Glenn, this is the most truly thoughtful and well written post I’ve ever read on the stack. You are a genius. You are the moment. You need to be in charge of everything ever. This was amazing and I will be spreading the gospel
This was a brilliant loving and constructive criticism Glenn Mae. You touched on so many things I'd love to see from TRR as a 12 year customer. Bundled shipping/pulsing free shipping promos, meaningful tiered loyalty or membership programs, greatly improving taxonomy and search, partnering with the creator community on content, a stronger emphasis on denim which is so tough to shop at managed resale, etc etc. Dressing the Golden State Valkyries would be amazing to build local presence in SF. Also revisiting their apparel pricing and promo structure (plus shipping fees) since they've become noticeably more expensive in the last couple of years. They've done so much to bring resale into the mainstream and are the reason I primarily shop secondhand today. TRR is still my top brand and I'd love to see them take more meaningful strides in cultivating their current customer base - my fingers are crossed that some of these will be implemented now that they've hit profitability. I think the next couple of years will be an inflection point where TRR might lose some ground to eBay and Etsy as more savvy secondhand consumers move towards accessibly priced and unbranded secondhand, not to mention the ability to ask questions about the items for sale.
Yes to all of this! Especially losing ground to other secondhand sites (that have trusted communicative sellers) as it becomes the first stop for shoppers — there’s a sea of amazing designer out there on eBay that the Substack girlies are feeding to the people with their laser sharp sleuthing!
And a double yes to building their local presence around the Bay. They’re finally reopening their Union Square store which they closed when they were trying to reach profitability, and I’d LOVE to see them really anchor themselves as a Bay Area brand by doing local collabs and regular events.
When a company decides to branch out and be on Substack, I always imagine the classic boardroom table: 10 men, two women, one of whom is tasked with “make this happen.” None of them have any idea how much work is involved and how many people are needed to actually make it happen in a successful way, as you’ve laid out here, Glenn. Each of us readers/creators put so much effort and time into our own Substacks—they should hire you…and a team!💕
Yes, Sheila!!! As someone who was raised a “whole-asser” it’s hard to watch an idea with some much potential fizzle because a room of people didn’t realize it would require a whole lot more work than they expected!
Us weekly Substackers understand the pressure to serve the people while we give ourselves made-up deadlines that stress us the eff out 😂
Wow amazing! I always wonder if one of the problems keeping TRR so scattered is how poorly they pay. I don’t know if this is true, but I do get the feeling they are cutting corners everywhere. Stilll as an avid TRR user (and late night scroller!!) it would be thrilling if they did a third of what you recommend. I hope they read and let us know if they reach out! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You’re definitely on to something! I know a handful of people who have worked for the company and echoed similar sentiments, not to mention they definitely cut corners to become more profitable. I didn’t even get into my thoughts about the lack of education around the people entering attributes, with little to no knowledge about textiles or garment construction, but I also know most of this is me dreaming up ideas where the budget doesn’t exist — I know it’s not realistic, but you gotta start somewhere!
I once saw a garment described as silk in the description and then the material was labelled as “missing but feels like synthetic”. I mean, just one final glance at the copy for consistencies would be nice.
I’d love to see them do some sort of series on textile education, giving both their team and their consumer more insight to how garments are made — educated shoppers are more likely to come back *and* less likely to return things! And those constant inconsistencies in attributes that we all love to hate will eventually be detrimental to them as other secondhand companies gain popularity for being more detail oriented!
I haven’t used TRR because I’ve heard it’s so hard to navigate and that doesn’t feel worth it to me. Using things like Substack to help people with that would be a useful tool! And maybe garner new converts as well!
I don’t disagree! Substack would’ve been a fantastic tool to draw more people in! But I feel their execution and approach is far too surface level and sporadic to really capture the attention of the TRR timid!
Maybe they could utilize Notes to engage the Substack community, interact and bring people in to something bigger on their own platform? Maybe there’s a section on their site that’s like,✨TRR 101✨, with weekly tips and tricks from employees and trusted TRR community on their favorite ways to approach the labyrinth?
TRR made it possible for me to find vintage designer pieces that had never been accessible for me and I love them for that, but I hope they implement even just one of your suggestions because they really need it!!
I am a very long devoted shopper of the TRR. There are SO many things I wish they did differently and if they did those things I could stop calling them the relationship I should quit but always come crawling back to. Really hope they hire you!!
nailed every last word I fear. Not only are your diagnoses spot on, but your solutions are innovative and intentional, two things they desperately need more of. Just anecdotally, I modeled for them 10ish years ago - the art direction killed and was one of the best styled editorials I've been a part of. It was my introduction to TRR and I've been hooked ever since - completely agree that dropping that part of their content strategy was a huge mistake. And, just gonna say it!! feels like if they read the room a bit. Pages like mine that focus on affordability and accessibility to luxury fashion via TRR should be part of their strategy too (also, unlike The RealGirl, I am HIGHLY critical of them lol)
Yes! Their art direction and original editorial AND their store creative direction has always had a really strong POV that I’m surprised has never carried through!
I also agree they should be combing this site for us smaller creators who really serve up their audience the TRR in niche ways. No one here is likely to be pulling the same two finds, there’s so much potential in how far their reach could grow if they tapped into that.
Thank you for the compliment!! I’d just love to create something where people can really exercise and expand their imaginations while coming together in some form of community and education to stop buying so many crappy plastic sweaters!!!
You’re right. In a world where corporations are trying to convince us that they are our friend. It feels tone deaf that The Real Girl is faceless/anonymous. It feels more like they are trying to make sure that no singular employee/writer creates a relationship with TRR customer. (So that they don’t have to ensure job security for that person, or panic if that person leaves.) which misses the mark completely on TRR’s claim that they are trying to connect authentically with their customer.
We have Alexa, and chat gbt, and Waymos. I don’t want another faceless persona in my life. Your solutions offer a more real connection
Wow, I didn’t even really make the connection between how faceless technology has become and the lifelessness of The RealGirl — I think you’re on to something!
They need to hire you
Glenn, this is the most truly thoughtful and well written post I’ve ever read on the stack. You are a genius. You are the moment. You need to be in charge of everything ever. This was amazing and I will be spreading the gospel
Couldn’t have written it without your cheerleading!!
This was a brilliant loving and constructive criticism Glenn Mae. You touched on so many things I'd love to see from TRR as a 12 year customer. Bundled shipping/pulsing free shipping promos, meaningful tiered loyalty or membership programs, greatly improving taxonomy and search, partnering with the creator community on content, a stronger emphasis on denim which is so tough to shop at managed resale, etc etc. Dressing the Golden State Valkyries would be amazing to build local presence in SF. Also revisiting their apparel pricing and promo structure (plus shipping fees) since they've become noticeably more expensive in the last couple of years. They've done so much to bring resale into the mainstream and are the reason I primarily shop secondhand today. TRR is still my top brand and I'd love to see them take more meaningful strides in cultivating their current customer base - my fingers are crossed that some of these will be implemented now that they've hit profitability. I think the next couple of years will be an inflection point where TRR might lose some ground to eBay and Etsy as more savvy secondhand consumers move towards accessibly priced and unbranded secondhand, not to mention the ability to ask questions about the items for sale.
Yes to all of this! Especially losing ground to other secondhand sites (that have trusted communicative sellers) as it becomes the first stop for shoppers — there’s a sea of amazing designer out there on eBay that the Substack girlies are feeding to the people with their laser sharp sleuthing!
And a double yes to building their local presence around the Bay. They’re finally reopening their Union Square store which they closed when they were trying to reach profitability, and I’d LOVE to see them really anchor themselves as a Bay Area brand by doing local collabs and regular events.
When a company decides to branch out and be on Substack, I always imagine the classic boardroom table: 10 men, two women, one of whom is tasked with “make this happen.” None of them have any idea how much work is involved and how many people are needed to actually make it happen in a successful way, as you’ve laid out here, Glenn. Each of us readers/creators put so much effort and time into our own Substacks—they should hire you…and a team!💕
Yes, Sheila!!! As someone who was raised a “whole-asser” it’s hard to watch an idea with some much potential fizzle because a room of people didn’t realize it would require a whole lot more work than they expected!
Us weekly Substackers understand the pressure to serve the people while we give ourselves made-up deadlines that stress us the eff out 😂
Agreed, even “easy” things! Logistics! I know, lol, like we imagine riots if our newsletters are a day late.🤣
Wow amazing! I always wonder if one of the problems keeping TRR so scattered is how poorly they pay. I don’t know if this is true, but I do get the feeling they are cutting corners everywhere. Stilll as an avid TRR user (and late night scroller!!) it would be thrilling if they did a third of what you recommend. I hope they read and let us know if they reach out! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You’re definitely on to something! I know a handful of people who have worked for the company and echoed similar sentiments, not to mention they definitely cut corners to become more profitable. I didn’t even get into my thoughts about the lack of education around the people entering attributes, with little to no knowledge about textiles or garment construction, but I also know most of this is me dreaming up ideas where the budget doesn’t exist — I know it’s not realistic, but you gotta start somewhere!
I once saw a garment described as silk in the description and then the material was labelled as “missing but feels like synthetic”. I mean, just one final glance at the copy for consistencies would be nice.
I’d love to see them do some sort of series on textile education, giving both their team and their consumer more insight to how garments are made — educated shoppers are more likely to come back *and* less likely to return things! And those constant inconsistencies in attributes that we all love to hate will eventually be detrimental to them as other secondhand companies gain popularity for being more detail oriented!
or the dreaded “feels like fabric” ???? like ok let’s get these guys a snack break and a coffee, stat
I haven’t used TRR because I’ve heard it’s so hard to navigate and that doesn’t feel worth it to me. Using things like Substack to help people with that would be a useful tool! And maybe garner new converts as well!
I don’t disagree! Substack would’ve been a fantastic tool to draw more people in! But I feel their execution and approach is far too surface level and sporadic to really capture the attention of the TRR timid!
Maybe they could utilize Notes to engage the Substack community, interact and bring people in to something bigger on their own platform? Maybe there’s a section on their site that’s like,✨TRR 101✨, with weekly tips and tricks from employees and trusted TRR community on their favorite ways to approach the labyrinth?
sooooo if they don't hire you they're fumbling
TRR made it possible for me to find vintage designer pieces that had never been accessible for me and I love them for that, but I hope they implement even just one of your suggestions because they really need it!!
There’s so much discovery and education to be had in the vastness of their site, we just need them to get it together!
Just came here to say I need to say that Industry ad idea is pure gold and I want to see it realized!!
I’m so happy at least one Industry lover *gets* it!!!
I loved this
That means a lot, Devon! Thank you for reading!
traveling irl denim try on is the sexiest thing ever oh my god!!!
We could heal the world a little, unlock some power that has yet to be fully harnessed!
BRILLIANT
😚😚😚
I am a very long devoted shopper of the TRR. There are SO many things I wish they did differently and if they did those things I could stop calling them the relationship I should quit but always come crawling back to. Really hope they hire you!!
They are totally the relationship I should quit and always come back to, too 😅
nailed every last word I fear. Not only are your diagnoses spot on, but your solutions are innovative and intentional, two things they desperately need more of. Just anecdotally, I modeled for them 10ish years ago - the art direction killed and was one of the best styled editorials I've been a part of. It was my introduction to TRR and I've been hooked ever since - completely agree that dropping that part of their content strategy was a huge mistake. And, just gonna say it!! feels like if they read the room a bit. Pages like mine that focus on affordability and accessibility to luxury fashion via TRR should be part of their strategy too (also, unlike The RealGirl, I am HIGHLY critical of them lol)
Yes! Their art direction and original editorial AND their store creative direction has always had a really strong POV that I’m surprised has never carried through!
I also agree they should be combing this site for us smaller creators who really serve up their audience the TRR in niche ways. No one here is likely to be pulling the same two finds, there’s so much potential in how far their reach could grow if they tapped into that.
What's your dream job Glenn? Let's make that happen for you, because you are beyond talented!!!!!!
Thank you for the compliment!! I’d just love to create something where people can really exercise and expand their imaginations while coming together in some form of community and education to stop buying so many crappy plastic sweaters!!!
You’re right. In a world where corporations are trying to convince us that they are our friend. It feels tone deaf that The Real Girl is faceless/anonymous. It feels more like they are trying to make sure that no singular employee/writer creates a relationship with TRR customer. (So that they don’t have to ensure job security for that person, or panic if that person leaves.) which misses the mark completely on TRR’s claim that they are trying to connect authentically with their customer.
We have Alexa, and chat gbt, and Waymos. I don’t want another faceless persona in my life. Your solutions offer a more real connection
Wow, I didn’t even really make the connection between how faceless technology has become and the lifelessness of The RealGirl — I think you’re on to something!