Personal Shopper FAQ:

FAQ

Should I buy it?
Before making a purchase, men and women need to answer “yes” to these questions. If you are in doubt, don’t buy the item. Clothes should look and feel good.

Did you try the garment on?
Did you check the fit in the front and the back?
Can you move around in the garment?
Does the item feel comfortable? Check for pulls, bulges or bunching of the material.
Do you like the item? Buy a garment because you like it, not just to add to your wardrobe.

What is the advantage of shopping online?
By shopping online, all you have to do is lift your finger. You save on travel time and you're spared the frustration of traffic jams and parking nightmares! Hundreds of merchants are waiting for you at every port of sale… and you can have your pick! In the time it takes to click on a key, you can have immediate access to what you asked for. The Net offers shoppers tools to make the cyber-shopping experience fun and effective, too. You can compare shops to find the best price/quality ratio, and you can read what other buyers and experts have to say about the product. Auction sites and classified ads also offer excellent shopping opportunities for the discriminating buyer.

Who uses personal shoppers?
Housewives, busy professionals, women who want a fashion makeover, men and women who have changed careers and need a whole new wardrobe, women who have concerns with their figure and are seeking a flattering look, people who must quickly find an outfit for a special occasion, men who dislike the shopping process and want someone to do the work for them—the list is endless!

How do I find a personal shopper?
Interestingly, many better department stores and better boutiques offer this service free to any customer who wants individual attention, whether she’s buying a single outfit or a whole wardrobe. However, it is seldom advertised. Most people come to personal shoppers through referrals. However, anyone can call and ask about the service, or ask a salesperson on the floor. Generally, it’s necessary to make an appointment.

Will a personal shopper totally change my style?
Some clients have firm ideas about their likes and dislikes, others are very open to change. A personal shopper will generally let you set the “rules,” yet will also offer constructive criticism and suggest changes you may never have considered. The most important goal is to help you build a wardrobe that you like and will happily wear—which generally means not straying too far out of your comfort zone!

What is the biggest benefit?
Personal shoppers do the legwork for you, which frees up untold amounts of time. If you’re a professional woman with children, for example, you probably don’t have the dubious luxury of spending hours strolling through malls in search of the perfect outfit. All you have to do is come to the fitting room relaxed and try on clothes that the personal shopper has pre-selected. It’s so much easier and more pleasant than mainstream shopping. And it saves you time, which you’ll almost certainly agree is in short supply these days!

But isn’t it expensive?
Well, because higher-end department stores and designer boutiques generally carry more expensive clothing, you will spend more per outfit than you would at most generic stores at the mall. But in the long run, you actually save money. When you have a good personal shopper guiding you, you’ll make better selections that you’ll be happy with for a long time. How many outfits do you have hanging in your closet that turned out to be mistakes, outfits you never wear? These outfits translate to wasted money! A good personal shopper will not steer you wrong, so you’ll get a lot of wear out of what you buy.

What are the attributes of a good personal shopper?
A good personal shopper must be able to “size up” a client, noting problem areas, asking about likes and dislikes. She must have a good understanding of the latest styles and must have an eye for creating ensembles and choosing accessories. She must be honest: if an outfit doesn’t work for a particular client, she must be willing to say so. Most of all, she must be a “people person”—selecting and fitting clothing is a very intimate process, and a personal shopper who does not warm up to clients and elicit trust will never be successful in the field.


 

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