specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: CarMax
providerId: carmax
created: '2026-05-04'
# Provenance stamped 2026-08-11: this artifact was written by the API Evangelist
# bulk sweep dated 2026-05-04, not harvested from the provider. See roadmap#35.
method: generated
modified: '2026-05-05'
reconciled: false
tags:
  - FinOps
  - FOCUS
  - Automotive
  - Used Cars
  - Retail
description: 'FOCUS-aligned FinOps for CarMax: APIs are consumed internally by CarMax clients and selectively
  exposed to syndication partners; no public API billing surface exists.'
notes: CarMax does not bill API access as a metered external service. FinOps framing is informational
  for partner/syndication relationships.
sources:
  - https://www.carmax.com/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: CarMax, Inc.
serviceCategory: Auto Retail / Vehicle Inventory
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Bundled / Custom Partner Agreement
  billingFrequency: Per-Invoice
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
    - Purchase
    - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: CarMax Inventory and Locations
  ServiceCategory: Auto Retail / Vehicle Inventory
  ProviderName: CarMax
  PublisherName: CarMax, Inc.
  InvoiceIssuerName: CarMax, Inc.
  BillingCurrency: USD
meters:
  - name: api_requests
    unit: request
    aggregation: sum
    dimensions:
      - api
      - partner
  - name: vehicle_listings_synced
    unit: listing
    aggregation: sum
    dimensions:
      - partner
  - name: store_location_lookups
    unit: lookup
    aggregation: sum
principles:
  - name: Visibility
    description: Visibility into syndication traffic comes from CarMax engineering reporting; no consumer-facing
      usage API exists.
  - name: Allocation
    description: Allocate by syndication partner credential and by listing surface (web, mobile, partner site).
  - name: Optimization
    description: Cache Store Locations and Vehicle Inventory responses; honor freshness windows recommended
      by CarMax to avoid redundant calls.
  - name: Accountability
    description: Syndication / partner-marketing owner holds the relationship; quarterly traffic and
      conversion reviews with CarMax are typical.
maintainers:
  - FN: Kin Lane
    email: kin@apievangelist.com