CarMax: Go Online to Start the Car Shopping Process But Cautions Against Buying Sight Unseen

Retailer Provides Tips for Online Car Shopping

RICHMOND, Va., June 30 -- CarMax, Inc. the nation's largest retailer of used cars, suggests that consumers log onto the Internet to start the car shopping process, but cautions against buying a car without inspecting it in person and taking a test drive.

"The Internet provides a lot of information to help you make an informed car buying decision from the comfort of your own home," said Susan Nachbar, Senior Sales Consultant at CarMax's Kansas City eOffice. "Once a customer has selected the car they want online, we suggest that they carefully evaluate the car in person."

Carmax.com provides actual photos, price, and features on more than 20,000 vehicles available at CarMax stores across the country. CarMax has more than 700 Internet sales consultants throughout its 62 superstores who specialize in assisting customers with shopping for a car online.

"Our Internet sales consultants save carmax.com customers time by providing specific information about CarMax vehicles and extended service plans, reserving a CarMax vehicle for a test drive, and starting the sales and finance processes before the customer visits the CarMax store," said Eric Rilee, CarMax eCommerce Manager.

CarMax's expert Internet sales consultants have the following tips for online car browsing:

  1) Use the Internet to Research Vehicles:
     * Compare vehicle types, makes, models, features options, and prices.
     * Browse websites that offer an actual photo of the car and list all
       features and options.
     * Look for cars with a no-haggle price that is clearly marked on the
       website.

  2) Check on Quality:
     * Be sure that an ASE-certified automotive technician has inspected the
       car.
     * Review carefully the guarantees and warranties the car seller offers;
       find out if the car has a warranty and what it covers.
     * Find out if there is a return or exchange policy and ensure there is
       a location near you where the car can be returned.
     * Purchase from a retailer that lists its own inventory online, such as
       CarMax, and stands behind the quality of its vehicles.

  3) Evaluate the Car in Person:
     * Assess the car in person before you buy, including test driving the
       vehicle.
     * Run a title check on the car by using AutoCheck, the system CarMax
       uses, or Carfax.
     * Check to make sure the car has the features and options that were
       listed on the website.
     * Inspect the vehicle mileage and mechanical condition.
     * Make sure all of your questions have been answered.  Don't buy the
       car if you have vehicle quality concerns or feel you are being
       rushed.

More than 20 percent of CarMax retail sales are initiated through the carmax.com Internet sales process.

About CarMax

CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2005 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 62 used car superstores in 28 markets. CarMax also operates seven new car franchises, all of which are integrated or co-located with its used car superstores. During the twelve month period ended May 31, 2005, the company sold 264,958 used cars, which is 93 percent of the total 285,354 vehicles the company retailed during that period. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/.