Car Keys Express Reviews

3.3

44% would recommend to a friend

(183 total reviews)

Mark Lanwehr

41% approve of CEO

43% positive business outlook

Car Keys Express has an employee rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 183 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Car Keys Express employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail and wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

183 reviews
2.0
17 Feb 2015

It's a lie; smoke and mirrors.

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

When you're new, it's not bad and the money can be decent BUT: Their negatives are FAR outweighing any positives they can have left. I've been here long enough where I've watched the decline. The owner and senior/management are nightmarish in a demeaning way. You have a good product, now you should try equally, if not harder to run the business ethically. They treat their people terribly and claim to have a "relaxed" style yet no one is happy except in the fake reviews they combat each negative one with. People are trying to tell you something here!! Change your ways and people would be happier and more loyal, very simple. They're open 8hrs and don't offer a lunch! Everyone is micromanaged to the worst extreme and I've witnessed some incredibly unethical standards and I'm shocked they haven't had the pants sued off of them yet. Every positive review is written by someone told to by management or the owner-even the ones that say "current" employee. Pay structures change in the drop of a dime and not to our benefit. Inventory is the worst and people lose money when they don't have it. PLEASE take the experience and do not, do not get on board here! Spare yourself and go with an ethical company even if it means less money.

Cons

Please see above as sadly anything positive upfront easily turns into negatives and lies+ALL of the other terrible issues. They JUST hired an HR person after years of not having a legitimate one, which with their size was most likely illegal. Personally, I've never witnessed communication so bad anywhere else as I have here. So many people are leaving, when a company has this turn over, beware!!!!!

avatar
Car Keys Express Response
11y
Anytime you have someone who *begs*, for you not to join a company that is undeniably successful and growing rapidly has something else in mind than a fair, impartial review of the company's culture--they're just trying to hurt the company any small way they can. We've identified the author as a former employee that was let go, and now has a “project”--posting multiple times. How can you tell this particular post is a fabrication? They're posing as an office employee with comments about work-life at the office, but also commenting like they're a Tech out in the field. They can't be both. The result? It’s turned this review process into a watered down, meaningless series of redundant negative posts. It's a shame because there could be positives that are gleaned from honest reviews but now, unfortunately this process has become tainted. As we said during separation, hopefully this employee can move on to a brighter future. The upshot is we get to post a response, so we’ll say: Back in 2008 when Car Keys Express was first established with our first second-hand van, we decided to make the strategic move to grow nationwide, rather than franchise or grow locally only. This meant we would grow much slower at first, and that growth would be much more tedious by learning and following all the state rules and regulations (and much more expensive). Why? Because we’re in it for the long haul. How do we grow so fast? We ask one thing from our employees: “A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.” We foster a culture of performance, efficiency, and high rewards. That’s the only way we could grow so fast. In return, Our employees are the best paid in the industry. But, it’s much more than just money. our employees have a rare opportunity to enjoy a “sky’s the limit” feel of a rapidly growing, company with the security of an established company. Our employees get to enjoy the experience of what it feels for an independent company to grow rapidly.
1.0
24 Jun 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Opportunity to make decent money if you can put up with the poor management

Cons

(First- take a look at all the amazing reviews of the company and consider this- if you were to write a review, do you really care about how other employees are performing? Every single "glowing" review says the exact same thing. Quite suspicious. Like all the five star reviews you may see on yelp. Too good to be true. Cmon. Everybody has some sort of gripe. I personally don't care what my peers are doing, as long as it doesn't affect my paycheck! It only makes me look better if they suck! Furthermore look at how hard the company is playing defense with the novels they write about "one terrible employee" and compare the reviews to other great companies who don't bother to play the blame game. They let the company and the employees tell all- the good, bad, ugly. The real reviews stand for themselves.) I'll keep this relatively short- I was hired as a field sales representative. The actual position is regional sales manager. I wasn't told in my interview that I would be managing a team of technicians, and that the technician's drive and abilities would drastically affect my paycheck. Great techs made me money. The crappy ones cost me money and negated my efforts in the field. The management stinks and the company is falling apart. The operations team is lacking in communication, and the company can't seem to get it together. Everyone is putting their heads in the sand and ignoring the glaring red flags.

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Car Keys Express Response
10y
We've posted some facts for those who want to get beyond the misinformation above. Let's start with: Aside what it says above, our paid time off policy has always been: 1 paid vacation week after one year, plus another 56 hours paid time off 2 paid vacation weeks after two years, plus another 56 hours paid time off 3 paid vacation weeks after five years, plus another 56 hours paid time off Note: senior level tech or executive-level jobs entitled to an additional week paid time off. Aside from what it says above, our turnover rate is lower than the nationwide average of 15%. The remainder of the post is similarly false. So why the "misinformation"? A disgruntled former employee routinely posts information not consistent with actual events at the company. In this forum, many current and former employees have taken the time to post their genuine, real-life, positive experiences with our rapidly growing company. We've also taken the time to give detailed replies so you get all the information. So--give the truth consideration too. Also importantly, if you get the opportunity, talk personally to one of our recruiters. Thanks :-)
1.0
24 Feb 2015

ALL the Negative reviews are TRUE!!!

Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are some employees that are or were actually great people!

Cons

Way to many to even list!!! They truly are the definition of a "micro managing company". There are many in this company that will do or say anything for their own personal gain. It's so true about these positive reviews, they're definitely told to put them up by upper management! How do I know? Well, it's because I was asked to do so!!! Don't believe the hype. Believe in yourself and get a great job, but believe me this company is all about putting on a fake smile and taking advantage of employees in the wrong way.

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Car Keys Express Response
11y
Again, you can see that he comments as though he works in the office, but indicated he's a "Former Employee--Account Manager" which is a person who works in a van, out in the field. Remember, you can't be both. This shows it's yet another weird post by a single, troubled former employee we had to let go because, other than not being engaged at work, he'd even fall asleep at his desk. We're all glad we've moved on and not let the situation metastasize. Hopefully he'll move on to greener pastures. People can be very convincing during an interview situation! it sometimes takes several weeks to learn that things are more (or less) than they initially seemed. With the growth we’re experiencing, managers need to be diligent with tasks when others are slow to fulfil their requests. With many projects moving quickly, at least basic prioritization of tasks is critical. If upper management deems something “highest priority” obviously, it can’t be neglected. These are high growth, high potential, high-reward jobs, and as such, managers are expected to not “sit back, relax, and let stuff happen”. For some, they’re better suited to a very large organization where their strengths may actually lie, and their shortcomings are not as impactful. Keep one thing in mind: It’s a fact of life for today’s high-performing companies to release those who don’t measure up. To do otherwise endangers the company, and breaks an implied promise we have to the dedicated employees who do excellent work every day. So--by all means, read the negative reviews. If you’re looking to coast and “go with the flow”, you may not be a good fit. But, if you’d like to do good work you can be proud of, if you’d like to have a MUCH greater earning potential than most others you know--do yourself the good service of considering the positive reviews--those who embrace doing good work. If you’re one of those people, you’ll fit in well (and earn well) at our “sky’s the limit that’s currently playing out” company!
Viewing 1 - 3 of 183 Reviews

Glassdoor has 188 Car Keys Express reviews submitted anonymously by Car Keys Express employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Car Keys Express is right for you.