CarMax begins home delivery program in NC
CarMax is joining the development parade of finding ways to retail used vehicles without the buyer having to step foot on the lot. As outfits such as Beepi and Carvana gain steam, CarMax recently announced it is launching a test of home delivery in Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte is the first city for CarMax Home Delivery, which allows customers to select, finance, test drive and buy a vehicle, as well as trade in their current model, all without ever going to a store. More than 20 years ago, CarMax claimed it had revolutionized the industry by delivering an “honest, transparent and high-integrity buying experience.”
CarMax says it’s now extending that “revolutionary” experience from the store to the Internet through the development of online customer-focused innovations.
Home Delivery is currently only available within a 60-mile radius of Charlotte. CarMax offers Home Delivery for no additional cost. However, like in-store purchases, a fee may apply for vehicle transfers from stores outside of North Carolina.
Each vehicle still comes with CarMax’s five-day money-back guarantee and a 30-day limited warranty.
“We believe in customer empowerment — it’s why we went into business more than 20 years ago,” said Jim Lyski, chief marketing officer at CarMax.
“We will continue to lead the industry by delivering the car-buying experience customers want, wherever they want it,” Lyski continued.
Just like CarMax’s in-store experience, Home Delivery users can receive personalized customer service throughout the shopping and purchasing process. CarMax specialists are instructed to help the customer find their ideal model, apply for financing and trade in their current vehicle.
Once the customer has chosen from the nearly 50,000 vehicles in inventory, CarMax will deliver the vehicle to the customer’s home or work so the customer can take a no-obligation, stress-free test drive.
In addition to test driving in their own neighborhood, customers can see how essentials like strollers or bikes fit in the car, or even how the vehicle fits in their garage. If the vehicle is “the one,” the customer can complete the purchase on the spot.
CarMax added that the company will utilize this test in Charlotte to gather valuable customer insights and learn the best ways to further operationalize this offering for potential future markets.
CarMax also recently piloted online financing on carmax.com, which allows customers to get prequalified for financing from the comfort and privacy of their home, and then finish their shopping experience more quickly in store. This new offering rolls out nationwide this fall.