The parts counter connects customers, the shop and the warehouse shelves. If you like cars and enjoy helping people find exactly the right part, this is a job you can start without specialized training.
At a glance
| Role | Sell parts in person, to the shop and by phone; order, track and stock inventory |
|---|---|
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Training | No specific training required; vocational school or community college helps |
| Helpful background | Customer service and retail experience, and an interest in auto parts and repair |
What the job involves
A counterperson sells parts to walk-in customers, to the service shop and over the phone, so retail and service skills matter. The role also supports the parts manager with tracking, storing and shelving inventory.
When a part is out of stock, the counterperson orders it from the catalog, gives the customer a quote and a timeline and follows up. Since every question is about a specific part, enough car knowledge to point people the right way is essential.
Typical duties
- Helping customers choose the right parts and pointing out companion parts they may need
- Giving accurate, friendly answers and price quotes in person and by phone
- Promoting parts sales and specials
- Ordering parts with the body shop and telling customers when they arrive
- Pulling orders from stock and restocking every day
- Telling the parts manager when stock runs low, and tracking backorders and shipments
- Making sure billing is accurate, taking payments and handling returns and exchanges, checking parts for damage
- Recording returned warranty parts and matching invoices against purchase orders
- Keeping the work area clean and helping the parts manager with inventory, lost-sales tracking and parts updates
Skills that matter
- Genuine interest in cars, including working on your own
- Reading instructions and correspondence, and writing memos
- Explaining things simply and clearly
- Math: multiplying and dividing units, measuring, rounding, percentages and fractions
- Following directions with common sense
- Making decisions when there are many variables
- A clear sense of organization and process, plus attention to detail
How to get started
- Finish high school or a GED. It is the standard baseline.
- Build car knowledge. Vocational school, community college, past work or your own garage projects all count.
- Get customer-facing experience. Retail and service jobs give you skills that carry straight over to the counter.
- Highlight transferable skills. If you are changing careers, show your communication, organization and math skills on your application.
Is it right for you?
The counter suits someone organized and patient who likes cars and people in equal measure. Since no specific training is required, it is also an accessible way into the car business.
Looking for a job in the car business?
See the open positions at Kendall FL Auto, including parts roles, and apply online.