What The RealReal is and how to sell through it

The RealReal is an online consignment marketplace where you send in used designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, and accessories, and the company sells them on your behalf. You do not set the price — The RealReal's team inspects your items, decides what they are worth, lists them, and handles the sale. When something sells, you receive a percentage of the sale price, typically between 20 and 50 percent depending on the category and how quickly it sells.

The process starts with you requesting a prepaid shipping label through their website or app. You pack your items, ship them to The RealReal's authentication center, and wait for inspection. The company photographs everything, writes descriptions, and posts items to their site. Once an item sells, The RealReal deducts their commission and sends you the remainder as a check or direct deposit, usually within a few weeks of the sale.

The RealReal focuses on designer and luxury brands — think Coach, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and similar price-point items. They also accept contemporary brands like J.Crew and Banana Republic, though payouts tend to be lower. Fast-fashion items (H&M, Forever 21, Target) are not accepted, and neither are items with visible damage, stains, or heavy wear.

Key Takeaways

  • You ship items to The RealReal for free using their prepaid label, and they handle pricing, photography, and sales — you do not control the listing price.
  • Your payout ranges from 20 to 50 percent of the sale price depending on the item category and how long it takes to sell.
  • The RealReal accepts only designer and contemporary brands in good condition; fast-fashion and damaged items are rejected.
  • Items typically sell within 30 to 90 days, though popular pieces move faster and slower-moving items may be marked down or returned to you.
  • You can track your items through their app and see when they are listed, how long they have been for sale, and when they sell.

What brands and items The RealReal actually accepts

The RealReal's acceptance rules are strict because they market themselves as a luxury reseller. Designer handbags, shoes, and accessories from brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Dior are their bread and butter. They also take contemporary designer pieces from brands like Rag & Bone, Theory, and Everlane. Jewelry (both fine and costume), watches, and sunglasses are accepted if they are authentic and in wearable condition.

Clothing must be in very good condition — no stains, tears, broken zippers, or fading. A small mark or loose thread can result in rejection or a lower payout. Shoes must have intact soles and heels; scuffed leather or worn-out insoles often disqualify them. Handbags need working zippers, intact linings, and no odor.

Items that are almost never accepted include anything from fast-fashion retailers, vintage or secondhand items you bought from other thrift stores, items with brand-name misspellings or obvious counterfeits, and anything that shows heavy use. If you are unsure whether an item will be accepted, The RealReal's website has a brand directory you can search, though the final decision happens during inspection.

How much money you actually receive

Your payout depends on three things: the item category, the sale price, and how long it sits in inventory. Handbags and fine jewelry typically pay 40 to 50 percent commission to the seller, meaning if a bag sells for $100, you receive $40 to $50. Clothing and shoes usually pay 20 to 40 percent, so a $50 shirt might net you $10 to $20. The RealReal does not publish a fixed commission schedule — it varies by item and changes over time.

Items that do not sell within 90 days are usually marked down automatically. If an item still does not move after additional markdowns, The RealReal will contact you to ask whether you want it returned or donated. Return shipping is not free — you pay to get your unsold items back, which often costs more than the item is worth.

Payment arrives as a check or direct deposit, usually 5 to 10 business days after an item sells. You can see your account balance in the app and track which items have sold and which are still listed. There is no minimum payout threshold, so you receive money as soon as items sell, even if it is just $5.

Inspection, authentication, and rejection

When your package arrives at The RealReal's authentication center, a team member inspects each item against their condition standards. They check for authenticity (especially important for designer goods), photograph the item from multiple angles, note any wear or damage, and decide on a listing price. This process typically takes 5 to 15 business days, though it can take longer during busy seasons.

If an item is rejected, The RealReal notifies you through the app and offers three options: have it returned to you (you pay return shipping), have it donated to charity (free), or have it discarded (free). Many sellers choose donation because return shipping often costs $10 to $20, which defeats the purpose of selling a $15 item.

Rejection reasons include visible stains or odors, broken hardware, missing tags, counterfeit or inauthentic items, and wear that exceeds their standards. If you disagree with a rejection, you can contact their customer service, though reversals are rare. To avoid rejection, inspect items carefully before shipping — check seams, zippers, linings, and soles, and smell for perfume, smoke, or mildew.

How long items take to sell and what happens if they do not

Popular designer items — classic handbags, well-known brands, neutral colors — typically sell within 30 to 60 days. Niche items, unusual sizes, or less-recognizable brands can take 90 days or longer. Seasonal items (winter coats in summer, sandals in winter) may sit for months waiting for the right season.

The RealReal uses an algorithm to adjust prices over time. If an item does not sell after 30 days, the price may drop automatically. After 60 days, it may drop again. If it still has not sold after 90 days, you receive a notification asking what you want to do. At that point, most sellers choose to have the item donated rather than pay to ship it back.

You can see exactly how long each item has been listed in the app, what price it is currently at, and how many times it has been viewed. This information helps you understand whether an item is genuinely not selling or whether the listing price may be too high.

Comparing The RealReal to other resale options

The RealReal is one of several online consignment platforms. Vestiaire Collective and Grailed let you list and price items yourself, which means higher payouts (typically 80 to 90 percent after their fee) but also more work — you write descriptions, take photos, and handle customer questions. Poshmark and Mercari work similarly and accept a wider range of brands, including contemporary and fast-fashion items.

Tradesy and The Outnet (owned by Net-a-Porter) are also consignment platforms, though they have different brand focuses and payout structures. Local consignment shops offer the advantage of when ready payment but typically pay less and have stricter acceptance rules.

The RealReal's main advantage is convenience — you do not price, photograph, or communicate with buyers. The main disadvantage is lower payouts and no control over listing price. If you have time and want higher payouts, self-listing platforms like Poshmark or Vestiaire may be better. If you want the easiest process and do not mind lower payouts, The RealReal is simpler.

Preparing items and avoiding common mistakes

Before you ship anything to The RealReal, clean it thoroughly. Wipe down handbags with a soft cloth, wash or dry-clean clothing if the care label allows, and polish jewelry. Remove any personal items from pockets or bags. Do not include original boxes or dust bags unless they are in perfect condition — The RealReal does not factor these into the payout, and damaged packaging can lower the item's perceived value.

Pack items carefully to prevent damage during shipping. Use tissue paper or bubble wrap for delicate items, and do not overstuff the box. The RealReal's inspection team will note any damage that occurs in transit, and while they do not always reject items for shipping damage, it can lower the payout.

Common mistakes include sending items with stains or odors (automatic rejection), including multiple items in one box when you should use separate boxes (can slow processing), and sending items from brands The RealReal does not accept (wasted shipping). Check their brand directory before you ship, and be honest about condition — if you would not buy it in that condition, The RealReal probably will not either.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get paid after an item sells?

Payment typically arrives 5 to 10 business days after an item sells. You can see the sale in your app when ready, but the money takes a week or so to process and reach your bank account or mailbox if you chose a check.

What happens if The RealReal rejects my items?

You have three options: pay for return shipping to get them back, have them donated to charity for free, or have them discarded for free. Most sellers choose donation because return shipping often costs more than the items are worth.

Can I cancel or remove an item after I ship it?

Once your package arrives at their authentication center and inspection begins, you cannot cancel. If you contact them before inspection is complete, they may be able to return your items, but you would pay return shipping. It is best to double-check your items before you ship.

Do I have to use The RealReal's shipping label, or can I ship items myself?

You must use their prepaid shipping label. This ensures items arrive at the correct authentication center and are tracked properly. You cannot ship to them using your own carrier or label.

What if I disagree with the price The RealReal set for my item?

You cannot change the price once an item is listed. If you believe the price is too low, you can contact customer service to request a review, but they rarely adjust prices after listing. The price will drop automatically over time if the item does not sell.