CARY, N.C. -

CarMax is now offering consumers online vehicle appraisal offers through a new tool launched across the country this week.

The online appraisal tool is designed to provide an offer on a customer’s car in less than two minutes, the company said. The offer is good for seven days and is subject to the vehicle’s mechanical and cosmetic condition being verified.

“There’s no doubt that the pandemic brought on changes in buying behavior with consumers focused on convenience and safety, and looking to do more of the process online,” Darren Newberry, CarMax’s senior vice president of store operations, said in comments emailed to Auto Remarketing.

“That’s why at CarMax, we empower customers to shop and buy on their terms, whether that means buying a car online, in store, or a seamless combination of the two. The launch of our online appraisals tool is another example of how CarMax is bringing flexibility and convenience to customers by meeting them where they are,” he said.

“This tool makes it fast and convenient for a customer to get a real offer on their vehicle from home. Knowing the price you can get on your current vehicle is an important part of the research phase when in the market for a vehicle,” Newberry said. “This tool prepares customers with the additional information they need to know they are making the best decision.”

This is the latest in several steps CarMax has taken to provide a more flexible, contactless consumer experience.

The retailer is offering contactless curbside pickup across the country and home delivery for most buyers.

CarMax announced in September that it had finished rolling out its omni-channel capabilities nationally, a process it started in late 2018 with the launch of omni-channel in Atlanta. CarMax’s omni-channel experience lets consumers buy used cars online, in-store or a blend of both.