What does a counter sales person do?

A counter salesperson is an employee who meets customers when first entering a store or an organization and provides excellent customer service. Counter salespersons are responsible for answering customer queries and resolve all their queries professional to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. They execute the orders of customers and follow up their orders to prevent delays and frustrations. Counter salespersons should also possess excellent product knowledge and must regularly update the inventory of products.
Counter sales person responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real counter sales person resumes:
- Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
- Establish merchandising and product display procedures increasing in store sales and provide a platform that promote store cleanliness.
- Work with customers to determine specifications of pipe, valves, and fittings, and troubleshoot basic operations of HVAC systems.
- Provide logistical support for major distributor of HVAC equipment.
- Work directly with internal distribution, engineers and inside salesperson.
- Accept responsibility for shipping, receiving, taking orders, maintaining and organizing inventory and ensuring cleanliness of work environment
- Sell and quote OEM replacement parts for automobiles and other vehicles directly to the public
- Specialize in BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
- Research parts for BMW and non-BMW cars preparing them for certification or resale.
- Locate parts for customers and use the ADP system to bill them appropriately for their orders.
- Identify and sell OEM parts for the top of the line screening equipment manufacturer at its world headquarters.
- Maximize revenue by upselling customers into higher-priced vehicles.
Counter sales person skills and personality traits
We calculated that 41% of Counter Sales People are proficient in Taking Care, Inventory Control, and Inventory Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Self-confidence, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Counter Sales People that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Taking Care, 41%
Job requires an extensive knowledge of auto parts and a belief in taking care of the customer.
- Inventory Control, 20%
Participated in inventory control of merchandise, scheduling delivery of equipment to customers and warehouse duties.
- Inventory Management, 15%
Facilitate inventory management and informed management of low inventory; record inventory counts in company computer systems.
- Cataloging, 8%
Utilize computer and paper cataloging systems and process orders.
- Store Appearance, 7%
Cleaned and maintained store appearance and company vehicles.
- Phone Calls, 1%
Operated an 18 multiple line telephone and relay incoming, outgoing and inter-office calls and screened phone calls for office staff.
"taking care," "inventory control," and "inventory management" are among the most common skills that counter sales people use at work. You can find even more counter sales person responsibilities below, including:
Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for a counter sales person to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." Additionally, a counter sales person resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "repair texsteam pumps assist with cycle counts and physical inventory purchase product perform labor duties as needed. "
Self-confidence. Another essential skill to perform counter sales person duties is self-confidence. Counter sales people responsibilities require that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations." Counter sales people also use self-confidence in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintained confidentiality consistent with customer service and administrative requirements. "
Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of counter sales people is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday counter sales person duties, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to listen to the customer’s needs and concerns before and after the sale." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "authorized customer returns balanced cash drawers and verified daily deposit. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain counter sales person responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a counter sales person rely on this skill, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what counter sales people do: "managed and maintained customer accounts/relationships, requiring strong interpersonal skills. "
The three companies that hire the most counter sales persons are:
- O'Reilly Auto Parts1,330 counter sales people jobs
- Hajoca32 counter sales people jobs
- SiteOne Landscape Supply22 counter sales people jobs
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Counter sales person vs. Parts associate
A parts associate works in a parts store and is responsible for selling, identifying, and procuring parts. Working with customers, parts associates evaluate customer problems and descriptions to identify the right parts needed for replacement. These associates also maintain an inventory log and trace parts for older machines as may be required. Parts associates advise and demonstrate to clients how respective parts function, how to properly install the components on machines, and how to use them correctly.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, counter sales person responsibilities require skills like "taking care," "cataloging," "store appearance," and "phone calls." Meanwhile a typical parts associate has skills in areas such as "parts inventory," "strong work ethic," "physical inventory," and "shipping receiving." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, parts associates reach similar levels of education than counter sales people. Parts associates are 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Counter sales person vs. Parts specialist
Parts specialists are responsible for the sale and maintenance of inventory at a dealership, an automotive care center, or other businesses providing automotive parts and supplies. Their duties and responsibilities include maintaining detailed inventory records, purchasing automotive parts, and ensuring that parts are delivered promptly. They are responsible for answering customer questions about various machine parts and equipment. Qualifications for this position vary, which include relevant work experience, experience in a supervisory or managerial job, and professional training through a vocational school.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that counter sales person responsibilities requires skills like "phone calls," "cleanliness," "math," and "basic math." But a parts specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "data entry," "parts inventory," "purchase orders," and "cash handling."
Parts specialists may earn a lower salary than counter sales people, but parts specialists earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,358. On the other hand, counter sales people receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,204.parts specialists earn similar levels of education than counter sales people in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Counter sales person vs. Customer service, warehouse
A customer service warehouse is primarily in charge of providing customer support, mainly through calls and correspondence. Their responsibilities typically revolve around answering inquiries, addressing and troubleshooting problems, processing refunds, maintaining records of all transactions, and referring them to other services when necessary. There are also instances when they must perform follow-up calls, offer products and services, discuss product specifications and promotions, develop sales strategies, and generate leads through research and analysis. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, counter sales people are more likely to have skills like "taking care," "cataloging," "store appearance," and "phone calls." But a customer service, warehouse is more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "stock merchandise," "purchase orders," and "warehouse operations."
Customer services, warehouse earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $31,263. Counter sales people earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $35,204.customer services, warehouse typically earn similar educational levels compared to counter sales people. Specifically, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Counter sales person vs. Sales support associate
A sales support associate is an individual who is responsible for assisting sales staff and help customers. To provide this assistance, sales support associates use customer communication methods such as telephones or email to process customer orders and ensure that they are accurate. They work closely with distributors to make sure that products are available for their customers. Sales support associates may function as either part-time or full time, but companies may require excellent communication skills.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between counter sales people and sales support associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a counter sales person might have more use for skills like "taking care," "cataloging," "store appearance," and "phone calls." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sales support associates require skills like "back room," "sales support," "strong computer," and "sales service. "
Sales support associates enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $45,041. For comparison, counter sales people earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.sales support associates reach similar levels of education compared to counter sales people, in general. The difference is that they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of counter sales person
Updated January 8, 2025











