Ahhh The Real Real– a preloved online site (that now has stores) that I have a very love/ very hate relationship with.
I found out about The Real Real when I was a summer associate at my law firm in the summer of 2015. One of the more senior attorneys found out I loved to shop and recommended it to me. Since 2015, it’s been a love hate relationship for me and The Real Real.
For those of you who haven’t seen the online ads, the tv ads or the controversial Chanel lawsuit, the Real Real is a website that sells preloved goods. They sell clothing, shoes and accessories from brands ranging from Coach to Hermes. They do authenticate their pieces before they post them (or allegedly not as the Chanel lawsuit states). They normally have 20% off most items that are on their website and have great sales where you can get 20% off and a $50-$200 giftcard with your purchase.
Pros
- Great Deals! The Real Real has some of the best deals around. I find they can be a little overpriced for Louis Vuitton, but have great deals on other brands like Chloe and Fendi.
- Variety of Designers! The Real Real carries everything from Coach to Hermes. They have a wide variety of designers and offer men’s, women’s and children’s pieces from those design houses.
- More than just Handbags! Often preloved sites cater to handbags but the Real Real does it all. They have clothing, shoes and accessories. They are a great place to pick up a pair of gently used shoes for a steal.
- Sales! The Real Real runs more sales then other preloved websites. Most goods are 20% off with code “REAL”. If not the item will specifically state that no coupons or discounts are valid on this item. But if you were lucky enough to purchase during the giftcard promotion that giftcard can be used on anything.
- Returns! Certain items on the Real Real are final sale (mainly from what I have observed handbags and items that are majorly on sale), but other items are returnable for 21 days. This allows you to buy the shoes, try them on and then return them if they do not work.
Cons
- Their pictures and description on the website are horrible! There is no other way to describe it their four pictures are not high quality and their descriptions are often lacking.
- A lot of high ticket items are final sale! So say you do buy that handbag you have been eyeing but get it and realize it’s not for you… well unfortunately you are stuck with it or can consign it at a loss with The Real Real. If the item is not as described (which happens a lot in my opinion) you can ask for a return which the Real Real may or may not grant.
- If the item is returnable you have to pay $11.95 for return shipping! Yes you read that right returns aren’t free if you use their shipping label to return. There are exceptions to this (like the item arrives damaged or not as described) where they will give you a free label but it’s rare. The only time I had that happen was when there was a legit hole in the button of the pair of Chanel ballet flats I bought from them.
- No matter what you buy you have to pay for shipping! Say you buy a $200 Hermes Calvi (which was one of my most recent purchases from The Real Real) you pay $11.95 ground shipping… okay fine it’s not the most expensive item. But say you buy a $2,000 Louis Vuitton Bag… you still pay $11.95. I really think if your spending over $100 you shouldn’t pay shipping so The Real Real lets get on it.
- Authentic or not? The Real Real does say that they authenticate everything before they list it but I do know some people who have gotten fake items from The Real Real! (Watch Autumn Beckman’s Video here)
- Horrible Quality Dustbags- If the item doesn’t come with the original dustbag you might want to start shopping on Amazon for a plain one
I have purchased a variety of goods from The Real Real and I have also returned a couple of goods to The Real Real. My Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag came from The Real Real when they were new and impossible to find. My Chanel flat deals also came from The Real Real. But I have also returned Chanel flats to The Real Real. When you do return an item and use their shipping label you do have to pay $11.95 which means between the shipping to and from you loose about $24.
So do I still purchase from The Real Real? Yes I do. I think if you have done your research and know what your looking for you can find some amazing deals. I normally turn to The Real Real for shoes and SLGs. Fabulously both of these items are returnable when the handbags are not. I personally have never gotten anything fake and have gotten some amazing deals on Chanel flats.
*please note that some of my blog post links are affiliate links. If you purchase through them I get a small percentage (very very small percentage). It does not cost you as the consumer anymore money. This post was not at all sponsored and all the products were bought with my own money.