For years I wondered what all the fuss was about.
I heard stories about how to sell clothes to Plato’s Closet, but wanted to try it out myself.
Over the weekend I took a large portion of my closet to Platos, and pretty surprised at their offer.
Today, I’ll reveal how much Plato’s Closet pays for clothes, so you can decide if it’s right for you.
How much does Plato’s Closet pay for clothes?
In my experience, Plato’s Closet pays approximately $8 per item on average when selling clothes and shoes.
This might seem on the low end, but you have to consider how Plato’s Closet works.
They are a clothing reseller that pays you on the spot, and might have to wait months before reselling that item. It’s also possible they never resell it, if they can’t find a buyer.
Not to mention, they have business expenses, and need to turn a profit as well.
I recently took about 20 items to my local Plato’s Closet and walked away with $168, after their 30 minute review process.
The items included a few jackets, a pair of cowboy boots, running shoes, and a bunch of shirts. I wasn’t surprised they accepted those items, since they were all great to resell.
Is Plato’s Closet worth selling to?
Due to their fair rates and cash payouts, Plato’s Closet is definitely worth selling to in my opinion.
Over the years, I’ve sold stuff at yard sales, online marketplaces, and pawn shops, but have to say I enjoyed the Plato’s Closet experience most.
Benefits of Selling to Plato’s Closet:
- No haggling – unlike pawn shops and yard sales, you won’t have to deal with haggling and negotiating, which makes the process a breeze.
- They accept a wide range of products – Plato’s accepts clothing, belts, handbags, bracelets, hats, necklaces, sunglasses, boots, running shoes, jackets, scarves, tank tops, and sandals.
- Offers are pretty good – Plato’s offers are more fair than most other places I’ve tried.
How does Plato’s Closet work?
Plato’s Closet is essentially a recycling business that purchases used clothes for less than market value from consumers, and resells them for a profit.
This may sound simple, but second hand clothing is a huge business. In fact, many Plato’s Closet locations generate over a million dollars in revenue.
Most consignment shops determine market value by using sales data on platforms like eBay, or sales data from their own brick and mortar stores.
Trend on the Rise:
As an industry, the second hand market is generating over $36 billion dollars. As more people become focused on living sustainably and frugally, the second hand market will continue accelerating.
Does Plato’s Closet always buy?
Even if you sell items in accepted categories, they still might decline stuff due to seasonality, overstock of certain brands, or the condition might be too rough.
Luckily, just because one Plato’s Closet doesn’t accept an item doesn’t mean another won’t.
During my recent trip to Plato’s they refused several items, saying the brand didn’t sell well at their store, but it sells great at their other location about 15 minutes away.
Therefore, be prepared to visit a few stores if you want to get rid of all your items.
How to maximize your payout from Plato’s Closet?
One of the best ways to increase your payout from Plato’s Closet is to spend a few minutes improving the look of your stuff beforehand.
For example, make sure your clothes are free of pet hair, dust, and dirt. Rid your shoes of major issues like gum on the heel, red dirt on the midsole, and pet hair inside the shoe.
I use this same strategy when selling used shoes, and increases the sale price tremendously.
These quick wins make your items more presentable, and thus more valuable in the eyes of Plato’s Closet.
The next strategy involves a bit of market research.
Most areas have several Plato’s Closets within driving distance. Turns out, each store will offer slightly different amounts for things you bring in.
This makes sense though, since some locations have more young shoppers than others, which means certain brands sell better than others.
Reading customers reviews can reveal what types of brand sell well at a particular store, and how happy customers are with their payouts.
Other Great Way to Sell Stuff
If you have items that Plato’s Closet won’t accept, or want to earn the most money possible for your stuff, there are other options.
I’ve personally been an online seller for years, and will share the pros and cons of each alternative method below.
Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces are fantastic methods to sell things. Not only can you get your listings in front of millions when selling on Mercari and eBay, but you usually earn more as well.
A few things to consider with online marketplaces is that you’ll need to set up a seller account and handle shipping (which is very simple these days).
Start an Online Boutique
It’s never been easier to start a clothing boutique in the age of the internet.
As with any business though, there are challenges, such as getting shoppers to your store. Still selling clothing online has proven to be a viable option for many.
Pawn Shops
Pawn shops tend to get a bad reputation for low balling, but this is usually from people who haven’t done their homework before bringing items to a pawn shop.
Sure, pawn shops are usually filled with great negotiators, but you can negotiate with them as well.
You can also sell all kinds of stuff to pawn shops, while most consignment shops will be picky.
Spend a few minutes researching the top pawn shops in your area with Google reviews, so you can get the best payout.
Yard Sales
Garage sales date back to the early 1800s, and are still a go-to strategy for quick cash. Setting up a yard sale can be as easy or as complicated as you want.
Although yard sales are one of the easiest ways to unload large amounts of stuff, be prepared for haggling and early birds (people who show up before your sale starts).
Wrapping Up
I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of my recent trip to Plato’s Closet.
If you want to get rid of a bunch of clothes and shoes, I highly recommend giving it a try.
John-Paul Cody has been an avid online seller for years, across platforms including eBay, Mercari, Craigslist, and more. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UNC Chapel Hill, and works in data analytics and marketing.
