Hi Samantha.

The RealReal does sometimes ask for additional information from customers for a one time security check. Most times, this is for new customers who have never shopped with us before, orders with vastly different billing and shipping information, or are international customers with unverified credit cards. We will ask for some sensitive and personal information for the purposes of verifying the identity of the purchaser but we will not ask for a Social Security Number.

Was your father attempting to complete his purchase via Affirm? Affirm is a third party company we work with that offers financing on purchases. If your father was attempting to complete a purchase via Affirm, they do require a SSN for a soft credit check for the loan approval and repayment options. As Affirm is a third party, we do not have access to any of that information so it is secure with Affirm. Of course, no one is required to use Affirm for check out, rather it's just another payment option we offer.

Please feel free to reach out to us if this does not answer your questions or if you feel that the explanations provided were not applicable to your situation. You can reach out to our Customer Service Department at (855) 435 5893 from 8am to 5pm (PST). If you would like to speak to a supervisor directly, please feel free to ask for Caitlin from our NJ office. She is available from 9am to 6pm (EST) and of course you can reach us via email at: customerservice@therealreal.com.

Yes... I could see if you were applying for credit but just for a simple purchase that you purchased with a credit card is completely unnecessary for them to ask you for your Social Security number.

No, I don't think so, now. They have changed and really are MUCH BETTER in the way they do some business. I've not been asked that question but probably would not be since I'm an old and well known customer. They have done a fine job of improving the record keeping for returning items bought. It was not a really big problem but they had their return policy. They expected you, the one returning items to follow it but they did not. They state they will email you at different points in the return process. It was never done until about a month ago. Ever so much better. Now you actually know if items have been credited. You still must justify the returns against your credit card bill but it is ever so much easier now.
Just an aside - not an answer to your question. But since they have changed some of their policies, asking for a S S number would not surprise me. Good luck. They have some great "stuff" at ridiculously low prices. I love being a buyer. Would hate being a consignor considering the bargain basement prices they charge and the automatic 20% off, plus the frequent sales of 30% to 40% off. But I never, absolutely never buy sale items in the event they are really mismarked and you can not tell. How they fit the model is a clue, sometimes. Most of what they carry is pretty good, Some absolutely like new. Some should have been sent to Goodwill. They still have no control over the description department. I bought a beautiful red leather vest last week, Looking at it I just knew by the way it fit the model it could not be 28" around the bust. So I bought it. It arrived today and is 34" around the bust. Quite a difference. The difference of keep it or return it. And it was not on sale, either. I would never have done that with a sale item, however. You can't return sale items. Or so they make you believe. If the item is really mismarked, then yes you can. This is their fault and how can they make you keep something you bought in good faith that they did not sell in good faith. Wrong descriptions are evidence of not in good faith. This would be a really nice, dependable business if only they would get control over this description problem. I must say they are getting better. But just this weekend I saw a blouse described as a "Small". The description said it had a 44" bust! Now THAT is not small in my book, It was something I would have bought but since it was on sale, no way in the event it really WAS 44" around the bust. Buying bags, purses from them if "ify" at best. Many descriptions will cover almost anything that might be wrong with the item and you cannot see from the photos, which are so enhanced the item sometimes does not resemble the photo. And since a bag can't be returned, except for really misrepresentation, well you may wind up eating a bag as it is not what you thought you were buying. I've had more than my share of bad experiences buying bags and just do not buy them from them any more. I go the Fashionphile. They enhance their photos though, so beware. I bought a "white" bag, a beautiful white Versace bag which when it arrived was a lovely shade of beige. With them you have no hassle returning their bags, for any reason. With TRR clothing, shoes accessories are good. Sale items, bags and anything not returnable is not something I personally will buy from them. Why? I want to be able to return it. Good luck and happy shopping with TRR.

No, no one asked me for a ss#. I do not see any reason why they should. Very odd.

Yes, they had asked me that before too but I simply hung up and called back and the other person didn't ask me for my ss, there is a lot of weirdness going on with that site, I wouldn't encourage anyone to do business with them.

Don't ever give anyone your SS#. No one asked me for mine when I had my brief and horrific consigning experience with them. If that had been a requirement I would have passed. I asked for all my items they had not sold back because I was unhappy with their prices. I'd stay away from this outfit.

No I have not been asked for my SS #, nor would I give it to them if they asked. If you see a item that you think is of good quality and price, I would buy, but make sure you read the return policy for those items first. I DO NOT recommend selling items with TRR. The process for selling items can be a long and bumpy one.

Yes that is extremely odd. Please never supply your SSN.

I hope your dad did NOT provide his SSN. That is inappropriate to ask unless he was applying for credit. That is very odd to say the least.

Huh? Please stop doing business with them.

Unfortunately, we do not know all the facts re this question. Not knowing all the facts I am reluctant to answer. However as a buyer all transactions are handled via the computer. Unless you are calling customer service OR trying to consign merchandise with a representative NO direct personal contact is involved. So, unless all the facts are known I will not comment. I will simply say I have had nothing but exceptionally good experiences with the company and have purchased now over 40 items with NO problems!

That definitely seems strange. Most businesses use the last 4 digits of the social to verify an identity, but there's no reason to verify with a SS just for a purchase.

Never asked me for a ss #. And I wouldn't give it to them unless I was applying for a credit card. One purchase and never buying from them again.