The RealReal Return Policy

14 days (consignment sales; varies)

Yes (in-store or mail)

Customer pays mail shipping

None on most items

Not specifically extended

Final sale items, vintage/one-of-a-kind items, altered items, intimates, fine jewelry over certain value

You get 14 days to return most items at The RealReal. The clock starts when your order arrives, so don't sit on it. Keep in mind this is a consignment marketplace, which means the window can vary depending on the specific item. Luxury authenticated pieces may be marked final sale at the time of purchase, meaning no returns at all. Vintage, one-of-a-kind, altered items, intimates, and fine jewelry over a certain value are also non-returnable. Always check the item listing before you buy — final sale is final.

The RealReal's specific receipt requirements for returns are not publicly detailed in their policy, but since purchases are tied to your account, your order history typically serves as proof of purchase. If you bought through their website or app, logging into your account should give you access to your order details. For in-store purchases, having some form of transaction record will make the process smoother. If you're unsure, contacting their customer support before heading in is the safest move.

No, The RealReal does not charge a restocking fee on most returned items. That's a clean policy — you get your money back without a penalty cut taken out. The catch is that not everything qualifies for a return in the first place. Final sale items, luxury pieces flagged during condition review, vintage or one-of-a-kind items, intimates, and certain fine jewelry cannot be returned at all. But if your item is eligible for return, you won't lose a percentage of your refund to a restocking fee.

This is where things get strict. The RealReal sells pre-owned luxury goods, so the condition bar for returns is high. Luxury items go through a strict condition review, and if an item shows signs of use beyond what was disclosed at purchase, the return may be denied. Items that have been altered in any way are non-returnable. Since everything is authenticated consignment, you're expected to inspect items carefully upon arrival and initiate a return within the 14-day window if something doesn't match the listing description.

The RealReal does not have a specifically published holiday return extension policy. Unlike many traditional retailers that stretch their return windows through January for holiday purchases, The RealReal keeps its standard 14-day return window in place year-round. If you're buying a gift during the holiday season, plan around that tight window carefully. Given that many luxury and vintage items are also final sale, holiday shopping on this platform carries real risk if the recipient doesn't love the item. Confirm the item's return eligibility before purchasing as a gift.

Yes, The RealReal offers free in-store returns, so you can bring an online order back to a physical location rather than dealing with shipping. This is the better option if you want to avoid paying return shipping costs, because if you mail the item back, you're covering that postage yourself. Free returns are available in-store; mail returns are on your dime. The item still needs to meet the return eligibility criteria — 14-day window, not final sale, not vintage or one-of-a-kind, not altered — regardless of how you return it.

The RealReal does not have a publicly published military discount program. Their discount and promotional offers are not detailed in available policy data, so there's no confirmed active military or veteran discount to report. If this matters to you, it's worth reaching out to their customer service directly to ask — retailers sometimes have unadvertised programs. You can also check third-party discount aggregators or The RealReal's promotional email list for any available savings codes before making a purchase.

The RealReal does not have a publicly published price-match policy. As a consignment marketplace dealing in one-of-a-kind and authenticated luxury resale items, price matching is structurally difficult — there's rarely an identical item at a competing retailer to match against. Each piece is unique. If you see a price drop on an item you already purchased, contacting customer support to ask about a price adjustment is your best shot, but there's no guarantee. Check their site for active promotions or member-exclusive discounts before completing a purchase instead.

Returning a gift to The RealReal without a receipt gets complicated fast. Their policy on gift returns without documentation is not publicly detailed. Since items are tied to the original buyer's account, the person who purchased the item would technically need to initiate the return. If you received a gift and want to return it, your best move is to contact The RealReal's customer support directly with whatever order information you have — even partial details help. Also remember: many luxury, vintage, and final sale items cannot be returned at all, gift or not.

If something arrives damaged or doesn't match its listed condition, act fast — you only have 14 days from delivery to initiate a return at The RealReal. Document everything immediately: photograph the damage and compare it against the listing description. Contact their customer support as soon as possible and reference the discrepancy between what was advertised and what arrived. Authenticated luxury items go through a strict condition review process, so a condition mismatch is a legitimate return basis. You can return in-store for free or by mail, though you'll cover shipping costs if you send it back.