Buyer - Buyer CarMax Employee Review

3.0
Jun 22, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Generally most people that you work with are down-to-earth and good to work with. The daily tasks change a lot, which keeps the day interesting. If you're into cars, this is a great position to work in, because you get to drive all kinds of vehicles and learn about true market values.

Cons

They say that they promote based off of merit, but this is not true. To get promoted from Buyer to Senior Buyer you have to jump through a million hoops, go through multiple panels, give presentations, have people analyze you who don't even work in your office critique you, all for a moderate at best raise. They're looking for someone who will talk the Carmax lingo and use all of their super corporate sayings, like "cascade" and "I'll circle back" amongst hundreds of others. You have to work nights and weekends, which gets old very fast. You are not compensated based off of your college degree or background. I know men and women who have their MA (hard times brought them here) and get paid a fraction of what they're worth. People who should not be managing and/or coaching people will get promoted simply because they fit the Carmax mold. They talk the talk and are incredibly bought in. They speak in Carmax language, which would sound ridiculous at any other major company. The feedback is endless. Any meeting you have, participate in, or have an opinion of, you will hear, "let me give you some feedback on that..." or "what's your feedback on that meeting?" The feedback...never...stops.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
May 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You are your own boss

Cons

Slow days can be demotivating.

4.0
Jun 13, 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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