Errand running: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What errand running is

An errand runner handles tasks such as pickups, drop offs, returns, waiting in line and shopping, so you do not have to make the trip yourself. People hire one for daily chores, time sensitive tasks or any errand that falls on a day they cannot leave.

Signs you need it

  • You have a return or an exchange that needs to be made at a store you cannot get to
  • You need a package picked up or dropped off during working hours
  • You have a prescription, a document or a form that must be collected in person
  • A line or a wait at a government or service office is taking time you cannot spare
  • You are caring for someone at home and cannot leave to run their errands

What the pro does

  • Get the list of errands, the addresses, the store hours and any items or documents to carry
  • Confirm the details with you, such as the item size, the account name and what to do if the store is out of stock
  • Travel to each location in the order that makes the most sense, and keep the receipts
  • Wait in line or at the office, and record the wait time and any issue that comes up
  • Return items or drop off packages as instructed, and get proof of return or delivery
  • Send you the receipts, photos and a short summary of each completed errand

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of stops and how far apart they are
  • How long the wait or the task will take, such as standing in line or waiting for a document
  • Whether the errand needs a vehicle, public transport or a longer trip
  • Whether the runner must carry heavy or fragile items
  • Whether the errand happens at a set time or can be done whenever suits the runner
  • Whether the runner must pay for items and be reimbursed, which adds handling time

What a written quote should spell out

  • The list of errands, the stores or addresses and the order of the stops
  • How the runner is paid for their time and how travel is handled
  • Who pays for the items, and how the reimbursement works
  • What the runner will send you as proof, such as receipts or photos
  • What happens if an item is out of stock or a store is closed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you have a vehicle, and do you carry your own insurance for driving errands?
  • How do you handle items that must be paid for with my card?
  • What do you do when the store is out of the item I need?
  • How do you protect my keys, documents and personal information?
  • Can you show me receipts or proof of completion from past errands?
  • What hours and areas do you cover?

Red flags

  • Asks for your card PIN or online banking login
  • Wants to be paid in advance for errands with no written list or receipts
  • Cannot say how they will handle returns or refunds
  • Asks for your house keys without a written plan for keeping them secure

What you can do yourself

You can keep a shared errand list, use online ordering for pickup and delivery where the store offers it and arrange returns through the store's own mail or drop off service. Hire an errand runner when the errand needs to be done in person during a time you cannot be there, or when the number of errands is more than you can handle.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required for errand running. Ask instead for references from past clients, proof of a valid driver's license if they drive, and confirmation that their auto insurance covers errands; check with your state or local business licensing office if the runner operates as a registered business.

Errand running questions

Can an errand runner pick up a prescription?

Pharmacies have their own rules for who may pick up a prescription. Ask the pharmacy first, and give the runner written permission and any required ID.

How do I know the errand was done?

Ask for a receipt, a return receipt or a photo of the delivery. Keep a list of completed errands so you can check them later.

Who pays for the items?

Agree on this before the first errand. Many clients pay the store directly or reimburse the runner with receipts, so set the rule in writing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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