This holiday season, some busy holiday gift buyers are turning to TikTok for gifts and collectibles. But beyond TikTok Shop, users are also turning to TikTok livestreams for virtual personal shopper services without having to step foot in a store. The livestreamers are full-time shoppers who spend hours in discount department stores like TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Marshalls on the hunt for viral products or fandom collectibles that are hard to find.
“Everyone is looking for the hot pink Hello Kitty. Valentine’s Day blankets. OK.
They’re looking for any of the throw blankets, glitz-and-glam brushes,” Rita Colon said. Colon, who lives in New Jersey, has been a full-time personal virtual shopper for a year. This year, she said, she has shipped over 2,700 packages around the country.
As shoppers broadcast themselves sorting through items in stores, viewers who tune into her live feed type the word “reserve” in the comments to secure items. They then send Colon payment — the prices of the items, her finders fee of up to $20 and the cost of shipping. She waits until the electronic payments land in her account before she heads to checkout.
“The finder’s fee covers for me, my time, my gas, obviously shipping materials, tape boxes, bubble wrap, brake wear, tire wear, oil changes,” she said. On a good day, said Colon, who has 12,500 followers, she walks away with $500 to $700. Dominick Palguta, who lives in Virginia, is another virtual personal shopper on TikTok.
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