Carmax - What's Your Experience?

mitchflorida

If it is indeed "optional" then you shouldn't have to pay the fee. Tell them to mail it in and save you the $24. You can also complain the Corporate Office or BBB.

Optional means optional.

mikefm58

I just got off the phone with Carmax corporate and got mostly lip service. This has struck a chord with me. For a company to say "Low, no haggle prices" right on their website, and then hit the customer with undisclosed fees on the back end, is just wrong.

I will post this on the BBB and am open for other suggestions.

Thul17

Hmm....

For the last five minutes, I've been going through my loan paper work from 2006.

Only fee I was charged for was "$99.00 Service Fee." In Wisconsin its pretty much common for dealers to do.

If this helps you feel better; I went to mine for Coolant Flush back in January. Carmax corp gave me service survey to fill out in February. Right now, its filled out and in the envelope sitting on my computer desk! LOL I'm thinking of opening it up and write in what I really thought about my brake estimate that they gave me at the time then mail it in January 2010. $470 for Rear rotors & pads! When they replaced my fronts back in '07 for $340?????

They treat these so called surveys very seriously.

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I will say something positive:
Carmax is pretty good about doing the filing for "Returns" like Extended Warranties if you trade in a vehicle with one. I received $746 for mine. Looking at mileage now and remembering that Toyota Financial check....I should of sent back with my first payment. Oh well, I was young and unmanageable with money back then.

mikefm58

Yeah, I'm sure this fee in question is unique to Florida and may be unique to certain stores. I've been doing more research on this and Florida does have a statute that requires dealers to disclose fees with their advertising. I haven't read the specifics in the statute but some of my research does say it's kind of vague and is more directed toward "pre delivery" fees.

I'm going to read more on the statute and if I think I have a case, may file an arbitration claim.

muttman

It is optional for carmax to charge it or not.. not an option for the customer to choose whether or not they want to pay it..

Any service requires a cost and it would be dumb if carmax just said "we will pay these fees, and eat the cost."

And the fee isnt very hidden if you found it!! People get angry because they dont take the time to read what they are signing..Dont blame others for your lack of attention to detail.

voicemailking

Even though the fee is "optional" in Florida, it is really mandatory, it is a state processing fee. The $149.00 Carmax processing fee is the only NON-STATE fee that Carmax charges.......

mitchflorida

Carmax's prices are usually very high, but they seem to be honest about disclosures. If you didn't want to pay the "optional" fee, you should have just walked away from the deal.

You are talking about a trivial amount of money compared to the cost of the car.

Thul17

Walk away from a Carmax deal...Why didn't I thought of that?? "Sorry, I'm not signing those papers unless I get the transmission I want (5-speed)"...

Oh that's right, cause I was 23 years old, female, and went alone when I went to buy my Scion tC! And, I didn't know how to. I operate forklift trucks for a living, I would of figured on the way out! LMAO

Automatic is fun but not enough

Doing a transmission change is too much $$$

Thul17

You know what would be a smart move?

If Danica Patrick ever does the Nascar move?

Carmax takes up on her main sponsorship...

Just think what type of money Carmax would make off of her? Since the corporation is strong believer in Diversity; she would fit under that.

Carmax has connections with Toyota and so does Danica Patrick (she raced Toyotas in their own minor league series.)
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I wouldn't know if Carmax would let her do Carmax commercials with sex appeal? I'm still laughing out loud seeing that Boost Mobile with the pit crew wearing tight skirts and high heels! LOL

mikefm58

And the fee isnt very hidden if you found it!! People get angry because they dont take the time to read what they are signing..Dont blame others for your lack of attention to detail.

You totally missed my point. Carmax advertises one price plus their processing fee of $149. Well that $149 processing fee does not include this one particular fee. Why don't they disclose this fee up front? Why not include it in the $149 processing fee or maybe raise that to cover it?

Maybe you prefer to walk in blindly to the business office having no idea what the fees are after negotiating your price. But I prefer to know any and all dealer fees (not state fees) while shopping and negotiating at a non-Carmax type store so I can compare apples to apples on the total price. Kind of hard don't you think to compare prices without knowing all the fees up front.

My point is it was not disclosed to me until signing the papers in the business office.

mikefm58

Carmax's prices are usually very high, but they seem to be honest about disclosures. If you didn't want to pay the "optional" fee, you should have just walked away from the deal.

You are talking about a trivial amount of money compared to the cost of the car.

Yeah that's been my experience as well but surprisingly the Chrysler Sebrings at Carmax were priced very competitively. And I also agree about the feeling that Carmax was honest and always disclosed everything, but I know differently now. That's why this thing floored me when they explained it to me. I wasn't about to walk away from the deal for $24.

nortsr1

then stop your complaining. You DID NOT have to sign the agreement!!!!

mikefm58

then stop your complaining. You DID NOT have to sign the agreement!!!!

Doh, silly me, I thought this forum was titled "Carmax: What's Your Experience?". What's your point?

Kirstie_H

Agreed - it's important to share what went well and what went poorly as far as transactions are concerned. No, no one forced signature on the agreement, but that doesn't mean

There was no name-calling, no scary hyperbole... just a comment on how the process could have been handled better by Carmax.

Thul17

What is your address????

I'll write you a $25.00 check. So everyone can be happy! (Note to Carmax Corp)- I'm such a team player and tries to make sure everyone is happy! Isn't that the number one thing Carmax interviewers look for during applicant interviews? Darn!

I have the feeling someone @ KMX HQ reads this thread and is snooping into my customer file LOL (I am a very generous person )

emjay1

I have had only good experiences with my local (Texas) CarMax. I never walk into a car deal without doing my homework, so I know what I want and what to expect to pay. I never felt like I was being lied to and certainly not pressured to buy at CarMax. My latest experience was this: We had CarMax do an appraisal and give us a trade in estimate on our 2004 Explorer, while shopping for our 2006 Murano. We found our Murano deal elsewhere a few days later, and like some magic spell was broken, our A/C compressor died in the Explorer. We drove the Explorer into the CarMax lot and brought with us their 7 day guaranteed purchase agreement, and they gave us every penny, no questions asked.

On another forum here in Edmunds, there is a lot of dicussion about trade-in value and what Kelly Blue Book actually means (which apparently is very little). The recommendation from those who sound like they know is - take your business to CarMax. They will give you a better deal than any dealership. And I believe it.

mitchflorida

You informed them that the Air Conditioning no longer worked? Somehow I doubt that they would give you the same appraisal with a non-functioning Air Conditioner.

I went to Carmax, they gave me a ridiculous low-ball offer, and a voucher that said that the appraisal was not valid if the the condition of the car changed. I can't recommend them for buying or selling, but some people who hate to bargain seem to like it there.

voicemailking

Obviously, they saw no cosmetic defects in the 7 days, so they probably never checked the A/C, you just lucked out as the condition of the vehicle changed quite a few $$$$$

chrisissocial

Hi all - My name is Chris and I am the social media PR rep at the CarMax home office in Richmond, VA. I try to check in and reach out (when appropriate). We have a great customer relations department who are here to assist with any issues our customers may have. They also will be glad to take any stories of excellent customer service you may have received. The CarMax Customer Relations department can be reached at 1-800-519-1511. Thanks!

muttman

I also don't think that they would give you the same offer knowing that the A/C is not working...

Ridiculous low-ball?? Is it because they didn't give you what you though it was worth?

mitchflorida

I ended up keeping my car. Carmax offered $3,100 for a car that they are re-selling on their own lot for $10,000!!!

I kid you not! The wholesale book for the car is $5300.

The buyer must work on commission, if he can steal a car from someone who wants to trade it in, he probably gets 25 percent of the action. Can't blame him, but I wasn't going to be one of his victims.

deltheking

Mitch,Is this the same Honda for which you had asked Volvomax for a trade in value on the RWTIV thread ? You had said the car was repainted and that it would be a whole lot more.Is this the same car?

jipster

Carmax offered $3,100 for a car that they are re-selling on their own lot for $10,000!!!

WOW! Looks like that car needed about $6,000 worth of reconditioning... dealer profit minimal. :lemon:

mitchflorida

Yes, the CarMax buyer told me that he would have to totally detail the car and put a couple of new tires on it as well. Does that really cost him $6,000 to wax and polish it?

My sister works in the auto industry and she said the auction price of the car is $5300, and that I could sell it private party for $6,500+. However it looks and runs great, so I ended up keeping it for myself . .

mikefm58

I ended up keeping my car. Carmax offered $3,100 for a car that they are re-selling on their own lot for $10,000!!!

On the vehicle I traded last month, they gave me $14K and it's on their lot for $18998. The $14K was right on what Volvomax came in with as well over in RWTIV. I had it listed on Craigslist for a couple weeks at $16500 and did not get one nibble, so it will probably sit on their lot for awhile before they drop the price.

jipster

Does that really cost him $6,000 to wax and polish it?

LOL. From what guys here in the biz say, it cost about that much.

I think most cars Carmax buys probably need minimal reconditioning... $500 tops, which would be 4 new ( lower grade) tires, maybe some brake pads, detail, and an oil change.

british_rover

If I could get four tires installed, balanced and aligned plus a brake job plus a detail plus an oil change and the related safety/certified inspection for 500 bucks on our used cars that would be awesome.

The tires alone are usually 350-450 dollars installed, balanced and aligned and we sublet that out to a dedicated tire place cause they are cheaper.

Thul17

I told you people Carmax spies around forums/message boards........I would love to see the reaction if they saw some of my most recent posts on some Scion sites. LOL

They tried selling my old '06 Scion xA with 35k for $15k when I bought it new FROM them for 14,500. Trade in value was $10k. No one was a sucker to buy it for that high. They sold it for $11,500. They should of let me own both Scions; they would of made a killing on service bills from me.
-------

You guys remember what happened the last time Carmax service touched my car?

I got into "not at fault" car accident; the next day. Talk about bad luck. I think someone upstairs was telling me to start going somewhere else.

I think I'm going to cancel my service appointment on Thursday. Since they will overprice the service and tell me that my problem isn't "Wheel Bearings." When the symptoms are the wheel bearings!

nkb

I have been trying to sell my 2006 BMW 650I convertible on line for more than year. This is a car that has low mileage, is well maintained, in impeccable condition, well optioned, and still under BMW warranty and free maintenance. My pricing was also aggressive (low). While I did receive maybe 5 legitimate inquiries I also got bugged by all kinds of scammers.

I will never, repeat never, try to sell a car privately. It just is not worth it. The aggravation and exposure to losers of all sorts is really discouraging and demeaning.

So, I decided to give CARMAX a try. I didn't expect to get a full private party value but they did give me a fair wholesale (tradein) value. I probably could have gotten this also at the BMW dealer but I didn't want or need a new car with my car as a tradein. Selling to CARMAX fit my requirements. The whole process was very professional and I was treated very well. Also the CARMAX operation looked very well run. The employees all had great attitudes and seemed to genuinely enjoy working there. Most of my past experiences at other car dealers over the years have been mixed at best so this was pleasant surprise.

If you do your homework and understand that you are going to receive a wholesale price, but painlessly and smoothly, then you shouldn't be disappointed. Manage your expectations. CARMAX is obviously (and rightfully) in business to make a profit. So don't expect to get "Kelley Blue Book Private Value" or even necessarily "KBB Trade-in Value". The KBB values typically do not accurately reflect the volatile wholesale market. CARMAX's offer to me was fair and substanitally above the so called "Black Book" that various dealers are now using.

From my experience I would definitely recommend CARMAX if you are selling a vehicle and don't want the hassle. If you don't like the price they offer you then don't sell it to them. There is no pressure and no games. Much appreciated.

mikefm58

2006 BMW 650I convertible on line for more than year. This is a car that has low mileage, is well maintained, in impeccable condition, well optioned

I've got to believe that privately selling a high end model like that would not be easy or fun, as you've already experience. Most folks that could afford something like that would probably shy away from a private sale.

jipster

I have been trying to sell my 2006 BMW 650I convertible on line for more than year. This is a car that has low mileage, is well maintained, in impeccable condition, well optioned, and still under BMW warranty and free maintenance. My pricing was also aggressive (low)

hmm, priced aggressive/low and didn't sell for more than a year? Sounds as if you had too much of an emotional attachment to the car, and priced too high.

So, I decided to give CARMAX a try. I didn't expect to get a full private party value

uhh, that would be a given. Sure would be nice though to take it to a wholesaler and be paid private party. :surprise:

From my experience I would definitely recommend CARMAX if you are selling a vehicle and don't want the hassle. If you don't like the price they offer you then don't sell it to them. There is no pressure and no games

LOL... your post sounds a lot like a commercial for CARMAX. :P

nkb

Re-reading my post - it does sound like a CARMAX commercial. I guess I was so relieved after a year of trying to sell my car I probably was a bit too exuberant.

The problems selling my car were not caused by being emotionally attached to the car and thus pricing it too high. The biggest problems were:

a. The economic meltdown. The market for these cars dried up, at the dealers as well.
b. It was a relatively highly priced car, not great in this climate. Financing hard to come by. Deals offered by the dealers on new cars got pretty attractive which was also competition. People with cash became conservative and decided to hold on to their money.
c. This car had a manual transmission (my choice on a performance car). Every serious buyer that contacted me wanted an automatic. This was a major factor. I am sure it would have sold otherwise.

cccompson

While your points are well taken, the fact is that late model cars (especially of the high dollar variety) are VERY difficult to sell privately - that's the primary reason most get traded in.

jdalessio

I bought a 2005 Volvo XC90 from Carmax in Virginia. It currently has 33,800 miles. It basically died at 1 am and I had it towed to a Volvo dealership. Apparently there is a bushing which through some defect comes in contact with water and eventually corrodes. Well this happened, broke my timing chain and caused a piston to contact a valve ruining both. The dealer told me it would be more cost efficient to replace the engine at a cost of $14,500 for a remanufactured one. Carmax Warrantee adjuster took a look, found out it was due to water intrusion, never mind the defect in the engine, and would not cover the claim. This is my first experience with them, and I can't say it's a good one. I think Carmax is a great place, but I can't say the same for the warrantee company.

voicemailking

When did you purchase the vehicle????? I would tow it back to Carmax and deal directly with them, depending how long you had the Volvo they may work it out with you.

emc3

my recent story is as follows. Looking for Lexus RX350 for my wife. Find one at a Carmax store about 90 miles away and they do transfer it for free to our local store for my wife and I to look at. We get to the store, we've never been to a Carmax, and while it's clean and bright it gave me the impression of a Best Buy with cars, not necessarily a compliment. In spite of intently studying the online pictures I find the car had been pinstriped, this just didn't show up on the pics. I probably would not have had them bring the car down had I known that. The car still reeked of cleaning chemicals they had use to unsuccessfully clean some stains off the floor and cargo mats. I had asked if there were any stains prior to having them transfer the car. These cars have a cover that that is used to cover the cargo area that was clearly present in the pictures of the car I had printed and brought with me. The sales person, a young lady who seemed more interested in texting than working with us, was perplexed and got the manager. The manager assured us if we bought the car he would order the part for us. Well this is a $500-700 part depending where you get it, while they can be found on Ebay for quite a bit less, I didn't see them doing that nor did I trust them to get it once the sale was completed. Carmax ads state all cars get a 125 point inspection two points of which are tires and dashlights. Well, we get in the car for a test drive and a dash board warning light is on for the tire pressure warning system. This is a car that's been at two Carmax stores and I have to assume driven a little bit at each. It goes without saying we left the store and probably won't be back to another. I will say however everyone was polite and pleasant through our visit. I do still wonder who our sales lady was texting so intently with....

jipster

I do still wonder who our sales lady was texting so intently with....

More than likely her lover :surprise: , she clearly has little interest in her customers.

I can see how they probaly do those 125 point checklist inspections, look over the important stuff, then check everything else off without close inspection.

Thul17

I was at mine today...

They are losing business due to road construction along the I-94 and the Frontage Road because people think the frontage road that they are on is closed. But its not!

They were all chatty and cheerful for some reason; I'm hope they don't think its Saturday. lol

I chatted with everyone like I always do. Give them hope; "Hey we're in a recession but customers like me; you'll be fine"

I ran into my saleswoman. We had a nice conversation like always. She told me Carmax is cutting "Demo" rights to consultants. Then told me; her and her daughter drove a Vette to Chicago and enjoy nice long cruise back home along the nice expensive areas of Chicagoland yesterday. I guess she wants to end demo luxury with a bang! lol

I told everyone; next month when I'm getting service for my wheel bearing problem. That I'll share few pizzas with them. I'll probably hit my employer "Weekly Sales bonus" next month which is $100s; probably use it to buy. Don't think they are only using me for another deal...I'm pretty much away from that stage; they talk in front of me like I am their very own "Blue Shirter."

I guess I'm the living proof that the whole "Carmax only treats you like a number..." isn't true!

anasazi1

Despite some misgivings (poor web feedback on Carmax lowball offers) decided take my car to Carmax for appraisal given the positive experience I had with them five years ago. This time around the process was a waste of my time.

Carmax offered me $2000 below Mannheim auction rate for a 2005 Honda EXL-V6 in mint condition with 40700 miles. Appraiser admitted car was in exceptional shape (no Carmax detailing required...it had already been professionally detailed) but cited poor local market conditions for low offer. Not sure why they cite KBB on website anymore if they are not going to be anywhere near it.
FYI.....research on Carmax selling prices for this vehicle (same mileage) is $16,000 nationwide....suggesting a Carmax profit of $4500 on the car. Sold it PP for $14,750...$3,250 more than Carmax offer (dealer offered $12,950).

Maybe it was the locale....Carmax in Colorado Springs appears to be feeding primarily on the soldiers/airmen at local bases.

itsmejs

I've been happy with CarMax in the past but I'm starting to wonder if they're having serious problems. The CarMax website has been down for two days now and no one seems to know why. That's gotta be hurting their business.

smile4

hi,
I am going to take my car in to Carmax. Do they negotiate at all?
thank you

tmc1688

Hi all, Anyone have any experience purchasing a new car from Car Max? I found a 2010 Nissan Altima V6 SR for about 700 dollars below the invoice price. How is this possible, I'm still wondering myself. I'm interested in knowing if anyone has any positive or negative feed backs because I'm a little hesitant to consider a purchase so far since I live about 1098 miles away.

deltheking

Carmax is the best place to buy new cars..The lowest prices at carmax for new cars are really good and with a no hassle approach-buying a new car max is the best. :shades:
For used cars- totally different.Their used cars are way way way too overpriced with very little reconditioning on them. I would stay away from used carmax cars. :sick:

But for new cars :carmax -- it`s a great deal. Also you can use that carmax price at your local dealer. No harm in trying.

gayjeepboy

I had a great selling experience at this location. Everyone was so nice and friendly and they gave me a very fair price on my Jeep. I definitely would use them again.

chamade

Hello,

let's say your pay-off amount on an Infiniti lease is 30k+CA sales tax and Carmax offers 25k?

I would have to pay 5k to Carmax to make up the difference in negative equity, but who pays the sales tax to Infiniti?

tidester

You don't pay sales tax to Infiniti. You pay sales tax to the state.

Also, since you are leasing the vehicle, it is not yours to sell. The only way you could sell it to Carmax would be to first buy it from Infiniti (at the residual rate) at which time you would pay sales tax for your purchase.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

chamade

No, Carmax can buy it directly from Infiniti by paying the pay-off amount.

tidester

Right. Meaning that you are not selling it to Carmax.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

kyfdx

No sales tax is due... Carmax is buying the car directly from IFS... They don't pay sales tax.

roadburner

My local Carmax offered me $13,000 outright for my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3. It has 52,000 miles on it and needs tires and front brakes. That was $2,000 over what any other dealer offered. As soon as the weather clears I'm letting them have that miserable heap; I'll bank the $13,000 until something interesting comes along...