No-Haggle CarMax Gets a Warm Welcome from Urbandale

CarMax, now Urbandale's own, presents itself as the no-haggle alternative to the back-and-forth negotiating so common in the car-buying world.

But there was plenty of back-and-forth Thursday as local dignitaries joined the CarMax brass, with the locals singing the praises of its new business and the brass sending that love right back.

"We're glad you chose Urbandale and we hope you're here for a very, very long time," Mayor Bob Andeweg told about 200 people gathered for the opening of CarMax's new 44,000-square-foot facility on Hickman Road.

"We're just so excited to have you open your new superstore here in the Des Moines metro area," Rose Breuss told the gathering.

The Urbandale CarMax is the company's first in Iowa, and president and CEO Tom Folliard indicated the metro area can count on more than just set prices on quality cars.

CarMax has donated $12 million to non-profit organizations since it came into being in 1993, he said, and the company prides itself on citizenship.

"One thing I'm especially proud of is our efforts to push those dollars in the communities we serve," he said. 

That has alreay started. At the opening, contests were held to park cars inside of pylons with eggs balancing on top -- with CarMax donating to the charity of the winner's choice.

At CarMax, prices on vehicles are set, with no negotiating. The price you see is the price you pay. The stores also buy used cars, regardless of whether you purchase one of theirs.

The company is also looking to hire additional sales associates. For information on that, visit the store or check out the CarMax web site.