Carmax tips/tricks

[Scaga]

Looking at a very nice Silverado at Carmax. I know there are one of the many "no-haggle" dealerships, but have never bought anything from them. Any tips/tricks/experiences anybody have?

[KC_Lee]

I've bought couple of cars for CarMax. No real tips or tricks, fairly straight forward folks.

[Deberg_1990]

I've found places like this (no haggle) to sell cars that are slightly overpriced. But the flip flop is you are getting a better car with more garantuees and better warranties. Less risk for the consumer

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I've found places like this (no haggle) to sell cars that are slightly overpriced. But the flip flop is you are getting a better car with more garantuees and better warranties. Less risk for the consumer

That. add, I'd add to that that, the slightly inflated price is worth it to some folks who want a pain free, quick / easy process buying a car. Not sitting there at the dealer playing the 4-square game / back and forth with the sales manager / wear you down game etc.


I've never bought from them, but I've heard good things.

edit - I've never bought from them because I have no problem haggling. I know what a car is worth and what I'll pay - if we can't work a deal within about a half hour, so be it. I move on / no hard feelings etc.. Hell, when I bought my current car, I was out of there with the car, including test drive, in 1.5 hours.

[sedated]

Rip-off artists IMHO

[cooper barrett]

Getting past the bullshit is hard in anything, but buying a used car comes down to knowing when to buy it.

If you're in a hurry, Go Car Max but if you want a particular car find a few you would take and on the last of the month, before noon, stick you head in the used car managers office and throw a number at him for the car you want. Shut the **** up.

He's hungry, you don't have to buy. I have had my best luck, I get a great deal, and the manager gets another unit at the end of the month. sales gets a mini when he needs one too. Hitting them a couple of days before the months books close is when they either need to make plan or hit the next bonus level.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Getting past the bullshit is hard in anything, but buying a used car comes down to knowing when to buy it.

If you're in a hurry, Go Car Max but if you want a particular car find a few you would take and on the last of the month, before noon, stick you head in the used car managers office and throw a number at him for the car you want. Shut the **** up.

He's hungry, you don't have to buy. I have had my best luck, I get a great deal, and the manager gets another unit at the end of the month. sales gets a mini when he needs one too. Hitting them a couple of days before the months books close is when they either need to make plan or hit the next bonus level.

Excellent advice.

As to Carmax, if you don't mind paying roughly 10 to 15% more than a dealership, go for it.
I'd check out Carvana. They seem to be more in-line with the pricing and it seems that they are a bit more picky about what they will let in the door/buy. They also present any cosmetic flaws in the vehicle. That's a big plus to me.

[cooper barrett]

This same car was purchased from a Nissan dealer Offenburg who sold it new it; Dealer sale price was $39,664
https://wmivdsvis.com/5N1AZ2MH0GN127037.html

CarMax: 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum

Mileage7K No-haggle price$35,998*
https://www.carmax.com/car/15042065

This is a list of cars based out of INDY.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ANO%7CPlatinum

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Excellent advice.

As to Carmax, if you don't mind paying roughly 10 to 15% more than a dealership, go for it.
I'd check out Carvana. They seem to be more in-line with the pricing and it seems that they are a bit more picky about what they will let in the door/buy. They also present any cosmetic flaws in the vehicle. That's a big plus to me.

[Eleazar]

Bought one there because the only particular example of the car in the area was at Carmax. It was a totally painless, no-pressure process. From what I saw, the prices weren't much higher than at other places, and they gave us a better than expected trade-in offer. They are also upfront about the fees they charge for documentation and such, no shell-game like at regular dealers.

You probably pay slightly more, but it's probably worth it.

Car sales is one situation where the sales model really pisses me off. You don't need a salesperson - they're just there to benefit the dealer and upsell you. For that matter, you don't need the dealer as a whole to be the middle man. But they have this whole system build with the state government palms they grease to make sure everyone gets to take a cut out of you throughout the process while adding no value. All designed to jack up the price for no benefit to the consumer.

Just list your stupid cars online, and I'll come in to buy the one I want. Or better yet, why can't I order a car direct from Ford or from Amazon? I don't need "help".

Anyway, rant over. You've nothing to fear at Carmax. Just bring your own financing and decline their extended warranty, standard procedure at any car dealer.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

Bought one there because the only particular example of the car in the area was at Carmax. It was a totally painless, no-pressure process. From what I saw, the prices weren't much higher than at other places, and they gave us a better than expected trade-in offer. They are also upfront about the fees they charge for documentation and such, no shell-game like at regular dealers.

You probably pay slightly more, but it's probably worth it.

Car sales is one situation where the sales model really pisses me off. You don't need a salesperson - they're just there to benefit the dealer and upsell you. For that matter, you don't need the dealer as a whole to be the middle man. But they have this whole system build with the state government palms they grease to make sure everyone gets to take a cut out of you throughout the process while adding no value. All designed to jack up the price for no benefit to the consumer.

Just list your stupid cars online, and I'll come in to buy the one I want. Or better yet, why can't I order a car direct from Ford or from Amazon? I don't need "help".

Anyway, rant over. You've nothing to fear at Carmax. Just bring your own financing and decline their extended warranty, standard procedure at any car dealer.

While some of the dealership gibbily gook you are spewing is utter BS, dealers serve a purpose. Not all of us need their services and some dealers understand that. Finding a dealer who will sell you a car at invoice just to take the kickbacks later is not that tough.

The advise on bringing your own money and avoiding ext warranties from any dealer is good advise.

Talk to a credit union and your insurance agent and you might be surprised. My agent got me an top shelf ext warranty on a used car for 1/3 of what the dealer wanted. At that price it was worth it. Plus when I sold the car the policy was in place and the buyer paid my asking price partially because of it. You can buy Gap insurance from some auto insurance cos, cheap too.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

While some of the dealership gibbily gook you are spewing is utter BS, dealers serve a purpose. Not all of us need their services and some dealers understand that. Finding a dealer who will sell you a car at invoice just to take the kickbacks later is not that tough.

The advise on bringing your own money and avoiding ext warranties from any dealer is good advise.

Talk to a credit union and your insurance agent and you might be surprised. My agent got me an top shelf ext warranty on a used car for 1/3 of what the dealer wanted. At that price it was worth it. Plus when I sold the car the policy was in place and the buyer paid my asking price partially because of it. You can buy Gap insurance from some auto insurance cos, cheap too.

What BS?

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

While some of the dealership gibbily gook you are spewing is utter BS, dealers serve a purpose. Not all of us need their services and some dealers understand that. Finding a dealer who will sell you a car at invoice just to take the kickbacks later is not that tough.

I fail to see what purpose dealerships serve.

Why shouldn't I be able to buy a car direct from Ford, or buy one on Amazon?

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

I fail to see what purpose dealerships serve.

Why shouldn't I be able to buy a car direct from Ford, or buy one on Amazon?

Does't Amazon become the dealer in that buying senario. Where would you take it for warranty services? Would the car even come with a warranty?


The state did not decide how Ford decides to sell their cars. They have encouraged dealers and dealers been restrained by states telling them what they can and cannot do.

Ford decides how they market or distribute their product. They choose to manufacture and sell to dealers who purchase the right to buy and sell their products. They in turn agree to do business on Fords terms and conditions.

Amazon does not conform to those conditions. Amazon does sell your information to Ford regarding items you buy, how much you buy and if you research cars there you will be getting promotional materials sent your way.

My car;
https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Benz...%3A11710192011

I do think it would be interesting to buy a slightly damaged or a returned car on Amazon's Warehouse Deals. Slight hail body damage

[Randallflagg]

I've bought (over the years) three cars/trucks from them. Was always really easy. No complaints whatsoever.

[T-post Tom]

Call the dealership. Ask for a female salesperson. Tell her that you will ABSOLUTELY buy a car if she wears glitter eyeshadow on the day you come in. Take Dwayne Bowe with you. Guaranteed less money will come out of your pocket.