Plato's Closet — Local services in Columbia

The Plato’s closet on Bower Parkway is a far stretch from professional! Months back one of their employees started an altercation with me, after I slid a pair of earrings out of the way to grab my basket across the counter. Immediately when I realized the employee bringing the basket was coming around the counter, I slid the earrings back & told that worker I was sorry. Such a small thing for a BIG reaction. She immediately rolled her eyes, huffed & before I could exit the store was very blankly talking about me with another employee. Only THEN did I get upset. Fast forward to MONTHS LATER, I take a large basket into Plato’s to sell, only for the girl (who was very nice) scanning my ID in to go to the back & come out with her manager (who was very nasty & rude) .. they told me I had been red flagged in their system. Upon asking why, this manager says as loudly as she possibly can, that I have brought stolen items from American eagle into their store, which I absolutely never have done!!? And then goes on, still as loudly as she can, to tell me they don’t tolerate disrespect to their employees. But very clearly they do not GIVE respect to their customers either! The entire store & all of its customers could hear this women accuse me of bring stolen items in. She purposely said this loudly to make sure everyone did hear. & when I told her that her employee was extremely rude to me the day we had that altercation, she truly did not care. I have had multiple horrible experiences with this “store” .. save yourself the hassle & go to the Two Notch Plato’s! They have a much larger selection of women AND mens clothes, they actually BUY YOUR ITEMS & every one I have ever had the pleasure of meeting there was extremely kind...

I’ve been in this Plato’s closet a couple times prior this experience, which is the main reason I’m giving it two stars and not one. However, I am quite upset at the events that transpired today. I went to Plato’s to drop off some clothes I was interested in selling. When I walked in, I saw it was busy (understandable) and there was another lady waiting in front of the counter with clothes to sell as well. So, I waited behind her to be respectful of the line. After a few minutes of not being helped, the lady stepped out of line. So I moved a little closer to the counter, waiting because I saw that the staff were quite busy. However, other parties then proceeded to walk through the door, walk past me up to the counter, and they were helped with dropping off clothes. This upset me because, one, none of the workers spoke to me to let me know I could drop off, and two, because I made eye contact with one of the workers several times, and he still said nothing. Had I known there were no wait, I would have walked up the counter. But I was trying to be respectful. The least a staff member could have done was communicate that they would help me as soon as possible, or that I could walk up the counter and they would help me. I’ve worked in public service since I was 17, and communication goes a long way...

I remember when I use to work here, some years ago, and it was by far an awesome place to work and shop for stylish, inexpensive, and slightly used clothing. The prices were great and so were the offers whenever you went to sell your gently used items. However, not too long ago I tried to sell all brand new items, never worn tag still attatched, and I had brand names from Columbiana mall. For 2 pairs of ripped f21 denim w/ tags, and a skirt with tags also from F21, they offered me $7. Each item was priced over $20. . . Now I know how the system works and the excuses they give for not purchasing items. I had more than 3 items to sell but that’s all they wanted. With BARE racks how are you selective on merchandise? The offer percentage has dropped immensely and it’s almost not worth even putting your clothes in line to be checked. It’s the PEOPLE that keeps a space like this running, it’s OUR old clothes that make THE INVENTORY. Please evaluate and create a new system because the selection is getting grim, employees are NOT personable or helpful. Merri, is however the DM And was manager over this store directly and that’s when I remember it being...