Great people, growth potential, and benefits... but micromanagement gets old - Senior Sales Consultant CarMax Employee Review

3.0
Nov 10, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Truly great people in every store, I made many friends in my time at CarMax. Great training program for sales, including a mentor dedicated to your training. Mentors aren't compensated as much as they should be, which sometimes does affect their attention to your training, as they still must sell cars to make a living. Since CarMax is a nationally known name, you will have consistent opportunities to sell, but the commission structure is low until you advance into President's Club. Once is President's Club, you get great benefits like increased commissions, ability to make your own schedule (with several limitations), use of company vehicles, and a trip to Las Vegas every year. Management varies by location. I've had several General Managers and Sales Managers with mixed results. But overall, I've liked most of my managers. For those who perform, there are opportunities for growth as long as you don't mind long hours, late nights, and working weekends, after all it is retail. Given many locations nationwide, transferring is easy and there are many opportunities to move with CarMax.

Cons

CarMax managers are forced to apply a strict time and attendance policy, and depending on your manager every mistake gets documented. For commission employees who are not paid a base salary or hourly wage, getting points for being one minute late seems extreme. Commission on car sales has only been increased once since CarMax opened in 1993. Micromanagement can extend to your selling technique, with some managers demanding certain verbiage in phone calls and in person interactions.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
Apr 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

a people driven company that sells cars

Cons

Inner network devloper compabalility is lacking

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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