Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Eve Dawes
Is it worth it? How does the Real Real work? Everything you need to know about selling on the Real Real
The Real Real review, how does the Real Real work and how to sell on The Real Real. As although it’s pretty simple it does involve a few decisions to make sure it’s worth it and that you get the price you want for it. If you’re wondering how to sell on The Real Real there’s definitely some selling tips you need to know to make the most from your sales and make it worth it. I’ve been a member of therealreal.com since 2014 doing both selling and buying designer luxury fashion from TRR (The Real Real). Including a classic gold Chanel chain belt, bags, clutches, shoes, dresses and accessories. So I thought it was about time I did a The Real Real review. Especially as people are getting more conscientious about keeping pieces in circulation as long as possible and slow fashion.
I’ve been happy with most of my purchases but made a few costly mistakes selling. TRR are quite particular about the condition of what you’re selling. There’s also a very specific list of the real real accepted brands and designers that they sell which you can find in the the realreal designer directory below.
The Real Real review
It’s taken me until now to do a The Real Real review. As I hadn’t really appreciated how much they advocate for sustainable fashion and creating positive environmental impact.
It also took me a while to figure out how to make sure I get what I want price wise. So I don’t end up making a huge loss like I did with getting just $20 from selling my Chloe boots. A lesson learned the hard way!*
How does the Real Real work? How to Sell on The Real Real and The Real Real Review
How I sell on The Real Real, why I consign and buy designer luxury goods and how to make sure you don’t sell for pennies!
How to sell on The Real Real & The Real Real Review
- Is it worth it? How does the Real Real work? Everything you need to know about selling on the Real Real
- The Real Real review
- How does the Real Real work? How to Sell on The Real Real and The Real Real Review
- What is the real real?
- What does The Real Real sell
- Which brands does therealreal accept for consignment and sell | The realreal designer directory
- How to sell on The Real Real | Top tips
- How to sell on The Real Real : Pro selling tips for consigning
- The Real Real consignor commission rates
- Where are The Real Real stores | Locations
- How does The real real ensure authenticity
- How they’re making luxury fashion more sustainable
- What is Circular Fashion? Recycle | Reuse
- Shop The Real Real online
What is the real real?
The Real Real is an online site for buying and selling pre loved luxury fashion and accessories. It was founded by Julie Wainwright who is still the CEO. She’s transformed authenticated luxury consignment into an ever evolving global movement.
It’s a business that focuses on quality, craftsmanship, sustainability, community and its users. The real real is basically a luxury consignment store where sellers can send in their items from the The Real Real accepted designers and make commission from their sales.
TheRealReal has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years with the rise in awareness and support of sustainable fashion. Helped by a lot of us clearing out our closets during covid, doing luxury consignment and reselling to make a bit of extra money.
What does The Real Real sell
The Real Real is a consignment store for luxury designer fashion both online and in their physical stores. They consign women’s, men’s and kids’ fashion, fine jewelry, watches, fine art and home decor as long as it’s one of the brands on The Real Real accepted designers list. You can consign your new or used designer brand fashion and home goods on TRR. As well as shop for them.
Yes the clothes are clean and both shoes and clothing must show minimal signs of wear to be accepted. It’s not the place to send things that should be going to Good Will or the trash.
Which brands does therealreal accept for consignment and sell | The realreal designer directory
The RealReal designer directory is really extensive and lists all of the real real accepted designers. So if you have a favorite mainstream designer luxury brand, they’re pretty much guaranteed to stock in or sell yours for you.
There’s over 5000 The Real Real accepted brands on therealreal.com directory including Balenciaga, Balmain, Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Versace and Zac Posen.
How to sell on The Real Real | Top tips
There’s only a few really simple options for selling on the real real:
- Create a consignment list on their site of what you’re selling and make sure it’s from one of the real real accepted designers.
- Print a free shipping label
- Drop off
- Schedule a free pick up
All of the options offer free shipping which makes it quick, easy, and cost free. I’ve done all of the above but tend to prefer just to print off the free label for myself. That way I’m not having to having to schedule and commit to anything and I can do it in my own time.
How to sell on The Real Real : Pro selling tips for consigning
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T SELL YOUR DESIGNER PIECES FOR PENNIES!
This is one of the most important pieces of information you need to know about how the Real Real works.
The realreal reviews to selling: Before you consign with the real real make sure that you have an agreement in place. Ideally you want them to quote you the price they want to list it for and require your approval and permission before they list it. If you don’t agree to the price, have them send it back to you. That way you get the price you want for it or you get it back.
Otherwise, make sure you’ve looked on their site to see how much similar items are selling for and make sure you’re ok with that. Especially if they go on sale. As remember you’re only getting a percentage of the sale and they take a big cut, anything from 40-60%.
The Real Real also have a lot of big sales so if you don’t want your item to go on sale you need to tell them that! So that you don’t unwittingly sell a dress you bought for $1500 for $20! Which can happen if you’re on the 40% commission tier and they put it in one of their big sales.
I’d rather have kept these gorgeous Chloe boots than sell them for $40! Lesson learned going forward. Learn from my mistakes and protect yourself against that unless you’re ok with it going on sale and the reduced commission rate.
The Real Real consignor commission rates
The commission rate you earn from selling on the Real Real varies a lot. It ranges from 40-85% and is based on how you choose to be paid and how much you do in annual sales. If you’re only planning on consigning a couple of low value items and consignment piece has a resale value of less than $145 you may be better so sell yourself elsewhere as it only pays 40% commission.
However, if your resale item is priced at over $2,495 that’s when the commission hits and you’ll receive 85% of the sale. They also have commission levels based on your total annual sales. Here’s how they calculate their commission rates so you can consign smartly.
Where are The Real Real stores | Locations
Although the The RealReal is mainly online it also has several retail store locations in:
- Brooklyn
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Newport Beach
- Palo Alto
- San Francisco
Besides the permanent The Real Real stores, they also have pop ups so be on the look out for those.
I went to The RealReal pop up when it was at The Forum Shoppes in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. I tend to do most of my fashion shopping online but when it comes to designer fashion, I enjoy being able to touch the quality and try things on.
Plus who doesn’t love champagne and shopping. I treated myself to a black sequin Tom Ford evening bag and these Sergio Rossi sandals as I’d been looking for something for my New York trip.
Is the real real legit
They should be as TRR authenticates every single item (read more about how below). They did have a few issues several years ago where counterfeits slipped through. Which have meant they’ve had to employ more qualified people to do the job, partner with designer brands and bring in stricter authentication processes.
Read both the article above and the real real website details now and decide for yourself.
I’ve personally been happy with all of my The Real Real purchases. It’s selling on the Real Real where I’ve hard my fingers burned.
We’re empowering consignors and buyers to extend the life cycle of luxury goods. The future of fashion is circular.
The RealReal
How does The real real ensure authenticity
Shopping for designer resale goods online can be tricky as you never know when you’re going to get duped with fakes. The Real Real has over 150 brand authenticators, gemologists and horologists who authenticate every item.
If an item’s considered high risk by TRR it gets sent for further review by authenticators with expertise in that specific category. They are really committed to removing counterfeits from the market and authenticate every single item they sell.
How they’re making luxury fashion more sustainable
There are so many reasons for selling and buying from luxury consignment stores. One of the reasons consignment is growing in popularity is that it helps lessen luxury fashions impact on the environment by keeping pieces in circulation for longer.
I also really like Fashionphile who have a better return policy and whose goods seem to be in better condition than TRR’s.
What positive environmental impact does consigning have
The Real Real are so committed to sustainable fashion and being able to measure and prove their environmental impact that they developed a first-of-its-kind sustainability calculator to quantify their positive environmental impact since inception.
TRR’s sustainability calculator measures the greenhouse gases, energy output and water usage saved by the consignment process since the founding of The RealReal.
- 16, 105 metric tons of carbon saved
- 756 million liters of water saved
What is Circular Fashion? Recycle | Reuse
Circular fashion and a circular economy is created with the help of the realreal consumers and consignors. We can help create a more sustainable fashion industry by recycling and repurposing our clothes, shoes and accessories and keeping luxury fashion and goods that are in great condition in circulation.
The RealReal has taken up the CEO Carbon Neutral Challenge issued by Gucci President & CEO Marco Bizzarri and have announced that they will be carbon neutral in 2021.*
In addition to long-term efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, immediate action is needed to address global climate change. At The RealReal, we are committed to accounting for, reducing and offsetting all emissions associated with our business.
The realreal
Shop The Real Real online
The real real doesn’t offer free shipping and returns unless you’re consigning then shipping is free.
Shipping: Standard shipping is a flat rate of $11.95. I tend order a few things at once to save on paying for shipping multiple times. They also offer express and rush shipping at a higher rate. As well as free curb side pick up. I wish I lived closer to a store!
Returns: As a buyer returns can be requested on items not in sales with over 40% off within 14 days of shipment or in store purchase as long as the tags are still attached.
The real real coupon
You’ll need an account on therealreal.com to get signed in and started.
$25 New Member Credit
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Connect with me
If you have any more questions, your own experience with TRR or tips to add to this the realreal review for how to sell on the real real send me a private message on social media.
* I’ve personally stopped using The Real Real since writing this post for several reasons and have switched to Fashionphile. However, due to being wary about publicly criticizing a company, haven’t mentioned them in this post.
Tag me @glamourandgains in your therealreal photos so I can see what designer finds you’ve found.
