by The automotive industry consists of various establishments such as vehicle dealerships and their service departments as well as repair businesses owned by independent masters or franchises.
The duties, skills, and qualifications of automotive cashiers are similar to those in other retail businesses.
However, with the unique features of the automotive industry, their job includes more details and factors than of the cashiers in other fields.
Article Table of Contents
What Does an Automotive Cashier Do
The automotive cashier duties include receiving payments from customers together with other responsibilities.
Some dealerships or shops also task their cashiers with the duties of receptionists.
They provide information about the dealership and its vehicles and services.
Automotive cashiers need excellent communication skills and the ability to provide accurate information about services, vehicles, and prices.
Together with that, they need good computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Take payments from customers by cash, checks, or credit cards for parts, repair, and other services.
- Refund payments for unused parts or due to other factors in compliance with the company policy or supervisor’s directions.
- Record receipts, deliveries, and other transactions during their shift.
- Arrange payments received with the amounts or prices of parts as per invoice.
- Schedule and service appointments.
- Explain to customers recommendations of the technicians, repairs, and other services.
- Redirect customer calls to the appropriate departments.
- Answer questions of the customers about the status of the repair, problems with the vehicle, or operating hours.
Essential Skills
Computer:
Automotive cashiers should know how to handle computers and computer apps scheduling appointments.
They also have to prepare and print invoices and accept payments.
Through email or social media, cashiers may send reminders to customers for maintenance, servicing, or promotions taking place at the dealership.
Math:
Automotive cashiers should be able to add to total charges (or use machines for that).
Also, they need to know how to calculate any discounts and deduct to return the right change.
Automotive cashiers are also tasked with counting bills and coins.
Customer service:
Automotive cashiers should be able to provide quality service to customers.
They need to inform customers about prices, parts, and services and completion times accurately and promptly.
Good listening skills are also essential since cashiers need to understand customer’s needs and requirements to pass the information to the technicians correctly.
Physical:
Cashiers need good stamina, especially in those shops where they have to work on their feet for long times.
They may have to walk a lot, retrieving receipts, vehicle keys, or parts from the stock.
During their shifts, cashiers may have to lift boxes, parts, or packages.
How to Become an Automotive Cashier
The job of an automotive cashier includes math, computer, customer service skills, and knowledge of the automotive industry and vehicles.
Automotive cashiers can gain their knowledge and skills on the job and from classes in high school.
They can also attend a community college and gain previous experience in retail and mechanical services.
Training and Qualifications
Generally, automotive cashiers need a high school diploma or equivalent, like GED.
They should demonstrate good performance in such classes as computers and math.
You can find computer-related courses at community colleges as well.
They usually include basic computer and keyboarding skills, use of computer software, etc.
Students that look into the position of an automotive cashier should take courses related to automotive systems and principles of automotive repair.
Automotive cashiers are usually trained at the dealerships of hiring companies.
New employees learn about the company and company values, computer systems, parts, and offered services as well as the departments in the dealership.
They are also trained and oriented on particular vehicle manufacturers that the dealership is affiliated with.
Experience
Automotive cashiers are usually expected to have experience in retail, customer service, or office settings.
The jobs can include cashier, receptionist, administrative assistant, office clerk, or working at customer service counters.
The experience can be also obtained from the work at grocery stores, or other retailers.
The job of an automotive cashier includes some sales elements, so work experience as a sales associate at a retail store can be useful.
This is especially relevant when it comes to selling service plans or parts.
Candidates with experience at automotive service stations or repair businesses are usually familiar with the mechanical or automotive repair.
Experience with home appliances or HVAC maintenance can also come handy.
Working Hours
Typically, automotive service shops and dealerships are open six days a week.
Some also work on Sundays.
Therefore, automotive cashiers may have to work on the weekends and evenings.
This is especially relevant for part-time positions.
Usually, service and repair establishments aren’t open at night, so the shifts rarely go beyond early evenings.
In some places, such services as an oil change or tire rotation are offered during early evening hours for those who can’t make it in the daytime.
Depending on the employer, automotive cashiers may work part- or full-time.
At dealerships, full-time employment is more common.
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for automotive cashiers are usually tied to the demand for automotive services.
As the IBIS World reports, the employment rate increased by 2.6% per year in the auto mechanic industry 2012 through 2017.
The revenue in this sector was $64 billion.
The growth is predicted to continue.
With aging vehicles, the demand for automotive services will be steady, so the cashiers will have employment opportunities in the repair shops.
Also, with such services as tire rotation and oil change, the life of the vehicles can be maintained better.
With advancing technology in the vehicles such as keyless ignition, Wi-Fi sensors in braking, etc., service technicians will have more orders when these parts malfunction.
With this, the employment of the cashiers, especially in dealerships selling new cars with technology, will be sustained.
With increasing electric cars and their reduced need for repair, the need for servicing may become limited.
According to the International Energy Agency, 160,000 electric vehicles were sold in the US in 2016.
An automotive cashier job is a great way to gain introductory experience in the industry.
So, those who wish to work in vehicle sales, as auto mechanics, or own a service franchise will find it helpful for future advancement.
Conclusion
Automotive cashiers also function as receptionists for the dealerships or service stations.
Their main duty is to collect payments from customers and provide the necessary information.
The professional needs good customer service, communication, computer, and mathematical skills to succeed in this position.
With the demand for automotive repairs, the employment rate for the cashiers will remain high.
This introductory experience can be helpful to those aspiring to advance in the automotive industry or wishing to own a franchise service.