RI’s first CarMax plans June 11 opening

Luke Huddon
Posted 4/14/15

On June 11, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars will open on Bald Hill Road in Warwick.

The company first opened in Richmond, Va., in 1993. While an exact amount of what is being spent …

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RI’s first CarMax plans June 11 opening

Posted

On June 11, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars will open on Bald Hill Road in Warwick.

The company first opened in Richmond, Va., in 1993. While an exact amount of what is being spent on the Warwick store was not available, according to the company between $10 million and $25 million is invested in each location. In a single year, the company retailed 582,282 used cars and sold 376,186 wholesale vehicles at their in-store auctions. It operates more than 140 stores nationwide.

The first store in the state is looking to fill 40 positions, ranging from sales, business offices, and technicians. Technician positions require past automotive experience, while most of the other positions do not. CarMax is offering part-time and full-time positions and, according to a release, is committed to hiring people with respect, discipline, and strong values of integrity.

The store’s grand opening is scheduled for the second week in June, but by Memorial Day, CarMax plans to have hired everyone in the 40 respective positions. This way, associates may have an appropriate amount of time to train before the actual opening.

“This is the first CarMax store to come to Rhode Island and we can’t wait to show the Warwick area everything that CarMax has to offer,” Tom Vicini, regional vice president and general manager, said in an email. “We take pride in being a positive part of the community, a great place to work, and strive to provide an exceptional car buying experience.”

Through the purchase of vehicles locally from individuals and local, regional and online auctions, CarMax has a national inventory of more than 50,000 vehicles. CarMax prides itself in offering customers virtually any vehicle they desire.

According the company website, customers can simply find a vehicle they like at any location nationwide, and CarMax will ship it, often times free of cost. Since opening, more than a million cars have been transferred across the country.

“We are committed to the customer,” said Jennifer Curtis, a company spokeswoman. “We make the process more ethical, fair and transparent by offering a no-haggle, no-hassle experience and an incredible selection of CarMax Quality Certified vehicles.”

Curtis explains that the company will “buy your car even if you don’t buy ours.” This type of commitment has landed CarMax on FORTUNE Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the past 11 years.

“Our unique culture also includes a commitment to each of our communities,” said Curtis.

Since its inception in 2003, the CarMax Foundation has donated more than $25 million. The effort and commitment to the community is part of the reason for their title of the nation’s largest retailer of used cars.

Rhode Island is one of the 13 to 16 locations opening this year. This exponential growth is planned to continue for the next several years with up to 16 new stores opening annually.

A visit Monday morning found the parking lot half-full and a construction crew busily working in the building.

CarMax is substantially larger than Building 19, which was demolished this past year. The exterior of the new building is finished, and furniture is already set up inside.

Signs have been placed on the outside walls, providing information for those seeking a new job opportunity at the dealership.

A large number of light fixtures are set up across the enormous parking lot, fit for the amount of cars issued to arrive this summer. There is also a security officer present throughout the day, who records the frequent number of people coming onto the property.

Some of the final touches are in play for the new building on Bald Hill Road.

Job applications will be accepted online. Those seeking jobs should apply at www.jobs.carmax.com. CarMax will arrange interviews after reviewing the initial applications.

For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

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