'Job Description for Personal Shopper Business
- Provide special expertise in shopping for unusual items.
- Assist clients who are not able to shop for themselves because of disability or illness.
- Research and purchase gifts for business clients to present on special occasions.
There are only 24 hours in each day. Subtract a full day of work, getting the kids off to school and back home, making dinner, and, if you’re lucky, eight hours of sleep, and there’s not much time left over for shopping.
Senior citizens and people with physical infirmities may not be able to get out of their homes to shop for food, necessities, and gifts. Businesses purchase gifts for clients and to honor employees for significant personal milestones.
Then there are those people whose vision of the levels of hell include one specifically devoted to being trapped in a shopping mall. The personal shopper gets to know the client and the market, and efficiently shops for (and often delivers) items ranging from groceries to furniture, appliances, and supplies.
Personal Shopper Business Challenges
The personal shopper puts the emphasis on the personal, promising a sharp focus on the client’s needs and careful shopping to fulfill them. You will not succeed if you deliver the wrong items at the wrong price.
Make sure you fully understand the needs and wants of your client. If you are asked to go to The Gap and buy a pair of size 8 cropped jeans, you can’t substitute relaxed-fit khakis from Wal-Mart. On the other hand, if you are asked to research and find the highest-quality set of kitchen knives, your client may ask you to present a list of recommendations with prices.
A third option would be for a client to give you a general description of a type of product and ask you to use your judgment in finding it and buying it without further consultation. Wear appropriate clothing for the stores in which you shop, and act professionally in all of your dealings, since you are representing someone else.
In some situations, you may be given a key to a house and asked to deliver groceries and place them appropriately in the refrigerator, freezer, or cupboard. You will be in competition with shopping sites on the Internet, although not everyone feels comfortable (or has the time) for that exercise, and again, your pitch should emphasize the personal attention you will deliver.
Know the Territory
You’re probably interested in this sort of job because you consider yourself to be a good shopper for yourself. However, make sure you don’t limit yourself solely to stores that meet your needs; you should spend the time to learn about retail outlets, grocery stores, and specialty shops in your area. You should also become familiar with shopping on the Internet and by mail order.
This sort of assistance is most likely to be popular in areas with professionals who do not have the time to shop for themselves or in localities with many senior citizens who are unable to get out on their own.
How to Get Started Personal Shopper Business
Advertise your availability in community and senior citizen centers. Place ads in area newspapers and shopping guides. Ask friends and relatives to spread the word, and offer satisfied customers a bonus if they refer new clients to you.
Send letters of introduction to the human resources departments of major employers in your area, offering to shop for gifts for employees and customers of the company.
Personal Shopper Business Expenses
The primary expenses here are for advertising and promotion. You should have access to the Internet for research, shopping, and promotion.
Charge for Personal Shopper
The simplest and most transparent way to charge for this sort of service is to levy an hourly charge plus the actual cost of purchases; keep copies of all receipts and maintain accurate records of your