Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am a picky shopper. I need a service that can find what I’m looking for. I know what I want. It’s just that I can’t seem to find it and I run out of patience in my searching.

 

If someone created a business to find what I’m searching for, I’d be willing to pay for this service. If the service was good, I`d be a repeat customer and become a great marketing agent.

 

What kind of things am I looking for?

 

Let’s start at the bottom … underwear. I have particular preferences in color, fabric, and style. I also like my undergarments to match. And yes, I’d like everything to fit. I know I’m not the only woman facing this frustration. Sure Rants A Lot, Rant #27 raises a similar issue.

 

Sometimes I’m looking for items that are already produced by a major manufacturer – I just can’t find the particular item I’m looking for at any of the locations where I’m searching.

 

On other occasions, I have something in mind that I haven’t actually seen – I want a skirt like this, only in a different fabric, and with the zipper on the side, not in the back. My requests might even require the services of a tailor, a clothing designer, or a custom shoe maker.

 

But I don’t want to do the shopping or other arrangements. I want to pay someone else to take care of the details for me and get me what I want.

 

This concept could eventually expand to offer wardrobe planning and consultation services. Or … it could go a different direction and specialize in finding other types of items that people are searching for.

 

Is anyone up for the challenge of pursuing this business opportunity?

It sounds like you need a professional shopper or a concierge service. I don`t know of any online companies offering the services (that would be great if there was) but I know these business are popping up all over the country. And clothing shopping is on their list of services! I used a concierge service quite a few years ago and they were awesome. It was my first week on a new job and had to urgently take care of moving some furniture from the east coast to me on the west coast. They coordinated everything for me all I had to do was sign the contracts, and provide a credit card number. They did everything, even offered to meet the movers at the storage site but I was able to take it from there. It`s like having your own personal assistant. 

A business where people shop for you! Hmmm. With identity theft, it would be hard to compete. What if there was a software that did a search, and show you results from all its searches, and you select. The software runs in the background, and tell you when whatever you are looking for was found.

RedDog, I think that a business using the model of concierge services is a viable option. This concept is like that. Only different. Yeah, who wouldn`t want to have a personal assistant?

RC, I don`t think that identity theft would be an issue. But I`m not sure that software would work. Search engines don`t seem to do the trick. And it wouldn`t work for those specialty items that aren`t currently available and would have to be custom made. But it seems like someone could come up with a good system to find items, and when they pin down a good source, they could reuse it for multiple customers.

I can`t believe there aren`t any takers for this. There`s no big investment involved, no inventory, you could do it from home, it could start out as a part-time occupation, and you get to shop (if you like shopping). No one wants to fill this niche?

Boy, I tell ya....this forum could use a topic, "Things I`d Like to See!" LOL!

I remember long ago reading my father`s "Popular Mechanics" magazine. They had that 1-page section, and it would each month offer ideas for inventions based on what people wished they could buy. I`m sure that many of those inventions went on to become successful businesses.

On this particular point, it sound like you`re looking for a personal shopper, as "RedDog" suggested.

Google "personal shopper" I think you may be surprised how many are out there. They seem to be able to accomodate any shopping request. 

Just a thought.

A little different take... but I would love to have someone to call to help me find services in the town I live in. Here is who/what I needed in the past month...
... a closet organizer
...a hauler (to haul away some junk and some stuff to good will and yard waste too)
... a plumber... only not a $120/hour one...just some one who would snake a drain
...someone to take my air conditioner out of my window.
...someone to do data entry for me
... someone to do a mailing for me
... a Quickbook expert

I guess I`m looking for somekind of referral service.

Do these have a name?




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Sandra Ahten The Reasonable Diet Bringing you peace of mind with regards to your diet, body, exercise and overall wellbeing http://www.reasonablediet.com

Have you tried "Craig`s List?" (no relation)

Ya, We are a medium size town and Craigs list is a bit underutilized here. I have had some luck with it.

Thanks for the suggestion

Sandra


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Sandra Ahten The Reasonable Diet Bringing you peace of mind with regards to your diet, body, exercise and overall wellbeing http://www.reasonablediet.com

I like the way you added the link to your blog... very cool, i clicked like it`s a second nature... and bras aren`t of interest to me... lol...

I have searched and compiled infomation for people... of course for a small fee ...  Hey if i can help just let me know... as far as software i guess you can try sites like shopping.com, google answers, yahoo answers, simon.com, askjeeves.com and there are so many others...


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