Personal Shopping in Atlanta: Plan Your Appointment

Choose the shopping task before comparing offers

Describe the result you want: groceries from an approved list, gifts within a spending limit, clothing for an event, or a wardrobe shopping plan. Ask candidates whether they handle that task. For clothing, explain your preferred fit, fabrics, sizes, and clothes you want to reuse. Request a proposed approach before authorizing purchases.

Decide whether you will accompany the shopper or approve selections remotely. An accompanied appointment needs a meeting point and finish time. For remote shopping, agree on how the shopper will send selections and how long they should wait for your response. Tell them to skip uncertain items if they cannot reach you.

Separate service expenses from merchandise

Request a written breakdown of the shopper's fee, preparation time, travel, parking, delivery, and return work. Ask about minimum bookings, cancellation terms, and charges for waiting while you approve items. Compare quotes for the same stores, list, deadline, and approval process. Set separate spending limits for merchandise and service expenses, with approval required before either increases.

Clarify who will pay the retailer and how you will reimburse purchases. Request receipts showing merchandise and tax, plus a separate service invoice. Agree on how the shopper will handle an unavailable item, a price increase, or a purchase that would leave too little budget for the remaining list.

For merchandise the retailer delivers to your address, Georgia's Department of Revenue says sales tax generally follows the county where you take delivery. Delivery within the City of Atlanta generally adds city sales tax to state and county taxes. If the shopper collects merchandise at a store and then brings it to you, ask the retailer to confirm the applicable tax; do not assume the shopper's later handoff determines the retailer's tax jurisdiction. [2]

Agree on receipts, fit checks, and returns

Georgia's Consumer Protection Division explains that businesses set their return policies and may offer refunds, exchanges, store credit, or no adjustment. Businesses must honor posted policies. Before approving clothing or gifts, ask the shopper to confirm the return deadline, final-sale status, receipt requirements, and restrictions on worn or altered items. [1]

Agree on who keeps the original receipt, who receives refunds, and who pays for return trips. Schedule a clothing fit check before the retailer's stated deadline. Ask the shopper to leave tags attached and wait for your approval before arranging alterations. For gifts, request a gift receipt and confirm the recipient's exchange options.

Plan the route and grocery handoff

Ask the shopper to propose a route and identify reimbursable travel expenses. For an accompanied MARTA appointment, plan outbound and return travel. MARTA includes up to four transfers within three hours on a standard one-way trip, but its transfer allowance excludes round-trip travel. Agree on who pays each person's fares before booking. [3]

For groceries, request refrigerated and frozen items near the end of the route, insulated transport, and an arrival message. Give substitution instructions for brand, size, dietary restrictions, and maximum price. Ask the shopper to contact you before replacing an item that conflicts with your instructions. Name another recipient if you cannot receive the delivery.

FDA's national guidance says to refrigerate perishables as soon as you get home and limit room-temperature exposure to two hours, or one hour when air temperature exceeds 90°F. FDA recommends keeping your refrigerator at or below 40°F. Plan transport and handoff around these limits; avoid an unattended grocery delivery that could exceed them. [4]

MARTA fare options for an accompanied shopping trip

Match the appointment to your needs

Your hiring checklist

1. Describe the task, preferred stores, item list, sizes, and deadline.
2. Set separate maximums for merchandise and service expenses.
3. Confirm preparation charges, minimum booking, cancellation terms, and travel reimbursement.
4. Specify retailer delivery or shopper collection, and ask the retailer to confirm purchase tax.
5. Define substitutions and purchases that require your approval.
6. Agree on payment, receipt custody, refunds, and return-trip charges.
7. For groceries, confirm insulated transport, arrival contact, and a recipient for handoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a personal shopper?

Request itemized quotes for the same task, stores, and deadline. Compare the shopper's fee, preparation, travel, delivery, and return charges separately from purchases and tax. Set a maximum for each budget and require approval before the shopper exceeds it.

Can I return clothing my shopper buys?

Check the retailer's terms before purchase. Georgia does not require businesses to accept returns, although businesses must honor posted policies. Agree with your shopper on receipt custody, fit-check timing, refunds, and any charge for taking items back. [1]

Can I use MARTA transfers for the return journey?

MARTA excludes round-trip travel from its transfer allowance. A standard one-way fare includes up to four transfers within three hours using the exact same payment method. Budget for another fare when your shopping itinerary requires a return journey. [3]

How should I arrange grocery delivery if I will be away?

Choose a handoff time when an agreed recipient can refrigerate the groceries. Confirm chilled transport and arrival contact. FDA's national guidance limits room-temperature exposure for perishables to two hours, or one hour above 90°F. Avoid unattended delivery that could exceed those limits. [4]