Plato's Closet: Where to Shop for Used Clothes and Sell Your Own in South Carolina

What Plato's Closet is and how it works

Plato's Closet is a buy-sell-trade store for secondhand clothing, shoes, and accessories aimed at teenagers and young adults. You can walk in with clothes you no longer wear, sell them on the spot for cash, and browse racks of used items priced lower than retail. The store buys items that are current in style, in good condition, and from brands popular with that age group—think Urban Outfitters, Nike, Brandy Melville, Hollister, and similar labels.

The buying process is straightforward: bring clean, unwrinkled clothes on hangers (or fold them neatly), and a staff member will flip through them in the store. They'll make an offer on the spot for what they want. You don't have to accept—you can take rejected items home. If you do sell, you get paid in cash immediately, usually between 20 and 40 percent of what the store will resell the item for, depending on brand, condition, and current demand.

On the shopping side, Plato's Closet stocks constantly rotating inventory. Prices typically run 40 to 60 percent below mall retail, and the store holds sales throughout the year. You'll find jeans, hoodies, graphic tees, dresses, jackets, and shoes mixed by size rather than organized by brand, so browsing takes time but often yields finds.

Key Takeaways

• Plato's Closet buys used clothes on the spot for cash, paying roughly 20 to 40 percent of resale value for items in current style and good condition.
• Clothes must be clean, unwrinkled, and on hangers or neatly folded; the store focuses on brands popular with teens and young adults, not all labels.
• South Carolina has Plato's Closet locations in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville, each with different hours and inventory.
• Shopping prices run 40 to 60 percent below retail, and the store rotates stock frequently, so what's in stock changes week to week.
• The store also accepts trade-ins: you can exchange clothes for store credit instead of cash if you prefer to shop rather than sell.

Plato's Closet locations in South Carolina

South Carolina has three Plato's Closet locations: one in Columbia at Columbiana Centre mall, one in Charleston at The Citadel Mall, and one in Greenville at The Shops at Greenridge. Each store keeps its own hours, and hours can shift seasonally, so call or check the website before you visit. The Columbia and Greenville locations tend to have larger inventories and more frequent restocking.

If you're selling clothes, any location will buy from you, but the Columbia store is often the busiest and may have a wait during peak hours (weekends and after school). The Charleston location is smaller and moves more slowly, which can mean shorter waits but a narrower selection to shop from. Greenville falls in between.

What to bring when you sell

Bring clothes that are clean and free of stains, tears, or pilling. Wash and dry them beforehand—staff will reject visibly dirty items. Put them on hangers if possible; if not, fold them neatly. The store won't buy wrinkled clothes, so iron if needed. Bring a photo ID; you'll need it to complete the transaction.

Focus on brands the store actually buys: Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Hollister, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Nike, Adidas, Vans, Lululemon, Free People, and similar contemporary or athletic labels. Vintage or designer pieces outside this range will likely be rejected. Seasonal items sell better in season—bring winter coats in fall and early winter, not in July.

The store also buys accessories: belts, scarves, hats, and bags from the same brands. Shoes must be clean and in wearable condition. Bring multiple items if you can; staff will move through them faster and you're more likely to have some accepted.

How much you'll get paid

Payment depends on the brand, condition, and current demand. A pair of barely worn Lululemon leggings might fetch $15 to $25 in cash; a graphic tee from Urban Outfitters in good shape might bring $3 to $8. High-demand brands and items in excellent condition command the higher end of the range. Off-season items or less popular brands may be rejected entirely.

The store's offer is final—you can't negotiate. If you disagree with the price, you can take the item home or ask if they'll take it on trade credit instead, which is sometimes slightly higher. Trade credit can only be spent in the store, so it's useful if you plan to shop there anyway.

Shopping at Plato's Closet

Inventory rotates constantly, so the same item won't be there next week. Prices are fixed and marked on tags. Most items fall between $5 and $30, with jeans and jackets at the higher end and tees and basics at the lower end. The store runs sales a few times a year—watch for end-of-season clearance in late August and January, when prices drop another 20 to 30 percent.

Items are organized by type (jeans, tops, dresses, outerwear) and then by size, not by brand. This means you have to flip through racks, but it also means you'll stumble on pieces you might not have searched for. Try things on—the fitting rooms are in the back. Return policies vary, but generally you have a few days to return unworn items with tags attached and a receipt.

The store also stocks shoes, bags, and accessories. Shoes are priced $8 to $20 depending on brand and condition. Bags and belts run $5 to $15. These items move quickly, so if you see something you like, buy it then rather than coming back.

Trade-in versus cash: which makes sense

You can sell for cash or trade your clothes for store credit. Trade credit is usually 10 to 20 percent higher than the cash offer—so if the store offers $10 cash, they might offer $12 in trade credit. Trade credit only works in that specific store, so it makes sense only if you plan to shop there regularly or have a list of items you want.

Cash is better if you need money now, don't shop at Plato's Closet often, or want to sell to multiple stores. Trade credit is better if you're a regular customer, like the store's inventory, and want to stretch your selling money further.

Tips for selling successfully

Bring clothes in the morning or on a weekday if possible—evenings and weekends mean longer waits and staff moving faster through piles. Bring no more than two large bags at once; anything more and staff may ask you to come back another time. Sort your clothes by type before you arrive (all jeans together, all tops together) so the buyer can move through them faster.

Ask the buyer why items were rejected if you're unsure. Common reasons include: out-of-season, wrong brand, visible wear, or simply not in current demand. This feedback helps you know what to bring next time. If you have a lot of clothes to sell regularly, ask about their bulk-buying process—some locations have a faster track for repeat sellers.

Check the store's social media or website before you visit; they sometimes post what's in high demand that month, which helps you know what to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sell clothes to shop there?

No. Plato's Closet is open to anyone who wants to browse and buy. You don't have to bring anything to sell. Many people shop there without ever selling.

What if the store rejects all my clothes?

It happens, especially if items are out of season, from brands the store doesn't stock, or showing wear. Take them home and try another thrift store, or donate them. Plato's Closet is selective by design, so rejection doesn't mean the clothes are bad—just not what that store is buying right now.

Can I return clothes I bought if I change my mind?

Yes, within a few days with a receipt and tags attached. The exact return window varies by location, so ask at checkout. Items must be unworn and in original condition.

Do you buy plus sizes or men's clothing?

Plato's Closet focuses on juniors and young adult sizes and is primarily women's and unisex. Men's items are limited. Plus sizes are sometimes available but not may provide. Call your local store to ask what they currently stock.

Is there a minimum amount of clothes I have to bring to sell?

No formal minimum, but bringing just one or two items means a quick rejection or a very small payout. Bring at least five to ten items for a worthwhile transaction. Staff will move through larger piles faster and you're more likely to have some pieces accepted.