For luxury fashion lovers, collectors, and consignment sellers, The RealReal has become a trusted name in authenticated, secondhand designer goods. With strict vetting processes and white-glove service, the platform caters to discerning buyers who want high-end style without the retail markup.
If you’re selling designer handbags, watches, clothing, or fine art—and want a hands-off, curated experience—The RealReal offers professionalism and reach. But if you’re serious about building a long-term resale side hustle or business, you’ll need systems to track what you’ve sent in, what’s sold, and how to plan your next moves.
That’s where Wakewall helps elevate your operation from “just reselling” to strategic brand-building.
✅ Pros of Selling on The RealReal
1. Luxury Buyers Trust the Platform
Buyers on The RealReal are looking for authentic, high-end items and are willing to pay premium resale prices thanks to the platform’s strict curation and vetting process.
2. Authentication and Listing Are Done for You
No need to take photos or write descriptions—The RealReal handles:
- Authentication
- Photography
- Listing optimization
- Shipping and customer service
3. Exposure to a High-Spending Audience
The RealReal attracts serious luxury buyers, not bargain hunters. That means higher average order values and a stronger chance of premium pricing.
4. Nationwide Concierge Pickup
If you’re consigning a large volume, The RealReal offers a white-glove pickup service in select cities.
5. Transparent Commission Tiers
The more you sell, the better your commission rate. Top-tier sellers can earn up to 85% of the sale price.
For more information, check out these other articles below:
- For a list of other platforms, click here: Wakewall Seller’s Guide for Online Marketplaces
- For information about selling in different states click here: Wakewall’s 50-State SEO Guide for Small Businesses
- Official link: TheRealReal
To view other platforms, click to expand below:
| Platform | Category | Type | Fee Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| ebay | General Goods | Auction & Fixed Price | Fees apply |
| Facebook Marketplace | General Goods | Local & National | Free |
| Craigslist | General Goods | Local Classifieds | Free |
| OfferUp | General Goods | Local | Free / Optional Fees |
| Mercari | General Goods | Shipping or Local | Fees apply |
| Bonanza | General Goods | Fixed Price | Fees apply |
| Etsy | Handmade & Artisan | Online Marketplace | Fees apply |
| Lucasgift | Handmade & Artisan | Online Marketplace | Fees apply |
| Redbubble | Print-on-Demand | Custom Products | Commission-based |
| Spring (TeeSpring) | Print-on-Demand | Custom Products | Free / Commission |
| Society6 | Print-on-Demand | Custom Products | Commission-based |
| Gumroad | Digital Goods | Downloads & Subscriptions | Fees apply |
| Sellfy | Digital Goods | Digital & Physical | Subscription |
| Ko-fi | Digital Goods | Donations & Sales | Free / Optional Fees |
| Buy Me a Coffee | Digital Goods | Donations & Sales | Free / Optional Fees |
| Payhip | Digital Goods | Downloads & Memberships | Fees apply |
| Poshmark | Fashion | Mobile Fashion Marketplace | Fees apply |
| Depop | Fashion | Vintage & Trendy | Fees apply |
| Vinted | Fashion | Clothing Resale | No Seller Fees |
| Curtsy | Fashion | Women’s Fashion | Fees apply |
| 5miles | Fashion & General | Local Marketplace | Free / Optional Fees |
| BookScouter | Books | Price Comparison | Free |
| Amazon | Books & Goods | Individual Seller | Fees apply |
| eBid | General Goods | Auction | Low Fees |
| Autotrader | Vehicles | For Sale Listings | Listing Fee |
| Cars.com | Vehicles | For Sale Listings | Listing Fee |
| PartingOut | Auto Parts | Marketplace | Free / Optional Fees |
| Chairish | Furniture & Decor | Curated Marketplace | Commission-based |
| AptDeco | Furniture | Local Delivery | Fees apply |
| Reverb | Musical Gear | Specialty Platform | Fees apply |
| StockX | Sneakers & Apparel | Authentication Based | Fees apply |
| GOAT | Sneakers & Apparel | Authentication Based | Fees apply |
| TheRealReal | Designer Goods | Consignment | Commission-based |
| ThredUp | Clothing | Consignment | Commission-based |
❌ Cons of Selling on The RealReal
1. Commissions Can Be High
For new or infrequent sellers, commissions can range from 40–55%, depending on category and item value.
2. You Don’t Control the Listing or Price
The RealReal determines the pricing, and while you can request price changes, you don’t set it directly.
3. Delayed Payments
Payouts happen monthly, and only after the return window closes. Expect to wait 2–4 weeks after a sale to receive funds.
4. Not All Items Are Accepted
The RealReal has strict brand, condition, and item guidelines. Fast fashion, damaged goods, or outdated styles are often rejected or donated.
5. Unsold Items May Be Discounted Automatically
Over time, items are discounted by the platform to increase sales—without requiring your approval.
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👜 What Sells Best on The RealReal?
The platform focuses on authenticated, high-end fashion and lifestyle goods. Anything worn must be in excellent condition.
Best-selling categories:
- Designer handbags (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Gucci)
- Women’s luxury apparel (The Row, Prada, Celine, Balenciaga)
- Men’s fashion (Tom Ford, Off-White, Moncler, Saint Laurent)
- Fine jewelry and watches (Rolex, Cartier, Tiffany & Co.)
- Luxury shoes (Louboutin, Dior, Yeezy, Manolo Blahnik)
- Home goods and art (mid-century furniture, designer decor)
📝 How to Sell on The RealReal
Step 1: Submit Items
You can ship items using a prepaid label, schedule a local pickup (for volume), or visit a consignment office.
Step 2: Authentication & Listing
Once received, The RealReal’s team:
- Authenticates your item
- Takes professional photos
- Creates the product listing with optimized copy
Step 3: Item Goes Live
Your item is listed under the appropriate category and visible to high-end shoppers across the U.S.
Step 4: Payment
Once the item sells and the return window passes (typically 14–21 days), you’ll receive a payout via direct deposit.
🚀 How Wakewall Helps Luxury Sellers Stay Organized and In Control
The RealReal takes care of selling. Wakewall helps you manage your business behind the scenes.
Here’s how Wakewall supports high-end consignors, collectors, and luxury resellers:
1. Track Each Consigned Item with Precision
With Wakewall, you can:
- Log the item name, designer, condition, retail price, expected payout
- Tag by category (e.g., handbags, watches, couture, etc.)
- Note when the item was shipped and whether it was accepted
- Track sale date, final sale price, and payout amount
No more wondering what sold or what disappeared into a warehouse.
2. Set Reminders for High-Value Items and Expirations
Use Wakewall’s reminder system to:
- Follow up on unsold items after 60 or 90 days
- Check commission tiers and evaluate profitability
- Submit seasonal items at peak resale times (e.g., coats in fall)
- Track designer-specific resale trends (e.g., Chanel bag pricing spikes)
You sell smarter with consistent timing.
3. Build a Luxury Reseller Profile
The RealReal doesn’t showcase sellers. Wakewall helps you:
- Create a public-facing seller profile
- Post images of your current inventory or past sales
- Share your sourcing tips or style guides
- Link to your favorite resale listings or social profiles
- Use hashtags like #designerresale, #sustainableluxury, #luxurylife
This is perfect if you also sell on Instagram, Depop, or Poshmark—or want to build your own audience over time.
4. Organize Brand Preferences and Acceptance Rates
You can track:
- Which brands The RealReal accepts most consistently
- Which styles or sizes move fastest
- Which ones yield the highest ROI
- Notes on condition standards or pricing behavior by brand
Eventually, you build your own internal resale playbook.
5. Expand into Other Channels Without Confusion
If you’re listing on:
- Poshmark
- eBay
- Vestiaire Collective
- Facebook Marketplace (for mid-range items)
Wakewall lets you manage all of them in one place. Track:
- Which items are exclusive to The RealReal
- Which can be cross-posted elsewhere
- Profit margins by platform
- What’s pending vs. sold
No need to rely on spreadsheets or sticky notes ever again.
✨ Final Thoughts
The RealReal is a top-tier platform for turning your luxury closet—or sourcing strategy—into real profit. Its trusted branding, authentication, and hands-off sales process make it ideal for premium goods that deserve premium treatment.
But if you want to build a serious resale business, track every consignment, and stay consistent across luxury platforms?
Wakewall is your secret weapon.
The RealReal handles the curation. Wakewall gives you the clarity.
Together, they help you elevate your resale game into a scalable, organized, and trusted operation.
