Not recommended if you're a self-starter. - Mechanical Associate III CarMax Employee Review

1.0
28 May 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Tools are provided and are decent quality. If one breaks they usually replace it within a couple of days. Their associate wholesale program is handy if you find a neat project car or need to help family out. The pay is decent for the industry.

Cons

Management is two-faced and will constantly parrot "we've got your back", when in reality you need to be watching it around them. They scrutinize every move you make and are extremely distrustful toward associates. If you don't play into their corporate doctrine and jargon you will be ostracized for it. They don't trust their techs to use their own judgement and hinge entirely on their standard work, regardless of its efficiency. The hours constantly change, so whatever hours you're told you'll work in an interview, they're not true. The work en

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
16 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

a people driven company that sells cars

Cons

Inner network devloper compabalility is lacking

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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