THE PROFESSIONAL SHOPPER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 4

THE PROFESSIONAL SHOPPER.

Among tha many avenues' of labour which women have opened up for themselves J3 professional shopping. The position is usually in connection with one or other of our country papers, and the professional shopper combines the duties probably of fashion editor with those of commission agent. She needs to be a smart business woman, and must bo able to put her hand on any article required, from & needle to an anchor, from a hatpin to a motor-car. Her' clionts ,aye usually those living at long distances from town, or from any large business centre, who prefer entrusting their commissions to the professional shopper, and having the choice of 1 the whole town, to sending to one 'particular firm, who may not happen to stock exactly tho kind of axticle required. The professional shopper must know (according "to "E.T." in a Sydney journal) where her clients' money can be best invested, and where they will receive tho best value for their cas,iti. It is wondeiru) ho\v soon shs gets into touch with her correspondents. At a glance she can t«ll what to send this one, and what the other will not have at any price. After a time she will know exactly what hat will suit the unseen writer, fiom a few descriptive lines about the hair, comp^siou, and contour of face. A few -figures or aslip of paper will tell her- what style of costume to forward to the lady who writes '"I loa\e. everything to you." And the professional shopper knows that the writer who encloses very* often a cheque in double figures will bo betfssr pleased with the order despatched thai another correspondent . who fills two sheets of paper over a five-shilling commission. Nothing comes amiss to the professional shopper. Is it a tutor, a governess, or a domestic help her clients want? She is ready to procure somo of them. Another branch of her work is arranging for country visitors for suitable accommodatiqn v.hilo in town.Here, again, the professional shopper works on commission. The agent or tho landlady of the boardinghouse is only too gla4 to meot her half-way. A personal recommendation from one who knows whether the prospective tenant is of the moneyed class is invaluable in this J case.* Many ' other - commissions are her 3, and altogether tho work of the professional shopper is pleasant. She may not always do tho right thing, and 1 cannot pleaso everybody. But she. has I proved a boon to country folk in many instances.