For example, in the car rental industry, they inform customers about the features of the different types of automobiles available and their daily and weekly rental costs, ensure that customers meet age or other requirements, and indicate when and in what condition the car must be returned. In dry-cleaning establishments, counter clerks inform customers when items will be ready. When taking orders counter and rental clerks use various types of equipment. In some establishments, they write out tickets and order forms. However, computers and bar code scanners are quickly becoming the norm.
Most computer systems are user friendly and usually require very little data entry.
Clerks must insure, however, that the data on the screen matches the actual product. Employment Counter and rental clerks held over 341,000 jobs in 1994. About 1 of every 4 clerks worked for a video tape rental establishment. Other large employers included laundries or dry cleaners, automobile or truck rental firms, equipment rental firms, and miscellaneous entertainment and recreation establishments. Counter and rental clerks are employed throughout the country but are concentrated in metropolitan areas where personal services and renting and leasing services are in greater demand.