With the cost of gas would you pay a shopping service?

I think that sounds like a very good idea. If you have to pay at 15% of your bill for a server to bring your food to the table in a restaurant then I think that you a definitely not asking too much.

I do shopping as part of my service for work. You can spend up to an hour or more shopping for basic items and then there is the drive to and from the home and unloading the car once you are back to the person's home. You can spend at least an hour and a half or more when shopping for someone. For the convenience of having someone do it, many may opt for the service. Shopping can be quite a task when you have so little time on your hands. Charging by the hour and mileage would be the way I would price the service.

If I could afford to pay someone to go grocery shopping for me, I would do it in a heartbeat. I think it a great idea. The 15-20% is what you would normally tip a waitress or waiter, so I don't think that is out of line. I would set at least a minimum charge for going. I would also suggest doing a search and see what other services like this is charging. Good luck with the business venture, it does sound interesting.

It depends. I do some of my shopping online, but there are things that you actually need to go shopping for yourself, because you need to actually see it with your own eyes before consider buying it. I normally would do my shopping in such a way to save gas, such as what I call store-hopping if the stores I need to go to are in the same area. Go to this store & get what i need, & then that one before heading home. At least you make a slightly longer trip instead of two separate ones. I also do most of my shopping on the way home from work. That diversion to the store only uses a bit more gas & adds more mileage than coming home, & then deciding to go shopping.

Yes I would pay that as that is about the rate they charge here in the UK for having the Shopping delivered by the Supermarkets so I would say that is reasonable I prefer to go Shopping as it is the only time really that I get out for a few Hours every 2 Weeks

I think a percentage of the gas would be fairer. Because somebody just going for a few things and somebody going for a lot would be paying different amounts and it would be a lot of calculating, a flat rate or a percentage of gas would make more sense.

Hmmmmmmm, that's a good question. Maybe if you charged per mile, and an hourly rate (with X amt minimum) it would be appealing. Also, you could offer them either the 20% of the order OR the mileage + hourly rate...making it their choice. My thought would be that if they felt they had an either/or choice it might be appealing in the fact they'd feel that they were having more control of it. Of course, you would figure it out so that you would make out good either way they chose. I think that's a great concept you came up with to offer people, I think you'll do well no matter which you choose. I can see lots of people who are busy and don't want the hassle signing up for just such a service as that. I wish you the best of luck! Let us know how it goes!

I do not think that you should charge by the price of the order. It irks me when companies do that. I think that you should find a way to charge flat rates. Maybe depending on how many items the purchase or the weight of the item. I know that I feel a lot better buying from a store that is not going to punish me just because I spend more. The weight is what does wear and tear on you you and your car. The heavier something is, the more gas it drains to haul it. Just an idea.

I would never pay for someone to go shopping for me. With the price of gas continuing to rise, I just plan my shopping trip differently. I hit all 3 of the locations that I like to shop on the same day. I don't make extra trips. I think with couponing ect, I save more shopping myself than having someone go for me and charging me a service charge. It is a good idea to start a business where you go and shop for the elderly. I know my former neighbor would always call us when he needed groceries and we would go to the store and pick it up for him. He wasn't able to drive and had a hard time getting around. I didn't charge him~ he was a neighbor, but you could try that angle.