What is The RealReal? The RealReal Review

Founded in 2011, The RealReal is the largest online consignment platform for second-hand luxury goods in the United States. Its business mainly focuses on consignment of second-hand high-end handbags, clothing, jewelry and watches.

About The RealReal

The RealReal's business focuses on high-end handbags, clothing, jewelry and watches, and its partner brands include many well-known luxury brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Prada, Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, Valentino and Cartier. The company has opened luxury appraisal offices in many cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, where authoritative experts appraise and value luxury goods such as jewelry and watches. The RealReal plans to expand this business to more cities including overseas in the future. It has created a "flash sale" model that has been imitated by countless people. In addition, The Realreal also pays special attention to professional appraisal to ensure safety. Among The Realreal employees, a large part is responsible for appraisal work, including many top gemologists, watchmakers, art appraisers and luxury goods experts who appraise items.

Product Identification

All merchandise undergoes a multi-point, brand-specific authentication process by a team of trained luxury goods experts, led by The RealReal's Senior Director of Authentication and Brand Compliance, before being accepted for consignment. The RealReal inspects all shipments for proper brand markings, date codes, serial tags, and hologram labels, and every item undergoes rigorous authenticity testing before being curated for daily sale. The RealReal's jewelry and watches are authenticated and appraised by gemologists and watchmakers, and each piece comes with a certificate of valuation. Artworks are thoroughly researched and authenticated by The RealReal's team of fine art experts.

The RealReal's authentication process is unique to The RealReal and independent of any brand. The brands identified are not involved in the authentication of the products sold, and the brands sold are not responsible for any products purchased from or through the site. Brands sold on The RealReal are not partnered or affiliated with The RealReal in any way. However, The RealReal fully cooperates with brands, state and federal agencies in seeking to trace the source of stolen or counterfeit goods, including disclosing contact information for shippers who submit counterfeit items.

Counterfeit goods handling

The RealReal does not accept counterfeit merchandise. If The RealReal suspects for any reason that a submitted item is not authentic, The RealReal will contact the consignor to obtain proof of purchase to determine the authenticity of the item. Items determined by The RealReal to be counterfeit will not be returned to the consignor and will be destroyed.

Product Categories

1. Brand new

Clothing: Items show no signs of wear and are tagged.

Handbags, Shoes & Accessories: Items show no signs of wear, including tags, boxes and dust bags.

Jewelry: Items show no signs of wear, but tags are not required.

Home Use: Item has no signs of wear and comes with box and/or tags.

Watches: Item shows no signs of wear. No tags required.

2. Good condition

Clothing: Items are obviously unused, but untagged.

Handbags, Shoes and Accessories: Items are obviously unused but are untagged and do not include boxes or dust bags.

Jewelry: Item shows only very superficial signs of wear, such as light surface scratches.

Home Use: Item has no signs of wear but comes without box and/or tags.

Watch: Item shows very minor signs of wear such as light scratches.

3. Mild damage

Clothing: Items may show minor signs of wear or washing, such as light stains, spots, or fading.

Handbags, Shoes and Accessories: Shoes may show minor wear and tear, such as light scrapes, on the soles, insoles and heels. Handbags and accessories may show minor signs of wear and tear, such as lightly worn corners or wrinkled leather.

Jewelry: Items may have minor scratches on the metal but the stone will still be perfect.

Home Use: Item shows minimal signs of wear such as surface scratches, minor fading of fabrics and slight discoloration or loss of sheen.

WATCH: Item has signs of minor wear and scratches.

4. Moderate damage

Clothing: Items may show more obvious signs of wear or laundering, such as moderate stains, hangs, fading or discoloration.

Handbags, Shoes and Accessories: Shoes may show moderate signs of wear, such as scuffing, on the soles, insoles and heels. Handbags and accessories may show more significant signs of wear, such as fraying of corners, wrinkling of leather and tarnishing of hardware.

Jewelry: Items may show moderate wear such as scratches or tarnish.

Home Use: Item may show moderate wear such as noticeable scratches, fading, discoloration, or loss of luster.

WATCH: Item shows moderate wear and scratches throughout.

Return and Exchange Policy

1. Returns

Returns must be requested within 14 days of in-store purchase or shipment date, and items must be received within 21 days of in-store purchase or shipment date. For online returns or exchanges, you will receive a prepaid shipping label, which you may use if you choose, for a fee of $11.95.

2. Products that do not meet the return conditions

Handbags, swimwear, luggage, beauty, items sold at 40% off list price or more, and items sold during the "Real Big Sale" at the end of the month are final sales and cannot be returned.