Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) vs. CarMax

Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) is a purpose-built vehicle sourcing platform that enables car dealerships to acquire high-margin, fast-turning used vehicles directly from private sellers—bypassing auctions, reducing acquisition costs, and accelerating inventory turn. Today’s automotive market is more competitive than ever. Wholesale prices are climbing, auction fees are rising, and reconditioning delays eat into profitability. VAN solves this by giving dealers the tools and talent they need to target, engage, and acquire for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) vehicles in their local market with speed and efficiency. With VAN, dealers can: Access thousands of local private-party listings in real time Use AI-powered filters to find the most profitable cars Automate personalized outreach and follow-up with sellers Track communications, tasks, and acquisition progress in one unified CRM Eliminate auction fees, transport delays, and wholesale surprises For stores that lack time or staff to do this work in-house, VAN also offers a Managed Buyer program—a turnkey service where VAN’s expert acquisition team works on your behalf to find, contact, and negotiate with private sellers. It’s like hiring a full-time buyer without the overhead. Whether you're a single rooftop looking for more control or a large group scaling a private-party acquisition strategy, VAN adapts to your dealership's workflow and goals. Dealers using VAN regularly see faster turn times, higher front-end grosses, and more predictable inventory pipelines. Trusted by over 250 rooftops across the U.S. and Canada, VAN is how modern dealers compete with Carvana, CarMax, and other direct-to-consumer disruptors—by sourcing smarter, not just spending more.

CarMax is the foremost retailer of used cars in the United States, offering a broad selection of high-quality pre-owned vehicles that customers can easily browse, compare, and purchase online or at any of its more than 250 locations nationwide. Famous for its straightforward, no-haggle pricing strategy, CarMax removes the stress of conventional negotiations by providing a fixed price for every vehicle, making the buying process more straightforward for consumers. The company sources its used cars from individuals, fleet auctions, and other channels, carefully refurbishing and inspecting them before showcasing these vehicles alongside detailed history reports to give buyers peace of mind. Moreover, CarMax improves the shopping journey with online tools that allow customers to explore the inventory, filter options based on make, model, price, and mileage, and even pre-qualify for financing without significantly impacting their credit scores. With its dedication to transparency and customer satisfaction, CarMax has established itself as a reliable name in the automotive retail sector, attracting a loyal customer base. This innovative approach not only simplifies the car-buying experience but also ensures that customers feel informed and confident in their decisions.