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Would you use an independent personal shopper to support you in purchasing nursery and baby goods?

11 replies

ra1543 · 22/08/2006 12:49

I am hoping to set up a new business where I provide a service for pregnant busy women in purchasing nursery goods.I am aware it can be a daunting and time consuming job and feel I could help and support women. Would you use this kind of service?

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 22/08/2006 13:08

I don't think I would, but I don't have a very clear idea of the service you're offering.

I mean, if you're offering to take huge, exhausted pregnant women in desperate need of a break for a calm serene shopping experience where they're treated like VIPs and given foot massages while you demonstrate cots, test-drive prams, model slings etc, then whisking them home in a limousine and arranging for all the stuff to be delivered and the furniture assembled, I can see your point, and there may be some moneyed mums who would love this kind of day out.
But if the women are 'busy' ie time-poor, will they be able to take the time to do all this?

Or are you going to offer products/services in the customer's own home? Take them a catalogue of 'nursery room sets' and ask if they'd like the pink or the blue? Will you be making a point of sourcing hard-to-find designer items, like minimlaist cribs, from abroad? Will you (and this may be the clincher) do an Ikea run for her?

To be honest, there is so much information and so many retailers on the internet already that mothers-to-be are currently able to do research, read consumer reviews, make informed choices and purchase nursery goods (often at reduced prices) online whilst sitting at home in their pyjamas with a cup of tea.

The most important bits of the acquisition of nursery goods, being in my experience a) fingering the tiny tiny vests and socks and b) gazing at the nursery when it's all decorated, are not things that I think an independent consultant would actually be much use for.

(NB you do realise you've posted this in Travel? You might get more replies in Products, or Pregnancy)

Carmenere · 22/08/2006 13:17

I don't think I would tbh as there is a glut of info available. But if I was too busy and very wealthy I might I suppose. You would have to aim at the top end of the market I think.

motherinferior · 22/08/2006 13:21

Given that I inherited virtually all my 'nursery goods' and would rather spend the money on a nice bottle of gin, no I wouldn't.

pinkpyjamas · 22/08/2006 13:24

I don't think I would use one, as I could just about afford the baby stuff, let alone a personal shopper! I agree you would have to aim the business at the very wealthy. Maybe you could get a few 'ranges' together, ie: all matching fabrics, or by the same manufacturer, or maybe have like a gift service where relatives could contact you and purchase an item? Just a thought.

colditz · 22/08/2006 13:25

no. The only type of mother who would do this is a first time mother, and they generally have enough people to go with them to look at tiny baby things, and enough time to dawdle and rest while doing it. Every mother likes looking at tiny baby things.

Second time mothers just wrap baby in a clean towel and lug it about an a battered pushchair, putting it to sleep in a second hand baby bath - well, they don't but they certainly would if they had to. If it was a choice between that and a private shopper.

nightynight · 22/08/2006 13:25

I might have, if I'd been on a good salary while I was pregnant with my first baby. My ignorance was truly astounding. But I wouldn't have trusted someone who led me straight to the most expensive shops.

alligator · 22/08/2006 13:29

Nope I wouldnt use this kind of service either. Sounds like it would cost a lot of money.
I got most of my stuff from SIL or as gifts and the unusual things I wanted (sling, washable nappies) I spent time myself researching (which I enjoyed doing).

LIZS · 22/08/2006 13:30

tbh I don't see the point of this . A visit to a good baby shop, where you can see a vast range of those which meet criteria and have them demonstrated, preferably by exclusive appointment yes. A "shopper" to trawl around the regular shops with , no.

Twiglett · 22/08/2006 13:33

no .. nobody is too busy to shop for their first baby .. one visit to a big store, a couple of hours pootling round the net

nobody shops for subsequent babies at all

Tommy · 22/08/2006 13:43

agree with everyone else I'm afraid!
the amount places like Mothercare and the like try to flog you is bad enough

OliviaMumsnet · 22/08/2006 16:04

Just to let y'all know that since she got in touch with us we've advised Ra1543 to restart this thread where she meant to, in Products.

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