Planet Money · Friday, July 10, 2026
Luxury brand Chanel is suing The Real Real, an online reseller of luxury goods, over issues related to the authenticity of products. The lawsuit centers on whether The Real Real can accurately authenticate high-end items like Chanel bags.
“So, uh, in store we saw Chanel, top handle, red. Hannah and I are now shopping on the secondary market. She's a big fan of this site, The Real Real, which is a high-end luxury reseller.”
“And all that might be in danger because Chanel is suing The Real Real.”
“But how do you know if it's real?”
“You can't run a business where consumers can't trust what they're buying.”