A good salesperson can be the harried shopper’s ally. She can help you find what you want in a hurry, help you develop your style and even set items aside for you before they go on sale. Here are tips from Christina Joy, a New York City-based personal stylist, on finding and working with a salesperson.
- Most department stores have personal shoppers. But if your budget is smaller (most personal shoppers want you to spend a minimum of $1,000 a season), ask the personal shopper manager to recommend a strong sales person on your favorite floor.
- Treat the salesperson like your personal assistant. The more they know about you, the better they are. Let them know your sizes, favorite colors and designers and general styles that you gravitate towards like A-line dresses, floral prints or anything blue.
- That said, don’t limit him or her and be open to new suggestions. Be willing to experiment with new designers and cuts. It is the salesperson’s job to be creative and find what works best for you.
- Absolutely set a budget, let your salesperson know what it is and don’t feel intimidated into spending more. A good salesperson will want you to come back to him or her in the future and that long-term relationship will be more important than the immediate sale.
- Do call or email to let your salesperson know when you will be coming in and what you’re looking for that day, be it a special occasion dress or new pair of black wool pants.
- Eying an item that’s slightly out of your price range? Ask your salesperson to call you if and when it goes on sale. She’ll most likely set it aside for you the second the sale goes public.
