Pros
The training is very thorough. Compared to other retail companies, the training is very detailed, timely, and efficient. The corporate structure at CarMax fosters efficiency. They try to constantly streamline and improve processes. I worked there five years, so I saw a lot of change in that time. They also knew I was unhappy in one department, so they opened a door for me to transfer to a different department. It was much better, and I felt valued as an employee. CarMax also has a wonderful 401k, stock purchase option, and access to purchase vehicles with large discounts.
Cons
The turnover rate at CarMax is very high in almost every department. The Sales dept, Business Office, and Inventory dept all experience very high levels of turnover. There was one manager who was very inappropriate and unprofessional to employees. (Worthy of being fired.) Many associates have complained directly to HR, and some even quit, because of this manager. Yet, because of politics, this manager still works there. We could not control the temperature of the office from the store level because corporate people in Richmond, VA wanted to control it. So, the office was blazing hot in the summer. Rather than being honest, management made excuses about it. Customers even complained about the temperature. At CarMax, you have to pay for your own uniforms 100%. (except for your name tag. They provide that.) They pretend to give you a voice and to listen, but they really want you to fall in line with their propoganda. The corporate aspect of the job makes CarMax an intolerable place to work. The hours are horrible. They include major holidays, nights, and weekends. And, every department is underpaid. We only got annual raises in the office, and they did not even keep up with the rate of inflation. One year, we did not even get a raise. We were all told that it was because the economy was bad. Yet, that year, CarMax distributed a communication stating that they had record profit that year. When I got hired into sales, they exaggerated how much money I would make to the point where it was dishonest. They told me what I wanted to hear, without delivering on those promises. I spoke with many other sales consultants who felt the same way. CarMax has also not increased the comission amount since the early 90's. There are similar fields that pay much better for the same responsibility and education. Also, they micro-manage to an intolerable degree. They heap responsibility on each associate, without actually trusting those associates with that responsibility. I know CarMax puts out a lot of public relations and marketing materials promoting themselves as a wonderful place to work, but please be wary. I worked there for five years and saw every aspect of it.
