Personal shopping in Allentown, PA: Plan Your Trip

Choose the shopper’s role before requesting a quote

Write down the result you want. For groceries or household errands, give the shopper a store list, quantities, acceptable replacements and a delivery deadline. For clothing, describe the occasion, preferred fit, sizes, colors and spending limit. Ask a prospective shopper to explain how they would handle that assignment and show relevant examples of their work.

Decide whether you want to attend. For an accompanied appointment, confirm the meeting point, transport arrangements and the help you expect with trying on clothes or carrying purchases. For shopping without you, require approval before the shopper exceeds an item limit or buys a substitute. If you need physical assistance, describe it before booking and ask whether the shopper can provide it.

Get a complete quote and purchase agreement

Ask for an hourly rate or a fixed fee tied to a written scope. Include preparation, store visits, travel, delivery and any follow-up. For hourly work, ask when billing starts and stops, whether the shopper requires a minimum booking, and how they charge for waiting. Set an approval point before the shopper adds another store or extends the session.

Agree on who pays the retailer and how you reimburse purchases. Request receipts showing each item, tax and payment. Ask the shopper to disclose retailer commissions or referral payments before choosing stores. For advance purchase funds, define the spending ceiling and how the shopper will return unused money.

Set the return plan before anyone buys clothing or gifts. Ask the shopper to check the retailer’s return deadline, final-sale restrictions and refund method for each proposed purchase. Decide who keeps tags and receipts, who makes the return trip, and whether the shopper charges for that trip. Include a cancellation agreement for the appointment itself.

Plan downtown parking and Sunday mall transport

For shopping near Hamilton Street, check the meter zone before agreeing to reimburse parking. The Allentown Parking Authority lists Core PPL Event Area meters at $2 per hour, with enforcement Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 9 PM. It lists other metered locations at $1 per hour, with enforcement Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Read the posted signs at your space. [1]

The authority states that Sunday meters have an exception for PPL events: enforcement in the PPL Center Area begins two hours before the event starts. It also directs drivers with a broken meter or paystation to report it and use a functioning meter or a paystation in the same zone. Build a legal parking location into the pickup plan. [1]

For a Sunday trip between downtown and the malls, use the Sunday timetable rather than assuming weekday departures. LANTA’s Route 210 schedule, effective June 15, 2026, includes South Mall, Allentown Transportation Center and Lehigh Valley Mall. Choose the outbound and return journeys before reserving paid shopping time, and agree on a backup ride if you miss the return bus. [2]

Separate merchandise tax from the shopper’s fee

Pennsylvania’s Department of Revenue lists a 6 percent state sales-tax rate and exempts food that is not ready-to-eat and most clothing. Do not add 6 percent to your entire shopping list without checking the items. Ask for a quote that separates the shopper’s service charge, merchandise, purchase tax and reimbursable expenses. [3]

For an event wardrobe, check the specific items. Pennsylvania’s clothing regulation distinguishes exempt everyday clothing from taxable accessories, formal apparel and sporting goods or clothing. It names handbags and jewelry as accessories and tuxedos and bridal apparel among formal items. Ask the shopper to check tax treatment before approving an outfit close to your spending ceiling. [4]

Published Allentown on-street meter rates

Choose an arrangement for your shopping task

Your hiring checklist

1. Describe the assignment, preferred stores and deadline.
2. Set separate limits for service charges and merchandise.
3. Confirm preparation, travel, waiting, parking and delivery charges.
4. Agree on purchase payment and approval for substitutions.
5. Specify accompaniment, carrying help and any physical assistance.
6. Choose parking or outbound and return transport before booking.
7. Require itemized receipts and agree on returns and cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a personal shopper?

Request a quote for your assignment rather than using a general hourly estimate. Ask the shopper to separate their fee from merchandise, tax, travel, parking and delivery. Compare offers using the same store list and responsibilities, then set a limit that requires your approval before extra work.

Can I arrange shopping without going to the stores?

Ask for shopping and delivery without accompaniment. Provide quantities or sizes, approved substitutes and a purchase ceiling. Agree on how the shopper will contact you for decisions and what they should do if you do not respond. Confirm the delivery handoff and receipt transfer.

Is downtown parking free on Sunday?

The Allentown Parking Authority says it does not enforce Sunday meters unless there is a PPL event. In the PPL Center Area, event meter enforcement begins two hours before the start. Other parking rules still apply, so check the signs and event plans before arranging pickup. [1]

Does Pennsylvania charge sales tax on clothing?

Pennsylvania exempts everyday clothing, with exceptions for categories including accessories, formal apparel and sporting items. The regulation names handbags, jewelry, tuxedos and bridal apparel among taxable categories. Ask for itemized receipts and confirm the specific purchases rather than treating the entire outfit as exempt. [4]