Better than most retail stores but still retail - Buyer CarMax Employee Review

3.0
Nov 11, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Major holidays off. Friendly co-workers. Good benifits. Ability to feel like you're helping people in an industry that is typically trying to take advantage of its consumers. Opportunities for advancement if you fit the mold. As a salary associate the vacation policy is very rewarding if your manager values Work/Life balance.

Cons

Retail hours. Nights and weekends. Pay is below industry standards but enough to make it hard to leave. (Speaking as a former Sales Consultant and current Buyer). Advancement is reserved for people who fit the "corporate" mold. Advancement towards all management roles require and exhaustive and extensive interview and panel process which, once you're deemed worthy of the opportunity for advancement, will require completion of action plans and individual development plans. Which can vary from 6 months to a year. With still no guarantee of acceptance to go to the management assessment. Work/Life balance outside of Salaried positions is not very good. Sales Consultants will work endlessly over the course of a month and their vacation pay is based off their previous months sales.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
Mar 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Communication, acknowledgment, recognition, growth, benefits

Cons

Work life balance as a sales manager is difficult when you have smaller children

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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