Professional Shoppers: Responsibilities, Income & More

Is shopping one of the best activities to do in a day? If yes, we have good news because you can turn this beloved activity into a source of income. 

Professional shopping is a career where one enjoys their hobby without sacrificing their earnings. As much as this may seem too good to be true, it is a real job where you shop to make a living. 

Are you thinking about becoming a professional shopper or want to find out more about it? Read the rest of this article and we will provide more information on what being a professional shopper entails and how it is possible to earn money by spending big.

A professional shopper is someone who earns a living by helping others shop. More often than not, professional shoppers look for someone to help them buy clothes and accessories. 

However, some clients may need a professional shopper to shop for other items such as furniture, groceries, electronics, or other things. People in this profession may also work for a personal client, department stores, or personal stylists.

Having a job where the responsibilities are interesting tasks may seem like an unrealistic dream. But, it’s certainly a dream come true when you are in this role. 

Like any other job, there are qualifications, responsibilities, expected working hours, and eventually, payment for the job you do.

Some of the main requirements a professional shopper candidate includes:

• Excellent communication (both written and verbal)
• Excellent memory
• A high school diploma or its equivalent
• Attention to detail
• Reliable transport. Having your car is an added advantage
• Being up-to-date with the current trends in different industries

Other than helping other people shop the other primary responsibilities many expect a professional shopper to handle are:

• Traveling to specific locations to shop – A client may need you to travel to various locations to get what they need. Thus, a professional shopper may have to prepare to travel from time to time.
• Making recommendations for customers – A personal shopper provides clients with as much information about the items they intend to buy. Additionally, they recommend which products are the best based on their needs and preferences. 
• Handling financial adjustments – A client trusts the their shopper to handle finances for the products that they purchase. The shopper makes payments for their goods and services, and in case there is an issue with the products that they are buying, it is their responsibility to handle them.
• Making replacements and exchanges for the goods that clients buy – If a client is dissatisfied with the products bought, the shopper is expected to help them find a replacement or exchange what they prefer.

The salary that a professional shopper makes in a year depends on their level in the job. For instance, at entry-level, it is possible to earn about $29,000 per year. On the other hand, expert workers make up to $59,000 per year. 

On average, it is safe to say that a professional shopper makes about $41,952 per year, which is equivalent to $22 per hour. Freelance shoppers are paid daily or hourly, while personal shoppers working in stores have a monthly salary. 

Additionally, personal shoppers working in shops receive a commission as affiliates for every sale they make.

If you’re thinking of trying out professional shopping and meet the professional shopper requirements, here are the steps that to follow:

We already know that different clients may ask their professional shoppers to purchase products in various niches. But you are also are likely to be a better shopper if you have one specific niche in which you specialize. 

Specializing in fashion for example would mean some knowledge in the industry – especially about current trends.

Like any other job, you will need training to become a professional shopper. Again training will consist of learning about the idiosyncrasies of the niche and detail-orientation. 

Looking at fashion as a niche once again – get stuck into learning about the laws governing this area and what to consider as you help clients get what they need. The same applies to other focus areas. Seek training to help improve your knowledge base in the field.

There are some risks involved if your first experience as a professional shopper is with an actual client. Therefore, try gaining experience by first working with friends and family. 

By working with non-clients and learning the dos and don’ts of the job, you can make newbie mistakes without too much pressure.This experience will also give you an added advantage when looking for a real client.

Be sure your potential clients know which services you offer. Online channels are the most reliable channels through which you can market these services. Create a blog or a website to state the services offered and why a client should consider them. You can also attend network events and advertise your market your services here. 

Find out where clients who need products in your niche are likely to gather – online or off. This goes without saying but the wider reach your reach is regarding information about your services – the higher your chances are of finding a good client to work with in the long term. You can also talk to a marketing consultant for advice on how to reach out to customers. 

Like other 9 to 5 jobs, as a professional shopper, you need to be ready to start your day early in the morning. If you have an office as your base, you are expected to be in the office early enough to prepare to receive clients. By mid-morning or early afternoon, you will start handling shopping for your clients, starting with the most urgent ones. 

You can decide to end your day either at a specific time or set a goal you intend to accomplish before ending your day. Either way, ensure you have enough time to relax so you are ready to continue the next day. These jobs aren’t for the physically frail. 

We all would prefer to do a job that we love. The good news is that shopping enthusiasts can earn a living by doing just that as they help others make good shopping choices.