At the RealReal warehouses in Secaucus and Perth Amboy, in New Jersey, there is a backlog. Used designer clothing, handbags and all manner of accessories are waiting to be inspected for authenticity, photographed, then packaged and shipped when they’re eventually purchased online.
This is what the RealReal does: It gives another chance at life to secondhand Chanel flats, Prada backpacks, Burberry trenches. When it went public last year, the luxury consignment company was valued at more than $1 billion.