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Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

jalopnik.com

21–30 of 115 posts

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#21

If I go to Carmax I know what I’m getting — a standardized but low-balled price for my car and no hassle. My time is worth money and the car buying experience is fucking miserable.

> a standardized but low-balled price for my car

I've been amazed at the cars Carmax were willing to buy off of me. I tend to drive cars until the wheels are falling off, so it may be different for cars with more value.

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#23
CarMax is awesome, when you need a new car, you can go there and get one without too much worry about hidden problems or being overpriced. Markup they charge, provided they didn't change much in last few years is totally worth it.

Saving few bucks but risking having a car with problems is not worth it. This is where CarMax provides most value.

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#24
Carmax is so successful because they emphasize the "why" and not the "how." Carmax believes buying and selling cars should be easy not cost effective for consumers. I sold a 2000 Toyota Tacoma with over 100k miles for $20k that I bought for $24k and drove for 7 years. Thought I got a good deal, literally took one hour. I just miss the truck.

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#26
post #22

Interestingly couple years ago a BMW dealer offered me $2500 more for trade in of my 2014 5 series than what Carmax offered. Since then I always try to double check what other dealers offer

This is how carmax works. They’ll never give you the best offer, just a convenient process.

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#27

Carmax makes a ton of money because they bring new meaning to "low-ball" when they offer to buy your car. Go see what they'll offer you for a car just as a test, then go look up your car value on KBB, edmunds, anything. When I sold my last car, they offered me $2k and I ended up selling it the next week for $7k. Carmax goes after people who are either too lazy to sell it themselves or too desperate and need the money…

That's a classic used car tactic, and it's amazing how folks still become fixated on the price they'll be able to buy something for without realizing the price difference will come from the amount they receive from their 'trade-in.'

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#28

Carmax makes a ton of money because they bring new meaning to "low-ball" when they offer to buy your car. Go see what they'll offer you for a car just as a test, then go look up your car value on KBB, edmunds, anything. When I sold my last car, they offered me $2k and I ended up selling it the next week for $7k. Carmax goes after people who are either too lazy to sell it themselves or too desperate and need the money…

That's a classic used car tactic, and it's amazing how folks still become fixated on the price they'll be able to buy something for without realizing the price difference will come from the amount they receive from their 'trade-in.'

Trade in, also financing.

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#29
post #22

Interestingly couple years ago a BMW dealer offered me $2500 more for trade in of my 2014 5 series than what Carmax offered. Since then I always try to double check what other dealers offer

This is how carmax works. They’ll never give you the best offer, just a convenient process.

I know that, but I expected it at least to beat an official bmw dealer

Re: Why CarMax Makes More Money on Used Cars Than Anyone Else

#30
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a classic used car tactic, and it's amazing how folks still become fixated on the price they'll be able to buy something for without realizing the price difference will come from the amount they receive from their 'trade-in.'

Trade in, also financing.

Oh yea, definitely that too. Though it requires a bit more than subtracting two numbers to figure out you're being taken advantage of, so it's less obvious for folks who haven't done math in decades (more people than you think).
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