A viral TikTok skit has highlighted the nightmare every parts store employee fears. Whoismario (@whoismario2x) created a 40-second video showing a customer — played by Mario — walking into an O’Reilly Auto Parts store just minutes before closing and placing an order that would make any retail worker’s heart sink.
The video, which has been viewed more than 3.9 million times since it was posted on October 11, shows Mario playing the role of a customer who approaches his co-worker with what appears to be a simple question. “Excuse me, what time do you guys close today?” he asks innocently. When his co-worker answers, “Like six or seven minutes,” Mario snaps: “Perfect, perfect. Well, I’m already here for 40 oil changes.”
Reflect the employee’s response – “Is this real?” – What any retail worker would be thinking at that moment. But Mario, staying in character as an oblivious customer, doubles down: “Yes, my boss actually gave me the list of cars. I don’t know if you want to look at it. We have a car company with you guys, and we need to get a lot done today.”
The truth behind car retailing
While Mario’s skit is clearly satirical, it highlights the real frustration that many auto parts employees face. The timing of large business orders, especially close to closing time, can create significant challenges for retail operations.
O’Reilly Auto Parts, like many automotive retailers, serves individual and business customers Commercial accounts Through customized programs. Fleet and automotive customers often place bulk orders for oil changes, filters, and other maintenance supplies through the company’s Professional Services program, which offers… Order online Specialized capabilities and pricing structures. However, processing 40 oil change packages will require significant inventory management, paperwork, and time – especially when the store is about to close.
The visual comedy in Mario’s video comes from the contrast between his casual delivery and the overwhelming nature of his request. The video’s main comedic moments feature Mario pulling what appears to be a long list of vehicles, and the employee raising a slight eyebrow near the end.
How commission really works at auto parts stores like O’Reilly
The video sparked widespread debate in the comments section over whether O’Reilly employees would actually benefit from such a large sale. Many viewers assumed the employee would be happy because of the commission, but the reality is more complicated.
“(Because) he makes a commission from it… he’s happy not angry,” commented staticjoeyz, which has more than 24,000 likes. However, this sparked a detailed discussion among current and former employees about O’Reilly’s actual compensation structure.
“They get an hourly wage with no commission,” Kokobovin replied, but several employees corrected that misconception. “We definitely get a commission, but it’s not a lot,” Isaiah explained. “Even if you make the most sales in the US, you won’t benefit unless you’re from ISS. Plus, the commission checks are monthly instead of the usual bi-weekly checks.”
Former employee 5.3_garrett provided specific details: “They get hourly and also get commission on sales but it’s not worth it, I was working there and had to sell 15k a month to get $100 commission.”
Staff reviews on Confirm job sites Some form of incentives or commissions exist at O’Reilly, although descriptions vary widely. Many employees reported that they receive an “incentive salary in addition to the basic rate once a month.” Compensation data appears Average annual bonuses at O’Reilly range from $75 to several thousand dollars, depending on position and performance. Remember the company’s official benefits page Opportunities for team members But it doesn’t specifically detail commission structures, leaving many compensation details to vary by position and location.
Comments also indicate that O’Reilly’s commission structure varies by location and location. “They get a commission split throughout the store,” Mogogogo explained, while others described it as more of an incentive system.
“We actually get a monthly incentive out of it, so if someone has a purchase like that it’s definitely worth it,” he commented Driven by Progress, suggesting that big orders like Mario’s imaginary 40th oil change can actually benefit employees.
However, former employee Jayden provided more detailed context: “As a former O’Reilly worker, they don’t get a commission, they get an incentive bonus, so once they sell certain items, they get a quarter of each item in their check and it passes based on quarters (time frames per year).”
This is consistent with Staff notes pointing that “the incentive is only on parts sold” and that bonuses are often minimal, especially for employees handling large orders near closing time. The ISS (Installation Service Specialist) position, which focuses on commercial sales, appears to have different compensation structures than standard retail positions. Staff reviews Of ISS jobs they still note concerns about pay compared to workload.
Engine1 I reached out to O’Reilly to try to explain how its employee incentives work. We will update this if the company responds.
When the card is declined at the auto parts store
To add another layer to the comedy, the viewer notices a detail that Mario may not have intended. staticjoeyz noted, “Man, I just realized as a former worker that the card was declined…that two little pieces of paper was a machine that said ‘payment declined’.” This remark is amusingly contrasted with Mario’s classmate’s surprised assessment in the “She Passed” skit.
“Can’t hope he backs down,” another commenter wrote, commenting on Mario’s coworker, which received more than 42,000 likes. Another commenter, d_day15, joked: “I’m going to take the card out of his hand.”
Mario Channel: A glimpse into the life of an O’Reilly employee
Mario’s channel features several similar workplace skits with his O’Reilly colleague, suggesting that this type of content resonates with both retail workers and customers who are aware of these scenarios. The video serves as entertainment and commentary on the sometimes ridiculous situations that arise in the automotive retail business.
The timing element – six minutes before closing – is particularly relevant for anyone who has worked in retail. Last-minute customers with complex orders represent a global retail experience, but in the auto parts industry, where business orders can be extensive and time-consuming, the situation becomes more difficult.
The skit also highlights the professional calm required in the retail business. Despite the overwhelming nature of the request and the terrible timing, the employee in Mario’s video maintains a professional demeanor, processing the request even when his subtle facial expressions reveal his true feelings about the situation.
Engine1 I reached out to Mario via TikTok direct message. We’ll be sure to update this if he responds.
