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Smart Shopper Carmax - What's Your Experience?
762 messages, Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 11:37 AM
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Replying to: windycity2 (Mar 01, 2006 4:55 pm)  Mackabee |
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Replying to: basscadet (Feb 15, 2006 5:48 pm) |
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Replying to: windycity2 (Mar 01, 2006 4:55 pm) It is also the Carmax "way" to have a salesperson send a thank you card as well as give you a business card in case you have any questions about your purchase. But the saleperson is not forced by carmax or Toyota to make a "check-up" call. Personally, I never made these phone calls myself. After my customer had bought a car I told them to simply call me on my cell phone if there were any issues. When they did call me (rarely) I would just switch them over to Service. Finally, what do I think happened? Do you want my honest answer? I don't think anything happened that was too terrible. I think that perhaps you are a demanding customer who wants Premium A+ service and you might not be the kind of customer Carmax is designed for. The business model employed by Carmax is selling good cars for a good price....it's volume sales. You don't walk into WalMart and get upset when the guy who sold you your Sony 32" TV didn't show you how to work all the menus, do you? It's no different from Carmax. You received a poor salesperson but I have the idea that you might not still be happy with your service even if he had followed the correct procedures. |
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Replying to: horkycaj (Mar 02, 2006 10:09 pm) You took up 30-45 minutes of a salesperson's time and he got nothing for it. If you do go back, at least ask for the same salesperson if you are seriously considering selling it this time. And I can promise you that you will most definitely see a drop in the offer this time.
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Replying to: basscadet (Mar 12, 2006 6:50 pm) When I got our car appraised last summer we were planning on trading it in for a van we liked. We had just purchased a 05 Focus (used) about 3 months prior. I was prego and found a van on the lot we liked. We thought a van would be more practical after trying to squeeze a rear facing car seat in our Focus . We had our car appraised to see what we would get on a trade to figure out how much we would be spending. The value for our trade was exactly what we paid for the car. After mulling it over we decided to wait. Believe it or not our saleswoman said that we should probably wait too. She said our needs might be different after the baby came and we might want different features in a van. Even though we really wanted the van we decided to wait to see what our $$$ situation was like after the baby came. In retrospect I am glad that I didn't buy last summer beacuse our needs did change as well as our price range (up by $10,000). I realize now how handy the auto doors are and fold in floor seats are. I also realize that we need a van that will seat 8 not 7. Now that our little one is over 6 months old now and has out grown his infant carrier car seat we need a van that we can get him in and out of much easier. That is why we are in the market for a van now. I have every intention of selling my car at Car Max if the dealer won't come close to what they are offering. In NV you get a Trade in Sales tax credit if you trade in a car and buy one at the same time (I believe it works out to 5.5%). I could save around $400-$500 in taxes if the dealer takes the trade at the same time I buy. I look at it it this way. If the dealer offers me the same price as Car Max I am ahead the sales tax credit and trade it in to the dealer. If a dealer offers me $500 less for my trade Car Max and the dealer are even. If the dealer offers me a low ball price and won't budge guess who I sell the car to ---Car max. Most people on these boards would never buy a car without doing research and contacting a few dealerships to see what the lowest price available is. I just think of this as reverse car shopping. I have used KBB and Edmunds to calculate trade in value (the two differ by almost $1000). Car Max makes me an offer on my car based on the market and condition. I have read many times on these boards that KBB is just a book and isn’t buying your car. With Car Max I have a written offer to buy my car for X dollars regardless if I buy a car from them. In the end I will take my car where I will get the most for it just like I will buy a new van where I can get the best price. I have sold previous cars at Car Max so I don't have to hassle with selling our car. I don't believe I am wasting their time. Car Max offers the service and gives you time (7 days or 300 miles) to decide to sell (with no pressure!). As far as the value of my car... I also expect to see a drop in the price over time. I just think it will be interesting to see how much it has depreciated since July.
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Replying to: windycity2 (Mar 01, 2006 4:55 pm) |
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Replying to: horkycaj (Mar 12, 2006 11:15 pm) =================== That was "excellent" advise from your salesperson ... most would have gone to the next dealership and bought anyway .... you have no idea how many people do, then are back in the stores 10/12 months later trying to get that "right" vehicle ..... too late.! Terry. |
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After having moved to a new area and taking a job I hate I find myself considering a career at Carmax. What are your thoughts on working there? I've been in the car business all my life and am interested in what you think of Carmax compared to traditional dealerships. Thanks for your input.
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Replying to: drh100 (Mar 14, 2006 11:57 am) Put on a suit, go interview at a Honda or Toyota dealership (The only makes that are worth their name anymore) and choose the one that you feel the best and fits your personality. Be a real salesperson. Why sell 20 minis a month just to make 2-3 grand?? Why not sell 20 cars and make 10-15 grand!!!!
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Replying to: thebill (Mar 14, 2006 2:49 pm) The volume is not there so you will have less sales but the gross per sale is much more. You meet some really interesting people too.
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Smart Shopper Carmax - What's Your Experience?
