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Errand Services

Errand services offer a wide variety of services. They can be particularly helpful for individuals who do not drive or do not have a car available, for those who have some difficulty getting around large stores, waiting in line or carrying packages, and for those who are short on time. Companies differ in what they do, so it is necessary to ask each company what services it offers and what it charges for those services. You can use a company just once or, if you find its services helpful, can use the company regularly and perhaps request the same employee each time. Read More

TYPES OF SERVICES: The variety of services is great, and most companies do more than just run errands. Some of the types of services offered (not all by all the companies) can include:

1. Shopping. An errand service employee can go to the grocery or other store for you (or take you to the store and home again), can carry your packages into your home, and can help you put away your purchases.

2. Simple errands. An errand service employee can go the dry cleaner, post office, pharmacy or bank for you.

3. Gifts. An errand service employee can shop for birthday or holiday gifts for you, wrap the gifts and even mail them for you.

4. Limited transportation. Some errand services will take you to and from doctor's appointments or to and from the airport. They will even help you with your luggage.

5. Personal Assistant. Some errand service employees will act as your personal assistant (just like the movie stars have) and will help you organize papers or personal items, will plan and assist you with parties or special dinners, or will help with party invitations or holiday cards.

6. Holiday decorations. Some services will help you decorate your home for the holidays and will help take down and store those decorations afterward.

CAUTIONS: Many errand services are small businesses and the owners may provide services directly. Companies with employees try to screen those employees carefully before hiring them to ensure your safety and satisfaction. It is always wise to exercise a little caution, however, when allowing a stranger into your home or giving a stranger access to any of your finances.

1. If you will be riding with the errand service employee, before scheduling the ride, ask if the driver and service are insured and if you will be covered by their insurance if you should be injured while riding with them.

2. If the employee is to be in your home, when scheduling the service ask if a criminal background check was done on the employee and if the employee and company are bonded. If you are uncomfortable being alone in your home with the employee, invite a friend or family member over to visit while the employee is to be in your home. If the employee makes you uncomfortable at any time, firmly ask him or her to leave (make up an excuse if you feel the need to be polite), lock your door behind the employee, watch him or her leave the area and then call the errand company to discuss what happened. You should never be uncomfortable in your own home. Even if the incident may be a misunderstanding, err on the side of caution. If you feel threatened, call the police; if the employee will not leave, you may want to leave your home and call from a neighbor's phone. While it is unlikely that anything like this will occur, always be cautious about your personal safety.

3. If the errand service employee is to shop for you, play it safe and relieve the employee of responsibility for handling your money (if possible). If you can, arrange to have the store bill you later or bill your credit card for the purchase; try to set this up in advance by phone or in-person. If you must give the errand employee cash, give him or her only the amount of cash reasonably needed for the purchase. Be responsible; do not give the errand service employee excess cash, a blank check or your credit or debit card. NEVER give the errand service employee your credit or debit card PIN number. The employee does not want the burden of being responsible for your financial security, nor should you, the careful consumer, risk it. When arranging for a shopping service, ask the errand company in advance how it recommends that you pay for your purchases.

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