To sell is easy. Your item goes up for a great price, but unless you have a really in-demand item, it gets marked down by a lot. 40% goes to TRR, and if they write you a check, that's a hefty mark up too. That's the caveat vendor. To buy is much better. Nice things can go really cheap and the condition is quite accurate. I will not sell here again, but I'll buy again, no problem: that's the floreat emptor: the buyer does well.
I recently purchased a Louis Vuitton from therealreal.com. When it arrived, I immediately knew it was fake. The monogram on the seam did not line up, there was not a tag inside the bag, the lock was fading to silver and had a screw at the top, the hardware had the wording in the wrong order…Louis should be at the bottom, and it was at the top, and the stitching was horrible. I immediately contacted customer service who repeatedly told me it had been authenticated by trained professionals. They said they escalated my case, which I have yet to hear anything from the escalation. I called my bank to file a fraud case and provided documention, but they said it could take 120 days to get my money back. It's a mess. Do NOT buy a thing from this site!
I wish I had read the reviews before I consigned with them. I bought a pair of new shoes from them (a final sale) and they didn't fit (though I thought they would because I have 3 other pairs by the same brand in the same size). I decided to re-consign them. They sold them for LESS than what I bought them for, and I had never worn them! I consigned several items with them, selling 2 in one month. One was the pair of never-worn shoes I re-consigned, and a jacket that I wore once (and I bought) for $80. My total earnings for the month? $16! OMG! What a total rip off! I should've stuck with Poshmark! DON'T consign with them, they're crooks!
Title: Irresponsible Handling of High-Value Items – Beware!
I had an absolutely unacceptable experience with The RealReal when trying to retrieve my own $17,000 bracelet. Not only did they reject my item due to alleged alterations, but when they returned it, they failed to require a signature for delivery—despite their own policy stating that all returns require one.
This is not a minor mistake. I live in an area where packages are stolen frequently, and a high-value item like this should never have been left unattended. Their response? They simply blamed UPS, completely ignoring their own responsibility in ensuring proper handling of returned consignments.
Here's part of what they told me:
"Per company policy, we require all our packages to be returned with a signature required via UPS regardless of price… Unfortunately, it seems this was an error on UPS' part."
So, their policy exists, but they don't enforce it—and when something goes wrong, they take zero responsibility. They made the mistake, but I was the one left stressed and dealing with the consequences.
If you're thinking about consigning with The RealReal, think twice. They show blatant disregard for customers and their valuable items. Once they have your luxury goods, don't expect them to treat them with the care they deserve.
Ordered a dress which I never received. Therealreal staff said to notify the police. I received a jacket that I did not order. They are completely overwhelmed and disorganized.
Awful company for consignors. They take advantage by pricing the items very low and almost immediately discounting them. Instead of the RealReal getting a commission as mediators, they give a commission to the seller. When I saw how much they discounted (and immediately sold) my item, I asked them to return the rest. They charge $15 per item to return them. Additionally, they keep $10 off the monthly check as a "check by mail fee".
Their model is not working and the customers are punished for it. Stay away!
I consigned approximately $1800 of 'the great clothing all items worn maybe once or twice. They sold 8 of my items I received a total of $30! They should be prosecuted!
I'm giving a one-star review based on a recent experience I had, which The RealReal should openly disclose to their customers. BE AWARE they will over price certain items, even if it's currently available on the designer/company website. I reached out to them regarding a black Jenni Kayne sweater that was marked as "very good" condition (i.e., not new, signs of wear, but no major damage). After I purchased it, I realized the same sweater was available online for $195 and TRR was charging $225….for a used "very good" version of it. I thought maybe it was an error and they estimated the retail price incorrectly. Turns out they are aware they over priced it and not willing to come down on the cost. This is understandable for a rare collectors item, but a used sweater that is currently available online and doesn't even have the tags on? That's just blatantly scamming your customers and hoping they don't notice. The TRR employee I was working with was Mus and he/she spoke like a robot - first they said there's nothing they can do, then offered $25 off, then $50, then sent me a return slip so they can sell it to someone else for $225. Really disappointing to learn that I can't trust their pricing, and they're basically scalping high street brands. I love shopping with them, and you can find a good deal, but on the other end, they're also stealing. F them for that. If you're advertising consignment prices, don't price higher than retail ESPECIALLY when it's available still. FYI this is also the case for readily available Khaite belts (and I'm sure many other things).
I don't know who works for them and never took the 2 min extra to verified the stuff inside the bag. I found disgusting fake nails and lashes...beauty makeup Sponge used. I don't get it. Like they not suposed to clean it before RESALING them? 🤮 I understand it's reused items but wtf. There's a minimum. BIG disappointment
DO NOT USE THE TO SELL YOUR ITEMS! First, I shipped 16 items, they could only find 12 until in contacted them repeatedly. They finally found the other items. Of the 16,10 were accepted for sale and 6 were supposed to be sent back to me. They have me one tracking number for the 6 items. The tracking number only had 2 of the 6 items and they cannot locate the other 4. So I am still missing 4 from that shipment. Next, they sold a $180 pair of shoes for $68 and I only made $10. Unacceptable! I was told I'd get to approve the prices. So now I've asked them to return all the rest of my items. They wanted to change me $135 to get my items back, but since I had proof that they told me I could get my items back if I didn't approve of their prices they waived the $135, but told me it would take 30 days to get my $5000 worth of items back. I DO NOT TRUST THEM, they are thieves.
If you are a buyer, you are safe because the items are real.
Answer: Do not buy from them! Their return/refund policy is skewed to their benefit. In my case, I bought a Louis Vuitton bag and when it was received it was not in the condition advertised or the photos did not highlight the real wear of the bag and they refused to make a refund or credit. It's their lost because I have since bought many bags on Ebay which offers guarantee of refund should item be faulty or misrepresented. Also, on Ebay you can judge by seller feedback whether the seller is reputable and PRICES are so much less than on the REAL REAL. Their name should be changed to the REAL GREED!
Answer: Hi Samantha. The RealReal does sometimes ask for additional information from customers for a one time security check. Most times, this is for new customers who have never shopped with us before, orders with vastly different billing and shipping information, or are international customers with unverified credit cards. We will ask for some sensitive and personal information for the purposes of verifying the identity of the purchaser but we will not ask for a Social Security Number. Was your father attempting to complete his purchase via Affirm? Affirm is a third party company we work with that offers financing on purchases. If your father was attempting to complete a purchase via Affirm, they do require a SSN for a soft credit check for the loan approval and repayment options. As Affirm is a third party, we do not have access to any of that information so it is secure with Affirm. Of course, no one is required to use Affirm for check out, rather it's just another payment option we offer. Please feel free to reach out to us if this does not answer your questions or if you feel that the explanations provided were not applicable to your situation. You can reach out to our Customer Service Department at (855) 435 5893 from 8am to 5pm (PST). If you would like to speak to a supervisor directly, please feel free to ask for Caitlin from our NJ office. She is available from 9am to 6pm (EST) and of course you can reach us via email at: customerservice@therealreal.com.
Answer: If you like to be frustrated, disappointed and want to take a few years off your life, then yes consign with the real real.
Answer: I do NOT recommend selling through TRR. Read all seller reviews. This a speed selling co trying to cash in on a quick commission. The prices they assign are RIDICULOULOUS at best. They are not there to get you a good price but a fast buck for themselves. They priced a brand new prada bag with a label on at $625. Minus 20% permanent discount, 60% of that, I receive a whopping $312. After 10 days wait of processing and seeing the prices assigned I pulled my items. I was shocked and even more upset. I rather give the cloths to charity or sell them myself. I think it is insiders who buy the best items at dirt cheap prices they assign themselves. As a buyer just today I receive a wrong item. They were going to research the problem and find the item I purchased, a coat. They sent me a dirty silk top... This is after waiting for 10 days to get the wrong item. This co is just very bad. Customer service is spotty. Some reps are just dreadful. They sound like this is a summer gig and they got no training, you can never speak to a supervisor, none is ever available, Read the reviews and decide if you still want to use this co. If you do, you will be disappointed,
Answer: Hello, We are sorry to hear of your concerns. If you can please send us your order number or email address we will happily research this further.
Answer: Hi Frank, Thank you for reaching out. We apologize you have seen more negative than positive reviews. We would be pleased to advise you on our consignment process and share a little more insight about the RealReal.
Answer: I don't work for The Real Real I am just a satisfied customer, very satisfied! I see all the complaints, and just shake my head. Knowing how people can be, and also knowing the complainers are the ones who write letters, I can only assume they are "out of touch with reality", or POSSIBLY are competitors who are just being difficult to try and hurt the site. Remember, anyone can write anything, that does not mean it is true, nor are ALL the facts being presented! As for me, I am willing to show, and prove who I am, and the great products and service I received.
Answer: This happened to me only one time, and I have sold quite a few items with them. As soon as I received the quote for a pair of earrings. I contacted them immediately and said I felt the price was to low due to various reasons, and they got back to me the next day with an adjusted price. I have never experienced what you are describing above as a bait and switch scenario, and I always check the similar or same items they are selling. I would just call them and ask for the details as to why the other item is higher. Sorry you had a bad experience!
Answer: File a complaint with the US Customs office in your area and your state's attorney general. Also for many types of goods, they will destroy the counterfeit goods and give you a letter stating they have done so. This is ironclad proof for the bank dispute.
Answer: I have returned things with no hassle at all.
The RealReal has a rating of 2.5 stars from 5,307 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with The RealReal most frequently mention customer service, good condition and final sale. The RealReal ranks 8th among Discount Clothing sites.