Good company, mediocre pay - Sales Consultant CarMax Employee Review

4.0
7 May 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked at CarMax for about 5 years. In that time, I was trained to sell cars and ascended to one of the top 3-5 sales people out of 40. I was awarded the yearly Las Vegas trip multiple times and awarded bonuses and recognition. It was good. Lots of customers to see. Good sales training. They know what sells cars and give you the tools to succeed.

Cons

In my 5 years there, no one was ever promoted from within. When the sales manager job came open, they outside hired over multiple internal applicants. Service manager, outside hire. General manager, outside hire from best buy. In fact, my store was open since 2008 and no sales consultant was ever promoted. They never give raises. They say you can give yourself a raise by selling more cars. Pay has only increased $10 per car since 1993. Considering inflation, real wages have declined substantially. Eventually I was fired because of one sales manager's petty grudge. I was planning to move on anyway, but its crazy this could happen at a major national company. HR never heard my side of the story and never asked. I am thankful for the investment CarMax made in me, as I was able to get a much better higher paying job in sales based on my experience and achievements there.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
30 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People first culture at carmax.

Cons

No cons are available at carmax

4.0
13 Jun 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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