Local service guide
Plan personal shopping in New Orleans
To arrange personal shopping in New Orleans, ask for an itemized quote that matches your task: grocery collection, clothing selection, gifts or accompanied shopping. Before booking, agree on the purchase budget, shopper’s fee, transport expenses, substitutions and returns. Send the store locations and delivery address so each shopper quotes the same work.
Describe the shopping help you need
Start with the result you want. For groceries, send quantities, brands, acceptable substitutes and a delivery window. For clothing, provide measurements, fit preferences, the occasion and your purchase budget. For gifts, explain the recipient’s preferences, deadline and wrapping needs. Identify any purchases that require your approval.
Choose whether you want someone to shop alone, accompany you or propose items before purchase. Ask a clothing shopper how they will arrange fittings and select sizes. Ask an errand shopper how they will contact you about unavailable items. Request a proposed route and explain any mobility or carrying assistance you need.
Get a complete written quote
Obtain an itemized quote for your shopping task. Ask the shopper to separate preparation, shopping, travel, delivery and return visits. Confirm when hourly billing starts and ends, any minimum charge and the treatment of waiting time. For a fixed fee, agree on the stores, purchases and handoff included in that amount.
Keep merchandise spending separate from the shopper’s fee. Agree on the checkout payment method, reimbursement deadline and documentation. Require store receipts alongside the service invoice. Ask whether the shopper receives retailer commissions or referral payments and how those arrangements affect the items they recommend.
Give each person the same brief before comparing offers. Include the route, delivery window and approval rules. Ask how they would charge for an unavailable item that requires another store visit. Confirm cancellation terms and decide who can authorize extra time before reserving the appointment.
Choose transport and arrange delivery
For a driving trip, agree on parking reimbursement and ask for receipts. The city lists meter operating hours as Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and no metered parking charge on Sundays. Check posted restrictions at each stop before parking. [1]
For accompanied shopping or purchases you can carry, discuss transit as an option. RTA lists an adult single ride on a bus or streetcar at $1.25, a separate adult single-ride ferry fare at $2, and an adult one-day Jazzy Pass at $3. Ask the shopper to identify the intended services and fare purchase, then quote travel time separately. [4]
Send a meeting or delivery point, contact number and arrival window. Describe stairs, building access and help you need carrying bags inside. For chilled or frozen groceries, ask the shopper to explain their transport plan and arrange a handoff when you can receive the purchases. Share only the access information needed for the visit.
Allow for checkout tax
The city lists a combined Louisiana and Orleans Parish sales tax rate of 10% for tangible personal property. It also lists additional taxes of 0.245% for the French Quarter Economic Development District, 1% for the Magnolia Marketplace Economic Development District and 2% for the Riverwalk-Spanish Plaza Economic Development District. Applicability depends on the retailer’s location within district boundaries. Ask the retailer to confirm the checkout rate before committing your budget to shelf prices. [2]
Louisiana’s Department of Revenue describes food for home preparation and consumption as generally exempt from state sales tax, while prepared food generally carries state sales tax. Local sales taxes may still apply. Give the shopper separate instructions for groceries and prepared meals, and request an itemized receipt. [3]
State whether your purchase ceiling includes checkout tax. Set a separate allowance for approved travel expenses and the shopper’s fee. Tell the shopper to contact you before a substitution, added store visit or extra purchase would exceed either allowance.
Set return terms before purchase
Ask the shopper to check each retailer’s return deadline, receipt requirements and final-sale conditions before buying clothing or gifts. Assign responsibility for return trips and agree on any additional fee. Confirm how you will receive refunds and who will track them. For a deadline purchase, name a fallback item you would accept.
At handoff, compare purchases with the approved list and receipts. Record missing items and substitutions before settling reimbursement. For wardrobe work, ask the shopper to explain the outfit combinations and discuss any fitting or alteration decisions that remain.
Published hourly meter rates for shopping-trip planning
Local details that affect your job
Budget parking by store location
The city lists $3 per hour at meters in the French Quarter, Marigny, Central Business District and Warehouse District, compared with $2 per hour in other city areas. Give the shopper the actual store addresses and agree on reimbursable parking expenses before approving the route. Ask them to distinguish metered parking from any proposed garage parking. [1]
Check economic development district boundaries
The city names the French Quarter Economic Development District, Magnolia Marketplace Economic Development District and Riverwalk-Spanish Plaza Economic Development District for additional sales taxes. Do not assume a neighborhood name establishes coverage. Ask the retailer whether its address falls within the applicable district and confirm the checkout rate before approving a clothing or gift purchase. [2]
Distinguish transit services in the quote
RTA lists an adult single-ride bus or streetcar fare of $1.25, an adult single-ride ferry fare of $2 and an adult one-day Jazzy Pass at $3. For an accompanied trip involving a ferry, have the shopper identify that service in the transport plan. Confirm fares for each person and any billed travel time. [4]
Choose a shopping arrangement
| Your task | Arrangement to request | Agree before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries for home | Collection from an approved list with substitution checks | Quantities, chilled-item transport, purchase ceiling and delivery window |
| Clothing for an occasion | Item selection or accompanied fittings | Measurements, fit preferences, retailer payments and return responsibility |
| Shopping together | An accompanied route suited to your carrying and mobility needs | Meeting point, transport services, fares and billed travel time |
| Gifts from several stores | A store-by-store collection and handoff plan | Purchase approvals, wrapping, parking expenses and deadline |
Your hiring checklist
- Define the task and whether you want accompanied shopping or collection and delivery.
- Send quantities, measurements, store addresses and acceptable substitutions.
- Set a purchase ceiling including checkout tax and an approval rule for extra spending.
- Obtain an itemized service quote with billing times and cancellation terms.
- Agree on transport, parking reimbursement and the delivery or meeting point.
- Confirm checkout payment, receipt handoff and reimbursement arrangements.
- Assign return trips, extra visit charges and refund tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I budget for the shopper’s fee?
Obtain an itemized quote for your list, store locations and delivery needs. Ask whether the fee includes preparation, travel, shopping, delivery and returns. Keep purchase spending separate and confirm who can approve extra time or expenses.
Should I reimburse parking?
Agree on reimbursement before the trip and request receipts. The city lists meter rates of $3 per hour in the French Quarter, Marigny, Central Business District and Warehouse District, and $2 per hour in other city areas. Ask the shopper to identify the planned parking arrangement. [1]
Do groceries and prepared meals have the same tax treatment?
Louisiana generally exempts food for home preparation and consumption from state sales tax, while prepared food generally carries state sales tax. Local taxes may apply. Separate the two categories in your instructions and check the itemized receipt. [3]
What should I confirm for shopping by transit?
Agree on the route, carrying needs and services you expect to use. RTA lists an adult bus or streetcar single ride at $1.25 and a separate adult single-ride ferry fare at $2. Ask which fare or pass each person needs and how the shopper charges for travel time. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.