CarMax Reviews

Pros

Very open experience for the customer.

Cons

Managing accountability to performance varied by region and store.

Pros

An amazing business concept that works very well.

Cons

Sales has an extremely high turnover rate.
Benefits are ok, but for a Fortune Top 100 Places to Work... the benefits are pathetic.
Management typically does not have automotive industry experience.
Diversity, diversity, diversity, it is nearly shoved down your throat.

Advice to Senior Management

Regional management team needs more unannounced store visits to actually witness what the store is really like.

Pros

Some great people to coworkers (good mix of people). I was in my 20s when I started and didn't mind retail hours.

Cons

I worked there before the recession and realized this was not the company to try to advance in. Keep in mind I went into the company with the mindset of this is was a job with the possibly of being a career. At the time they were hiring management from anywhere (I.E Block Buster, Chucky Cheese) just to fill the void for programmable bodies. I can't say that's what I wouldn't do but I knew I wouldn't be there forever . When I left management would be transferred in market 2-5 times before being up for a good position and that would be out of market.

Advice to Senior Management

Tom was new to the company when I was there and I don't to try to imagine how hard it been to get through the past years

Pros

Good people to work with, most believe in the direction and company mission. Great discounts on cars, good benefits.

Cons

Hours, being commission and treated as if you were working hourly. Senior managers too detached from associates, treating them day to day as the little people.

Advice to Senior Management

When a store is at the bottom of the company in survey results, THERE IS A REASON, leadership at the store level must change.

Pros

Great management.
Lots of recognition.
You learn a lot of primary and secondary skills while working there.
Their is a lot of knowledge you learn and use at work or use in the future for other ambitions.

Cons

Depending where you start in the company, certain developmental goals may require a long time to achieve.

Advice to Senior Management

At times the ego's of Buyers is a little over the top.

Pros

-Easiest place to sell cars.
-No haggle prices keep you from having to go back and forth with a manager and the customer over the price of the car.
-Take customers through the door in a rotation as opposed to everyone competing for leads.
-Flexible hours for a car dealership.
-Huge national inventory that can be shipped into any location making the selection process for the customer easier.
-Cosmetic standards on cars are high.
-Very laid back environment.

Cons

Commision is low. You need to be a top seller to make good money

Advice to Senior Management

Hire people with the right attitude and it will be easier to train them. Invest more in the hiring process and not so much in the coaching and development.

Pros

great management.
friendly employees.
great incentives.

Cons

not a stable salary and you have to work many hours.

Advice to Senior Management

be yourself and follow up with customers. Learn the tricks to the trade and be careful on how you spend your time.

Pros

It's a fun environment to work in. The company hosts a lot of events for Associates on a monthly and quarterly basis.

Cons

The company uses different systems and there's so much duplication of efforts.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more open to change.

Pros

Casual atmosphere
Committed, dedicated associates (management as well)
Great product and company philosophies
Focus on wellness
Fun place to work - not stuffy
Focus on employee engagement
Company growth

Cons

Compensation levels are not always competitive in respect to other large area employers
Remote work options are limited

Pros

Co-workers, freedom, support of management, growth.

Cons

Commissioned sales, some managers are lazy and stubborn

Advice to Senior Management

Work with consultants better.