Lowest pay in the industry, but easiest place to sell cars. - Sales Associate CarMax Employee Review

4.0
13 Oct 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

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

-$160 flat rate commission on any car is very low compared to other dealerships. -Economy is weak so 100% commission isn't what it used to be. -Too many sales people on the floor. Have to go an hour between customers. Meanwhile you make $0 for your time that you stand around doing nothing. -Customers will waste hours of your time and not buy. -People are rude to used car sales people. -Customers will come in and want to test drive and see all the prices, then take all of the information you gave them to a different dealership that will negotiate. When this happens, you just worked hard and made $0. -Required to shovel snow, organize cars on the lot, attend meetings, etc. without any hourly pay.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
4 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Amazing benefits with 6% 401k matching and tuition reimbursement.

Cons

Highly reliant on the quality of management at the store location.

4.0
13 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The perks of working at CarMax are quite extensive. Associates are offered an aggressive 401k program, Stock Purchasing Plan, in store discounts on sales and service, access to the CarMax Wholesale system, excellent healthcare, plenty of PTO, and at my location we are given as much OT as we want. My coworkers are generally good people, that I enjoy being able to work along side day in and day out. Management is very understanding in regards to calling out sick family emergencies, and schedule requests.

Cons

Despite doing the work of 5 people, and very politely asking for a raise management will not give me more than my 3% annual raise which is the single biggest let down. The bonus change of 2025 being labeled as "exciting" was straight corporate gaslighting unlike anything I've ever seen. Since the start of 2026, as of this review being written we have lost 7 associates largely due to pay, and I am soon to join those associates. Management from the store level up to corporate needs to understand that to retain their top performers they need to be compensated like a top performer. Some members of management are cliquey and moody which is very frustrating to deal with. Quality of Management varies wildly from store to store as well

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