Billing Agent
In 2023, I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a billing agent for a local store called Bazar Sureño, which is located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This was my first ever experience working. The store was well-stocked with a wide variety of high-quality products available at very reasonable retail prices, as well as impressive wholesale prices.
I was in charge of:
Provide prompt and attentive service to customers in person, & Assist customers with product concerns. The bills were prepared in view of the customer, who stood on the other side of the glass counter. Customers would bring their items to me, and I would manually write their bills so they could proceed to checkout. They often asked questions about the products, including prices, wholesale pricing for bulk purchases, and inquiries about the items' uses.
Utilize mathematical ability to accurately calculate the total, sales tax, tax-exempt items, and additional fees that need to be included on the bill: The bills were handwritten for the store, meaning that the totals were not automatically calculated by a computer for printing and providing to the customer. As the individuals responsible for writing the bills, we carefully calculated the total for each unit price, verified if a wholesale price could be applied, and then calculated the total purchase taxes, determined which items were tax-exempt, and then applied everything to the bill for them to be paid by the client once they reach the cashier.
Maintain up-to-date pricing and product codes to ensure a smooth billing process: The products in the store were not scanned into a computerized system to display their prices; therefore, it was essential for us to be thoroughly familiar with the prices of all items, which were quite extensive. Fortunately, we had access to notebooks containing recorded prices, which facilitated our management tasks. However, to enhance efficiency and expedite service, particularly in light of the lengthy customer lines, and to reduce frustration, it was more effective to commit these prices to memory. Additionally, although the prices were documented, they frequently changed, necessitating that we remain vigilant regarding updates to ensure accuracy.
Achieved face-to-face interaction experience with the customer:
This was my first work experience, which also marked my initial interactions with customers. The face-to-face encounters were particularly valuable because they provided me with a deep understanding of effective customer interactions, ultimately enhancing my customer service skills. Having gained this experience, I now make it a habit to apply these principles in all my work, even when it doesn't involve direct interaction. I believe that approaching virtual customers as if they were right in front of me helps generate more genuine responses.
Achievements:
Achieve expertise in the handling of bills:
Thanks to this job, where my main responsibility was creating bills for clients, I discovered many details about how purchase bills are calculated and managed. I learned what the copies of the bills kept by the business look like, how bills are prepared for wholesalers, and more. This experience has undoubtedly provided me with valuable knowledge that will be beneficial in my future jobs. I will already have a foundational understanding of the subject and can continue to learn, which is always welcome and enriching.
Improvement in the ability to work under pressure:
This job required excellent pressure management skills due to the high volume of customers and the many tasks involved. The store was often filled with long lines of customers, each with large quantities of items that needed to be totaled. These tasks could not be rushed; it was essential to strike a balance between efficiency and accuracy. The long wait times were unacceptable, as they increased the likelihood of errors on bills. This experience taught me how to control my nerves and manage pressure effectively, motivating me to strive to fulfill my responsibilities rather than pushing me to my limits.
