How much to tip the Nordstrom personal shopper?

[MrsManners]

I've finally decided to stop buying 10 pair of inexpensive jeans I hate, and finally go buy one or two nice pair that fit properly. I'm meeting with the Nordstrom personal shopper (a free service) Friday for her to help me. Based on our conversation, it will probably be 30-45 minute appointment. How much is an appropriate tip?

[rikki]

I do not think that you are supposed to tip them. I had a personal shopped at Bloomingdale's and didn't tip her. I feel like an idiot now if I was supposed to. I just assumed they got a chunk of the sale in the form of commission.

[polarbearfans]

They work on commission and are not allowed to accept tips.

[MrsManners]

So they will pay her a percentage of the amount I buy and I don't need to tip? That seems so odd...perhaps because I hate shopping so much that I'm thrilled to have someone help.

[Deleted]

Don't tip. When you get rung out she'll have her own barcode scanned along with the barcode on each item. It's how she makes her commission.

[MrsManners]

Well...this is even better than I had hoped. If this goes well, I may never shop anywhere else Since I talked to her (just about the jeans), I've already decided I need to call her and see if she has time to do bras too. I've lost 20 lbs in the last few months and have 20 more to go, but I need a few nice interim pieces until I'm at my goal.

[Deleted]

Definitely no tip. If you buy lots of stuff, she'll earn plenty off of you anyway

[emilyinchile]

Yeah, $0. You pay the same price as you would without the personal shopper and don't have to schlep around the store, she makes money. It's the best ever. Welcome to the dark side.

[emilyinchile]

Oct 15, 2013 21:01:17 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I need this in my life. I just call the store and ask for one? No judgement on my current fashions?

You don't even have to call, you can fill in a form on their website, and they'll email you! They ask questions like what items you're looking for, what sizes you wear, what your general style is, and then there is a room full of clothes waiting for you when you arrive, and the clothes just keep coming. Really the only downside is that it makes it disturbingly easy to spend thousands of dollars.

[thejen626]

Be careful, it's very addicting!!!

$$$$$$$$$$$ haha

[mskitkat]

Oct 15, 2013 21:04:37 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Oct 15, 2013 21:01:17 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I need this in my life. I just call the store and ask for one? No judgement on my current fashions?

You don't even have to call, you can fill in a form on their website, and they'll email you! They ask questions like what items you're looking for, what sizes you wear, what your general style is, and then there is a room full of clothes waiting for you when you arrive, and the clothes just keep coming. Really the only downside is that it makes it disturbingly easy to spend thousands of dollars.

I can't ever do this. Not once. Even though I desperately need someone to just give me jeans and bras to buy. It would be way too easy to keep going.

[biscoffcookies]

Oct 15, 2013 21:04:37 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Oct 15, 2013 21:01:17 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I need this in my life. I just call the store and ask for one? No judgement on my current fashions?

You don't even have to call, you can fill in a form on their website, and they'll email you! They ask questions like what items you're looking for, what sizes you wear, what your general style is, and then there is a room full of clothes waiting for you when you arrive, and the clothes just keep coming. Really the only downside is that it makes it disturbingly easy to spend thousands of dollars.

When DH asks me what I want for Christmas, it is very possible I might just ask for some money to take to Nordstroms and spend with the personal shopper.  This sounds AMAZING.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2013 20:56:26 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

I'm intrigued. I never bought from a personal shopper. Are they professionally trained? Is it extensive training?

Do people need extensive training to pick out outfits for you?

[jerseyjaybird]

Nordstrom personal shoppers are amazing. I once called when I'd just received 36 hours' notice of a black/white-tie dinner. (First and last time this will ever happen to me.) I thought they were going to pass out when they realized the timeframe, but they recovered and had a dressing room full of gowns when I arrived. Heaven.

I didn't tip, and now I'm relieved to know that that was correct!

[Norticprincess]

Oct 15, 2013 21:26:55 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Yep. I normally dont ask for Xmas gifts. Times they are a changing

I need to tell SO to start saving.

Are these shoppers available during sales?

yes

[Deleted]

I've been a personal shopper, it is a lot of fun. People tell you what they like and you pick from the floor and it's like a 90s (only better) fashion montage. It's incredible. I loved helping women feel better about themselves and walk away happy, confident and feeling sexy for whatever their occasion.

Have fun!!!


ETA - No tip. They make good money off hourly and commission. 

[ellipses84]

I worked at Nordstrom once upon a time. I wasn't a personal shopper, but they get hourly pay and % commission of sales, so no need to tip. The successful ones had a passion for shopping/fashion and were good salespeople.

[cosmowife]

I was a walk-in once for a Nordstrom sales clerk (not sure if this is the same thing - I didn't have an appointment). It was wonderful. Shopping is super stressful for me because I get overwhelmed. I just sat in the dressing room with my kindle while she brought me clothes. She brought me a few things that I would have never, ever thought to try (like the white with tan striped blazer I am wearing today) and they are now some of my favorite pieces. I told her that I couldn't spend too much and she did a good job of picking less expensive pieces. I spent about $800 that day, but it included a suit (which was on sale but still fairly expensive).

[krisandgrace]

That does sound amazing! For those of you who have done it how much money did you spend? If I only planned on spending like $300 would it be a waste of their time?

[Deleted]

Oct 16, 2013 0:00:16 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

Oct 15, 2013 21:28:53 GMT -5 v said:

Do people need extensive training to pick out outfits for you?

Well if they are just eyeballing you like any other person can do, what's the point?  I'd hope they were trained to know exactly what to look for in fittings, ie, what slims the heavy, what helps curvy, etc.

I don't think you need extensive professional training to know that.  Read an issue of InStyle and you're set.

I'm sure they go through some sort of training, but generally I assume that they're stylist people with really good instincts.  I don't have really good instincts for clothing, so pulling things off racks that I'd never pick for myself and putting together combos I wouldn't think of is a really helpful service for me!

[emilyinchile]

Oct 16, 2013 7:23:05 GMT -5 krisandgrace said:

That does sound amazing! For those of you who have done it how much money did you spend? If I only planned on spending like $300 would it be a waste of their time?

I usually do a big shop when I'm in the US once a year and don't buy much in Chile, so I have spent $1500 and $2000. There is a reason Crystal emails to ask how I am and when I'm coming back But I'm sure that if you were upfront about wanting to just get a few specific things, that would be fine - then their job is to make you love it so much you come back and spend more in the future.

RockNVoll, I have made appointments and think that is best even if they accept walk-ins because it gives them time to pull things for you. I haven't felt pressure to buy, but I've also always gone ready to buy, so I didn't need pressuring.

[protozoa]

This sounds divine.