How to Sell on The RealReal: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Sell on The RealReal: Your Ultimate Guide to Consigning Luxury

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Have you ever looked into your closet and realized some of your luxury treasures are collecting dust? Whether it’s a handbag you’ve outgrown or a designer dress from a past season, those items hold significant value. That’s where a platform like The RealReal comes in. As the world’s largest marketplace for authenticated luxury resale, it offers a seamless way to give your pre-owned pieces a new life and earn back a portion of your investment. But how does the real real work exactly?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to sell on The RealReal. We’ll break down the entire the real real selling process, from what items they accept to understanding the commission structure and getting paid. By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to decide if is it worth it to sell on the real real for you and how to get started.

Table of Contents

Why Sell With The RealReal?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” Selling with The RealReal offers several distinct advantages over other platforms or private sales. At its core, the service is designed to be effortless for the seller. Once you hand over your items, their team of experts handles every detail.

Here’s why millions of people choose the real real resale platform:

  • Expertise and Authentication: The RealReal employs over 100 in-house experts, including gemologists and horologists, who meticulously authenticate every single item. This rigorous process builds trust with buyers, which often leads to faster sales at higher prices.
  • Massive Buyer Community: With over 38 million members, your items are exposed to a vast and engaged audience of luxury shoppers actively searching for pieces just like yours.
  • Full-Service Process: They do all the heavy lifting. This includes professional photography, detailed product descriptions, pricing strategy, and shipping to the buyer. You just send your items and wait to get paid.
  • Sustainability: Consigning is an eco-friendly choice. By extending the life of luxury goods, you participate in the circular economy, reducing fashion waste and the environmental impact of manufacturing new items.

Ultimately, is the realreal a good place to sell because it combines convenience with a trusted, high-demand marketplace, maximizing your potential earnings while minimizing your effort.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Items

So, you’re ready to clean out your closet and make some money. How does selling on the real real work? The process is refreshingly straightforward. Here’s a breakdown of the four key steps.

Step 1: Check What The RealReal Accepts

First, ensure your items are eligible for consignment. The RealReal is selective to maintain its luxury standards.

  • Designer Brands: The platform accepts hundreds of high-end and contemporary designers. Before you send anything, check the real real consignment designer list on their website. It’s updated regularly to reflect market demand, so if you’re wondering what designers does the realreal accept or what brands does the realreal accept, the official directory is your best source.
  • Condition Standards: Items should be in good, wearable condition. The RealReal categorizes items from “Fair” to “Pristine.” They don’t accept pieces with major flaws like large stains, broken zippers, or prominent tears. Make sure your items are clean and ready for their next owner.

Step 2: Choose Your Selling Method

The RealReal offers several convenient ways to get your items to them. This is a core part of how does selling with the real real work.

  • Schedule an At-Home Pickup: If you have 10 or more eligible items, you may qualify for a free concierge service. An expert from the real real pick up team will come to your home to collect your items.
  • Ship Your Items for Free: For those with fewer than 10 items or outside a concierge area, you can request a free, prepaid shipping label. Just box up your items and drop them off at a UPS location.
  • Visit a Retail Location: You can sell at the real real in person by booking an appointment at one of their retail stores. This allows you to the real real sell in store and get an expert valuation on the spot for items like handbags, jewelry, and watches.

Step 3: The RealReal’s Experts Take Over

Once your items are received, the magic happens. This is how does the real real work for sellers behind the scenes.

  • Authentication: Every item undergoes a rigorous, brand-specific authentication process by trained experts, aided by proprietary technology like TRR Vision™ and TRR Shield™.
  • Pricing: Pricing experts use real-time market data, trend analysis, and item condition to set the highest possible list price.
  • Photography and Listing: Professional photographers capture your items from every angle, and copywriters create detailed descriptions to highlight their unique features.

This entire process typically takes 10-15 days.

Step 4: Your Items Go Live

After processing, your items are listed for sale on the website and app. You can track their status, view your listings, and monitor your earnings 24/7 on your the real real my sales page. From there, you just sit back and watch your items sell. How does selling on realreal work from this point on? The platform’s vast network of shoppers does the rest.

Understanding The RealReal Commission Structure

One of the most common questions from new consignors is, “how much does the real real take?” The answer depends on a few factors. The realreal commission structure is tiered, meaning the more you sell, the more you earn. It’s based on your seller level within the “RealReal Rewards” program and the sale price of each individual item.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of how does real real commission work:

  • Seller Tiers: Your tier (Trendsetter, Influencer, Tastemaker, or VIP) is based on your net sales over a 12-month period. Higher tiers unlock loyalty bonuses, which add an extra percentage to your commission on items sold for $200 or more.
  • Commission Rates: The base the real real commission rate varies by item category and selling price. For example, high-value watches and handbags generally earn a higher percentage than lower-priced clothing.
  • Calculating Your Earnings: To figure out what percentage does the real real take, you start with the base commission for your item’s price and category. If the item sold for over $200, you then add your loyalty bonus percentage.

For instance, watches selling for over $7,500 can earn up to 90% commission for VIP sellers. A handbag selling for $1,500 could earn a base rate of 70%, plus any applicable loyalty bonus. It’s important to review the official the realreal commission chart for the most detailed information, as it clearly outlines the real real commission tiers. This transparent the real real commission guide helps you predict how much of a cut does the real real take for each sale.

What to Sell: Items in High Demand

To maximize your earnings, it helps to sell with the real real items that are currently trending. While classics are always a safe bet, market demand fluctuates. Here’s a look at what does the real real sell best:

  • Iconic Handbags: Bags from brands like Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are perennial top sellers. Currently, styles from Alaïa, Fendi, and Loewe are also seeing a surge in demand.
  • Fine Jewelry and Watches: Pieces from Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels retain exceptional value. Consigning with The RealReal for these items is particularly popular due to their expert valuation and authentication.
  • Trending Apparel: Shoppers are currently searching for brands like Miu Miu and Prada. Logoless, quiet luxury labels like The Row and Khaite are also very popular. For summer, breezy dresses from brands like DÔEN and Zimmermann are in high demand.

The key is to sell the real real items that are both in great condition and from designers listed on their accepted list.

Getting Paid: Your Payout Options and Timeline

Once your item sells, the final step is getting paid. How does the real real pay you? You have a few choices, each with its own benefits.

  • Direct Deposit: The fastest and easiest option. Your earnings are deposited directly into your bank account.
  • Site Credit: Choose this option to receive your payment as site credit and you’ll get an extra 5% bonus. This is perfect if you plan to shop on the platform and is effectively the real real trade in program.
  • Check: You can opt to receive a check by mail. This is the slowest payment method due to processing and shipping time, and a non-refundable fee of $12.50 is deducted from each check payment.

So, how long does the real real take to pay? Commission payments are issued on the 15th of the month following the month your item was sold. For example, if your item sells in January, you will be paid on February 15th.

For those who want cash faster, The RealReal offers a “Get Paid Now” service for select handbags, jewelry, and watches. This is the only way does the real real pay you upfront. With this the real real buyout option, you sell your item directly to them and receive payment within a couple of business days, rather than waiting for it to sell on consignment. So, if you’re wondering, does the realreal pay upfront, the answer is yes, but only for specific items through this program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to sell on The RealReal?
Most items sell quickly due to high demand. The company reports that approximately 94% of items sell within 90 days. However, the exact time can vary based on the brand, item type, price, and current market trends.

Is The RealReal legit to sell on?
Absolutely. The RealReal is the leading and most trusted marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment. Their rigorous authentication process and dedicated service make it a secure and reliable platform for both sellers and buyers.

What is The RealReal commission rate?
The what is the real real commission rate question is common. It’s not a single rate but a tiered structure. Commission ranges from 20% for lower-priced items up to 90% for high-value watches. Your final percentage depends on your seller status and the item’s category and final selling price.

How much commission does The RealReal take?
How much commission does the real real take varies. For lower-value items (under $150), they may take 55-80%. For high-value items, the the real real commission split is much more favorable to the seller, with The RealReal taking as little as 10-15%.

Does The RealReal buy items outright?
Yes, for certain high-demand watches, jewelry, and handbags, The RealReal offers a “Get Paid Now” program. So, does the real real buy outright? Yes, this program is their direct buyout option, where they purchase the item from you upfront.

Do I receive a 1099 from The RealReal?
Marketplace platforms like The RealReal are generally required by law to issue a Form 1099-K to sellers who meet certain income thresholds set by the IRS. If your gross sales exceed the annual federal or state reporting threshold, you should expect to receive a the real real 1099. It’s always best to consult with a tax professional for specific advice regarding your earnings.

What percentage does The RealReal give you?
The what percentage does the real real give you depends entirely on the item. You can earn anywhere from 20% to 90% of the selling price. For the most accurate estimate, refer to the detailed realreal commission tables on their website.

How much does The RealReal pay for items?
How much does the realreal pay is directly tied to the item’s final sale price and the commission structure. How much does the real real pay you is your commission percentage of that sale price. For example, if a handbag sells for $1,000 and your commission rate is 65%, you will be paid $650.