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The 25 Most Bizarre Zaarly & TaskRabbit Requests: Get Paid to Do What?

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By The Editors 11/30/11 9:00am

Brother, Can You Spare Some Time? Zaarly, TaskRabbit and the Rise of the Convenience Economy

  • A business partner
    Start The Slideshow

    Like Craigslist missed connections, the random jobs offered up on sites like TaskRabbit and Zaarly have a certain poetry all their own. They offer a glimpse into someone else’s world, a snapshot that often piques the curiosity. Who is the cute addict that needs a kitten hand-delivered to their office for a lunch time cuddle sesh? Why, exactly, does this personal trainer have to wear holiday-themed gear? And how can anyone afford to pay that much for a cup of coffee?

    We’ve put together a list of gigs that might inspire you to day labor, even if you don’t need the money.

  • Back Forward A Manly Flask

    A Manly Flask

    Location: New York City

    Request: "I'd love a flask. The more manly, the better. Hopefully it was once owned by Hemingway. I'll also accept one that Teddy Roosevelt took a swig from after killing a bear. Thanks!"

    Price: $22

  • Back Forward Giraffe JPEGS

    Giraffe JPEGS

    Location: San Francisco

    Request: "Giraffe JPEGS. I need as many unique JPEGs of Giraffes emailed to me as possible. I will pay $1 per 10 JPEGs min of 50 JPEGs, maximum of 1000 JPEGs. If you prefer a different animal, contact me."

    Price: $110

  • Back Forward $100 for $1 bill serial #F48859794A

    $100 for $1 bill serial #F48859794A

    Location: New York City

    Request: "$100 for $1 bill serial #F48859794A. This bill has sentimental value and was accidentally spent. I will pay $100.00. Please help, thank you."

    Price: $100

  • Back Forward Deer meat

    Deer meat

    Location: Kansas City

    Request: "Deer meat. Family looking for some ground venison and or a roast. This would greatly help us out financially. Thanks!"

    Price: $1

  • Back Forward Personal Ensemble Shopper, For Middle-Aged Human Beings

    Personal Ensemble Shopper, For Middle-Aged Human Beings

    Location: Near City Hall, Manhattan, NYC

    Request: “middle aged women and men who are looking for help purchasing an ensemble for a particular occasion, ie wedding, work event, party, etc. Update that stodgy ill fitting look with something more current.fabulous holiday gift for someone who really needs the help and has been purchasing all the wrong items for their wardrobe! Mom, Dad, Aunt, friend, colleague will love it. And they will have a dedicated specialist to guide them to the right look.”

    Price: $100.

  • Back Forward Piece of Art, by Ray, Recently Sold

    Piece of Art, by Ray, Recently Sold

    Location: Austin, TX.

    Request: “I am looking for a piece of Art I recently sold called Row of Flowers by Ray at RTexasgallery.com! I will pay double what you paid for it!”

    Price: $1000

  • Back Forward Dog, Large

    Dog, Large

    Location: Canarsie, Brooklyn, NYC.

    Request: “A dog a big one.”

    Price: $500

  • Back Forward Kittens, for Office Kitten Party

    Kittens, for Office Kitten Party

    Location: The Mission, San Francisco, CA

    Request: “I run a small company in the Mission (Valencia st between 18th and 19th) and this week and next are very busy for us. I want you to organize a fun 1-hour break next week where you find someone with kittens in the SF Bay Area, arrange to have them bring them (or have you bring them -- you can get a cab if needed, I'll reimburse) by our office some for an hour of playtime! You'll be responsible for working out all the details, and making sure the kittens get here and get home safely."

    Price: $57 - $79 (TaskRabbit Estimate).

  • Back Forward Tickets, Jingle Ball (Also: Spider Man, Toys. Also, Charms, Pandora, Whatever Those Are.)

    Tickets, Jingle Ball (Also: Spider Man, Toys. Also, Charms, Pandora, Whatever Those Are.)

    Location: Fresh Kills, Staten Island, NYC

    Request: “Jingleball tickets, spiderman [sic] toys, pandora charms, camera”

    Price: $350.

  • Back Forward Personal Trainer, Gay

    Personal Trainer, Gay

    Location: Hell’s Kitchen, NYC.

    Request: “Looking for a gay-friendly male to help sculpt my body over this Christmas break...need a good price to give the person who wants to buy it for me as a gift for X-mas...”

    Price: $50.

  • Back Forward Groupies, Startup

    Groupies, Startup

    Location: Jacob Javits Center, New York

    Request: “Help a new startup make an impact. Walk the show floor and wear a hoodie and enjoy the East's largest Cloud Expo!”

    Price: $10 in cab fare, plus you get to keep the hoodie!”

  • Back Forward Cake, Made in Likeness of Gucci Backpack

    Cake, Made in Likeness of Gucci Backpack

    Location: San Francisco, CA.

    Request: “I would like a gucci backpack cake I have pictures of the backpacks and I also have a picture of and backpack cake if you think That you could do it and you are not playing any games feel free to contact me”

    Price: $175.

  • Back Forward Memorabilia, Pappy Van Winkle

    Memorabilia, Pappy Van Winkle

    Location: Downtown Chicago, IL

    Request: “Looking to put together a collection of Pappy Van Winkle related stuff... beers, liquors, you name it! Let me know what you have.”

    Price: $1, but, the seller notes, “$1 is just a place holder, not how much I want to pay for your item.”

  • Back Forward Lunch w/ Perry Caravelo

    Lunch w/ Perry Caravelo

    Location: Los Angeles

    Request: Lunch w/ Perry Caravelo. [sic] Star of Windy City Heat

    Price: $25

  • Back Forward NYC hip-hop historical/cultural tour

    NYC hip-hop historical/cultural tour

    Location: New York City

    Request: NYC hip-hop historical/cultural tour. I want to take a tour of the city and see notable hip-hop landmarks (We're talking Kool Herc to KRS One to Rakim to Nas). Person giving the tour must love and respect hip-hop as a culture and be able to speak in an intelligent way. Would love to go beyond 'music' and also be able to show and talk about graffiti and breakin'. I would expect the tour to use public transit or provided private transportation and last around 4 hours. Looking for someone that knows the culture and will make this an experience to remember forever.

    Price: $275

  • Back Forward Cookie Monster Adult Costume Headpiece

    Cookie Monster Adult Costume Headpiece

    Location: Boston

    Request: $50 for Cookie Monster Adult Costume Headpiece

    Price: $50

  • Back Forward Have my girlfriend meet Jonathan Toews

    Have my girlfriend meet Jonathan Toews

    Location: Chicago

    Request: Have my girlfriend meet Jonathan Toews. She's always wanted to meet her favorite Blackhawk player, Jonathan Toews. Looking for an opportunity to meet him and say hi. I would prefer to "let her know" of this as a Christmas present.

    Price: $50

  • Back Forward Sing Happy Birthday to my Sister at Restaurant

    Sing Happy Birthday to my Sister at Restaurant

    Location: New York City

    Request: Sing Happy Birthday to my Sister at Restaurant. I would like someone to show up while we are dining at a restaurant in downtown Yonkers and sing lyrics to a song I wrote for my sister tomorrow night at 8:40pm. Guitar isn't mandatory but would be a nice touch.

    Price: $30

  • Back Forward Visit Charlie Rose Show during an Interview

    Visit Charlie Rose Show during an Interview

    Location: New York City

    Request: Visit Charlie Rose Show during an Interview. I would love to see how the Charlie Rose Show happens. He's been a hero for many years. If you can arrange for me to visit the studio during a taping, I would be very grateful.

    Price: $200

  • Back Forward elvis lamp

    elvis lamp

    Location: Los Angeles

    Request: elvis lamp. new or used

    Price: $40

  • Back Forward Betamax player

    Betamax player

    Location: Los Angeles

    Request: Betamax player. Working condition.

    Price: $50

  • Back Forward Rare Beers

    Rare Beers

    Location: Chicago

    Request: Rare Beers I'm looking to buy a friend some really nice beers, rare stuff from great breweries. Willing to pay more than $100 for the right beer.

    Price: $100

  • Back Forward via spiritofpawneecaps.tumblr.com

    Write an on hold message for my business

    Location: Virtual

    Request: "I'm interested in someone listening to my current on hold message looking at my website and talking to me on the phone a write 2 seperate scripts for my on hold messages. Thats it, in simple words. Im just to lazy to do it myself but i am picky and will expect a ggod job and something I like. If you do a good job I have much more writing for you."

    Price: $64 - $88

  • Back Forward 6 foot Rotating Christmas Tree

    6 foot Rotating Christmas Tree

    Location: Morrisania, New York.

    Request: “Many years ago for Christmas I was at my uncles house and laid my eyes on one of the best trees I have ever seen; it was also tangle free maybe because it connected under the base. Once I have it with, it will be in my family tradition for many years to come.”

    Price: $90.

  • Back Forward Hold me accountable to my diet

    Hold me accountable to my diet

    Location: Virtual.

    Request: “I'm hoping that, if somebody holds me accountable to my diet, I might actually stick to it.
    Contact me randomly a few times per week for two months; ask me to report how well I've kept to my diet for the given day. Vary the dates, time, mode (e.g. phone, text message, email, etc...), and message to keep me on my feet.
    If I report that I've done well, please respond with praise and encouragement. If I report that I've slipped, please respond with constructive criticism. Be creative to keep me motivated. Thanks! Ed

    Price: $46-$64.

  • Back A business partner

    A business partner

    Location: Dallas, Texas

    Request: "A business partner ..to help with million dollar investment."

    Price: $1,000

Comments

  1. Jerry says:
    November 30, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    Hah! What an awesome collection. 

  2. anon says:
    November 30, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    LOVE THIS

  3. Ben Lang says:
    November 30, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    I love Zaarly.

  4. Anon E. Mouse says:
    December 2, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Sweet! A slideshow!

  5. TJB says:
    December 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Zaarly is great !! :)

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