We Authenticate Every Item

Questions About The RealReal’s Authentication Process

Q: Are there many fake products on The RealReal?
A: We have developed the most rigorous authentication process in the resale marketplace.

• We are the only resale company in the world that authenticates every single item we sell—and there is no other resale company doing more to remove fakes from the market every day and put counterfeiters out of business.
• We have worked tirelessly to gain and maintain your trust by creating a safe, reputable marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment.
• We employ hundreds of experts and brand authenticators, including gemologists and horologists, who inspect thousands of items each day in our TRR Authentication Centers.*
• Our authentication process and all of our internal processes are changing constantly, driven by new technologies like TRR Vision and TRR Shield that use machine learning and AI.
• In-house innovations like TRR Vision and TRR Shield are created in the TRR Authentication Labs where experts in authentication, automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning collaborate to fight counterfeit products.
• We stand behind our business and importantly, if our customers aren’t happy, or if they ever question one of our products, we always make it right.

Q: Is The RealReal’s authentication process thorough?
A: We have a rigorous, brand-specific authentication process.

• Items are received and identified as “high risk” or “lower risk” based on brand, market value, fashion category, consignor data, etc. If there is a higher probability for counterfeiting, the product is deemed higher risk in authenticating.
• “High risk” items (anything from an Hermès Birkin bag to the hottest streetwear) are sent to authenticators with significant authentication experience, who are highly specialized in specific categories. Many of these authenticators join The RealReal from the luxury brands themselves—like Tiffany, Hermès and Rolex—or auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s and have a deep knowledge of the markers, materials and craftsmanship behind genuine products. They assess each item based on these and other characteristics.
• TRR Vision is a TRR-proprietary model that uses AI and machine learning to predict the likelihood of inauthenticity. The team is scaling this technique to cover 40% of handbag supply by the end of 2022. Improved efficiency and enhanced automation enables more efficient scaling of our business model.
• Fine jewelry and watches are authenticated and appraised by our gemologists and horologists, and each piece comes with a valuation certificate. We even developed our own measurement device for mounted stones that saves time and improves accuracy over conventional methods per our testing. 
• Art items are thoroughly researched and validated by our team of fine art specialists.
• “Lower risk” items, such as contemporary brands with clear authenticity markers, are sent to authenticators who are qualified to assess that brand and/or category
• Where a lower-risk authenticator has a question about an item, our high-risk authenticators, all of whom have deep experience, are available in person to discuss or review a product.
• Finally our Quality Control team provides an additional layer of control to help prevent fakes from being sold on our site, pulling certain at-risk items for further review. While this extra step takes time, we do not sacrifice quality for quantity.

In addition, as the largest marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment, we have an extensive set of data — which serves as the backbone of our authentication process. For example, data is leveraged to update algorithms used in TRR Shield to route the highest risk products to our most experienced authenticators, making sure that the “high risk” products get the most scrutiny. We offer Authentication-as-a-Service to all our customers to build trust in the secondary market which helps extend the life of luxury items, promotes the circular economy and reduces incentives for fast fashion and waste.

Our team works diligently and is constantly innovating to ensure we maintain the highest standards and keep fraudulent products off the market.

Q: Are the employees authenticating products experienced?
A: Every member of our authentication team receives thorough training on all categories of products they authenticate.

• “High risk” authenticators have significant authentication experience and are highly specialized in specific categories. Many of these authenticators join The RealReal from the luxury brands themselves—like Tiffany, Hermès and Rolex – or auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s with deep knowledge of the markers, materials and craftsmanship behind genuine products.
• Our lower-risk authenticators are deeply trained in authentication. They currently receive a minimum of 40 hours of training, including during onboarding, job shadowing, daily training sessions and quizzes.
• Where a lower-risk authenticator has a question about an item, our “Master Authenticators,” all of whom have deep experience, are available in person to discuss or review a product.
• All authenticators also participate in ongoing training sessions throughout their tenure to identify counterfeiting trends as part of our unrelenting commitment to stay ahead of counterfeiters.

It is essential to us that each employee receives the training they need to feel supported and be successful.