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Counter and Rental Clerks

THE JOB

COUNTER AND RENTAL CLERKS take orders from customers and take payment for 
services.  This guide will focus on those Rental Clerk jobs that allow 
workers to advise customers and help them with rental selections.

Car Rental Agents rent cars to customers at airports, hotels, marinas, 
business parks or downtown locations.  They usually work for large car 
rental companies with national and international operations.  Some work 
closely with travel agencies, hotels and corporate offices and set up 
travel arrangements for customers.  They talk with customers to help decide 
on the type of rental car, where the car will be picked up and returned, and 
the rental dates.  Agents figure out deposits and estimate charges.  They 
complete the rental contracts and explain the terms.  They collect deposits 
and record customers' drivers licenses before arranging for deliveries and 
pick ups.  They do a routine car inspection and explain any special features 
before giving the car to the customer.  When the car is returned, agents add 
up and collect fees and may inspect the car and report any damages to 
management.

Most Furniture Rental Consultants work in retail store rental departments or 
separate show rooms.  This is a sales job.  The rental business is very 
competitive and, whether showing household or office furniture, a rental 
consultant's main job is to convince customers to do business with their 
company.  Customers are not always sure what they want.  To help them, 
consultants may explain what is available, what the rental provisions are, 
the costs and any special deals.  They try to get the customer's interest by 
showing different models and colors of the merchandise, either on the 
showroom floor or in rental catalogs.  They also persuade customers to do 
business with their company by suggesting other merchandise and helping to 
make buys follow a decorating theme.  They may help customers select floor 
coverings, drapes, appliances, and office equipment.  They sometimes make 
home or office visits to meet the client's rental needs. To close a deal, 
consultants add up fees and explain terms.  They prepare rental or lease 
agreements, get customers' signatures and take payments.

Storage Facility Rental Clerks lease space in self-service storage 
facilities to customers.  They inform customers of available space and the 
rules and rates of the facility.  Typical duties are: recording the terms of 
rental agreements, taking payments, photographing renters to identify them, 
and watching storage areas with a surveillance camera.  Clerks also check 
the camera to make sure it's working, and they keep equipment and premises 
clean and neat.

Tool and Equipment Rental Clerks rent tools and equipment to customers.  
They suggest types of equipment or tools based on customer needs.  They 
start power equipment to show how it works, clean and oil it, and adjust it 
if necessary.  They figure and quote fees.  They complete rental contracts 
and may collect deposits on rentals.  Clerks load and tie down big power 
equipment into customer cars.  They inspect returned equipment for damage 
and collect fees.

Trailer Rental Clerks rent trailers, trucks, and motorized equipment, 
including boats and vans, to customers. Duties include figuring and quoting 
rates, preparing rental agreements, and arranging for delivery.  Some 
Trailer Rental Clerks must splice the electrical wires that attach trailer 
tail-lights to customer cars.  Simple hand tools are used to splice the 
wires. 


WORKING CONDITIONS

Rental Clerks work in many environments, depending mainly on the product or 
service.  Furniture and Car Rental Clerks work mostly in well-lighted, and 
nice places.  Storage Facility, Trailer, Tools and Equipment Rental Clerks 
have work areas that are practical and not very fancy.

Rental clerks must be polite and patient with customers, even angry ones.  
They stand on their feet for most of the shift.  Lots of times, they need 
enough strength to help customers lift heavy things.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market 
Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates 
that the number of Counter and Rental Clerks in California will reach 49,630 
by 2005, an increase in new jobs of 15,090 over the number there were in 1993.

There will also be an estimated 14,040 job openings due to people retiring 
or leaving the occupation.  Added to the 15,090 new jobs expected, this 
makes for an estimated total of 29,130 job opportunities through 2005.

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Wages for Counter and Rental Clerks depend on the industry, job duties, and 
company size and location.  Wages are generally higher in big cities.  New 
hires are paid minimum wage to $12.00 per hour.  With experience, earnings 
go from minimum wage to $14.50 per hour.  Fully experienced workers having 
three or more years with a company could earn from minimum wage to $17.00 per 
hour.  Some clerks, especially in furniture rental, work on commission and 
can earn up to $15.00 an hour.

Most employers surveyed offer paid vacation and sick leave; some have paid 
medical insurance coverage.  A few larger employers have employee retirement 
plans.

Rental Clerks can expect to spend some nights, weekends and holidays on the 
job.  They often start a new job working part time, 20 to 30 hours per week.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Employers prefer workers with energy and sales experience.  Many employers 
will accept applicants with no sales experience if they are confident and 
have the potential to persuade customers to rent things.  Employers look for 
workers who are able to work well with customers, care about their problems, 
and treat them with courtesy and respect, even in difficult situations.  
Most employers expect a high school diploma and knowledge of basic business 
math.  Workers applying for these jobs are expected to speak English well, 
have readable handwriting, and some experience in customer service and cash 
handling.  More and more rental clerks need basic computer skills to use 
terminals and bar code scanners.  Computer knowledge gives applicants an 
advantage, especially with bigger companies.


ADVANCEMENT

Chances for promotion to higher jobs are mainly in large stores or 
franchises.  In these organizations, an experienced rental clerk may promote 
to crew leader, supervisor, or in time to department or store manager.  Some 
people move into other retail or wholesale jobs.  For example, Car Rental 
Agents may become car salespersons or leasing representatives.


FINDING THE JOB

Applying to retail stores that have rental show rooms or to stores with a 
rental department is still the best way to find a job.  Both experienced and 
entry-level job hunters can register for work with the California Employment 
Development Department, Job Match, an automated system that matches 
applicants with employer job listings.

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Buyers, Retail Trade                   No.  118
Interior Designers                     No.  189
Retail Store Managers                  No.  242

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Tool and Equipment Rental Clerk     295.357-014
Furniture Rental Consultant         295.357-018
Storage Facility Rental Clerk       295.367-026
Trailer Rental Clerk                295.467-022
Automobile Rental Clerk             295.467-026

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Counter and Rental Clerks                490170


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.