Personal Shopping for Clients

Being a personal shopper for a few home health clients, I am trusted to spend their money wisely. I do this a few ways, and in this article, I am going to share my secrets with you.

One thing you must remember is you are shopping for the personal items of another person so do not purchase a new brand for the person simply because you feel it's a better deal. In most cases, the client is brand loyal and its best to make sure you purchase that brand of a specific item.

One client uses paper towels and goes through many packages a month. I tried to save her money and purchased the store brand for her. I was politely told that the Bounty paper towels are much better in quality and durability. I learned a harsh lesson that day that my client was very brand loyal, and returning the inferior quality of paper towels taught me the lesson. Now I look on the internet for coupons on bulk packages of these paper towels, to save the client money and assure that she gets the best value for her money.

Using coupons for my clients is a smart move on my part and the clients appreciate it when I hand them a receipt and it shows savings for them. It shows them that I care about saving them money. Most clients like the receipt to show only their items so either set aside a shopping day for them.

If you have multiple clients, it's permissible to shop for multiple clients as long as their items are rung up separately. I often shop for clients who need an item or two when I do my own personal shopping. This way it saves me a bit or gas and time.

If I do see a new brand that I think my personal shopping clients would enjoy I purchase either a sample size or the smallest size available along with the usual brand. This way they get to try the new product but they still have plenty of their favorite brand.

Do not purchase items, which are not on their list for them and expect them to be fine with spending the money on it. When you are doing personal shopping you must do as the client wishes and that means only buying exactly what they wish you to purchase. If you feel the need to pick them up something extra purchase it with your money and tell them that you choose to get it for them as a special treat.

Resources:

http://retailindustry.about.com/od/retailjobscareers/p/personalshopper.htm

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/312/Personal-Shopper.html

http://www.iversonsoftware.com/success/1033.htm