No.1 contender for shonky award of the year
Private Fleet turns a telephone conversation into a contract without any signature or verbal agreement

I had a telephone conversation with John Hughes of Pirate Fleet for a purchase and a trade, he refused to negotiate a trade after the deposit was paid for a new vehicle even though I had already filled in the trade form prior to paying the deposit

When I emailed a request for a refund, I was told I had entered a contract and if I wanted a refund, take them to court
There was never any contract in place , verbal, signed or otherwise

This scenario is constantly repeated as negative reviews appear on a lot of websites spelling out the same situation

In addition, after taking the deposit, they immediately load on a $178 car buying fee

STAY WELL AWAY FROM PRIVATE FLEET

Don’t pay a deposit until you see the details in writing. I’m now fighting to get a $2,500 deposit back. The broker lied and told me the vehicle he’d got was better than one I’d found at my local dealership with more options so I paid the deposit only to find out when the email arrived I’d been lied to

I placed a deposit on a new vehicle, with private fleet, we then found a cheaper vehicle so asked for company to honour their advertised price match guarantee. Would have been happy for Private Fleet to either refund our deposit or match the other price as stipulated on their website. Instead the manager. I spoke to told me in very straight terms they are in it to make money and If I did not go through with it I would not only loose my deposit but also 5% of the sale for cancelling the contract. When I stated I would seek further clarification of my rights from Fair Trading the only response from the management of Private Fleet was “let’s go legal”! Not the new car experience I was looking for...

Excellent service. The consultant James organised a test drive and even sent car reviews to help decide.
The price was great and they referred me to finance. Well worth $178.00 to save money and get roadside assistance.
Car was delivered to my work from the dealer who was nice and my trade in taken away.
This was offered and not requested . Amazing service in this day. Like a high end restaurant though it’s a car buying experience.
Very happy and amazing value. I’ll keep telling everyone.

Private Fleet are Thieves:
All my friends who are looking to buy new cars from private fleet , be aware they can steal money from your credit card. I just had bad experience from agent Umar Khan , he took the deposit money from my credit card without my permission.
I was looking to buy Rav4 hybrid with my trade in car Nissan Xtrail. On 06/06/19 Umar Khan called me several times to keep me posted on best price he can get. At end of the day 7pm he called me to ask lowest price I said $32700. Umar khan said I can try but I will need to put your credit card details , I didn’t thought much and my mistake I should have not given my credit card details. But I didn’t know Umar khan is going to take money from my credit card. The moment I gave my credit card & disconnect the call , I got notifications on my commbank app $1178 debited. Immediately Umar khan called me “congratulations you got car for $32700” I said it’s fine but you took money without my permission. He said $1000 is deposit & $178 is processing fee but don’t worry I will get you $178 waived as referral program. I asked when is delivery date , Umar assured me to let me know 07-06-19 by midday , Umar khan came back with deliver date 26/07/19 and I said no , pls cancel my order , you promised delivery date is 10-14 days and I’m buying for business purposes for tax benefit, I explained him what’s the point getting loan processed in June when car is getting delivered in July.
I said no for the order & sent him text at 5:40 pm to cancel order on 07/06/19 , despite of saying no , Umar khan processed my order at 7pm just to meet his sale target.
Since then I’m dealing with their dispute team Sandy Marquette that Umar khan stolen money from my credit card without my permission & requested several time to listen to phone recording on 06/06/19 7pm but sandy keep ignoring talking about phone recording . I gave them example of TPG, Optus and online orders companies read T&c saying “ all calls are recorded for training & monitoring purposes “ and before any agent took money they ask for permission from customers “ do you agree to pay the amount “ after customer says yes then money is taken from the credit card.
Umar khan stolen the money without telling me the amount he is going to deduct from my credit card.
When money was debited , I was not given any invoice. After several requests Sandy sent me invoice itemised $1000 deposit and $178 membership fee.

I questioned Sandy to show T&C on their website that $178 is membership fee & is non refundable ???
Sandy was saying $178 is referral program for same family members,
I asked sandy to provide me signed agreement that I have signed for private fleet membership ?
Also show me that $178 is waived for family members only.
So far sandy hasn’t provided me any evidence on membership form, referral program and call recording.
So to all my friends looking to buy new cars ... pls don’t use private fleet service they steal money from your credit card without authorisation. They steal money from your credit card.. never ever give your credit card details until t&c are read by agents over by the phone.
I’m still struggling to get my refund on $178.
By the way I got the same car from another dealer that was available in stock from western Toyota and did not have to wait till 26/07/2019.
I doubt private fleet have network with 40-50 dealers , if they had then I don’t need to wait delivery till July.
I hope my this bad experience will be helpful to others who are looking to buy new cars. This is my first brand new car and I had terrible experience with private fleet.

We did all our homework and gave specific instructions to Private Fleet including model, premium upgrades and accessories we were after.
Private Fleet initially came back more expansive than dealer direct. Then we got passed to another person at Private Fleet.
They countered with subsequent offer....little did we know whilst the price was reduced so was the accessories - they became 'or equivalent'.
The whole purpose of filing out the initial tender form is that was what we were looking for if I wanted cheaper than genuine car mats I'd go to an auto store and purchase $29.95 mats!
The only reason we found this switch had taken place was after we organized a contract (and being switched to yet another person at Private Fleet) and contacted Subaru (as directed by Private Fleet) and they asked when were the options we requested being fitted/applied. We were shocked as we believed Subaru was doing it all. But it appears that was not the case as Private Fleet can make more money by tendering out your requested accessories too!
Since being pulled up on it Private Fleet have BULLIED my wife (who was initial contact) with threats of if you do not complete the contract we will lose our deposit.
They were then told to not contact her and for the general manager to ring me direct. Yes you guessed it not 20 minutes later they contact her!
After formally requesting a refund as per their contract terms - as 30 days from estimated delivery had lapsed and no car had been delivered - I receive the following email from their customer service manager!
"For the sites that you can not remove your post if you could please update the site to say that the issue has been resolved and that is was due to miscommunication, once that is done I will take that to the managers to authorize for your deposit to be refunded."

AHHH Private Fleet the matter has not be resolved :-
Three months later we do not have our car
Nor do we have our deposit back
It is far from being resolved - Blackmail will not resolve anything!

Seriously anyone considering using this company I can not stress enough to not even just read the above real life story and if you do then fool you.

Approximate cost: $50000

Stay away very bad customer support still waiting on car after 10 weeks all they say is it’s the dealer I have too deal with but isn’t that what your Sutton do

Purchased a vehicle through private fleet. Paid our deposit to them however they failed to transfer the funds to the dealership which delayed the collection of our vehicle. They had over 2 weeks to complete the deposit transfer.
We were required to pay additional funds to the dealer to be able to collect our car.
When trying to arrange a refund they told me that I had to wait for 2 days because they only process refunds on Wednesdays...!!!!! Pathetic customer service to rectify THEIR mistake..
Won't use again and won't be recommending to friends or family.

I was very impressed with the service at private fleet. I felt it to be polite, efficient and far above the average level of service you can expect today. They saved me far more money than I could have ever achieved myself and without any hassles or pressure. I have already recommended them to my family and friends.

Just wanted to thank Privatefleet & the team for a great buying experience. Bought 2 cars through Privatefleet in past few months and looking forward to many more in the future! Additionally have recommended the service to my family and friends.