Monday, April 16, 2012

The Personal Shopper

For a few years during college,  I worked in a department store, seven floors of fabulous merchandise. I started there as a member of their "College Board" one summer and worked as a gift wrapper,model, sales clerk and finally their "Personal Shopper". 
This was a great job, as I got to spend other people's money buying gifts for people they didn't have the time or the inclination to shop for. It was a little like going out on a treasure hunt each time we had an order, and some were easier to fill than others. Once a young man came in to buy Christmas gifts for his fiancee, and I helped him spend $100, which was a whopping sum back in the day. Turns out she had been one of my junior high school classmates, and he told me later that she loved all the stuff I picked out for her.
It has happened again. A blog/Facebook friend mentioned that he and his wife were in search of a plain white butter dish to go with their all white casual dishes, so when I was in Home Goods on Saturday after work, I saw one I liked a lot and thought he might too. I mentioned it in a message and he answered that he'd like it. Today I went and bought one, and photographed it to put on Facebook - and it was a hit. Several people said they liked it and so did my blog friend. So tomorrow I will pack it in bubble wrap and send it off to Kansas. Can you imagine how much fun it is to browse in lovely shops while spending other people's money??? Maybe I can resurrect my former career and start a new business! What do you think? 

14 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That sounds like a great idea, Judy....And so much fun, too! What a great way to spend money on beautiful things but not have it cost you anything...! That is a very nice Butter Dish, by the way...!

Arkansas Patti said...

What a perfect job. Think since you have great taste, you ought to go for it. There is a need.
I doubt anyone would ask me to do that for them a second time.

Nancy said...

What a great idea! Let me tell you what I need...

He has to be at least 6' tall, dark hair, nice smile,great sense of humor and romantic,Yes,romantic to the max.

I've been looking for him everywhere for a long time and have seen him but he is usually with a younger woman.

See if you can find a 40 year old
fellow as described above who wants an 83 year old girlfriend.

Grannymar said...

I am laughing out loud at Nancy's need!

A Personal shopper is what we all need.

Kay Dennison said...

What fun!!!!!

I used to work for a department store, too. I worked in the Juniors' department and while I wasn't a personal shopper, I spent a lot of time helping young men find a gift for their girlfriend.

It was fun!

Paul Nichols said...

Hey! I vote "Yes." I think you're onto a real nice money-making idea.

Pat said...

Yes it's the sort of job you would be excellent at.

Granny Annie said...

Yes you should do this if you want to. We all agree you would be perfect.

Ron and I used to go to lots of auctions and garage/yard sales with the intention of finding things for others. People would have us looking for certain items and when we found them we would buy them for the customers who re-paid us for the item as well as a finder's fee. It was better doing that than what we do now which is keep all the loot and not having space for it. LOL

Peter said...

Judy would you please buy me a Ferrari, I only have very limited funds so it must be cheap!!!

kenju said...

Peter, if I could find one that cheap, I'd keep it!!

JeanMac said...

Great idea! I'm a shopaholic myself so maybe this would be a cure for me!!

Ginnie said...

You'd be good at that Judy. It always amazes me how many people need help and are willing to pay for it ... go for it.

Gilly said...

There are always people who have money but no time! Yes, you start a business - could take off!

It needs someone with good taste - which you have in spades, so why not??!

David Edward said...

hello Judy, its been a while. a lot has happened for me, almost all of it good. Even the passing of my mom at 91 ( a year ago) was a blessing, she was ready, and so were we.
God's love and blessings to you!