Run while you can - Sales Associate CarMax Employee Review

2.0
1 June 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits - I got name brand glasses for really cheap Decent training

Cons

Extremely low commission compared to the industry average. You will be selling cars like crazy and for some reason not make any money in the end. Managers have to write observations on you for everything that you do good or bad. Observations are basically a comment on your behavior in writing. They basically are writing up a list of reasons to fire you if they need to. Instead of telling you to change your behavior like an adult and issuing consequences like a normal job would they put you on something called an Individual Development plan which is basically a pain in the access. You have to check in with your manager about a certain part of your performance and they get to criticize you as if you were a 13 year old child. Managers don't have any concept of taking turns on the customer like at a traditional dealership. A manager should enjoy getting involved in a deal first hand. For some reason Carmax managers just want to sit back and hear about the deal instead of getting involved.

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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