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The RealReal

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LAST UPDATED: March 4th, 2024

The RealReal online clothing consignment store has taken a unique approach to shopping. Unlike other online consignment stores, the company only offer s high-end consignment. According to its website, it is the leader in authenticated luxury consignment. Started and based in San Francisco, California in March of 2011, this company is growing rapidly into a hot spot for luxury goods and shopping at discount prices. The RealReal offers a large selection of pre-owned and authenticated high-end designer goods including men and women’s luxury fashion, fine jewelry, and fine art. They sell pieces from designers such as Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Rolex, as well as art from artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, along with hundreds of others you can find listed on their website. They offer good benefits for consigners of their products and have countless promotions for shoppers and opportunities to have memberships receiving many more benefits. Even up to 90% retail prices. 

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The Good

  • Wide Variety of Product Selection
  • Numerous Promotions and Sales on Luxury Items
  • Membership and Consigner Privileges

This online consignment company provides its customers with many benefits for both shopping and selling products through their website. The RealReal has a large selection of pre-owned items for luxury resale. They sell men's fashion and women's merchandise as well as art pieces from well-known artists. Their products range from accessories, dresses, jewelry, handbags, shoes, ties, suits, outerwear and many more. Along with the many luxury designer clothes and fashion items sold, fine art is also sold through consigners. Each item sold goes through an authenticity process where it is evaluated by an in-house team of experts in each respective field. They have professionals on staff including gemologists, horologists, and art appraisers to ensure that luxury goods sold are authentic.

First views of The RealReal's website show promotions and sales that are easily accessible for the consumer. These promotions are constantly changing and the website gives you clearly marked start and end times for each sale. It is also clearly shown whether or not an item has already been sold or if it is still available. The website has colorful, interactive graphics that catch shoppers attention and make the buying experience both easier and more enjoyable.

Consigners with The RealReal are offered sixty percent of the sale price from the very first time their items are brought to the online store. They can then increase their profits by selling more merchandise, once they reach 7,500 in annual sales their earnings are increased to seventy percent. This company also offers a "white glove" pick up service in most cities. The service is used when a consigner has more than ten designer items and a Luxury Manager will be sent to pick-up the items at no cost. The RealReal also offers benefits for shoppers who join their First Look Membership. This program is only five dollars a month and entitles members to 24-hour advance access to sales and special invitations to monthly promotions.

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The Bad

  • High Price-tag for Pre-owned Merchandise
  • Complicated Shipping and Handling Procedure
  • Difficult Return Process

Like many stores, The RealReal is far from perfect. Although selling pre-owned luxury items keeps the business unique from other online consignment shops, it also creates many of its complications. The company has a difficult time producing pleasing customer reviews. Some of the main concerns for The RealReal are: While items with small price tags do exist on The RealReal, they are few and far between. Most of the merchandise sold on the website comes from famous fashion designers and artists and has a price tag to match its origination. Even though the products are pre-owned, they often sell like new. Although there are many sales on the clothing items, and customers are given plenty of opportunities to buy luxury, high-end items at discounted prices, the overall price tag of merchandise on The RealReal is costly.

The Shipping and Handling procedure on The RealReal's website is anything but user-friendly. They do not offer free shipping on any limit of merchandise and will not deliver to P.O. boxes, APO/FPO address, and most of the U.S. Territories. There is also a fee charged to deliver in some areas including Hawaii and Alaska. They ship via FedEx from warehouses in the NY tri-state area and travel to street addresses only in the United States and some international locations. Many of the problems or concerns customers have with shipping and handling can be easily discussed with the company's customer service team. They are easily accessible through their website or by phone number.

Along with the difficulty of shipping and handling, the return process at The RealReal is not simple. In order to return an item purchased on the website, a return merchandise authorization number must be requested within fourteen days of the shipment date. The customer must then after receiving their authorization number, return the purchase within twenty-one days of the shipment date. The customer is also responsible for all shipping costs of the return. The RealReal then asks customers to allow them a minimum of ten days to process the return item before a refund is given. Additionally, the company will never accept swimwear or sale items for return. The RealReal reviews have taken a negative hit as a result of these difficult processes.

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The Bottom Line

With a unique approach to shopping by selling pre-owned high-end luxury items, The RealReal has created an online niche that appeals to many consumers interested in designer clothes. The easy to use website has made customers enjoy purchasing materials cheaper than retail prices through numerous sales and promotions. The RealReal has given consigners an easy way to sell their luxury merchandise and earn additional profit by offering sixty to seventy percent of the sale price. They have a wide variety of product selection that is offered for both women's and men's fashion and provide customers with benefits by joining their shopping program.

However, this does not mean this company is without faults. Shipping and handling can be challenging for both the consigner and the purchaser and returns from the website are difficult to follow through. The merchandise is also high priced for pre-owned items. The RealReal has been in business a short four years and has rapidly grown into the leader of authenticated luxury consignment. The company has things to work on and in the future could be a perfect destination for luxury merchandise.

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1.4

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328 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

5%

4 grade

2%

3 grade

4%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

82%

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Veronica Peraza South San Francisco, CA

This store is SPECTACULAR! You can absolutely anything on their website. Boutiques are wonderful as well, especially the one in Marin county. Customer service is amazing and the quality of products is much better that you would expect from a consignment store. I have been shopping with "The Real Real" for many years and the best pieces in my closet and jewelry box are from them. LOVE that store and highly recommend it!!

7 months ago

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Linda Hutcheson Norristown, PA

I have ordered 4 handbags from them in the last 6 months and all have been in great condition. Items are non-refundable, which is a little scary when you are spending several hundred dollars at times, but so far I have been pleased. I have only bought items that are in “good” or “very good” condition so far and the description of the items were consistent with what I received. Once ordered, it has taken about a week on average for the item to be delivered. The boxes in which the items are delivered always look like they were beat up during transit, but as long as the handbag is ok, that doesn’t bother me. Overall, a good site for used luxury bags. I can’t speak for their customer service as I haven’t had the necessity to call them, but if things are non refundable and sent “as is” then I can’t imagine they are going to be super helpful if I were to call.

1 year ago

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Anne Collins Scottsdale, AZ

I have purchased numerous things from The Real Real and never been disappointed. I look at the item I want thoroughly and read all the descriptive information. I have never received anything that was the least bit worn or shoddy in any way. I have purchased several things at a fraction of the original cost that were literally never worn. I have not had the same experience from other online consignment sites. I know that whenever I order something from The Real Real that the item will arrive in a timely manner and be "like new". I have also returned a few things due to sizing issues and never had a problem with that part of the site either. I have also sold many things on this site and had a great experience with their pricing of my items and received my checks for sold items when they are promised. This site is a legitimate place for purchasing items significantly lower than purchasing new and I always feel as though I have really gotten a deal! In addition, each item is wrapped in tissue and most things arrive in a drawstring bag. Good psychology in sending things as though they are new! This is my "go to" site when I am looking for anything before deciding to buy new.

7 years ago

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May S Cleveland, OH

I have been selling with The Real Real For over a year now and was happy with their service. They give a fair pricing for both buyer and seller. Of course the clothing isn’t that high since it is worn. I know the are really specific about the stuff they accept. They solved a lot of issues for me. I would not sell anywhere else. Wish they had a lower brand division they would accept cause the really make it easy you do t have to deal with anything and they pay on time.

1 year ago

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Gloria Shammas New York, NY

I am writing this review about one person who works for the real real she is in customer service her name is IMANI S. She is a true professional, she was the only person who helped me solve an ongoing problem from March. If it were not for her patience, determination, and know how this never would have been solved. I am only giving her the 5 stars. Thank you again Imani.

1 year ago Edited June 3, 2022

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Tamyra Jackson Dallas, TX

I have gotten several pre-owned designer items from The Real Real. The quality has always been superior and the cost is reasonable based on the quality and brand. Most of the items come in their original packaging, but those that do not are packed in The Real Real's own fabric bag. I love this site and have never had a problem with counterfeits or items not being as described.

7 years ago

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Elizabeth

I have been purchasing and consigning at TheRealReal for over four years and find both their website a treasure trove of merchandise and customer care above the rest. They are very prompt in response to a request and have found they resolve issues with prompt courteous service.They aim to please and if not pleased will make it right. TheRealReal is my favorite purchasing site bar none.

7 years ago

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Deborah Boyd Louisburg, NC

The RealReal not only allows you to buy "gently used" high end merchandise at affordable prices their customer service is top notch! I needed to return an item that didn't fit but I had lost the information sent with it. I emailed them and within 8 hours I had a reply on how and where to return it. When you have questions or concerns they respond immediately I highly recommend this site.

7 years ago

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CharlotteT Brooklyn, NY

Excellent service. Items are well described, and the site is always willing to provide additional details. Purchased items arrive in nice bags, carefully packed. Customer service is very prompt and helpful. I have purchased fabulous things on this site and think the world of it.

4 years ago

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Maria

I love this website. Great to consign and buy from. I've done business with them for the last year and have never been anything but happy. Not sure about all the negative feedback.

7 years ago

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Karen Torino Tallahassee, FL

The realreal is my go to place for anything designer that I can no longer find or I just do not want to pay full price for. I love their selection and I love shopping on their site.

3 years ago

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Rocio Diaz Tallahassee, FL

Buying designer items for an extremely discounted price has never been easier. Most of their items are in flawless condition although they are secondhand. It is very easy to go through their selection of items online.

4 years ago

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Amanda Warrendale, PA

The RealReal is AWESOME. Designer clothes and handbags for a fraction of the price is great but also the authenticity aspect is the best part to ensure you're not buying a fraud.

4 years ago

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H Moore Lehi, UT

The RealReal is a great second-hand clothing store. Sometimes I want a specific look, but don't want to pay full price for it brand new. The RealReal gives me that option to buy something gently used.

5 years ago

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Athanasia Cordova

I love their site. Ive purchased a number of items and all have been beautiful and have been very happy with them every single time

7 years ago