best large dealer in the industry that trys to be different...but more of the same once you get under the skin - Reconditioning Associate CarMax Employee Review

2.0
Aug 29, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

pay....when your hours arent cut. benefits.....when you work enough hours to maintain them. theyre solid but not great. pension retirement plan.....if you make it that far. work life balance is pretty fair. the best youll find as a skilled tradesman in this industry.

Cons

not immune to the same ol poop. when you dont sell cars your hours will be cut when you work reconditioning. we went from five day weeks to four...to three....and some shops work less than three days. that's a 60% pay cut. and oh yeah. benefits? nothin, orr they might as well be. it seems when the market dropped we hit a brick wall because we are an agrresively expanding business. now everyone except management is having their base pay cut (due to not working full business weeks). so management isn't getting their bonuses because of bad performance do to the market, but at least their getting their full base pay (higher than any non management employee) and benefits. this company i thought would be different. the work facilities and atmosphere they provide are top notch....but they still dont fully respect the skilled tradespeople. blood sweat and tears wont save your paycheck. managament at store level makes poor personell decisions. promote those they shouldnt, fire people for minor offenses while not punishing others for major ones. just like any big corporation i guess. oh yeah, like some reviews on here......my heart goes out to the sales staff right now.

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
May 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You are your own boss

Cons

Slow days can be demotivating.

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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