The RealReal Commission and Payout Chart 2026: What You Get

The top shares are 80% on handbags and 85% on watches from $7,500, and 85% on men’s sneakers and collectibles from $1,000. Take site credit instead and you get 5% more.

What you get at common sale prices, from The RealReal’s Earnings Guide (checked Oct 16, 2026), before any Rewards bonus:

“Clothing & more” is The RealReal’s own group: women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, accessories, unbranded jewelry, home and art, and kids. The sale price is the Net Selling Price: what the buyer paid after any discount, without tax or shipping. The RealReal sets that price, not you, so the number to check before you consign is what your piece really sells for.

What The RealReal Pays You, by Category

The full chart, as the Earnings Guide shows it on Oct 16, 2026. Each cell is your share of the sale:

RealReal Rewards adds a bonus on items of $200 or more, based on your Net Sales in your one-year commission window (it starts with your first sale). The rule: take the category’s percentage, and if the item sold for $200 or more, add your tier’s points (a $1,000 bag goes from 65% to 66% at Influencer). The bonus uses your status when the item sells, and The RealReal updates your status when it pays you, around the 15th of each month.

Getting paid. The RealReal pays on the 15th of each month for items sold the month before (sold in January, paid February 15; the Monday after if the 15th is a weekend). Direct deposit can take up to 48 hours to reach your bank. A mailed check is the default, takes 5 to 7 business days by mail and costs $12.50 per check. Site credit adds 5% to your payout: a $1,000 bag’s $650 becomes $682.50 in credit.

Current Source Check: The RealReal Rules to Verify First

The RealReal’s own pages are the source of truth for commission, payment, acceptance and pricing. The figures on this page were read from them on Oct 16, 2026:

• The RealReal Earnings Guide for the commission chart by category and the RealReal Rewards bonus.
• The RealReal consignor terms for how Net Selling Price, Net Sales, the commission window and payment timing work.
• The RealReal consignor FAQ for payment methods, returns, discounts and Price Review.
• The RealReal designer directory for whether your brand is currently accepted.

The terms say commission is the Net Selling Price times the rate in the chart, that the chart can change when The RealReal publishes a new one, and that commission payments typically begin processing on the 15th of the month after the sale. Before you consign, open the Earnings Guide and pick your category: it takes a minute and it’s the version The RealReal will pay you on.

Quick Stats: The RealReal 2026

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Step-by-Step: Consigning with The RealReal

Step 1: Evaluate Your Items

Use this checklist before consigning:

What The RealReal accepts: brands in its Designer Directory, which it updates as demand changes. Its pricing FAQ names Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Gucci, Cartier and Rolex among the brands that keep the most resale value. The terms say accepted property needs to be in fair-to-pristine condition, listed in the current Designer Directory at evaluation, authentic, and as you described it. The RealReal can accept or reject items at its discretion and may take return shipping out of your next payment for items it can’t accept, so check the live directory before shipping.

Step 2: Request Consignment

Online:

1. Create an account at therealreal.com and start a consignment
2. Request a free shipping label (fewer than 10 items) or a concierge pickup (10 or more, where available)
3. List the brand, size and condition details it asks for
4. Ship or drop off

By text or phone: text MYTRR to 50347 to reach your consignment concierge. For a remote appointment, The RealReal lists valuation@therealreal.com and 844-484-REAL.

In person (stores and consignment offices):

• Book a valuation or drop-off appointment at a store or Luxury Consignment Office
• On-site valuations cover luxury jewelry, watches and designer handbags at every location
• You can drop off fashion, home decor and art there too

Step 3: Ship or Drop Off

Free shipping:

1. Print the free UPS label and packing list from your account
2. Put the packing list in the box
3. Drop it at any UPS location, or take your items to a UPS Store, which packs and ships them for free
4. Track the package from your account

At-home pickup:

• Free concierge pickup if you have 10 or more items from the Designer Directory (the minimum doesn’t apply to collectibles)
• Only where the service is available

Store drop-off:

• Drop off at a store or consignment office by appointment
• Ask questions in person
• Useful for jewelry, watches and bags you’d rather not ship

Step 4: Authentication & Processing

What happens after The RealReal receives it:

Step 5: Pricing & Sale

How The RealReal sets prices:

1. It prices from its own sales data and outside market trends
2. It weighs brand resale value, market trends, condition and how recent the item is
3. It lists at the highest price it thinks the market will support
4. It lowers the price in steps when views and “Obsessions” show weak demand

What you control:

• Most items: nothing. The RealReal sets and discounts the price.
• Price Review items: Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags, alligator and crocodile bags, full fur (mink, chinchilla, sable), jewelry, watches, and art and home items, each priced $995 or more. You approve the first price and any discount; if you don’t answer a discount email within 7 days, The RealReal lowers the price anyway.
• The RealReal aims to sell an item within 30 days of listing and may suggest a discount after that.

Step 6: Get Paid

Payment timeline:

Payment methods:

• Direct deposit (fastest)
• Mailed check (the default; 5 to 7 business days by mail, $12.50 per check)
• Site credit (5% more; usable on The RealReal and in its stores, doesn’t expire)

If a buyer returns an item inside the window, they get a refund and your item goes back on sale.

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How The RealReal Works

You send luxury items, The RealReal authenticates, photographs, prices and sells them, and you get the chart’s share of the sale.

What you get: little work after shipping, and buyers trust its authentication.

What it costs: you give up the pricing and a big share of the sale. A $1,000 bag pays you $650; the same bag sold yourself on eBay at the same price leaves $849.60 after eBay’s handbag fee, before shipping.

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Commission Structure 2026: Use the Live Chart, Not an Old Tier Table

To work out a payout:

your payout = net selling price x your category's rate (+ Rewards points on items of $200+)
net selling price = sold price - discounts/promotions, excluding tax and shipping

The terms define commission this way and point to the live chart for the rate. The chart on this page was copied on Oct 16, 2026; old copied tier tables (a single 40% to 70% or 15% to 45% scale) are wrong now, because each category has its own top share.

Commission check worksheet

Three common pieces, worked from the chart (no Rewards bonus) and from our fee engine for eBay, on the item price:

What changes the answer

• A higher price doesn’t mean a better payout if The RealReal discounts it hard: your share is of the discounted price.
• A lower share can still be worth it if The RealReal’s authentication gets a sale you couldn’t get yourself.
• A high self-sell payout can be worse in practice if you lack receipts, photos, buyer trust or fraud protection.
• Rewards points and site credit are open to everyone. Promotions (like extra site credit for first-time consignors) come and go: count one only when it shows in your account.

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Real Numbers Case Study: 6-Month Luxury Consignment Journey

These are six real pieces at the prices they sold for on eBay, not one consignor’s story. Each price is the median of pre-owned eBay sales (eBay sold listings, Jul 18 to Oct 16, 2026, n=793; eBay US, item price before shipping, in US dollars; best-offer sales, lots, new-with-tags and accessories-only sales left out; each row has 25 or more sales). What would The RealReal pay if it sold the piece for the same price, and what would selling it yourself leave?

Items Consigned

The rows count what each listing title says. The Birkin row leaves out exotic skins (ostrich, crocodile), which sell for more; the Neverfull row includes limited editions; the Marmont row covers every size, mini to large.

The RealReal Results

The RealReal pays at its own price, which can be higher or lower than eBay’s. The last column is the price it would have to get for the payout to match eBay. Selling it yourself, you also pay shipping and, on a big-ticket bag, insurance, so the real gap is a little smaller than the table shows.

Self-Selling Results

Selling it yourself means paying fees on your own sale and doing the work: photos, questions, shipping and returns. What each app takes, from our fee engine (checked Oct 2026):

• eBay: 15% on a handbag that sells for up to $2,000 and 9% of the whole price when it sells for more, 15% on a watch up to $1,000, 6.5% on the part from $1,000 to $7,500 and 3% above, 13.6% on clothing and most other categories, plus $0.40 per order (eBay Help). eBay also takes its percentage on the shipping and tax the buyer pays, so a real payout comes in a little lower than the table.
• Vestiaire Collective (US dollars): 17% plus 3% payment processing (at least $3) on most prices, a $12 flat fee under $75, a $2,500 cap, for items listed from Oct 15, 2026; items listed before then keep 12% ($10 under $83, $2,000 cap) (Vestiaire Help). The table uses the new fee.
• Poshmark: 20% from $15, $2.95 under $15.

Analysis: When TRR Made Sense

None of the six pays more at The RealReal (TRR for short). The Birkin comes closest; the Chanel shows what consigning a $5,000 bag costs.

The Birkin: The RealReal pays 80% on a handbag from $7,500, the same cut as Poshmark’s 20% fee. It would have to sell the bag for $14,787 to match eBay’s $11,829.60, inside the middle half of eBay’s own sales. On a piece where buyers worry about fakes and you don’t want to handle a five-figure sale, that’s the closest The RealReal comes to selling it yourself.

The Chanel flap: at $4,891 The RealReal pays 70%, $3,423.70, against $4,450.41 on eBay. It would need to sell it for $5,934 to match (at $5,000 the share rises to 75%, so the gap closes faster than 70% suggests). On a bag around $5,000, convenience costs you about $1,000.

Analysis: When Self-Selling Won

The Neverfull and the Marmont: at $840 and $600, The RealReal pays 65% and 60%. Selling either yourself on eBay leaves $509.60 to $713.60, and The RealReal would have to get $1,098 and $784 to match.

The wallet and the trench: under $300 the chart pays 20% to 55%. An $86 wallet pays you $17.20 at The RealReal and leaves $73.90 on eBay. Unless you’d rather not deal with it at all, these belong on eBay, Poshmark or Vestiaire.

The Faster Decision: TRR vs Self-Sell vs Other Luxury Channels

Each route wins in a different situation:

For any one piece, the cost of consigning is the gap between The RealReal’s payout and what selling it yourself leaves. Sorted by price:

• high-value and high-risk (bags and watches from $7,500): The RealReal’s share is at its highest
• mid-value with steady demand ($300 to $5,000): on clothing and bags, selling it yourself usually leaves 15 to 26 points more (the gap is smaller on watches and men’s sneakers, whose top shares are 85%)
• low-value luxury (under $300): The RealReal’s 20% to 55% rarely makes sense

Net Payout Decision Table

Use this before shipping anything valuable:

Decide piece by piece: a high-value bag can suit The RealReal while a wallet from the same closet belongs on eBay or Poshmark.

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8 Common Mistakes That Cost Consignors Money

Mistake #1: Consigning Low-Value Items

The problem: sending a bag that will sell for about $150 and expecting a meaningful return.

The reality: at $150, The RealReal’s chart pays 45%: $67.50. Under $100 it pays 20%.

The fix: check what the piece really sells for first. Below about $300, sell it yourself or bundle it.

Mistake #2: Not Negotiating Commission

The problem: assuming you can talk the rate up.

The reality: The RealReal publishes one chart per category and a Rewards bonus by sales volume, and its pages say nothing about negotiating individual rates. The levers it does publish are Rewards (+1, +2 or +5 points on items of $200+ once your Net Sales in the commission window pass $1,500, $5,000 or $10,000) and site credit (5% more).

The fix: if you have several good pieces, consign them inside one commission window so your Net Sales reach the next tier. Asking about a better rate costs nothing, but plan on the chart.

Mistake #3: Poor Item Presentation

The problem: sending wrinkled, dirty, or poorly packaged items.

The reality: condition is one of the four things The RealReal prices on, and it rejects items with flaws on its list (stains larger than a dime, missing brand tags, odor, broken zippers or buckles, excessive scuffing).

The fix: before shipping:

• Clean items gently
• Use dust bags and stuffing
• Package carefully to prevent damage
• Include all original accessories

Mistake #4: Missing Documentation

The problem: not including receipts, authenticity cards, or original packaging.

The reality: paperwork and packaging help a buyer trust the piece and can help authentication. The RealReal doesn’t publish how much they add to a price.

The fix: include everything you have:

• Original receipt
• Authenticity cards
• Dust bags
• Original boxes
• Care booklets
• Repair documentation

Mistake #5: Wrong Timing

The problem: consigning winter coats in May.

The reality: The RealReal prices to current demand and discounts when an item doesn’t move, so an out-of-season piece is more likely to be marked down.

The fix: send seasonal pieces ahead of their season:

Mistake #6: Expecting to Set Your Own Price

The problem: expecting a reserve or a minimum price.

The reality: The RealReal sets the price for most items and discounts as demand changes. Only Price Review items ($995 and up in select categories) let you approve the price and each discount, and if you don’t answer within 7 days the discount goes ahead.

The fix: if a minimum matters to you, sell it yourself, or ask for Price Review on an eligible piece before you send it.

Mistake #7: Not Monitoring Your Account

The problem: consigning and forgetting about it.

The reality: prices drop as The RealReal discounts. If you want an item back before 365 days, it costs a fee ($20 for most items, $100 for home, art or oversized pieces) plus shipping; after 365 days you can ask for it back at The RealReal’s cost.

The fix:

• Check your My Sales page weekly
• Review price changes
• Decide on returns before discounts go further
• Note what sells and what doesn’t

Mistake #8: Ignoring the Break-Even Analysis

The problem: not working out whether The RealReal or selling it yourself leaves more.

The reality: at the same price, selling clothing or a bag yourself on eBay usually leaves 15 to 26 points more between $300 and $5,000 (the table above shows it piece by piece). Men’s sneakers come closest: from $1,000 The RealReal pays 85%, against about 92% on eBay.

The fix: use this formula:

• The RealReal payout = sale price × your category’s share
• Self-sell payout = sale price − the app’s fee (our fee comparison does it for each app)
• If the self-sell payout minus the value of your time is higher, sell it yourself

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Pro Tips for RealReal Consignors

Tip #1: Send Seasonal Pieces Before Their Season

Coats in late summer, sandals in late winter. The RealReal prices to current demand, so a piece that arrives as demand rises has a better chance of selling before it’s discounted.

Tip #2: Count Your Sales Toward the Next Rewards Tier

Rewards points depend on Net Sales in your one-year commission window. If you’re near $1,500, $5,000 or $10,000, sending your next good pieces inside the same window can add 1, 2 or 5 points to every item of $200+.

Tip #3: The “In-Person Advantage”

If you live near a store or consignment office, you can meet an expert, get a valuation on jewelry, watches and handbags, and drop off fashion, home and art pieces without shipping them. You also get answers on the spot about what’s accepted.

Good for:

• Pieces you’d rather not ship
• Questions about acceptance or condition
• Jewelry and watch valuations

Tip #4: Ask for Price Review on Eligible Pieces

For Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags, exotic bags, full fur, jewelry, watches, and art and home items priced $995 or more, ask your RealReal contact (it calls them Luxury Managers and Inside Sales Representatives) for Price Review before you send them.

How it works:

1. The RealReal emails its suggested price
2. You approve it on your My Sales page
3. It suggests discounts later; you approve or decline
4. If you don’t answer a discount email within 7 days, the price drops anyway

Tip #5: Take Site Credit If You Shop There

Taking your payout as site credit adds 5%. If you’re going to buy from The RealReal anyway, that’s 5% more to spend.

When to use site credit:

• You plan to buy from The RealReal
• You don’t need the cash
• Note that credit can’t be turned back into cash unless the balance is under $10

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What They Accept

Brands The RealReal Names First:

Nothing is accepted automatically: the brand has to be in the current Designer Directory and the item in fair to pristine condition. The brands The RealReal itself names as holding the most resale value:

• Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Gucci
• Cartier and Rolex

Sometimes Accepted:

• Brands that come and go from the Designer Directory with demand (check before you ship)
• Vintage designer pieces (depends on condition)
• Graded collectibles: trading cards graded by PSA or BGS, comics graded by CGC
• Figures and toys from accepted collectible brands

Rarely/Never Accepted:

• Bras, lingerie, underwear and socks (some slips, hosiery, swimwear and activewear only new with tags)
• Furniture, lighting and rugs
• Tabletop (drinkware, flatware)
• Sports and outdoor equipment, and electronics
• Items with flammable materials
• Counterfeit or suspected counterfeit items (confiscated)
• Damaged items: holes larger than a pin, stains larger than a dime, missing brand tags, odor, broken hardware

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The RealReal vs. Self-Selling

Example comparison:

$1,000 designer bag:

• The RealReal: $650 payout (65%)
• Self-selling (eBay): $849.60 after eBay’s handbag fee
• Difference: $199.60 more selling it yourself

$5,000 designer bag:

• The RealReal: $3,750 payout (75%)
• Self-selling (eBay): $4,549.60 after fees (a bag over $2,000 pays 9% on the whole price)
• Difference: $799.60 more selling it yourself, with the authentication risk on you

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Complete Comparison: Where to Sell Luxury Items

Vestiaire fees verified Oct 17, 2026 (Vestiaire Help); eBay and Poshmark from our fee engine (checked Oct 2026).

Platform Decision Matrix

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Monthly Luxury Consignment Checklist

Weekly Tasks

• [ ] Log into your account and check item status
• [ ] Review any price changes
• [ ] Check for sold items and pending payments
• [ ] Answer any Price Review discount emails within 7 days

Monthly Tasks

• [ ] On the 15th, check the payment and the statement adjustments
• [ ] Decide on items that aren’t selling: accept the discount or ask for them back
• [ ] Note which categories and brands sold fastest
• [ ] Compare what you were paid with what selling it yourself would have left

Quarterly Tasks

• [ ] Review your Net Sales against the next Rewards tier
• [ ] Plan seasonal consignments
• [ ] Update the list of items to consign
• [ ] Recheck the Earnings Guide for chart changes

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Tips for Maximizing Payouts

The levers you control, each covered above:

1. Climb the Rewards Tiers

Send good pieces inside one commission window; VIPs ($10,000+) also get a $100 site credit each contract year.

2. Time Your Consignments

Seasonal pieces before their season; bags any time.

3. Provide Documentation

Receipts, cards, boxes and dust bags help authentication and buyers.

4. Know Which Pieces Get Price Review

Only select categories priced $995 and up; ask before you send them.

5. Consider In-Store Drop-Off

No packing, and an expert looks at the piece with you.

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Alternatives to The RealReal

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Red Flags & Complaints

Common consignor complaints:

• Prices set lower than expected
• Discounts the consignor didn’t approve (only Price Review items need your approval)
• Slow sales
• Items lost in transit
• Slow customer service

How to protect yourself:

• Photograph everything before shipping, serial numbers included
• Declare the value and buy extra insurance when you ship something valuable yourself (The RealReal’s advice)
• Keep shipping receipts
• Check your My Sales page regularly

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What Moves Luxury Resale Prices

Why Certain Brands Hold Value Better

Factors That Affect Resale Value

The RealReal prices on four things: brand resale value, market trends, condition and how recent the item is.

Raises the price:

• Better condition (pristine with tags, then excellent, very good, good, fair)
• Original receipt, box, dust bag and cards
• A rare color or limited edition
• A recent season, or true vintage that collectors want

Lowers the price:

• Missing accessories
• Visible wear
• Repairs or alterations
• Arriving out of season
• A crowded market for that model

Seasonal Trends in Luxury Resale

The RealReal doesn’t publish sales by season. What its pricing says: it prices to current demand and discounts when demand is weak, so send seasonal pieces before their season and bags whenever you like.

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Building a Luxury Consignment Strategy

For Collectors Cleaning Closets

One-time large consignment:

1. List everything you might sell
2. Grade condition honestly
3. Check values: recent sales on eBay, Vestiaire and The RealReal
4. Work out both routes for each piece: The RealReal’s share against what selling it yourself leaves
5. Batch by price:
   • Over $7,500 (bags, watches): The RealReal’s share is 80% to 85%
   • $300 to $7,500: compare both routes piece by piece
   • Under $300: sell it yourself
6. Time it: send seasonal pieces before their season, and send the batch inside one commission window for the Rewards bonus

For Regular Turnover Resellers

Ongoing:

1. Track your Net Sales against the Rewards tiers
2. Use The RealReal for:
   • High-value bags and watches
   • Brands where buyers worry about fakes
   • Pieces you’d rather not photograph and ship yourself
3. Sell everything else yourself and keep the margin
4. Review monthly: what The RealReal paid against what selling it yourself would have left

Authenticity Concerns: Where The RealReal Helps Most

Categories buyers worry about most:

• Hermès (Birkin, Kelly)
• Chanel (Classic Flap, Boy bag)
• Louis Vuitton (vintage pieces, limited editions)
• Rolex and other luxury watches
• Designer sneakers

For these, The RealReal’s authentication gives you:

• Buyers who trust the piece
• No authentication disputes with a buyer
• Professional condition grading

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Working with Luxury Consignment Offices

Locations (2026)

The RealReal’s New York page lists its SoHo flagship, Upper East Side and Brooklyn stores and a Midtown Luxury Consignment Office (complimentary valuations and drop-off). It has stores and offices in other US cities too: check its store pages for yours. If you’re not near one, it offers remote consultations (valuation@therealreal.com or 844-484-REAL).

In-Person Advantages

Worth the trip if:

• You have jewelry, watches or handbags to value (every location does on-site valuations)
• Authentication is borderline (vintage, rare)
• You have many items and want help sorting them
• An item has condition questions you want answered
• You’d rather not ship a valuable piece

What to bring:

• All documentation (receipts, cards, tags)
• Items in clean, presentable condition
• Government ID
• Banking information for direct deposit (you need a US address and a US bank account to consign)
• A list of items with your estimated values

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Tax Considerations for Luxury Consignment

Reporting Consignment Income

What to report:

• Any tax form The RealReal sends you; whether one comes depends on how and how much you’re paid, so check your account and our 1099-K tax guide
• All income from sales, form or no form
• Business sales as business income; personal items sold at a gain as a capital gain

Deductible for resellers:

• What you paid for the item (cost basis)
• Shipping costs
• Cleaning and repair before consignment
• Mileage to drop-off locations
• Storage costs

Example tax calculation (a personal bag sold at a loss):

Item: Chanel Classic Flap
Original purchase: $6,000
Sold for: $5,500 (handbag, 75% to you)
The RealReal kept: $1,375
Your payout: $4,125

Tax situation:
Payout: $4,125
Cost basis: $6,000
Net: -$1,875 (loss)

Result: no taxable gain. A loss on a personal item isn't deductible;
a loss on business inventory can be.

Important: consult a tax professional for your situation. Rules differ for hobby sellers and business sellers.

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When The RealReal Is the Wrong Channel

The RealReal suits pieces where authentication, buyer trust and doing nothing yourself matter more than the extra you’d keep selling it yourself (hundreds of dollars on most pieces, a thousand or more on a big bag). It’s a poor fit when the item is mid-priced, easy to find and simple to sell yourself.

Self-sell instead when these conditions apply

• the piece will sell for under $300, where the chart pays 20% to 55%
• the brand is strong but not rare, such as easier-to-move Louis Vuitton canvas or current-season Gucci shoes
• you already have great photos, receipts, and platform feedback
• the item is likely to move quickly on eBay or Poshmark without needing The RealReal’s audience

In those cases you’d give up a large share of the payout just to skip the work. Can’t tell which way a piece should go? Ask FlipExpert, our AI reselling assistant, to talk it through.

Prep Steps That Improve Your Net Payout

What you send, how it arrives and what you know about it all show up in the price The RealReal sets.

Before you ship or drop off, do this

1. Photograph the item thoroughly for your own records, including flaws.
2. Gather receipts, dust bags, authenticity cards, and service papers.
3. Write down the exact model name, size, and any details that affect value.
4. Clean the item lightly and remove obvious dust or debris, but do not attempt risky repairs.
5. Decide the lowest payout you’d accept, so you know when to ask for a piece back.

That prep doesn’t guarantee a higher sale, but it gives you something to show The RealReal if an item is under-identified, under-graded or priced lower than expected. It also makes it easier to pull an item back and sell it yourself if the numbers stop making sense.

If you want to compare consigning with selling on your own, read how to authenticate designer items before you send anything, and how to sell on eBay for beginners if you decide to keep more of the margin yourself.

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FAQ

How much will The RealReal pay you?

20% to 85% of what the item sells for, by category and price. Clothing between $750 and $4,999 pays 65%, and so do bags from $750 to $1,499 ($650 on a $1,000 bag); bags from $1,500 pay 70%; under $100 pays 20%. Handbags reach 80% and watches 85% from $7,500. Rewards adds 1 to 5 points on items of $200+, and site credit adds 5%.

How long does The RealReal take to pay?

It pays on the 15th of the month after the item sells, so anywhere from 15 days to about six weeks after the sale. Direct deposit can take up to 48 more hours; a mailed check takes 5 to 7 business days and costs $12.50. Listing takes about 10 to 15 days after The RealReal receives the item.

Does The RealReal buy items outright?

For select watches, jewelry and handbags, yes: its Get Paid Now program pays upfront, by direct deposit within 48 hours or 5% more in site credit right away. Everything else is consignment: you’re paid only after it sells.

Is it worth it to sell on The RealReal?

Only when not doing the work is worth the gap. Even at its best (80% to 85% on bags and watches from $7,500, 85% on men’s sneakers from $1,000) selling it yourself leaves more on every piece we priced; what you get for the difference is no photos, questions, shipping or worry about fakes. For clothing and bags between $300 and $5,000, selling it yourself on eBay usually leaves 15 to 26 points more at the same price, and Vestiaire 10 to 20. Under $300 it pays 20% to 55%, which rarely makes sense.

The verdict

The RealReal makes sense when convenience and authentication matter more than the commission. Its share rises with the price: 20% under $100, 65% to 70% on most clothing and bags from $750, and 80% to 85% on bags and watches from $7,500. Under $300, selling it yourself almost always leaves more.

The RealReal test:

• Work out what selling it yourself would leave, minus The RealReal’s payout. That gap is what consigning costs you.
• If not dealing with the sale (photos, questions, shipping, fakes) is worth more to you than that gap, use The RealReal
• If it isn’t, sell it yourself

Next steps:

1. List the luxury items you want to sell
2. Check what each one really sells for: snap it and Underpriced gives you an estimate from recent sales. Try Underpriced free for 7 days.
3. Over $7,500 (bags, watches): consider The RealReal
4. Under $300: sell it yourself on eBay, Poshmark or Vestiaire
5. In between: compare both routes with the chart above

Check what it sold for

Item name, brand or model Search sold prices

Opens eBay sold listings in a new tab. Match the exact item and condition, and use the middle of the prices, not the highest one.

Don't know what it is? Check it from a photo

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• Platform Fee Comparison
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Related Guides:

• Where to Sell Online 2026
• How to Authenticate Designer Items
• Vestiaire Collective fees
• eBay listing fix playbook
• 1099-K tax guide for resellers