Handbags by Louis Vuitton, dresses by Dolce & Gabbana, jewelry by Cartier, beautiful scarves by Hermès… What was I just talking about? Exactly.

The RealReal offers luxury clothing, handbags, designer shoes and accessories for women. I will share some of my favorite pieces in this The RealReal review.

Chanel Classic Jumbo Double Flap Bag

The Classic Jumbo Single Flap Bag is a timeless piece from Chanel that is so alluring with its cherry red hue. If you haven’t paired a sexy black dress with this color yet, consider this captivating look. In the style of The Devil Wears Prada.

The quilted Chanel leather bag has silver-colored hardware and a single, movable chain link. This eye-catching bag features a single exterior compartment on the back, a single zippered compartment on the bottom of the flap and three interior compartments. An interlocking CC twist closure on the front flap brings the iconic Chanel logo to the fore.

The bag is in very good condition with minor scuffs to the leather. The Chanel Classic Jumbo Single Flap Bag is priced at $6,200 with a retail price of $7,100. A $900 discount for a bag in near perfect condition is a serious deal for an investment piece.

Balenciaga Two-Tone Twisted Hoop Earrings

Balenciaga is the crème de la crème of Spanish design. This piece has a look of modern elegance that is subtle enough to wear in everyday life and beautiful enough for the night. The Balenciaga Two-Tone Twisted Hoop Earrings have a delicate balance between gold and silver tones. You can combine these earrings with a mix of gold and silver accessories without any conflict.

The Balenciaga Two-Tone Twisted Hoop Earrings have a secure clutch-back fastening. These earrings are characterized by a high-gloss metal finish. They are in excellent condition with no visible signs of wear.

The RealReal Balenciaga hoop earrings are priced at $275 with an estimated retail value of $495.

The RealReal Men‘s Collection

Browsing the website for my review of The RealReal, I discovered an equally diverse men’s collection: Burberry shirts and jackets, Gucci streetwear and sneakers, Dior pants and suits, watches, high-end luggage and accessories….See some of the most coveted pieces for men below.

Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Multiple Wallet 

The Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Multiple Wallet makes a subtle but attractive statement with its check design. This elegant canvas wallet is versatile and goes well with work clothes or a night out with the boys in a bar.

Designed for minimalist men, the Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Multiple Wallet features 3 credit card slots, 2 bill compartments, 2 side pockets for receipts and 2 business card slots for when you’re socializing on the job.

This simple yet sophisticated wallet is in good condition with moderate signs of use. This wallet retails for $395 with an estimated retail value of $630 (I’m sensing an impressive trend).

Burberry The City Watch

The Burberry The City Watch is an absolute showpiece. Any man who wears this watch is considered a gentleman with the right outfit – I’m thinking a navy blue suit or sweater with beige suit pants. This stylish watch is made of stainless steel and has a quartz movement and a date display. The link bracelet has a butterfly clasp so you can easily put it on and take it off.

The Burberry The City Watch has undergone an ageing process. It has slight scratches and dents in the metal. Overall, it stands the test of time, pun intended. This timepiece retails for $235 compared to an estimated retail price of $695 (a worthwhile trade-off if you don’t mind the wear and tear.

Who Is The RealReal For?

When shopping on The RealReal, consumers can enjoy the thrill of discovering unique and coveted pieces from well-known fashion houses while contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.

In addition, the platform caters to collectors, vintage lovers and brand-conscious shoppers looking for a curated selection of vintage and rare pieces from iconic fashion eras, allowing them to expand their collections with coveted fashion pieces.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell luxury fashion, The RealReal provides a platform that appeals to a broad audience passionate about designer brands and sustainability.

The RealReal Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

The most important question when reviewing The RealReal after exploring the collection: Is The RealReal authentic? How about The RealReal customer service and buyer/seller experience? Right off the bat, I was impressed by The RealReal reviews, which have an average of 4.5/5 stars out of 4,637 TrustPilot reviews.

Although the vast majority of reviews are positive, some customers have expressed issues with customer service and missing items.

While these negative reviews should not be taken lightly, most customers reported a long-term relationship with The RealReal and that their items always arrive in perfect condition. When they encountered a problem, the team was helpful and understanding. One customer described The RealReal as “great products at REAL prices”.

With 4.22/5 stars on SiteJabber, the reviews there were similar to those on Trustpilot. This next piece of information carries a lot of weight: The RealReal is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating (as of June 2023), which is very difficult to achieve.

Is The RealReal Worth It?

I think The RealReal is great – the company is a leader in its niche for many reasons. Most customers have had positive experiences with The RealReal. No brand is perfect, so it’s inevitable that even the best brands will get some negative reviews.

With a limited number of dissatisfied customers, The RealReal has been consistently rated for its high-quality products and good customer service. It’s definitely worth taking a look at the company when it comes to buying and selling luxury items.

The RealReal Promotions & Discounts 

At the time of this review of The RealReal, I found a few promising discounts. When you enter the site, a pop-up window asks you to enter your email address. When you sign up, you’ll receive a $25 credit. You can also get 20% off with The RealReal promo code: REAL.

The RealReal Website & Retail Stores

If you want to buy or sell RealReal, TheRealReal.com is the best place to go. There are also several retail stores, including The RealReal New York, The RealReal San Francisco and The RealReal Secaucus.

Alternatives

If you’re looking for alternatives to The RealReal, there are several other online platforms and consignment stores that specialize in reselling luxury fashion. Here are a few popular alternatives:

• Vestiaire Collective is a global online marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion and accessories. It offers a wide selection of authentic items from a range of luxury brands and provides a platform for private individuals to sell their pre-owned pieces.
• Poshmark is an online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell new and pre-owned clothing, including luxury and designer pieces. Although the platform covers a wider range of fashion, you can also find luxury brands in different price ranges.
• Fashionphile focuses specifically on luxury handbags and accessories. It offers a curated selection of authentic, pre-owned designer bags from brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès.
• Rebag is a platform dedicated to buying and selling pre-owned luxury handbags. They have a large selection of designer bags from popular brands and offer competitive prices.

FAQ

What is The RealReal’s shipping policy?
The RealReal ships orders in the United States with UPS and worldwide with UPS Worldwide Expedited. The company ships to over 60 countries, but cannot ship to PO Boxes or APO/FPO addresses.

Domestic Shipping

• Standard: 3-5 business days for $11.95, plus $5 extra for Hawaii and Alaska
• Express: 2 business days for $20
• Next Day: 1 business day for $30
• High value orders or orders shipped to an address other than the billing address will require two additional days for processing
• A high-value order consists of merchandise totaling $1,000 or multiple orders that add up to that amount.

International shipping

• Packages going to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico require 3-6 business days ($30)
• Packages going to Europe take 4-6 business days ($40)
• Packages going to the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Australia take 4-7 business days and cost $50
• For all orders placed after 12 PM Thursday Pacific Time, 2 days will be added.
• Taxes and duties may apply to orders shipped outside the US.
• All customers will receive an email with tracking information once items have shipped. You can view the status by logging into TheRealReal website and selecting My Purchases.

What is The RealReal’s return policy?
If you wish to make an online return, you must make your request within 14 days of shipment and the items must be received within 21 days of shipment or the date of purchase in store. Items received after this time period or with a missing security tag cannot be returned.

Handbags, swimwear, luggage, cosmetics or items sold at a discount of 40% or more off the original list price cannot be returned. Sale items are excluded from return. Due to the pandemic, there may be delays in processing returns. In accordance with local guidelines, staffing levels in the warehouses have been reduced.

To go through The RealReal’s returns process:

• Go to My Purchases on The RealReal website
• Click on the order number of the item you wish to return
• In the summary of your order, click on the times you wish to return
• Fill in the required information
• You will receive a confirmation label, shipping instructions and a shipping label. You can print it out and $11.95 will be deducted when your item is processed.
• Follow the instructions in the email to complete your return.

Credit card refunds take up to 5 business days, cash refunds take up to 7 business days, and RealReal gift cards and website credit are processed the same day.

How to Contact The RealReal

If you have any questions that have not been covered in the RealReal review, you can contact the team:

• Email: customerservice@therealreal.com
• Call 855.435.5893 ext. 1 (hours Mon-Fri 5AM-6PM PT, Sat-Sun 7AM-4PM PT)

You can also contact The RealReal if you are interested in the company culture and are looking for The RealReal jobs and The RealReal careers.