Company is good, but stay far away from Customer Specialist Position Stores. - Customer Specialist CarMax Employee Review

2.0
Apr 20, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company overall is great. The CEO was down to earth, all the higher ups are really nice. Stores we trained in were great, there was a strong family vibe from each location. You learn a lot. I was in a cross functional location, so it was a good chance to learn all the different areas in the store.

Cons

Cross functional is a chaotic mess. An underpaid mess for what you deal with. If you have strong management that knows what they are doing, it can go better. There is no work life balance. If you have family, friends, or loved ones you would like to see, don't bother with this one. If you are in a traditional store it is better because there is actually more than 12 people at the location, but it's still tough. In cross functional stores you will need to be in the business office, skilled in appraisals, and skilled in buying and selling cars. The store is supposed to be built on teamwork, but usually other associates are so busy and the store is so tightly staffed that you will end up with wait lists and irate customers. The business is supposed to be built on transparency, yet some people are so far from that. Many look at vehicles that do not meet standards, yet push that they do, and suggest selling vehicles with mechanical issues that they want customers to come back after the fact and have fixed. Very sleazy, and not lined up with the image of the company at all. Be careful with which location you shoot for. Some are as dishonest as the run of the mill car dealerships they carry on about.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
Jan 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Positive, inclusive culture with supportive coworkers and a friendly environment. Feels like my manager really cares about my work and interests.

Cons

Going to in person/in office 5x/week.

1
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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