Would you pay for this?

[alexa921]

Hi there, I've worked as a personal shopper for mums and dads for many years, helping them buy the right baby gear, and I'm looking to go out and do my own thing.

I'd love your help in helping decide if this is a good idea.

Would you pay to chat to an expert over the phone or WhatsApp chat, to get advice on what to buy for your baby/toddler?

Say £15 for a 30 min chat.

However, you get the £20 back and can use towards your purchase when you buy from my store (which has all the best baby gear possible, due to my close partnerships with key suppliers and brands).

What's more, you can easily message me anytime, and ask for more advice once you've paid (without having to pay again), almost like a personal shopper concierge.

I'd LOVE your honest feedback.

This is different (in my opinion at least) to going into a store, as store associates are often inexperienced or biased and try to sell you the most expensive thing.

[Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas]

No. You get this for free from John Lewis and it’s easy to research baby equipment. Surely you will be baised to because you will only be recommending products you stock.

[Pupsandpaws]

No sorry. It's really easy to just search online, find reviews, videos reviews and explanation of the product.

[steelseries]

No I wouldn't, sorry. For all the reasons PP have given. You can easily Google a list of items you might need, or have a free consultation in-store

[Newusername5678]

No sorry, and I'm your target customer right now as I am needing to buy stuff and totally lost where to start. I would think you would be biased, and even if I did like your recommendation I would think you wouldn't have the best price available

[Willbe2under2]

As PP's, no I wouldn't. It's easy to google, get advice on store, friends/family with kids or even putting a question on mumsnet/other forums.

[abovedecknotbelow]

No, I can use google for free!

[kellj]

Why would you pay for what's already available free online?

[Willbe2under2]

@Newusername5678 it's overwhelming isn't it! Good luck 😊

[Rainbowcat99]

Not a chance, I'm sorry. There's enough information out there as it is.

I would pay for personal shopper help for clothes or for technology EG which lap top.

Also, a phone chat wouldn't appeal to the people who had a bit of money and wanted to spoil themselves either. If you had a face to face meeting in nice surroundings and provided refreshments then some people might make an occasion of it.

[Frogsalad]

No. Mainly because there are multiple other sources where you can obtain free advice, and I would also fully expect you to be pushing specific brands/items based on bonus schemes that benefit you. Although that's no different to many other retailers, I can ask their advise without having to pay for it.

[ChickinMarango]

No, I’d google, Read some reviews, go and see it locally in store and buy online at the cheapest price!

[GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut]

No. I wanted to research everything myself so I knew it was right - especially safety wise for car seats and sleeping.

I'd be worried you'd only recommend options you sell, rather than what's best. And also have the same reservations you mention about being 'sold' the expensive option.

I went into a shop looking for car seat advice once, and was told such a load of crap as though it was gospel! I knew it was just plain wrong, as I'd researched before going (she was telling me rear facing wasn't safer ffs!) and resolved never to trust 100% someone who is trying to sell me something!!

[alexa921]

Thanks so much for your feedback everyone!

[allboysmum3]

Nope! You can get all advice and help from
Shops or online

[Alwayswonderedwhy]

So you're basically giving a £5 to people if they use you're store? I'd need more of an incentive. It's so easy to do your own research online and get the options of many people from reading reviews rather than just one person's view on products.

[alexa921]

The idea would be that as an ecommerce store, we hold all inventory from major brands, so the recommendations would be based on purely the best thing for the customer, not just what is available.

[abw94]

Absolutely not. We had a free personal shopping experience at Mamas and Papas and the advice we received was invaluable as first time parents. Also speaking with friends and what you can find online sieves through all the rubbish companies aim at first time parents.