Arthur,
I know this is late, and you will probably not respond, but where did the OP make false claims?
This is idiotic self serving ethnocentrism - I was an associate for almost three years (left on good terms of my own volition), yet I know many people who were fired throughout the year for non-performance, and it mattered not whether the terminations took place around particular holidays. The first week of every month is essentially the monthly performance reviews, and the last I checked, the first week of January came shortly after Christmas. Yes, people still lost their jobs then, but no one cried about how some non-Christian must have pulled the plug on them.
Let's not forget all the Americans (oh, that must mean 90+% of the company) that worked during Memorial day and got laid off in June. What about the people who worked July 4th and then got fired in August? Will you then claim that Carmax is anti-American?
Idiot claim.
First, kudos to you for actually mentioning the vehicle you purchased - I see too many complaints here without vehicle information, and unfortunately some vehicles are less reliable than others. Secondly, the correct spelling is "brakes", not "breaks". Two different words with two different meanings, although your brakes seemed to have been broken (along with a few other things).
I do not know how reliable the LS is, however I do know that the Ford products we sold tended to have higher ESP prices than some other brands because the risk to the insurance companies seemed greater to warranty them than other vehicles - even the Euro models. However, your issues seem to go beyond just simple reliability. Sorry you got a car that slipped through the cracks.
To play devil's advocate, they give the no-hassle return for five days, which is generally ample time to get the car inspected by a third party. We used to get a few returns daily at my store (7118) from people who took advantage of this policy. Try doing that with another used car dealership (or any dealership not offering their once-in-a-lifetime marketing campaigns).
OP - you had five days within which you could return the vehicle. Nowhere does the return policy state you need to get mechanical issues sorted within that time period. If your post purchase inspection found problems and you could not get resolution, then you simply could have returned the vehicle. This policy is not in small print, and was printed on the brochure your Sales Consultant attempted to give you. It's also all over the website, but we can't expect people to read and understand anything anymore. It's much simpler to cry and whine because we didn't act fast enough to take advantage of something.
Thomas - did you bother to verify the price difference yourself before going to get the money? While the manager may have made a mistake, you make yourself out to be an academic genius with a PhD in mathematics, so you must have quickly agreed his numbers were correct. Or did you make a mistake as well?
Carmax literature does not state they sell accident free cars, but only that they will not sell frame or flood damaged cars. The display everyone seems to be confused about has a statement along the lines of "see sales consultant for details" - had you asked your SC, or your selective memory would not omit this fact, s/he would have explained the display to you. Unfortunately, many people do not have the patience to listen to the SC and want to jump right into finding a vehicle. Yes, the Carmax way is to explain everything that makes Carmax different, but not every consumer wants to sit through the spiel - who's to blame for this?
Additionally, when I was there, the policy for retail cars (
I highly doubt the vehicle you found on the site disappeared just because you found a pricing "discrepancy" - the vehicles actually disappear the next day if someone has sold them. Carmax uses an automated inventory system that only displays vehicles available for sale, and the vehicle is deleted if purchased.
OP - not sure of your real name. You mention a husband, but the account name is Stan...
Anyway, the Alero is one of those vehicles that always gave problems to the customers I had who purchased it. I don't know why, but there were obviously some quality control issues with GM, and Carmax can't be expected to provide quality assurance from manufacturing defects. Before you cry foul, remember they also sell more reliable vehicles on the same lot as the finicky ones. The onus is upon the consumer to make an informed buying decision, although a knowledgeable consultant would help steer you towards a somewhat more reliable vehicle. I know my numbers were less than stellar because I used to take the time to explain to customers which vehicles they should stay away from, yet try to maintain as objective as possible. Tough to do. Sorry you got burned.
Lasher - nowhere does Carmax deny selling accident damaged vehicles, however their literature does state they will not sell frame or flood damaged vehicles. This isn't shadiness, but perhaps your unwillingness to read the literature or listen to the SC give the spiel about the accident display (or remember any of that part of your transaction).
Buck - the term "lemons" typically only applies to new vehicles, and I'm not sure if any state offers lemon law coverage for a used vehicle. New vehicle lemon laws vary by state, but often contain language that the same problem must exist within a certain time or mileage limit, and can not be repaired. Unfortunately, you purchased a BMW and the reliability for European models is less than stellar - the reliability hierarchy is usually Asian (notwithstanding Toyota's current issues), Domestic, and lastly European. I used to use a site called alldata.com, which gave free access to each yr/make/model's particular service bulletins and recalls, and used that as a reliability barometer. Unfortunately, the site has now morphed into a paid service site to get any information, although I'm sure there are other places to get the same info for free.
Ed - if your car had several problems from the get go, you should have returned it within 5 days for a different vehicle like Melinda did. That's what the return policy is for.
Yes, yes - allowing a repo to appear in your credit history is really showing Carmax who's boss!
Dodge Intrepids are not exactly reliable vehicles - maybe you have not dogged the vehicle since your purchase, but I can guarantee the previous drivers did. One of my personal observations with Intrepid owners was that they all seemed to think their car was in some NASCAR event and drove the vehicle to achieve pole position. Another strike against you is your purchase of a popular fleet (ie, rental) vehicle - and we all know how people treat rental cars (or anything in their possession for any length of time which they do not actually own).
Carmax is not to blame for consumer perceptions of vehicle reliability. People knew long before Carmax's inception in 1993 that certain cars were to be avoided like the plague.
OP - I called around, and have spoken to other sales personnel from other dealerships, and Carmax's pay was on par with what the industry generally pays. While it may seem as if selling for a fixed rate is unfavorable to someone used to a variable commission, the practice eases consumers because they know that their SC is not trying to sell them any particular model based on how much money they'll make - being paid the same, no matter what, makes a person a little more objective about the information they volunteer. As for selling the pen - if you are familiar with the sales process, you can sell anything. The top earner at our store regularly had six figure years (averaging 25 cars per month), and even he was eclipsed by someone at the location across the street who managed to sell 120 cars in his first three months to friends and family.
Carmax standards for FT employees is 10 sales with 60% ESP - with $150 per sale and $100 per ESP, the SC meeting the bare minimum would make $2100/mo. Carmax also pays for appraisal purchases, 10% of accessories, and has a rotating monthly spiff (either an extra $50 per ESP or $25 (or $50) per unit) which helped to pad the checks a bit. A PT SC had to deal with 6/4. Remember, these are minimums, and many surpassed these numbers. The key is to work smarter, and not harder.
Alex - SCs are trained to sell, but are not encyclopedias. Very few could actually rattle off specs, but their primary duty was to find a vehicle which could meet the needs (or emotional wants) of a customer, and keep them within their budgets while doing so. Having a job selling cars does not require the employee to subscribe to automotive enthusiast magazines, autocross on the weekends, and modify their own cars with aftermarket parts. I don't walk into a retail store and expect the cashier to know the specifications of XYZ HDTV, but rather to know the basics, facilitate the transaction, and get me out of the store as quickly as possible.
As for the "underpayed corporate brainwash [censor]" - they may know how to spell "paid".
Fair market value does not equal private party value, or even retail market value. Carmax appraises cars based upon wholesale values. Basically, if their buyers can attend an auction and see a particular make and model go for a set price range all day long, they will only offer you that price. What makes your vehicle that much more special that you would expect more?
As far as buyer/seller beware - guess you weren't too happy with your truck if you took it to get appraised so soon after purchasing. Whups!
Hylda - for an "educated person who majored in law", you sure write like crap and must have skipped the contract law classes where you were instructed to actually read and comprehend contracts before signing them. However, you stated you majored in law but didn't say you actually practiced it. Trying to beef up your ego a bit to the people who read your complaint, eh?
As far as the gas cap issue - a common cause for the CEL to come on is from a loose gas cap. This usually happens from those idiots who like to keep their vehicles running while fueling, but also arises when the cap just isn't tightened enough. It was a valid suggestion to make, and will usually solve the problem.
Defensa - you know Autozone will clear CELs for free, right? If you know engines, then you should probably know that little tidbit as well. Also, when gas prices hiked and no one was buying SUVs, why would you expect a great offer on your SUV?
So many holes in both of your complaints...
Harrison's full of BS - I have never seen a vehicle at Carmax priced with a sticker ending in "788", nor will you find any Hyundai on their site going for more than MSRP. Even now, I see every vehicle ending with "x97", "x98", "000", or "500". If anything, I'm going to assume selective memory strikes again and someone is confusing the comparison price that Carmax affixes to their stickers with an actual asking price.
Will - that "minor" dimple in your frame rail would deter some other buyer, which is probably why your appraisal offer was so low. If they won't put it on the lot, then they will wholesale the car and offer you what they think another dealer might pay for it at auction. Just because another Subaru dealership purchased your car for 14k means they ripped you off and intended to rip off the next person who bought your car. Additionally, good luck getting $20k on a 3 yr old WRX - I never see anyone actually getting that price on NASIOC, and you'll hear cries of bloody ripoff if anyone tries asking that much. KBB is not fair market value and is nothing more than a feel good tool for people who don't understand the entire auto industry runs on wholesale values.
Wilson - you have every right to be frustrated from getting a non-response from them, however you are placing the blame on Carmax because an Audi dealership had your car for so long? I guess the Audi dealer is above reproach, eh?
Waqar - your attorney probably read the contracts you signed and laughed (on the inside, of course) because you didn't. Lawyers love knowing their field will never die because people don't RTFM.
No one seems to understand wholesale values because KBB is so ingrained in their vocabulary they are unfamiliar with valuation sources actually used by those in the industry. Dealers don't even use NADA (that's more of a banking/finance tool) - try to get your hands on a copy of the Black Book and I guarantee you'll find it near impossible unless you know someone who works at a dealership.
Additionally, the emotional attachment the MC owner had for his car is just that - his personal attachment. You don't see too many used car dealerships offering deals on their 1980 MCs because they're "classics", unless you have a mullet...
Guy can't figure out how to call his finance company (contact info in your Retail Installment Contract - the long form), but can do a quick search to find some place to complain. Priceless.
This is a problem with the Odyssey, and not Carmax's warranty. If you check your mail, you may have received notification from Honda about a recall for your transmission (or do a search on Ody transmission issues - they number in the thousands). Carmax should not be expected to be held accountable for manufacturing defects. Might want to point your finger at ultra-reliable Honda.
for posterity:
CarMax, Inc. et al. v. John Doe, Circuit Court, County of Goochland, Commonwealth of Virginia, Case number CL09000177-00.
Can't wait to see what happens in August. Everyone else can follow the case by going the county court site and entering the case number.
http://wasdmz2.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/MainMenu.do
Also, how is Carmax violating your Constitutional rights? The Constitution makes no mention of the right to privacy, although your lawyer (I hope you get one) will probably tell you that.
Bunch of half truths, starting with the "150 point inspection" (it's actually 125 - http://www.carmax.com/enUS/cqi/default.html). Also, the literature never denies accident repair but rather the policy to never sell frame or flood damaged vehicles. The SC training even emphasized that no more than 3 consecutive body panels would be repaired/repainted on a retail vehicle (v-max could have the entire car resprayed and still be on the lot).
Sounds like you're an ex-employee because you didn't know enough about your own company to keep the job.
I'm wondering where the lie is - they still offered to buy the vehicle, so that's still true. They did mention the offer would be low because it wasn't running, so there's no lie there. Maybe I'm missing something.
Shame on them for not buying a broken vehicle for the same price you were expecting to get for a running one!
I like how this guy cries racism even though he has "expertise and know", then goes on to say "back wheel drive". Har har!
Haha - if the coffee boy makes more at Starbucks than he did at Carmax, then he was not in sales, sucked at sales, or had no other marketable skills so they had him washing and/or prepping cars.
To the owners of the PT Cruiser - Carmax would (should) not have sold the vehicle without a clear title. The computer system doesn't allow it. If there was a hold up with the tags, then they are related to something going on with your local DMV - ie, problems you may have had with a previous vehicle. Unfortunately, we all know how dealing with the DMV can be, even for a big corporation like Carmax.
Lauri - nowhere in the literature does Carmax state they will not sell you an accident damaged vehicle, but rather they will not sell anything with frame or flood damage. The never-sell display you mention has an * towards the bottom which said something along the lines of "see Sales Consultant for details". Many people forget the conversations they have with their SCs. I made a point to go over absolutely everything with my customers, but my CSI surveys would come back indicating I skipped steps. Funny, considering I was constantly praised by managers for being one of the SCs who actually did the entire spiel. Selective memory helps when you need to break out the pitchforks and torches.
To everyone using the term "lemon" - this typically only applies to new vehicles, and I am unaware of any legislation which covers used vehicles under any lemon law. Most states have variations of lemon laws which state the same problem must be duplicated X times (usually 3+) during a set mileage or time interval to receive coverage under the lemon laws. Used vehicles are used, and have no such protection. Unfortunately, many of the vehicles you guys are complaining.
Robert - cars on eBay are great only if you know exactly what to look for, and most people do not. I am currently in the market for a Ferrari or Porsche, and one of the warnings given on almost any owners' forum is to avoid those vehicles because eBay is used as a last resort for vehicles which could not sell through traditional channels. Also, your awesome advice to "buy Toyota" is just brand perception, and we all know the troubles Toyota is going through these days. Even before the UA problems, they had issues with engine sludge, and I would see low mileage examples which were kicked into the wholesale lot because of the sludge problem. Doesn't matter how often you change the oil if the vehicle isn't designed correctly.
Lastly, stop spelling "brakes" as "breaks" - one is a noun and the other a verb with a totally different meaning.
Selective hearing and selective memory - if you're not a stupid woman, you would have read the details of your paperwork either before signing (smartest), or within the 5 day return period (still smart) to verify any oral claims. But...you didn't, so are you as smart as you think?
Smart people would know better than to think you can pay for a service and get a full refund years later, but that clearly isn't the case here. Sorry, dummy!
brakes - (n) mechanical device used to decelerate a vehicle
breaks - (v) to render something inoperable or non-functional
Aside from that, sorry your wheel came off. Could've been Carmax, could've been stupid neighborhood kids, or could've been the make/model you purchased (ie, 2000 Ford Focus had recalls to address this very issue). Many variables, but your situation seems to have been handled unprofessionally (at least as you present your case - I'm sure there's more that you're leaving out, but that's the nature of complaints).
