SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Counter and Rental Clerks

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Counter Clerk
  • Counter Service Representative
  • Leasing Consultant
  • Rental Agent
  • Rental Assistant
  • Rental Associate
  • Rental Clerk
  • Rental Counter Clerk

What do Counter and Rental Clerks do?

Counter and rental clerks are professionals responsible for overseeing the rental of equipment, vehicles, or other items to customers. They work in various settings such as car rental agencies, equipment rental companies, and leisure facilities. These clerks serve as the first point of contact for customers, assisting them in choosing the appropriate rental items based on their needs and preferences.

Counter and rental clerks manage customer transactions, which includes processing rentals, collecting payment, and ensuring proper documentation is completed. They are often required to explain rental agreements, provide information about items' features and usage, and answer any questions customers may have. Additionally, they handle returns and inspections of returned items to ensure they are in good condition before being made available for future rentals.

This role also involves maintaining inventory records and tracking the availability of rental items, as well as performing administrative tasks related to rental agreements and payments. Customer service skills are particularly important in this role, as the clerks must facilitate a positive experience for customers while adhering to the company's policies and procedures.

The work environment can vary significantly based on the type of establishment, but it often requires clerks to interact with a diverse range of clients. Proper handling of rental equipment and vehicles is vital, making attention to detail and a strong sense of responsibility critical attributes for success in this career.

What the work actually is

  • Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
  • Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage.
  • Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.
  • Provide information about rental items, such as availability, operation, or description.
  • Advise customers on use and care of merchandise.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Administrative Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  • Sales and Marketing Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Bachelor's degree
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Processing Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools used on the job

Tools

  • Security cameras Surveillance cameras
  • Bar code reader equipment Barcode scanners
  • Magnetic stripe readers and encoders Credit card processing machines
  • Hand trucks or accessories Handtrucks
  • Screwdrivers

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

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Questions people ask

How much do Counter and Rental Clerks earn in South Africa?

Counter and Rental Clerks salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Counter and Rental Clerks do?

Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments, Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage and Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.