Others Pay Her to Get the Goods

Some pay to shop. Others get paid.

For four years, Lois Terry of Ventura has been given money to spend other people’s money.

The 47-year-old Terry founded her home-based business as a way of keeping busy and being able to work around her family--husband Walter, 51, and daughters Erin, 16, and Tracey, 15.

While she spends a large portion of her working hours grocery shopping for the elderly and delivering prescriptions as part of a contract with two local pharmacies, she’s been known to pursue some rather wacky avenues in her drive to satisfy customers.

She’s journeyed to Los Angeles to update passports and green cards, transported pets to groomers and taken clients’ cars to get smog-checked.

“I’ve even gone and picked up food at Jenny Craig,” said Terry. “I’m kind of an all-around person.”

She goes the extra distance to make her clients happy.

When she couldn’t find the flashy Western gear that one of her first clients wanted her to buy for him to wear to a party, Terry found a seamstress and helped redesign one of his old Western suits.

Usually, Terry, who charges an hourly rate and mileage, works a relatively flexible schedule five days a week.

But not during the holidays. “When I get closer to Christmas, I wind up working nights and weekends,” she said.

With a Santa hat atop her head, she heads out to find the perfect gift for people she’s never met.

But she always has an idea what to look for. Clients, mostly in their 30s or older, either tell her precisely what to get or give her tips on what the recipient of the gift likes.

“I go ahead and purchase a few different things,” said Terry. The clients then choose which ones to keep. “Usually I’m right on the money and I don’t have to return many things,” she said.

Kitchen appliances, toys and clothes are Terry’s most popular purchases. Before heading out to get the goods, she consults Sunday advertisements for the best buys. This year, board games are at the top of wish lists.

For last-minute shoppers who don’t want to hire someone to do the dirty work, Terry offers some tips.

“Have a list prepared and be willing to go late at night when the crowd is gone and they’re restocking the shelves,” she said. “You’re really going to get it all done if you go late at night.”

Above all, wear a smile and have patience, said Terry. “It really goes a lot smoother if you’re in a good mood and ready to shop.”