Extra Income Strategies - Getting Paid to Shop
October 26, 2008 | 1 Comment
Getting paid to shop? How do I become a personal shopper?
Many women enjoy shopping…so for those looking for an extra income from home, personal shopping is an innovative way to get paid to shop.
Surprisingly, despite the credit crunch, there has never been higher demand for personal shoppers for people of all levels of income. In the busy lifestyle of both adults in the household working, time for shopping is in short supply. Alternatively, those who are housebound or simply don’t like shopping can also be valuable clients. All these people may enlist the services of a personal shopper to find gifts, furniture, clothing and groceries. Getting paid to shop for these types of people can be quite easy as they are not inclined to shp even though they need to.
How do I set myself up as a personal shopper?
Firstly, you need to identify where your shopping talents lie. Do you have a particular flair for fashion? Seek out business people that do not have time to shop or people who want to change their image but do not know how to do so. A good personal shopper can be worth their weight in gold to these people.
Are you good at identifying colours and style that suit someone else? Set yourself up in interior design resourcing. This can be a lucrative area for getting paid to shop if you have talent in this area.
Are you good at seeking out bargains in the supermarkets? Helping working or housebound people to seek out value items and catering to specific food tastes can be a valuable skill in personal shopping.
The elderly often can’t get out to shop. Visiting to establish their shopping needs, buying them and delivering in a friendly and supportive way will be hugely helpful and also give social contact too.
Alternatively, approaching companies to source Christmas gifts for employees can be a lucrative (if seasonal) area in personal shopping.
What skills does a personal shopper require?
- Great people skills. You must be able to listen well to your clients, assess their need acurately, build a trusting relationship and get them wanting to come back for more personal shopping from YOU.
- Creativity. Coming up with origional ideas for clothing and gifts will have your customers coming back and begging for more.
- Research skills. Getting the best deals for a specific item will save your client money and have them coming back for more.
- Knowledge of current styles and trends. Some of your clients are wanting to keep abreast of trends.
- Flexibility. You may need to adjust your schedule quickly to respond to an urgent request.
Where do I advertise as a personal shopper?
Your client group will determine where you advertise.
- The elderly and housebound may be approached through day centers, independant living centers, support groups etc.
- Businesses may need to be approached direct.
- Local newspapers.
- Fashion or house and home magazines .
- Craigslist and local online message boards.
How much will I get paid to shop?
It is usual for personal shoppers to charge commission (a percentage of tyhe total spend) plus a flat basic fee per order. You may want to include a mileage payment and / or telephone costs as you research and access the goods being purchased. the norm is a 10 - 20 % commission and a basic fee of $10 - $15 is a good starting point depending on your client group and their likely financial resources. Instead of a % comission, a flat hourly rate is another option depending on what you are buying.
Is personal shopping the job for me?
Personal shopping is a great way for stay at home moms who want extra income and to work from home because you can take your kids with you. Alternatively, you can always go out for a couple of hours in the evening when your partner gets home from work or a babysitter is available.
If you enjoy shopping and want to indulge in guilt-free shopping (especially during the credit crunch) then getting paid to shop is a worthwhile option that you can tailor to your personal situation.