The RealReal is an online consignment marketplace for authenticated luxury and designer goods

The RealReal is a platform where you can sell used luxury items — handbags, clothing, jewelry, watches, shoes — and the company handles the listing, photography, and shipping to buyers. You do not set the price yourself. Instead, you send items to The RealReal's warehouse, their team inspects and authenticates them, and they list each piece at a price they determine. When something sells, you receive a percentage of the sale price, typically between 30 and 50 percent depending on the category and condition of the item.

The company keeps the rest to cover authentication, photography, customer service, payment processing, and their own operating costs. This is different from peer-to-peer resale platforms where you list and price items yourself. It is also different from traditional consignment shops, where you drop items off locally and wait weeks or months. The RealReal ships you a prepaid label, you mail items in, and the process takes roughly two to four weeks from arrival to listing.

Key Takeaways

  • You receive 30 to 50 percent of the final sale price, with the percentage varying by item category and condition.
  • The RealReal sets the price, not you — they authenticate and photograph items, then decide what to charge buyers.
  • Items must be luxury or designer brands; mass-market clothing and accessories are typically rejected.
  • The entire process from mailing items to receiving payment usually takes four to eight weeks.
  • Items that do not sell within 90 days are either returned to you or donated, depending on your account settings.

What items The RealReal actually accepts

The RealReal focuses on authenticated luxury goods, which means designer and premium brands. This includes high-end handbags (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Gucci), designer clothing and shoes, luxury watches, fine jewelry, and accessories from brands sold at department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom. They also accept home goods, art, and collectibles if they meet the brand threshold.

Items must be in good condition — no major stains, tears, or broken hardware. A handbag with light wear and a few scratches is acceptable. A handbag with a broken zipper or permanent stains is not. The RealReal rejects most mass-market brands, fast fashion, and items from stores like Target, H&M, or Gap, even if they are barely worn. They also reject items with missing tags or documentation if the brand typically comes with them, because authentication becomes harder.

Before you gather items to send, check The RealReal's brand list on their website. It is searchable and tells you when ready whether they accept your specific brand. If a brand is not listed, they do not take it, and you will waste time and shipping costs sending it in.

How pricing and payouts work

When your items arrive at The RealReal's warehouse, their authentication team inspects each piece and assigns a condition grade: Excellent, Very Good, Good, or Fair. They then research comparable sales and list the item at a price they believe will sell within 90 days. You have no say in this price. If you disagree with it, you can request the item back, but you will pay return shipping.

Your payout percentage depends on the category. Designer handbags typically pay 40 to 50 percent. Clothing often pays 30 to 40 percent. Jewelry and watches vary. The RealReal publishes these ranges on their website, but the exact percentage for your item depends on its condition and how quickly they think it will sell. A pristine Chanel bag in high demand might pay 50 percent. A Chanel bag with visible wear might pay 40 percent.

When an item sells, The RealReal deducts their commission and processes your payout within a few business days. You can request payment to a bank account or receive store credit, which some sellers use to buy items from The RealReal instead of selling. Store credit sometimes comes with a small bonus percentage, but this varies.

The timeline from shipping to payment

The process moves in stages. First, you request a shipping label from The RealReal, pack your items, and mail them in. Shipping typically takes three to seven business days depending on your location. Once the package arrives at their warehouse, it enters a queue for inspection. During busy seasons (fall and early winter), this queue can be long, and inspection can take one to two weeks. During slower seasons, it may take only a few days.

After inspection and authentication, items are photographed and listed on the website. This usually happens within a few days of inspection. Once listed, items sit for sale for up to 90 days. If an item sells during this window, payment is processed within a few business days of the sale. If it does not sell after 90 days, The RealReal either returns it to you (you pay return shipping) or donates it, depending on your account settings.

From start to finish — mailing items to receiving payment for a sale — expect four to eight weeks. If your item does not sell and you request it back, add another week or two for return shipping.

Common reasons items are rejected or returned unsold

Items arrive at The RealReal and are rejected for several reasons. The most common is that the brand is not on their accepted list. The second is condition — stains, odors, broken zippers, or missing parts. The third is authenticity concerns. If The RealReal cannot verify that an item is genuine, they reject it. This happens most often with jewelry, watches, and bags from brands that are frequently counterfeited.

Items can also fail to sell within 90 days. This usually means The RealReal priced it higher than the market will bear, or the item is in a category with slower demand. Vintage or rare pieces sometimes sit longer than contemporary designer items. If you want to avoid this, you can request items back before the 90-day window closes, but you will pay return shipping.

A smaller number of items are rejected because they have odors (cigarette smoke, perfume, mildew) that cannot be removed, or because they are from a brand The RealReal recently stopped accepting. Before you send anything, confirm the brand is currently on their list.

How The RealReal compares to other resale options

The RealReal differs from other platforms in who sets the price and how much work you do. On Vestiaire Collective or Depop, you list items yourself, set your own price, and handle some customer communication. You keep a higher percentage of the sale, but you also do more work. On The RealReal, you do almost nothing after mailing items in — they handle everything — but you keep less of the sale price.

Traditional consignment shops work similarly to The RealReal in that they price items and take a commission, but they typically pay a lower percentage (20 to 40 percent) and may keep items for longer. They also require you to visit in person. The RealReal is entirely remote and faster.

Luxury resale platforms like Rebag or Fashionphile are similar to The RealReal but often specialize in specific categories (handbags, for example) and may offer different payout percentages. If you have many items across categories, The RealReal is broader. If you have a large collection of one type of item, a specialized platform might pay more.

What to do before you send items in

Clean items thoroughly before packing. Dust off bags, wipe down jewelry, and remove any loose threads or debris. Do not wash or dry-clean items unless you are certain it will improve their condition — some fabrics are damaged by cleaning. If an item has a strong odor, air it out for several days in sunlight.

Gather any original packaging, tags, or documentation that came with the item. A handbag with its original box and dust bag will likely receive a higher price than one without. A watch with its original papers and box is worth more than one without. If you have these, include them.

Take clear photos of each item before you mail it. Photograph the front, back, and any damage or wear. This is your record in case The RealReal's assessment differs from yours or if you need to dispute a rejection. Also, check The RealReal's brand list one more time to confirm they accept each brand you are sending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I disagree with The RealReal's price or condition grade?

You can request the item back within a certain window, but you will pay return shipping. The RealReal does not negotiate prices or reconsider condition grades. If you believe an item was authenticated incorrectly, contact their customer service with photos, but reversals are rare.

Can I sell items that are not in perfect condition?

Yes. The RealReal accepts items in Good and Fair condition, not just Excellent. Wear, small stains, and minor damage are expected in used luxury goods. However, major damage — broken zippers, large stains, missing hardware — will result in rejection.

How long does it actually take to get paid?

Expect four to eight weeks from the day you mail items to the day you receive payment for a sale. This includes shipping time, inspection, listing, and waiting for a buyer. If an item does not sell, you will not be paid unless you request it back and pay return shipping.

Do I have to accept The RealReal's offer, or can I sell elsewhere instead?

You can request items back at any point before they sell. You will pay return shipping, which typically costs $15 to $30 depending on weight. This means you can send items to The RealReal, see what they offer to pay, and decide whether to accept or try another platform.

What brands does The RealReal accept?

The RealReal accepts luxury and designer brands sold at high-end retailers. Check their searchable brand list on their website before sending anything. If a brand is not listed, they will reject it, and you will have wasted shipping costs.