I enjoyed talking to the call center agent. She setup a buyer's order--everything for the sale all worked out--and scheduled a test drive of a beautiful Audi A3. I was ready to buy the car if it drove well.
But when I arrived at the North Austin dealer, they wouldn't let me test drive. My driver's license expired about a month before and the DOT in Texas sent me a letter stating that, due to Covid-19, my license would continue to be valid until April, 2021. I presented that letter with my license but a sales manager, Phillip, cited a policy that I could buy but not test drive the car without a renewed license. Though the DOT letter states plainly that my license is still legally valid, Carmax doesn't accept that guidance. I could buy and return the car within 7 days--as they offer on Carvana--but I couldn't test drive it before buying it.
I was angry. But I liked the car and still wanted it. So I texted the very helpful call center agent who had started the process. She called the Austin location--talked to Phillip, apparently--and presented me with two options: 1) bring someone with me who has a non-expired license; 2) make an appointment with DOT to renew my license and present proof of the appointment when I return.
So I scheduled with DOT; took a couple of minutes. And just to be sure, the call center agent double-checked the arrangement by calling the Austin dealer again. Yes, she was told; I could come at 7:15pm with that extra document and do the test drive.
OK; despite the unnecessary hassle, I decided to go back. All good, right?
Only in retrospect did I realize the call center agent must have talked to a different manager when she called to double-check for me. When I arrived, I found myself listening to Phillip tell me that a DOT letter and proof of the renewal appointment didn't satisfy their policy.
I'm not at my best my I'm pissed off. After venting outrage at being jerked around, I managed to work it out with Phillip that the call agent must have talked to a different sales manager to confirm that I could test drive the car. Phillip went to look for that person as I waited outside. I left after 15 minutes of standing there without any update. Apparently, the two of them couldn't quickly get their policy clear between them. I haven't received any further communication.
I was put in a ridiculous position trying to buy their car. I had bought one at that same location a few years ago; the contrast between the two experiences is extreme.
I hopped on Carvana the following day. Within an hour, I found a similar car (a little better, in fact) and went through all the steps online to trade-in my current car, buy the new one with a 7 day trial period, and schedule the car to be delivered to me at home. It arrives on Saturday.
Best of all: I got much more for my trade with Carvana than Carmax offered, and I paid considerably less for the new car. With Carmax, the services provided by their on-site sales staff raise your out-the-door price; and in that case you should expect excellent customer service. Only highly competent people can deliver that. With Carvana, you get great customer service when you need it--via chat or over the phone; but with savvy internet self-service, you can go a long way without it, and ultimately get a better deal. I did, at least. read more