CarMax reviews

3.5

59% would recommend to a friend

(8,196 total reviews)
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Keith Barr

46% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

CarMax has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 8,196 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The CarMax employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Ventas al mayoreo y al menudeo industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

8K reviews
3.0
Nov 20, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The sales consultants at CarMax receive the same commission no matter the price of the car that they sell, so it makes their job a lot easier. Since CarMax has a no-haggle philosophy, it was nice as a sales consultant to be able to tell the customer that the price on the vehicle is the price. The company also offers benefits and vacation time. CarMax offers part time and full time positions, so in case a consultant is in school or has some outside obligations, the part time schedule can be flexible.

Cons

The shifts that were scheduled at my particular location were nine hours in length and varied greatly. Shifts ranged from 8:30-5:30, 9-6, 10-8, 11-7, or 12-9. The two days off each week were different as well. The erratic work hours provide its employees with a variety of different business hours to help build their sales, but on the down side, it was extremely difficult to have a life outside of work. In regards to that, if a sales consultant did not want to split their sales with another consultant, they would need to come in on their days off or stay late. There was very little respect for balance of work life and home life. The initial training for sales was paid at $12 per hour, which was great. However, upon finishing the training, all sales consultants are required to arrive early a few days during the week to complete morning training. The issue was that the required time was not paid, even though the sales consultant couldn't be on the floor selling cars. The training sometimes helped sales consultants build sales, but nonetheless, it should have been paid. All income is completely commission based. If a consultant has a sluggish pay period in commissions and the total amounts as less than minimum wage, the full minimum wage will be on the consultant's check for that pay period. However, the minimum wage is "subsidized," so the amount that was added into the previous pay period would be taken out of the check in the next pay period, as long as the total commissions made were more than minimum wage.

3.0
Nov 18, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I have always enjoyed a fun Football locker room type atmosphere. Mainly male associates so during our down time we tend to hang out as opposed to always having something to do all the time. At one time you could also make a decent income without having to work everyday. There are many more freedoms allowed in this position than most of your average " jobs."

Cons

The company has taken a downward turn ever since economy problems in 2008. They have raise prices of vehicles while lowering appraisals. This has created a much tougher sales environment I once felt good about selling a car no haggle, now I feel like I am ripping people off sometimes just because they fail to do research. Corporate has created more and more training initiatives to offset a more expensive and in my opinion a less quality product. The sales management staff is unfortunately relegated to being " yes " men and they feed us whatever info corporate wants out and spin it in a manner to make it seem like a positive when it is usually a new way to have us do more work for less or a new way to save the company money while we make less.

2.0
Nov 14, 2012

Work/Life balance is a big win!

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay. Prospects for new managers that are just starting with the company should take advantage of the growth that is currently taking place. If you can get on the bandwagon of the new and improved "small" store concept, you could be promoted quickly.

Cons

Benefits - (insurance, stock,,,,etc..) have went down considerably the past year.

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