Check out our latest communities fighting
AI scams on Reddit and Facebook

business logo of The RealReal

The RealReal

3.2

On SmartCustomer, businesses may not offer incentives or pay to remove reviews. Learn more about our Review Guidelines.

How would you rate The RealReal?
grey stargrey stargrey stargrey stargrey star

The RealReal Reviews Summary

The RealReal has a rating of 3.2 stars from 5,331 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with The RealReal most frequently mention great experience, fast delivery and high end. The RealReal ranks 5th among Discount Clothing sites.

service
709
value
676
shipping
638
returns
559
quality
608
This company does not typically respond to reviews

We monitor reviews for authenticity

California
2 reviews
21 helpful votes
Follow Chris G.
Unfollow Chris G.
Share Review
Report Review

I purchased several items with this site, was just ok, you need to be super careful with their descriptions and pictures. Very often, they won't show the ugly and dirty parts of their products rather than just written "signs of wear". But this time, I'm done with them, the product I received was so disgusting and dirty that I cannot use after spending $400, and they refused to refund me because they claimed they indicated the problem, so I can only take their credit and pay shipping back myself, go figure...

Date of experience: September 3, 2015
Oregon
5 reviews
18 helpful votes
Follow Gshops B.
Unfollow Gshops B.
Share Review
Report Review

Don't sell with them
September 1, 2015

I've been consigning with TRR for a number of years now, and things have changed for the worse. They seem more concerned with selling everything in less than a day, and therefore price the items so outrageously low that of course they sell quickly. It does a great disservice both to TRR and to the consignor, as the items would still sell, and make everyone more money, if it was done with a little more judiciousness. The staging/displaying of the items in photos is more slipshod (wrinkled clothing), and the written descriptions have also gotten extremely sloppy and careless. The company is apparently using their funds for flashy advertisements, and ignoring the internal processes. It's a shame.

Date of experience: August 31, 2015
New York
1 review
30 helpful votes
Follow NICOLE C.
Unfollow NICOLE C.
Share Review
Report Review

Awful & disappointing
August 27, 2015

Do not consign with these thieves, they consigned two items for me & posted at a price i was happy with then sold them for over 50% off without my consent and or knowledge. Its criminal i couldve gotten more had i sold it myself. After filing a complaint I have yet to receive word back its been 10 days. I plan to take further action against them its criminal.

Date of experience: August 27, 2015
Florida
1 review
28 helpful votes
Follow Ana I.
Unfollow Ana I.
Share Review
Report Review

To all the people that don't experienced consign with them, don't do it or if you do, don't send them high valuable items because you will get ripped off.
People that don't consign don't know how bad an experience it is. Of course, it's a great site to buy, cause they marked down so low that only the buyers gain with that, and even after the low marked prices they still give 20%, 30% off discount, guess what buyers it's a great deal for you but put yourself in the consignor shoes and if you send them a 2.000.00 shoes used one time, and you receive only 300.00, will you be happy (that happened to me). So, like I said they are the only ones making money ripping of the consignors. So I'm a first time consignor and I made the mistake of sending them a lot of valuable items and guess what I sent them items that cost a total of more than 10,000 and my commission right now it's 970.00 and they almost sold all my items as most of them were brand new or used one time to two times the most, and top brands like C. Louboutin, Valentino and so on. So, just to finish I'm glad that everybody has good buying experiences (of course, how could you not), but remember there is always to sides, the buyer and seller and people should understand and not underestimate why the sellers aren't happy, and as I could see some of the buyers too!

Date of experience: August 27, 2015
California
3 reviews
17 helpful votes
Follow T T.
Unfollow T T.
Share Review
Report Review

After reading many negative reviews, I was so struggle if I should send my coats for consigning. Finally I decided to give it a try and I made a good decision. They processed my stuffs for selling in 1 week. After a week or two, 2 of my coats were sold. I was surprised that they sold my coats that fast. I knew if I sell my coats at Ebay, I would not sell them quickly in great prices. Though they charged me 40% commission, I didn't do anything but just sit and wait. And they do the rest.

Updated note: All four of my coats were sold in a month. My first check was received and the second check is followed. I have no horrible experiences with The Real Real like what other consignors did. I believe that the reasons why many consignors have bad experiences are because they DON'T READ the consignment terms before sending their stuffs to The Real Real. Let me point them out...

1. Some people complained therealreal hold their stuffs for a long time and doesn't list them for selling and then mail them back to them. (The truth is therealreal has a list where you can see what brands of stuffs they want, so don't send them stuffs unwanted.)

2. Some people complained they have sold the stuffs, but don't send them a check (The truth is therealreal issues payment for Commissions on the 15th day of every month, if your items are sold on 16th, you are expected to receive the payment in a month.)

3. Some people complained therealreal sets the price too low while their designer stuffs are brand new with tags. (The truth is you might think your designer bag worth $800, but that's your own thought. It's all about marketing demand. Don't expect you buy a handbag $1000, have it sat in your closet for ages brand new, and then can sell it out $800. Fashion stuffs depreciate quite that dramatically)

4. Some people complained therealreal rips them off by sending them 45% of commission payment instead of 60%. (The truth is therealreal sometimes puts the items on promotion in order to attract more buyers. Let say if there is 15% off for buyers and your stuffs are sold in the promotion periods, your commission will be 60% - 15% = 45%. So be prepared and don't expect you will get 60% commission at the end.)

Date of experience: August 26, 2015
Illinois
1 review
22 helpful votes
Follow Madison K.
Unfollow Madison K.
Share Review
Report Review

I really do believe that some companies pay people to write favorable reviews about them because there is no way this company can have so many good reviews after what I experienced. I used to consign with them no problem when I started 4 years ago. As they have grown the customer service has suffered and the business practices are down the drain. Case in point- I bought 2 dresses and 3 skirts from them when they recently had their "Big Sale." The items I bought were 60% off. Items that are in this sale can't be returned but that's ok because of course they are going to be as described right? WRONG! The skirts were fine but the dresses were worn down in several different places. Since I couldn't return them for a refund I decided to consign them back with the real real. I never wore them because I didn't like the condition. I literally repackaged them and sent them back as a consignor. After THREE WEEKS of them having the items and FINALLY processing them. I was told they couldn't accept them because of the condition. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You just sold these to me and I received them and sent them back within 3 days of getting them in the mail. They are not consistent and will give you the run around. Don't waste your time! They have gotten to big for their customers AND consignors!

Date of experience: August 25, 2015
Minnesota
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
Follow Linda D.
Unfollow Linda D.
Share Review
Report Review

I have had only excellent experiences buying items. I know that they have authenticated any item I have purchased. The sellers on this site leaving bad reviews apparently have never consigned before. Resale pricing is never close to what the original price was... try a site like Tradesy if you want to price the item your way and not pay a commission.

Date of experience: August 25, 2015
Washington
4 reviews
18 helpful votes
Follow Jessica M.
Unfollow Jessica M.
Share Review
Report Review

I am MORE than just pleased with my purchase. I ordered a handbag and it was exactly as described, it was packaged perfectly and shipped with care. The price I paid was unbelievable! It was authentic and perfect. I can't wait to make my next purchase. Thank you The RealReal for such an amazing deal and service! As for all the bad reviews, I don't understand it... my experience was flawless.

Date of experience: August 22, 2015
Illinois
2 reviews
9 helpful votes
Follow Diane R.
Unfollow Diane R.
Share Review
Report Review

I feel compelled to write and be honest about what has been happening with this company in the last year. I have no idea what happened but this company has done a complete 180. First of all, prices have dramatically increased. I have no problem with pricing if the item is fairly priced. I have gotten several defective, fake, and misrepresented items. Whoever is assessing the merchandise are missing obvious flaws. A total waste of time and money when you have to ship it back. I would NEVER buy a handbag since it is final sale and you're stuck. However, when you spend a great deal on shipping and it comes totally different that the pictures and website description I have an issue with that. This company needs a complete overhaul.

Date of experience: August 18, 2015
Armenia
1 review
18 helpful votes
Follow Dayana S.
Unfollow Dayana S.
Share Review
Report Review

Horrible Shipping fees
August 18, 2015

Please don't use this online consignment company.
I sent a bunch of clothes, shoes and accessories.
One of the items was a Tag watch. They sat on the watch for almost wo months without listing it due to backlog with their healers. Honestly I don't care. My fees should support this company enough to get my items up and selling ASAP.
I had had enough and wanted my watch and all my clothes sent back to me.
This is what they did that's so disgusting:
They returned my clothes in five separate shipments with most of the shipments only containing two items, and charged me for each shipment!
Over 70.00 they charged me to send me back my items.
Oh and by the way, when I told them to return my items I specifically stated that I would not pay for the rerun shipping since this was their fault.
Thieves!

Date of experience: August 17, 2015
California
1 review
31 helpful votes
Follow Geeta S.
Unfollow Geeta S.
Share Review
Report Review

If I could give these losers a no star i would. They are soooo greedy! First they mark your expensive precious designer items down less than half the original price regardless how pristine your item is THEN they put it on sale with 20% off. They are only pro consumer and SUCK for people looking to consign. I recently sent in my $ 600 onyx T&Co. Necklace & they priced it at $ 325 and give the customer a 20% off that price which brings the final selling price to $ 260 and then charge their 60% commision on top of that and so I recieved a measly $ 156 for this necklace. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT send your precious items to these crooks!

Date of experience: August 14, 2015
Hawaii
1 review
5 helpful votes
Follow Christine m.
Unfollow Christine m.
Share Review
Report Review

Shipping is fast and sometimes slow. But I'm sure they use the shipping service to assure shipping makes it to its designation

Date of experience: August 13, 2015
Wisconsin
1 review
4 helpful votes
Follow Vivian C.
Unfollow Vivian C.
Share Review
Report Review

Fantastic Site!
August 13, 2015

Don't be worried about the other reviews on this site. I haven't consigned with them yet but I have always had positive experiences with them. They aren't perfect... like sometimes they do miss descriptions on things. Like I ordered a Zac Posen dress that had a tear at the seam (which I can fix easily) but it would have been nice if that was described. But once I sent back something a day late for the refund period and they still honored it. That has been great. Overall I really like this site. I have ordered a ton of items from them!

Date of experience: August 13, 2015
Missouri
1 review
14 helpful votes
Follow Bedhead E.
Unfollow Bedhead E.
Share Review
Report Review

I've used TheRealReal both as a buyer and, occasionally, as a consigner, and I haven't had any issues. Remember, some of the items are pre-owned, so READ THE CONDITION NOTES before purchasing. Every purchase I've made has arrived exactly as described.

The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because shoe sizes are a little wonky. A European 39 is a North American 8.5, not a 9, so when people complain about shoes not fitting, it's no wonder. (A lot of sites get this wrong, incidentally.) Also, the consignment process is a little slow, which isn't a deal-breaker, but it takes a while to get paid if you're selling things. That said, I imagine the logistics are a nightmare on TRR's end.

The prices are terrific if you're a buyer. Where else can you think of -- even eBay -- where you can purchase a $30,000 Hermes bag in ANY condition at all for less than 6K? Well, TRR has offers like this. Of course, if you're the seller, it's not such a great deal, but when I consign, I think of it this way...

Is it better to have luxury goods that I will never wear or use again hanging in my closet, taking up space and deteriorating, or better to let someone else enjoy them and make a few bucks? Why not? The staff at TRR does all of the work, and sure, they charge for it, but if not for the TRR site, those too-big Prada shoes I had to have and the Chanel suit I've outgrown would just be taking up space in a closet. Instead, a couple of entrepreneurs have made a few bucks, I got paid for purging my closet, someone is looking drop-dead gorgeous in clothes I can't use anymore. Sounds like everybody wins, doesn't it?

I think consigners who whine about the pennies they receive on the dollar for luxury items need to remember that someone else did all the work to market and sell the items, and no one forced them to use TRR! Resale is their business -- they, too, are entitled to make a little money at it.

Date of experience: August 12, 2015
Massachusetts
1 review
20 helpful votes
Follow Meredith g.
Unfollow Meredith g.
Share Review
Report Review

Don't waste your time
August 11, 2015

This place is horrible. I sent over 10 items to them and they priced them so cheap it was ridiculous. I had a brand new Prada shoes, never been worn and in perfect condition, priced them at 50.00. I sent brand new things and they never priced them in excellent condition. They always said there was something wrong with them. I always keep my bag and shoes in their bags.

It's a joke when you call customer service, they never follow through with anything. There some person who has an English accent who is so rude and a lies.

Date of experience: August 10, 2015
Illinois
1 review
10 helpful votes
Follow Amanda S.
Unfollow Amanda S.
Share Review
Report Review

Buyer Beware!
August 10, 2015

I bought a Prada bag, which they said was in very good condition with light wear. However, the handles are in TERRIBLE condition. Both handles split open such that the bag cannot be used or the shoulders of all clothing will be shreaded. Additionally, there is a hole in the inside pocket, and the zipper is rusty. There was no way to miss these problems, and they should have been disclosed and reflected in the price. The fact that the handles split open also makes me seriously question whether the bag is even real! In order for me to use this bag, I absolutely have to get it repaired, and the repair is costing me $80 (this is only to fix the handles and restitch the hole). I am disgusted. I will never buy anything from them again, and I would never recommend them!

Date of experience: August 10, 2015
Michigan
1 review
17 helpful votes
Follow Julie S.
Unfollow Julie S.
Share Review
Report Review

Beware - if you buy something from them they probably won't let you consign it on their site if you decide you no longer want it. Had several items they refused even though they were bought from them (and majority not used or only worn once). I explained I purchased from them and was told it is not a place to resell used items. Isn't that what they do? And also that their designer list is constantly evolving. One pair of Prada shoes was never worn by me but not accepted now for 'excessive wear'. And I was told that I could be lying - they have no way of knowing. Great customer service!

Date of experience: August 7, 2015
California
2 reviews
7 helpful votes
Follow Reginald M.
Unfollow Reginald M.
Share Review
Report Review

Have been on this site for just over two months, have purchased 31 pairs of designer shoes. ALL PRODUCT EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED AND PRICED RIGHT! Shipping is fast, don't have to wait two weeks or more for the product. AND since they take possession of the product, the product pictured on their site is EXACTLY what you get! I have nothing but praise for the site. And have called customer service twice, spoken to real people, and was very pleased!

Date of experience: July 30, 2015
California
1 review
5 helpful votes
Follow maryann b.
Unfollow maryann b.
Share Review
Report Review

I find it incredibly hard to believe all these negative reviews I personally have had positive experience with The Real Real. Today luxury labels make it near impossible to be able afford many items in high-end designers every time I go into Neiman Marcus I come out thinking I am so thankful for The Real Real every since designer's went back to couture prices I am not able to shop as I once did. The Real Real is wonderful for shopper's you do need time to go over each page closely. They have a wonderful return policy & only one time did a small Gucci Backpack not appear to be authentic & their customer service department did a full refund immediately. I have noticed price increase on many items now I guess that is do to their cosigners not being happy with the low pricing. I do consign however, I am much more of a shopper than a consigner so that may be the difference many of the unhappy reviewers were consigners. The CEO of The Real Real cares about each & every customer. I love the The Real Real it is my daily addiction. Everything I have purchased is either brand new or someone only wore it a couple times. The Real Real are very selective with the items they choose to consign which makes me a happy client. I recommend The Real Real to everyone I know.

Date of experience: July 30, 2015
Washington
1 review
23 helpful votes
Follow Janice S.
Unfollow Janice S.
Share Review
Report Review

Please don't deal with the real real. Customer Service seem to be run by 5 year olds that don't have a clue of what "Good Customer Service" is. They have had my diamond necklace for almost a month and I haven't seen it
Listed on the website yet. I have called six times and each time they say it will be listed today. I just hope I can get it back at this point.
Not trustworthy!

Date of experience: July 29, 2015

From the business

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...


therealreal.com
Founded in 2011
San Francisco, CA
+610
See all photos