The RealReal has a rating of 2.4 stars from 5,304 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about The RealReal most frequently mention customer service, good condition, and final sale problems. The RealReal ranks 8th among Discount Clothing sites.
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I have been a big seller and buyer on The Real Real since the beginning of the company in 2015! I have made about $400,000 selling pieces that I was not going to wear again. Also, I am a buyer of mostly "pristine" and "excellent" items on consignment. There are so many people who buy things and not wear/use them at all, and sell them new in the box with tags!
Therealreal is a scam. They take high-value items for consignment and list them at ridiculously low prices, allowing their internal employees to steal them from online clients' carts or even after payments have been made. They cancel transactions and resale the items to their friends, who then post them on eBay for a profit. Please do not consign with this company; you will receive almost nothing for your high-value stuff. The company has no control over their employees, so employees do whatever they want, including defrauding their customers and running a side business for themselves
I've consigned an item in May which never made to the website.
Upon inquiring they were keep responding that they'll look into it.
They finally admitted that they are "unable to reconcile the physical inventory of your item", and promised a payment of 70% of the value in a month. It's now been 6 days past the promised payment date and they are not issuing payment. Now another support person email me that they'll make payment in another month. At this point, I just want my item back.
Date of experience: July 21, 2023
I was sick of the haggling on Poshmark so I sent my items to Real. Please look at the picture. Those shoes Retailed for $525. I got $49 for them from Real! Looking back, I'll haggle with people! Who KNOWS how much Real kept! Stick with Poshmark! You're dealing with actual people! This
Is a scam!
Date of experience: November 16, 2019
So far, I really enjoy the site. Some real real feedback: I received some pants today that were depicted as light gray, but the description said charcoal. What arrived was in fact charcoal and did not match the pants in the pictures. The measurements in the listing were correct, though. Personally, I'm fine with it so no issue here, but I could imagine someone else out there being pretty upset about it. Overall, I'm pleased.
Date of experience: June 2, 2020
I have bought numerous items from the real real but recently bought a dress that hasn't even been shipped after 3 weeks. Even though I have complained nothing has been done. It makes you wonder what really goes on with some of the clothes you order. No reason has been given in the long delay. I find this bad business and wonder if on of the employees is wearing my dress for the holidays instead of me.
Date of experience: December 16, 2019
Hello Karen,
Thank you very much for your feedback.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delayed delivery of your order. Upon looking further into the issue, we can confirm that a Customer Service agent was able to assist with the delivery issue and based on the tracking number within the order, it was delivered on Thursday, 12/19. As we aim to provide you with a more positive experience shopping with us at The RealReal, we are having a CS agent contact you via email to offer any further assistance you may need.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
I have experienced the very worst customer service on 2 separate orders within days of each other. The 1st order, despite customer service confirming on 2 separate occasions that they had updated the shipping address, as I had requested, Real Real, unilaterally cancelled the order. Hours later, a previously ordered pair of pants arrived, 4 sizes smaller than the size described.
Date of experience: December 11, 2023
I ordered a $1500 Pomellato necklace but it was shipped in a Pomellato box that was in horrible condition. The box was crumbling and torn. Why would any retailer ever send a necklace in this worn out box. It is complete garage and presented the necklace in very poor fashion. Their quality control concerns me deeply based on what I received. Look at the photos. It's shocking what they sent.
Date of experience: August 24, 2023
I own a louis vuitton mahina purchased directly from louis vuitton. I noticed several on this website and knew by looking at the placement of the hardware they were not authentic. I reached out to them to let them know, thinking they'd be all over it.They were rude, nasty, argumentative and defensive. I emailed them a photo of my genuine bag showing them the hardware that should be on it. They had the nerve to tell my bag was not a mahina! Though I purchased it directly from a louis vuitton store. Wow! I decided then and there I would never deal with this company. I left the same review on another website to which they responded horribly. Literally tried to verbally crucify me.
Tip for consumers:
Is very nasty people. They do not authenticate properly. If you contact them about it nicely they will tear your head off.
Products used:
Nothing I would never buy from them. Read my review.
Date of experience: December 16, 2023
I reached out to them a few years ago about a Louis Vuitton XL Mahina bag they had listed. I knew by the placement of the rivets that it was not authentic. I know this, because I have this bag,purchased directly from Louis Vuitton. When I did get a response they were very rude and defensive. I even sent them a photo of the rivet placement on my authentic bag. They tried to tell me my bag was not a Mahina. I left an honest review to which they responded very nastily. I decided at that point not to do business with them. I shop on ebay. I am very careful and am given a money back guarantee including shipping if I am not happy. Items listed on the realreal pop up all the time when I am serching specific products on line. However, I would never buy from them because of my personal experience.
Tip for consumers:
Read all the negative reviews on any website before you make any purchase.
Products used:
I decided against the purchase because the photos were evidence that it was not authentic. When I provided photos of an authentic bag They went on the attack and refused to acknowledge what I was saying.
Date of experience: November 14, 2023
I purchased a Louis Vuitton navy crossbody bag…after a few months it literally fell about! The hinges broke and it was no longer usable. I tried putting it back together and I also tried taking it somewhere to be repaired…no luck. A $1500 bag now was not usable. I contacted them and they said that they do not offer any type of warranty after the purchase. It was basically buyer beware! They offered me a $25 credit on their site! Seriously? I I explained that first of all $25 was nothing compared to what I had spent and also, why would I ever purchase something from them again! Go to FASHIONPHILE they have a bigger selection and better prices including follow-up! Never again would I buy something from the real real!
Products used:
I purchased a Louis Vuitton bag that was broken beyond repair
Date of experience: January 4, 2024
I have made multiple purchases. It has become apparent that TRR does not authenticate anything. I ordered Giorgio Armani shoes and they clearly were delivered but e GA box. I am so disappointed because initially TRR seemed to be legit. If you try to have a discussion with customer service it is either a bot or someone who does not speak the language. Never ordering from these scammers again, and wish I could return all of the fake clothing I have received.
Tip for consumers:
They claim to verify designer items but they
Products used:
Fake products
Date of experience: September 29, 2023
I am not satisfied with the service unfortunately my items were sold to be resold. The RealReal low priced my items later to find them on other online stores. I will never use them or recommend them. Please use another platform or sell them yourself. Check out the photos and video I posted of a perfect example a seller selling the same heels for $350 and the RealReal listed them for $89 and I only receive a profit of $68
Date of experience: July 19, 2023
I reconsigned several items, after never having used them. I was shocked to see how little they offered these for and I was paid $34. They lowered the price of a pair of new Bottega shoes test I had purchased from them by $500. I had reconsigned an Hermes bag and after months of emails and calls, I finally got paid. Absolutely disgusting. They should be shut down.
Date of experience: January 12, 2024
No. I handed over a LV graphite toiletry bag along with a limited edition Gucci bag. They immediately put the Gucci bag on sale. Then cut me 55% commission. Yes, the commission is detailed beforehand. I asked for my bags back when I saw they cut the price in half, no response. But continued to receive emails about future sales. I worked my $#*! off for these bags. They mean the world to me. Don't ever contact me again.
Date of experience: September 21, 2022
This website/service sucks. I sent in 13 designer items and made LITTLE money. I'm talking $18 for a 700 coat in good condition. They take 3/4 of the commission. This website is an absolute scam. Sell on Poshmark it's ******* times better. The real real will go out of business eventually because their process is laughable.
Date of experience: September 17, 2023
My husband bought me a gift off The Real Real. It was a vintage sweater with some small damage noted on the item. They failed to note a glaring piece of damage (a hole right near the breast) that they then shipped to me. My husband was mortified since it was a gift. When we asked for a refund we were told "store credit" despite it being their error. They stopped responding to questions for return labels and other necessary information in order to even return the item. Use another site. They don't inspect their items and their CS is abysmal. X
Date of experience: December 6, 2021
Hi Elizabeth, we’re sorry you received your item in this condition. We promise we’ll make it right if an item you purchase from us doesn’t match the description on our site. Please DM us on social media with your order number and we'll sort this out for you.
I bought an MCM backpack from the Real Real and the defects were not clear on the picture. The hardware was turning colors. Since I spent $400 + on the bag and the rest of the bag was nice,I decided to send the bag to New York to have the hardware updated. That cost me another $250. I could have bought a newer bag for the total price I spent on a used bag.
Date of experience: January 5, 2024
I am having the worst experience with Therealreal, I spent A LOT of money for a purse with chains. When i received the item the chain was missing? I have been contacting them repeatedly for over a week trying to get some sort of answer about where the chain is. I spent over 200$ on custom duties to receive it, so returning it would put me down by that. Wanted to wear the bag this week but i can't without the chain. They don't care about customer experience please shop elsewhere!
Date of experience: January 13, 2022
I had two valuable items go missing (not three as I initially wrote) and, to summarize, the company made things right. They honor their commitments. I would like to take down my negative review so please send guidance on this if it is doable. The Real Real is a responsive and responsible business. I will continue to consign with them as they have fully earned my trust.
Date of experience: October 5, 2023
I sent my Chanel bag in for inspection and they sent it back to me with the serial number tag removed. Now I can't resell. When I complained they only offered a measly $40 store credit for something that cost me to lose $1100 in revenue. Unacceptable. They've lost my business
Date of experience: September 3, 2022
The website clearly says easy returns but doesn't state that the return slip is only for US packages. Now I'm stuck with 2 pairs of shoes that don't fit since it made me believe the return would be easy but it's not since I'm in Canada. Quite disappointed
Date of experience: October 1, 2021
Hi Molly, we're sorry to hear you're having issues returning your items. Please DM us on social media with your order details so we can help.
This company quoted us for a fur coat at over 1000 dollar sell price then proceeded to change the price and sell it for only 300 without telling us. They took a 50% commission on top of that. When asked about how they could do this they mentioned some hidden term in the contract. Do not trust and do not consign.
Tip for consumers:
Do Not Use
Products used:
Consignment
Date of experience: February 15, 2022
This is a great site, accurate information about items including measurements, vast array of stock regularly updated, quick and easy ordering and delivery can't praise it enough. Puts all other re sale sites in the shade.
Date of experience: February 25, 2021
Waste of time and money, total over pay for poor quality items with customer service that are asleep! Terrible service Im still after months waiting for refunds... im not happy at all and been so patient its like a money bin drop once paid kiss good bye to satisfaction guaranteed.
When they refund my money in full including sales tax and postage... I will let site jabber know to be totally transparent... meanwhile its ugly!
Date of experience: August 4, 2021
Hi Louise, we're so sorry for your experience with us and for the delay in your refund. We'd be more than happy to help. Please send us an email to customerservice@therealreal.com so our team can assist you.
Ordered a pair of designer jeans, great price, should have known too good to be true! Measurements given were wrong! Said in very good condition, minor wear... they were fully worn out compared to new version on designer's website! Buyer beware! Not worth returning because shipping costs to Canada cost more than the jeans! So shipping return equally expensive.
Date of experience: May 23, 2019
Hello Nancy,
Thank you for reaching out.
We do apologize for the experience.
We are always happy to assist if any issues arise with an order.
Please note, we will be reaching out to you privately to further assist.
Hope to speak with you soon.
I've been shopping on TheRealReal for so many years that I despise going into a store now. It's the best, pressure-free shopping experience online. You'll find everything from jewelry, shoes and luggage to furniture, handbags and atelier. If they start selling food, I'll never leave my house.
Date of experience: September 9, 2015
My most recent orders have presented problems from shipping being delayed as long as 16 days to actually receiving a shoe that was completely busted out in the back. Customer service is still pretty good which is why I continue to come back but I do question if it's worth it sometimes. There are so many resale shops that offer really good product. I have been shopping more with other sites to compare experiences
Date of experience: September 1, 2021
Hi Chanell, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and for your feedback on your experience with us. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our team if there is anything more we can do to help.
The RealReal is the leader in authenticated luxury consignment. With an expert behind every item, we ensure everything we sell is 100% real. As a sustainable company, we give new life to pieces by brands from Chanel to Cartier, and hundreds more. Exten...
Hello Betsy,
We have reached out privately so we may work on a resolution for you.
Best