By Alexandra Gargon & Kimberly Manahan (The Whetstone)

Second-hand stores are an option for students who want to shop but don’t have the money.

The most notable in town are Plato’s Closet, Goodwill and Spence’s Bizarre – but sometimes the quality is not the best.

“[Plato’s Closet] is great,” junior Jessica Cohen said. “It’s extremely cheap, but you have to be careful what you buy.”

These businesses like it when Wesley’s school year begins.

“Back to school is like Christmas to us,” said Alexis Muniz, store manager and partial owner of Plato’s Closet.

Greg Lynch, a vendor at Spence’s Bizarre, also agrees that the back to school season is a busier time.

“There is about a 10 percent increase in traffic,” he said.

Lynch sells a variety of items, including Airsoft guns, brand-name handbags, and assorted candies.

The handbags come from a variety of vendors including Mudd and Route 21, and are sold at prices 30–40 percent lower than in department stores, Lynch said.

Items at Plato’s Closet are sold at about a 70 percent markdown, Muniz said.

Because of the amount of different styles, it may be more difficult to find what you’re looking for at Goodwill.

“Goodwill’s harder to find good things with,” Cohen said. “If you really look you can find a lot of good stuff for real cheap.”

A customer was able to purchase a pair of Ralph Lauren women’s cargo pants for only $1.75 at Goodwill.

At Plato’s Closet, another customer purchased an Aeropostale sweater for $10 and a Forever 21 long-sleeved top for $6.

Plato’s Closet also buys back “gently used teen brand clothing items” for young men and women.

“They don’t give you a lot of money for their clothes,” Cohen said. “But it’s a great idea!”