Counter and Rental Clerk
Counter and rental clerks serve a vital role in customer service and retail operations, primarily within businesses that rent various types of equipment, including vehicles and recreational items. They are responsible for managing customer interactions, processing reservations, handling payments, and maintaining transaction records. This position often requires clerks to explain rental policies, inspect returned items, and ensure customer satisfaction during the rental experience.
Counter and rental clerks typically work in retail environments such as car rental agencies at airports or tourist rental outlets near resorts. Their work schedule can include evenings, weekends, and holidays to accommodate customer needs. While formal education is not required, skills in communication, problem-solving, and basic mathematics are essential for success in this role. Most training occurs on the job, making it accessible for a diverse range of workers, including young individuals and seasonal employees seeking additional income. This occupation not only supports the logistics of rental services but also fosters significant public interaction, enhancing overall customer experiences.
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Subject Terms
Counter and Rental Clerk
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration, Marketing, Sales & Service, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Interests: Customer service, communicating with others, data entry
Earnings (Yearly Median): $41,630 per year
Employment & Outlook: 2% (Almost as fast as average)
Entry-Level Education No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-4
Overview
Sphere of Work. Counter and rental clerks act as both customer service representatives and retail associates. They are employed by companies that rent equipment and machines, including car and truck rental companies, construction equipment rental firms, and various tourist rental outlets. Rental clerks are responsible for collecting and recording customer data, maintaining transaction records and payment information, and explaining relevant rules, policies, and fees. Counter and rental clerks also answer phones, take orders and reservations for rental items, and inspect rented items upon their return.
Work Environment. Rental clerks work in retail locations and private businesses. Many national car rental agencies have retail counters or offices at airports, bus stations, and other major transportation hubs. Companies renting heavy construction equipment may operate as independent businesses or as facets of larger retailers. Holiday, tourism, and leisure rentals offering temporary use of equipment such as paddleboats, canoes, golf carts, and even horses traditionally operate out of or adjacent to resorts, theme parks, or wildlife and nature sanctuaries. Counter and rental clerks interact extensively with the public and may work nights, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of their customers.
Occupation Interest. Counter and rental clerks are a diverse group of professionals. Many are young workers eager to gain administrative and customer service experience, while some are seasonal employees seeking to earn extra income. Much of the training for rental clerk positions can be acquired on the job, which is another factor that contributes to the diversity of those employed in the rental industry.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities of counter and rental clerks are intensely focused on customer service. In addition to greeting customers with prior rental reservations and interacting with individuals calling or visiting to make new rental reservations, counter and rental clerks must also verify renters’ identities, process payments, and complete liability paperwork for all renters.
Rental clerks must be well-versed in the rental options available to customers, such as the make and model of vehicles and the size and capacity of trucks or sporting equipment. Counter staff must also explain the risks, damage policies, and other rules related to renting equipment. Additionally, any policies regarding how or where the rented equipment may be used must be made clear. Rental clerks must also inform clients of return policies, expected return dates, and return location options.
When not interacting with customers, counter and rental clerks are often responsible for cleaning or maintaining rented equipment. Ski or skate rental clerks, for example, may be responsible for waxing or sharpening the equipment, and car and truck rental clerks may need to refuel, clean, or perform routine maintenance on their companies’ vehicles.
In addition to providing information and recording data for outbound equipment and vehicle rentals, counter clerks are also responsible for the data entry and relevant administrative tasks involved in returns. Return tasks may include asking clients about the quality of their experience, offering payment receipts, and inspecting equipment to ensure it is being returned in the same condition in which it was rented.
Tool and Equipment Rental Clerks (295.357-014). Tool and Equipment Rental Clerks rent tools and equipment to customers and clean, lubricate, and adjust tools.
Automobile-Rental Clerks (295.467-026). Automobile-Rental Clerks rent automobiles to customers at airports, hotels, marinas, and other locations by preparing a rental contract and informing customers about policies and procedures.
Customer Service Clerks (299.367-010). Customer Service Clerks arrange for gift-wrapping, monogramming, and printing of items, take and prepare orders for goods and services, and keep records of services.
Service Establishment Attendants (369.477-014). Service Establishment Attendants receive articles to be repaired or cleaned in personal service establishments.
Self-Service Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Clerks (369.677-010). Self-Service Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Clerks assist customers in laundering or dry-cleaning clothes.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Counter and rental clerks work primarily at indoor rental counters, which are often located near or within large urban areas. Resorts, theme parks, and airports also employ counter and rental clerks. Clerks must often spend much of the workday on their feet.
Human Environment. Counter and rental clerks work primarily with the public, communicating either face-to-face or over the phone. Counter and rental clerks also interact with outside vendors and fellow staff members.
Technological Environment. Counter and rental clerks use traditional retail technologies such as cash registers and telephone systems. They must be comfortable with computers and printers as well as database, point-of-sale, and word processing software. Barcode scanners and related equipment are also common. As customers may use it to make and pay for reservations, counter and rental clerks should also be comfortable with the Internet.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students can best prepare for the position of counter or rental clerk by taking courses in basic mathematics and introductory computing. The communication and problem-solving skills that are needed to succeed in this field can be honed in English and composition courses. Participation in school-oriented businesses, such as school stores or event information booths, may help prepare students for the team-oriented nature of the position.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary education is not traditionally a requirement for counter or rental clerks. However, those interested in advancing to managerial or supervisory positions or opening their own rental establishments may benefit tremendously from exposure to postsecondary coursework in business management, finance, or administration.
Related Occupations
− Cashier
− Customer Service Representative
− Receptionist & Information Clerk
− Services Sales Representative
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, 41-2021, Counter and Rental Clerks." Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes412021.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
“Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.