Clothes Mentor Columbia: Where to Buy and Sell Secondhand Women's Clothing

What Clothes Mentor Columbia Offers

Clothes Mentor is a consignment and resale shop in Columbia where you can buy gently used women's clothing, shoes, and accessories, or sell items you no longer wear. The store buys inventory directly from customers and also accepts items on consignment, meaning you keep a percentage of the sale price if your piece sells. You'll find contemporary brands, vintage pieces, and seasonal styles at a fraction of retail cost.

The Columbia location operates as part of a larger consignment chain, so the buying and selling process follows consistent procedures whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular. The store is located in the Devine Street area, a neighborhood known for local shops and restaurants. Hours and current inventory change seasonally, so checking ahead before you visit saves a trip.

Key Takeaways

• Clothes Mentor buys women's clothing outright or takes items on consignment, paying you cash or store credit depending on the option you choose.
• The store accepts contemporary brands in good condition—typically items from the past few seasons—and rejects pieces with stains, tears, or significant wear.
• Buying at Clothes Mentor costs roughly 40 to 60 percent less than retail prices for similar items at department stores.
• You can sell items by visiting the store with your clothing, or in some cases by scheduling a home pickup if you have a large volume to move.

How to Sell Your Clothes at Clothes Mentor

Walk into the store with clean, unwrinkled items on hangers or folded neatly. A staff member will flip through your pieces and sort them into three piles: items they'll buy outright, items they'll take on consignment, and items they won't accept. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many pieces you bring.

If the store buys your items outright, you'll receive cash or store credit on the spot. Consignment means the store displays your piece for a set period (typically 60 to 90 days), and you receive payment only if it sells. You'll get a receipt listing each item, its consignment price, and the date it will be removed from the floor if unsold. After that date, you can pick up unsold pieces or donate them; most customers leave them with the store.

Clothes Mentor looks for items from brands like J.Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Target, H&M, and similar contemporary labels. Condition matters: no stains, rips, missing buttons, or odors. Seasonal timing affects what they buy—winter coats sell better in fall, and lightweight dresses move faster in spring. Bringing items during the right season increases your chances of a sale.

What to Expect When Buying

The store is organized by clothing type (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear) and size, making it easy to browse. Prices typically range from $5 to $30 for most pieces, with higher-end or designer items reaching $40 to $60. Everything is already cleaned and inspected, so you're buying ready-to-wear pieces without the guesswork of online secondhand shopping.

Inventory rotates constantly as new consignments arrive and items sell. If you're hunting for something specific—a particular size, style, or brand—visiting multiple times over a few weeks increases your odds of finding it. The store also runs occasional sales or promotions, so asking staff about upcoming discounts can stretch your budget further.

Location and Hours

Clothes Mentor Columbia is located on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood. Parking is available on the street or in nearby lots shared with neighboring businesses. The store is walkable from other shops and restaurants if you want to make a morning or afternoon of browsing the area.

Hours vary by season and day of the week, so call ahead or check the store's phone number before visiting. Many consignment shops adjust hours during slower retail periods, and holiday schedules may differ from regular operations. Confirming hours takes two minutes and prevents a wasted trip.

Consignment vs. Outright Purchase: Which Option Pays More

Outright purchase pays you immediately but at a lower rate—typically 30 to 40 percent of what the store will sell the item for. Consignment pays a higher percentage (usually 40 to 50 percent of the sale price) but only if the piece sells, and you have to wait for that sale to happen. If you need cash today, outright purchase is faster. If you're willing to wait and want to maximize what you earn per item, consignment makes sense.

The store's buying decision depends partly on demand. Trendy items in popular sizes sell quickly, so the store may offer consignment. Niche sizes or styles may only may have access to for outright purchase because the store isn't confident they'll sell. Ask the staff member which option they're offering and why—that context helps you decide whether to accept or take your items elsewhere.

What Items Won't Be Accepted

Clothes Mentor does not buy activewear, swimwear, undergarments, or items with visible damage. Stains, pilling, fading, stretched-out elastic, and odors are automatic rejections. Items from discount retailers like Walmart or Old Navy sometimes get turned down if they show wear, though newer pieces from these brands may be accepted. Vintage or thrifted items that aren't from recognizable contemporary brands are usually declined.

Fast-fashion pieces (ultra-cheap items from stores like Shein or Fashion Nova) are rarely accepted because they don't hold resale value. High-end designer items in excellent condition are always welcome and may command higher prices. If you're unsure whether something will sell, bring it in and let the staff decide—there's no penalty for hearing no.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to sell my clothes?

Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead to confirm hours is smart. If you have a very large volume of items (more than 50 pieces), some locations offer scheduled appointments to ensure staff has time to process everything. Ask when you call whether an appointment would help.

What happens to clothes that don't sell on consignment?

After the consignment period ends (usually 60 to 90 days), unsold items are removed from the floor. You can pick them up within a set window, or most customers authorize the store to donate them. Check your receipt for the exact pickup deadline and donation policy.

Can I return something I bought if it doesn't fit?

Return policies vary by location, so ask about the store's specific policy when you purchase. Many consignment shops offer a short return window (typically 7 to 14 days) if an item has a defect you didn't notice, but final-sale policies are common for secondhand pieces. Keep your receipt.

How often does new inventory arrive?

New consignments arrive throughout the week as customers bring items in. The store doesn't announce specific restock days, so visiting on different days of the week gives you access to different selections. Regular shoppers often develop a sense of when new pieces tend to appear.

What payment methods do you accept for purchases?

Clothes Mentor accepts cash and major credit cards for buying. When you sell items, you can usually choose between cash or store credit, with store credit sometimes offering a small bonus (like an extra 5 to 10 percent) to encourage you to shop there.