Plato’s Closet

Teens and twenty-​somethings of St. Louis, lend me your ears:
Please continue to sell your clothes here so that I can buy them!
When I was a kid, I thought people over thirty were SO. OLD. I thought any adult was ancient, really. I recall watching an episode of Full House when I was about eight. Uncle Jesse was going to his high school reunion. WOW. I wasn’t even in JUNIOR high at that point. He was so old. But he had great hair and was always hanging out with The Beach Boys.
Even in my twenties, I thought thirty was pretty old. I guess I thought turning thirty would magically transform me into Super Boring Serious Person. WRONG! Thirty is the new twenty for me. Now I’m wondering if forty will be my boring, serious decade, but I’m willing to bet it won’t be.
I don’t ever want to grow up. I mean, I’m responsible. I take care of things. I pay my taxes. I’ve had a Roth IRA ever since you could have a Roth IRA. I’m married. I have two kids – two fancy, elegant kids. You’ll never catch them without their fur coats, even when they’re using the litter box.
I just don’t want to be all grown-​uppy. I want to listen to dance music. I want to play with my phone all day. I want to watch stupid MTV shows. But most of all, I don’t want to wear the boring, serious clothes intended for people my age.
And I apparently am not the only one who feels that way. I’ve seen women my age or older shopping here. Sure, many of them have their teenagers with them, but some of them – SOME OF THEM – are quite seemingly shopping for themselves.
This is my favorite Plato’s Closet in the area. It’s HUGE.
They’ve got accessories and clothing for guys and girls, and I can easily spend hours shopping here. Everything is organized by type (e.g., shirts, skirts, dresses, jeans) and then by size and color. Most clothing is in juniors’ sizing, but some is not.
I spent 2.5 hours here during a visit just this week. Yes, 150 minutes. I had a $ 6.50 coupon, and I left with five shirts for a total of $ 27.50 after my discount. Two shirts still had their original tags!
Plato’s Closet certainly is affordable, but keep in mind it’s not exactly a high-​fashion place. It’s trendy. You might see a designer label here and there, but most of what I’ve seen has included brands like Old Navy, Xhilaration, Mossimo, American Eagle, Forever 21, and H&M. You know, stuff the kids wear. Stuff I wear.
Most of the clothing is gently worn, but you still should check your garments for holes and other defects prior to purchasing them. That is particularly important if you are buying a top off of a double-​hang garment rack. While browsing, I occasionally have come across shirts and sweaters on the upper rack that have been snagged by hangers on the lower rack.
In my experience, negative reviews for resale shops often seem to have been written not by customers, but by people who have attempted to sell their clothing to the shop. I’ve never read a review from someone who said, «I brought my clothes to [this resale shop], and they bought everything from me. I made so much money!» It’s usually more like, «I brought a bunch of cute stuff in, and they didn’t want any of it. One star! They don’t know fashion. They suck!»
As an experiment, I attempted to sell some clothing at a Plato’s Closet closer to my house. They did not buy any of my stuff, so I certainly understand the frustration. Like other reviewers of various Plato’s Closet locations, I’ve also wondered why the employees have bought some of things I’ve seen in the stores. Some things are just tacky, but I guess I shouldn’t be judging. I’m a grown-​ass woman shopping at a store designed for people half my age.
So, to bring this to an end, I’m not sure where they’re getting this stuff. I don’t know from whom they’re actually buying clothes. The negative reviews make it seem like they buy from no one. I also don’t know who is buying clothing, hardly wearing it or not wearing it all, and then selling it here. But I have this to say to those people:
Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here. I’ll keep buying the clothes you don’t want, and I’ll keep saving money.
Don’t worry, though. I’ll leave the crop tops, short shorts and mini skirts for all of you youngsters.

I don’t even want to give this place one star. The lady taking my friends clothes had the worst attitude. She told me I should go somewhere else because I asked why she didn’t take good clothes. She said they only take trends from the past year, yet the racks were filled with hideous clothes. My expierence was awful and I will never go back.

There is no point in selling your clothes here. First of all, the teeny boppers who work here decide what’s in «style.» Most of the clothes I had were name brand and still in. They didn’t accept it, yet accepted another customers piece, which looked like it was from the 80s. Another thing is that you will probably not be getting anything for more than a few bucks on whatever you are selling, even if it’s a good brand. Usually resale shops are supposed to be cheap, but the prices are as if you’re shopping at the mall. No point in buying expensive, faded clothes if you can go to the mall for the same price and buy better things.

Great place to buy gently used clothing at reasonable prices. I have shopped here since i was in high school and it’s only gotten better since the stores expansion. I also get to sell clothes and purses i don’t use anymore. I wouldn’t be able to get designer jeans without the savings!

I feel like this place if a rip off if you want to sell your designer clothes. I can bring in the latest designer clothes/​shoes either new or lightly worn and they will give me such a low price for it. I feel like I am being ripped off.

Now allow me to say this review is based solely on the St. Peter’s location.
I love Plato’s closet. I have been an avid second hand shopper for many years and I willing confess that about 80% of my clothing comes from this store. With that being said…
Welcome to Hoarder’s Paradise! Yes, this place looks like a pack rat’s dream. There is literally so much crap everywhere that you can’t move around in the place. Good lucky with your attempt to pass another costumer in the same aisle without having the hassle of stepping on some sort of fallen debris from the racks or getting jabbed by a hanger. Trust me when I say that I have been the victim to both the hanger jabbing and stepping on debris.
I have been in this location 2 times. Twice was all it took for me to say «never again»!! At no other location have I had the problems that I have faced here.
1. Shoes are flung everywhere. There are no designated sizing areas for them. When I asked a sales associate where I could find a size 8 shoe, her reply was, «We don’t have specific areas for sizes, we place them by style since we have so many.» That’s your first problem! You don’t need this much quantity.
You’re next problem is that even the shoes you say that are supposed to be separated by style are not separated either! Instead, you will find a size 6 ballet flats next to the size 10 stilettos
2. The clothing is too worn to be sold back to the store. They seem to literally buy anything back without giving the clothes a thorough inspection to make sure they are in at least fair condition.
When Kirkwood or Chesterfield buy back the clothes, they give them a detailed look to make sure there are no holes stains, lose strings, rub wear and tear, and so on. Half of the items I see in the St. Peters location look as if someone had deliberately abused the clothing. I can’t stand it!
Each store is owned by a different owner. Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and Colombia are all affiliated. St. Peters and Florissant are affiliated, however, I’m unsure if it owned by the same person. Even Florissant is easy to shop around in.
Advice the owner should take:
Kirkwood and Chesterfield are my primary locations I shop. If you’re going to own a store, please don’t make the place a feel like a trip to Wal-​Mart on Black Friday! Make some room for walking space, gear towards adequate costumer service, and worry about quality. Make it a pleasant shopping experience, not something that feels like a jam and where you’re stuck in a bunch of clutter!
Ok, done with this review. I just wish this place was top grade like the others that I’ve been to.