Hey there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for incredible deals on designer clothes, bags and accessories. But you also want to know you‘re getting the real thing, not a cheap knockoff. That‘s where The RealReal comes in.
In case you‘re not familiar, The RealReal is the world‘s largest online marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment. It‘s basically the Rolls-Royce of resale sites, offering a curated selection of covetable items from top designers like Chanel, Gucci, Hermès and hundreds more at up to 90% off retail prices. It‘s a way to shop luxury sustainably and make some cash off the pieces you no longer wear.
But with so many resale sites popping up these days, you might be wondering: is The RealReal legit? Can you really trust that the Louis Vuitton bag or Cartier watch is authentic? Is the experience as seamless and high-end as the company promises? And what‘s it really like to consign your designer goods?
Well, I‘m here to give you the lowdown. I‘ve been shopping and consigning on The RealReal for years now, and I‘ve got plenty to dish. In this honest, unfiltered review, I‘m sharing my personal experience with the site, the pros and cons I‘ve discovered, and my take on whether it‘s truly worth the hype. So grab a latte and let‘s dive in!
About The RealReal
First, a quick primer on what The RealReal is all about. Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Julie Wainwright, the company has been a pioneer in the luxury resale space. It‘s built a reputation as the most trusted destination for authenticated luxury goods, with a team of 100+ in-house experts including gemologists, horologists and brand experts who inspect every item.
The RealReal‘s mission is to extend the lifecycle of luxury, promote sustainability and make high-end fashion accessible to more people. It‘s become a go-to for fashion insiders, celebrities and savvy shoppers looking to score deals on designer pieces. The site boasts over 24 million members and 20 million items sold to date.
One thing that sets The RealReal apart is its brick-and-mortar presence. The company has opened physical retail stores in NYC, LA, San Francisco and other major cities, where you can shop a curated selection of items, consign your goods and even get free valuations. It‘s bringing the luxury consignment experience offline.
The RealReal is also big on sustainability and social impact. It‘s a certified B Corp, carbon neutral and has donated over $320,000 to nonprofits through its partnership with One Tree Planted. It also launched its own sustainability calculator to show shoppers the environmental savings of buying consigned vs. new. Pretty cool, right?
My Experience Shopping on The RealReal
Now, let me tell you about my own experience shopping on The RealReal. I first discovered the site back in 2015, when I was on the hunt for a classic Chanel flap bag. I had my heart set on a gorgeous lambskin one with gold hardware, but the retail price was way out of my budget. That‘s when I stumbled upon The RealReal.
I was honestly shocked at the selection. They had pages and pages of pre-owned Chanel bags in every style, size and color imaginable, all authenticated by experts. The prices were still steep, but much more reasonable than buying new. I ended up snagging a beautiful vintage Medium Flap Bag for around $3,000 (retail is $5,800!).
Since then, I‘ve bought tons of amazing designer pieces from The RealReal, including:
- A Burberry trench coat for $495 (70% off retail)
- Manolo Blahnik heels for $125 (80% off retail)
- A Breitling watch for my husband at $3,200 (nearly 50% off retail)
- A Cartier love bracelet for 40% off retail
- An Hermès silk scarf at 60% off
The discounts are even better than sample sales and department store markdowns, especially on pieces from super popular brands like Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton that rarely go on sale.
One of the things I love most about shopping on The RealReal is the thrill of the hunt. The selection is so vast that you never know what gems you‘ll uncover. I check the new arrivals obsessively and have scored some truly unbelievable deals, like a $3,500 Saint Laurent leather jacket for $400 and a $1,200 Dolce & Gabbana dress for $160. It takes patience and persistence, but the payoff is so worth it.
I also appreciate the detailed condition information and images provided with each listing. The RealReal gives every item a condition grade from "Pristine, never worn" to "Good, moderate wear and tear." They point out any flaws like stains, tears, scuffs, missing hardware, etc. This helps you know exactly what you‘re getting. The photos are usually quite clear and show the item from multiple angles. A few times I‘ve asked customer service for more pictures of the interior tag or a close-up, and they‘re always happy to provide them.
The shipping is also super fast and free over $99. Items usually arrive beautifully packaged within 1-2 days. Returns are free and easy, although I‘ve only had to make one return in all my years shopping. The Gucci loafers I ordered just didn‘t quite fit. I printed the prepaid return label, dropped them off at UPS, and got my refund within a week. Easy peasy.
Any downsides? I will say the customer service can be hit or miss. Most of the time they‘re very helpful and responsive, but I‘ve had a few frustrating experiences with slow email responses or agents who didn‘t seem very knowledgeable. It hasn‘t been a dealbreaker for me, though.
My Tips for Getting the Best Deals on The RealReal
Want to score the best deals on The RealReal? Take it from a shopping pro. Here are my top tips:
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Shop often and act fast. The best items get snatched up quickly, especially rare vintage pieces and items priced well below retail. Stalking the new arrivals is key.
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Be flexible on color and size. You may have your heart set on a black Balenciaga moto jacket, but the blue one that pops up in your size at 70% off is just as chic. If the sizing notes say an item runs small, consider sizing up.
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Look for items listed as "Pristine" or "Excellent" condition. These are often items that were never worn or only worn once, so they‘re basically like new at a deep discount.
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Download The RealReal‘s free app. You‘ll get push notifications about new sales, price drops on items you‘ve favorited, and more. Plus, the app has a feature that sends you a notification if a sold-out item you love comes back in stock.
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Pay attention to the measurements, not just the listed size. Sizing varies a ton between brands and items may have been altered. Check the measurements in the item description and compare to something you own.
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Bookmark your favorite designers and check back often. New items are added daily, so you never know when your dream Chloé bag or Louboutin shoes will pop up.
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Read the return policy carefully. Items marked final sale, priced at 40% off or more, dresses, swimwear, and fine jewelry are typically not returnable. Only buy these if you‘re 100% sure you‘ll keep them.
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Consider consigning to earn credit. Consigning your designer items can get you up to 85% commission in site credit, so you‘ll save even more on future purchases.
Consigning on The RealReal: My Experience
Speaking of consigning, I‘ve sold quite a few designer pieces on The RealReal over the years and overall had a great experience. Their online consignment process is pretty seamless.
You start by submitting photos or descriptions of your items online. The experts review them within a day or two and make you an upfront offer or consignment offer. For consignment, you earn 55% commission on the first $1,500 of each item, then 60%, 70%, or even 85% commission as the price goes up. For pieces over $195 that qualify, you can opt for an upfront offer instead and get paid in advance rather than waiting for it to sell.
Once you accept an offer, they send you a free shipping label to send in your items or you can schedule a free in-home pickup if you live in an eligible city. I usually opt to drop my items off at my local RealReal store since I live in LA. The process is super quick and easy, and I like knowing the experts are evaluating them in person.
The RealReal handles everything from there – the authentication, pricing, photography, listing, and shipping to the buyer. One downside is that consigned items can take a while to sell, up to a few months in my experience, so it‘s not the fastest way to make cash. But the selling prices and commission rates are generally higher than other resale sites, so I find it‘s worth the wait. Plus it‘s SO much easier than trying to sell items myself on eBay or Poshmark.
I will note that there have been a few times when my items took longer than usual to get processed and listed, and one time an item went missing in transit to their warehouse (they reimbursed me after I provided proof of shipping). So it‘s not a perfect process, but overall pretty smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
To round out this review, I wanted to address some FAQs I hear a lot about The RealReal. If you‘re still on the fence about shopping or consigning, this should help clear things up:
Is The RealReal legit?
1000% yes. They‘re the largest authenticated luxury consignment site for a reason. Everything is vetted by experts, so fakes are extremely rare. On the off chance a phony slips through, you‘ll get a full refund. Plus, they have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
Does The RealReal sell authentic items?
Yep, authenticity is their bread and butter. They have an entire in-house authentication team that inspects every single item. I‘ve bought tons of designer pieces over the years, from Chanel to Cartier to Hermès, and never received a fake.
What happens if you get a fake from The RealReal?
It‘s highly unlikely, but if you suspect an item is inauthentic, you can return it for a full refund. You‘ll need to provide documentation, like photos of the logos/tags, comparisons to an authentic item, or an evaluation from a third-party authenticator. The RealReal may also have the item re-evaluated by their team.
Can you negotiate price on The RealReal?
No, prices are fixed and non-negotiable. But they do run occasional sales and promotions where you can score discounts on top of the already low resale prices. And if an item you like is overpriced, you can click the "Notify me if the price drops" button and get an email if/when it gets marked down.
Why are The RealReal prices so high?
It may seem pricey compared to mall brands or other resale sites, but The RealReal specializes in luxury items that cost thousands new. Prices are typically 40-90% off retail depending on designer, style, and condition. You‘re getting top-tier, authenticated pieces at a fraction of the price.
Does The RealReal authenticate shoes, handbags, jewelry & watches?
Yes, all of the above! Their authentication team includes fine jewelry experts, certified gemologists, licensed horologists (aka watch experts), and luxury handbag specialists trained to spot fakes. You can buy big-ticket items worry-free.
How long does it take The RealReal to pay consignors?
Consignors get paid on the 15th of the month after their item sells, as long as the buyer doesn‘t return it. So if your item sells January 5th and the buyer keeps it, you‘ll get paid February 15th. It can take time for items to sell though, anywhere from a few days to a few months. If you want to get paid sooner, consider opting for an upfront offer instead of consignment.
The Bottom Line
So, is The RealReal worth it? In my opinion, absolutely. It‘s hands down my favorite way to score genuine designer goods at a fraction of retail prices. And as someone who loves fashion but cares about sustainability, buying pre-owned just feels good, you know? It keeps clothing in circulation and out of landfills. Plus, you can give your past-season pieces a second life and earn some cash or credit to fund new splurges.
No site is perfect, of course. The RealReal has its quirks and potential drawbacks, like occasionally spotty customer service and inconsistent photography. And selling can be a longer process than some people expect.
But all in all, the pros outweigh the cons for me. It‘s trustworthy, efficient, and gives you access to the crème de la crème of designer fashion at seriously great prices. If you have a taste for luxury and love the thrill of a good fashion find, I think you‘ll love The RealReal as much as I do.
On that note, I‘m off to stalk the new arrivals for my latest dream bag! I hope this honest review helped you decide if The RealReal is right for your luxury shopping and selling needs. Feel free to hit me up in the comments with any other questions. Until next time, stay stylish!
