In the past I’ve talked about selling bags in-person at the RealReal, and at that time a couple of you guys wanted to know what the jewelry valuation and selling experience would be like too. Well I decided to try it out a couple weeks ago when TRR was having a promo of $100 credit (for a $300 purchase) when you sold something in-person. Since I had a couple pieces to sell, I thought it’d be worth a visit.
So how did it go?
Like my experience selling bags in-person, I was able to get a higher consignment price for my jewelry pieces when I sold them in-person. In fact I got quite a bit more on the consignment price for the exact same pieces I sold via mail-in. Here’s the breakdown: I’ve sold this Diamond Bar Necklace (retail $199) via mail-in and they consigned it at $195 (so my take-home on that was more like $97.50 with their 50% commission). When I sold it in the store, they valued it at $375! That’s quite a bit more for the exact same item. Of course, the item could get discounted so my net take-home won’t be quite as much, but still that’s a pretty big difference. I also “experimented” with these Pearl Stud Earrings (retail $99). When I sold them vi mail-in, I got a consignment price of $125 but in-store I got $225. Again, that’s a noticeable difference. So I have to say, if you can, the best way to sell your jewelry on The RealReal is to go in person.
And not only do you get more for your pieces, you also have the right of refusal right then and there. I once sold a ring to the RealReal and because I wasn’t paying attention, it sold immediately for a ridiculously low price. If I had known it was going to be priced so low I wouldn’t have sold it. Also if I was able to catch the low price, I would have emailed them to ask for the item to be delisted and sent back to me. Unfortunately things played out the way the did, and that was the one item I regretted selling to TRR (😭 it was so pretty too). But at least when you sell in-person, you get to say no to their valuation and take it back.
And last but not least, when you sell in-person the valuation expert can tell you right then and there why they didn’t accept some of your pieces. She was very nice about it, letting me know why the items were rejected. She was able to explain in detail, which is so much better than the one-liners you might get when a piece is not accepted via mail-in. And in fact, I had a lot of fun geeking out about stones and jewelry with the valuation expert. She was super nice, answering all my questions, and even showing me all the tools she uses to inspect an item. I’m also interested in possibly getting a GIA accreditation and working in the jewelry business, and she was so encouraging about it.
Overall I had an excellent experience selling my jewelry at the RealReal store and I only sell my jewelry i person from now on. I highly recommend doing the same if you have a RealReal store accessible to you (I personally drive about an hour to get to this TRR store in Marin).
{April 2024 Update: It’s been two years now and I still love going to TRR in Marin to sell my jewelry and bags. I meet the same wonderful people (Sarah for Jewelry and Kevin for Bags) and they always give me a fair price. And now whenever I go I’ll try on a couple hard to find Hermes bags as well. Anyway I just wanted to add here that for now TRR is giving $100 credit to anyone who’s interested in selling to them for the first time—either in person or via mail I think— if you use my referral link here (I will also get $100 credit if you choose to use my link so thank you if you do!).