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A typical day

The counter opens early because technicians start early. You take part requests over the counter, by phone and off work orders, look them up by vehicle identification number, check what is on the shelf, and order the rest for afternoon delivery. In between you receive freight, put stock away, process returns and warranty parts, and chase a back-ordered component that is holding up a car on a lift. A good parts technician keeps four mechanics working. A slow one stops them.