If you’re looking to earn extra cash by selling some of your gently used clothes and accessories, The RealReal and Poshmark are two popular online marketplaces to consider.
But what are the key differences between these platforms, and which one is ultimately better for sellers? This comprehensive guide breaks down the pros, cons, fees, and features of The RealReal and Poshmark to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | The RealReal | Poshmark |
| Selling Model | Consignment – The RealReal takes possession of items to sell | Peer-to-Peer – Sellers list and ship items directly |
| Ideal Inventory | High-end contemporary and luxury goods | Mainstream brands, mall brands, vintage |
| Authentication | Yes, experts authenticate before listing | No authentication process |
| Commission Fees | 40-70% on final sold price | 20% commission above $15 sale price |
| Additional Fees | 3% processing fee for jewelry | None |
| Payout Timeframe | 45 days after sale | 1-5 days after delivered order |
| Listing Effort | The RealReal photographs, measures, prices and writes all listings | User generated listing content |
| Shipping | Handled by The RealReal | Seller responsible for shipping |
| Returns | Handled by The RealReal | Seller responsible for accepting returns |
| Audience | Luxury shoppers targeting high end goods | Broader demographic seeking deals and trends |
| Earning Potential | Higher sale prices but lower per item profit | Lower prices but higher profit per item |
Overview Of The RealReal
The RealReal is an online luxury consignment store that specializes in authenticated designer goods across categories like womenswear, menswear, jewelry, watches, fine art, and home decor.
The RealReal takes possession of items and rigorously authenticates them in-house before listing them for sale on the marketplace.
Pros:
- Items are authenticated by experts before listing. This attracts high-end buyers willing to pay premium prices.
- Large national online marketplace exposure to millions of luxury shoppers.
- Free shipping supplies and pickup for consigned items makes the selling process easy.
- Higher earning potential on luxury and designer items than local consignment stores.
Cons:
- More work upfront with prepping and shipping items to RealReal for evaluation. Cannot sell directly from your closet.
- Longer processing and payout time. Payouts issued 45 days post-sale.
- High commission fees that range from 40-70% on sales.
Also Read: Is Tradesy Better Than thredUP?
Overview Of Poshmark
Poshmark is a social commerce app where users can buy and sell new or used clothing, accessories, and home goods directly from their closets or boutiques. Sellers list items, interact with buyers, negotiate prices, and ship orders themselves.
Pros:
- Easy selling directly from your closet without shipping items elsewhere.
- Lower selling fees of just 20% on sales over $15. Free to list items.
- Get paid as soon as an order ships. No long payout wait times.
- Can develop personal boutique and gain followers to drive repeat sales.
Cons:
- Less luxury shopper traffic than The RealReal. Branding skews trendy and affordable.
- No expert authentication on items means more fakes and knockoffs listed.
- Have to do your own shipping and manage returns/exchanges.
- Can be time consuming to share closet items frequently and engage buyers.
Pricing And Fees Comparison
One of the biggest differences between The RealReal and Poshmark is the commission and fees charged.
The RealReal Fees:
- Free to submit items for evaluation.
- Commission rates from 40-70% charged on the final sold price of an item. Higher end pieces generally incur lower commissions.
- The first $100 earned each month has a flat commission fee of 40%.
- Additional 3% processing fee on jewelry sales.
- Payouts issued 45 days after sale.
Poshmark Fees:
- Free to list as many items as you want. Unlimited listings.
- Flat 20% commission on sales over $15. Sales under $15 incur a $2.95 commission.
- No additional processing fees.
- Payouts issued as soon as sale delivers within 1-5 days typically.
The RealReal will generally net you a higher sale price, but Poshmark takes a much smaller cut. You’ll earn per item sold faster on Poshmark. Also watch this video!
Authentication And Quality Control
Authentication services are a major distinguishing factor.
The RealReal has expert in-house authenticators who inspect each item before listing to ensure it is genuine. This gives buyers peace of mind and attracts higher price points.
Poshmark has no formal authentication process. Sellers are expected to honestly represent items, but there’s more risk of counterfeits or knockoffs listed. For brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci, Poshmark presents more risk.
The RealReal also handles measuring, photographing, pricing, writing descriptions, and shipping items. This creates a consistent listing quality and shopping experience. On Poshmark, listing quality varies greatly depending on each seller’s photography skills and item descriptions.
Shipping And Returns
The RealReal handles all shipping and returns after a sale. When an item sells, they package it up and ship directly to the buyer. If a return is needed, they manage that entire process so you don’t have to get involved.
On Poshmark, sellers are responsible for packaging up orders and shipping out within 2 business days. You also have to accept and manage any returns or exchanges. Printing out shipping labels and making post office drop-offs takes time and effort as a seller. But you don’t have long waits to get paid either.
Exposure And Audience
The RealReal brings in millions of luxury and high-end shoppers each month. Shoppers browsing The RealReal are specifically seeking out premium designer brands and have the budget for it. This naturally translates to higher earning potential.
Poshmark has a broader market of middle and budget fashionistas looking for deals and unique items. The typical Poshmark shopper is younger, shopping for trendy brands or vintage scores. Less expensive fast fashion brands tend to move quicker on Poshmark. Luxe labels don’t get as much traction unless offered at steal deal pricing.
Also Read: Comparison Between The RealReal And thredUP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For high-end contemporary and luxury goods over $500 retail originally, The RealReal is worth utilizing to maximize your profit. The commission fees are well worth it when you earn hundreds more than selling such items elsewhere. For lower value mall brands and fast fashion, Poshmark will yield higher profit per item sold.
The RealReal is a consignment model, taking possession of items before listing. Poshmark is a peer-to-peer marketplace where sellers handle listing and shipping items directly themselves.
The RealReal takes a 40-70% commission depending on the item category and price. Expect 55-65% on average. Additional fees include a 3% jewelry processing fee and 40% flat fee on the first $100 earned monthly.
Most items sell within an average of 90 days according to The RealReal. Higher value luxury goods tend to sell fastest within 1-2 months when priced advantageously. More common contemporary brands may take 3-6 months to attract buyers.
Also Read: Differences Between Tradesy And The RealReal.
The Bottom Line
When deciding between The RealReal Vs. Poshmark, consider the item type, brand, and your profit goals. Those with lots of higher end goods needing authentication will maximize earnings with The RealReal’s services and luxury shopper base. Casual sellers downsizing mass market closet goods benefit from Poshmark’s simple peer-to-peer selling model.
Evaluate commission rates and fees between both platforms as well. If time and effort are limited, The RealReal’s full service consigning provides a convenient option even with its high fee structure. Hands-on sellers willing to put in work can take advantage of Poshmark’s lower selling costs and quicker payout potential instead.