Carbar

I gave 4 stars before because the service is great and they're always responsive if you have a question or when you need servicing, tyres etc, but now I give 2.5 to 3 because of 3 reasons: 1/ They lowered the allowed klms from 25000 down to 20000 and charge 40 cents per KLM if you're over. (Pro-rata of course) 2/ Can no longer get a car from… Read more

another State if I see one I like within my price range unless I pay for transport now. They want $1500 approx for transport AND the silly upfront fee on top! Gone are the days this was included in your upfront fee!

3/ They used to bring over a loan car, drive your car off for a service, bring it back and swap it over but that service no longer exists either.

Other than that though, they're always responsive and email is the best way to communicate with them. They're just not as good as what they were back in the day. I miss those days.

I need to express my thoughts to everyone who ever considers to go with Carbar.... if you EVER want to save money and get treated with dignity do not go with this Money Hungry [Content Removed]!! i have been with them for over 4 years i just returned a car to them because i got sick and tried of them putting the prices up on there cars, plus… Read more

there is a $3000 access if you have an accident if it's your fault or not you still pay $3000, you never know what insurance they have because if the windscreen gets creaked it's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to replace it does not cover under insurance. i returned the car and since there are a few little problems that needs to be fixed on the car they have told us that WE have to pay for it which should be covered by insurance. When we first went with them they sounded so good and with bad credit getting a nice decent car it felt so good but as time goes on it is not worth the hassle and the money. there are much better companies around now to get nice cars with bad credit. as soon as i can i will be returning my other car to them.

WORST CAR HIRE COMPANY EVER! – AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!! Provide cars that are faulty (AC didn’t work properly, apple car play did not work, faulty fuel filter which caused the car not to fill up properly and run through fuel so quickly). Have the CHEEK to charge for 20,000km when I only had the car three months and used 3,352km out of the 20k km and tried to charge me for excess… Read more

mileage. Charged $100!!!!! For a Hoover and wash upon return which NO OTHER hire company does when returning a vehicle! The whole point of hiring is to swap within a few months and avoid cleaning! The car wasn’t even that dirty! Tried to charge me twice for two subscriptions even though I was supposed to receive a refund for the first subscription! AVOID AT ALL COSTS LIKE THE PLAGUE! They are scammers and will scam you out of the money! A negative social media report will follow to highlight the negativities using this company. Will be raising with the bank as fraudulent!

Great service by Nathan – Had my car written off and was looking for another car . Nathan was fantastic and really helped me out . Nothing was too much trouble from his end . Always kept communication with me and always followed up . Thank you Nathan

SJ at Nunawading Carbar – SJ at Walker Rd Nunawading Carbar was able to show me a number of well presented vehicles in the factory. He was pleasant to deal with, reliable and easy to contact via phone. Definately recommend looking for a used car here and SJ as a contact point. Show reply

Brilliant Service – After having my car written of, I dreaded the thought of having to find a replacement vehicle. My insurance company put me in touch with Nathan at Carbar. I dealt with Nathan over the phone and within a few days I was able to drive away in my new car. Nathan showed a genuine interest in helping me and I would have no hesitation in recommending Nathan to anyone else looking to purchase a new car.

Shocking company to deal with – Avoid at all costs. Absolute disgrace of a company. You pay for insurance in the deal, have been chasing me over a scratch caused by someone else in a car park that should be covered by the insurance I’ve been paying over a year for!

Stay away from Carbar – Avoid Carbar! If only 0 stars were an option After notifying car bar 16 times over a 48 day period that my car was in need of repair and unroadworthy due to bald tyres and later a chipped windscreen (that spread across the entire windscreen over weeks) I could not get a response or would only get a promise of a call back that never came ! I was… Read more

told I could not authorise new tyres or repair myself so was left with an unroadworthy unsafe car. I had to enter into a new lease just to get a roadworthy car at my expense of a further $1393 but was then charged for both vehicles because I handed the original car back in an unroadworthy state!!! I was expected to pay for new tyres, new windscreen and both leases ongoing until fixed. Carbar have been unresponsive until they thought I owed them money and have hounded me to the point of harassment since. Carbar had my debit card details on file from a previous lease years ago so took it upon themselves to take money from my account without consent after I disputed the costs and lack of service. Stay Away or get away from this company as fast as you can!

Terrible experience – Do not deal with this company. Hidden fees, ridiculous excess, charge for tire punctures claiming driver negligence. Kept car in excellent condition for 4 years but still they try to claim ridiculous amounts of money stating small scratches and chips are not fair wear and tear and that wheels on a 6 year old vehicle that has small scuffs are not… Read more

fair wear and tear. Keep changing terms and conditions. Customer service is terrible. You will regret being involved with this company

Disappointed. Great business idea, terrible customer service – I was happy with my car being delivered to me at the beginning and picked up at the end. Generally it was a good car. Unhappy with very poor customer service. At times no response to emails. No call back when asking to speak to someone more senior on the phone line. Was charged a lot of money for a scratch I could not see. They even prolonged the… Read more

subscription of the car for over a week whilst they fixed the scratch. Sadly I would not use this company again, even though they filled a gap whilst I was waiting for a new car. I'd definitely look at alternatives next time.

Very unhappy and left with an just over 11k debt when they didn’t meet the contract. This will close us down – This company are shameful!! They provided a vehicle which ended up defective then IGNORED our numerous calls for help. Ignored phone calls and emails. Then invoiced us almost $12,000 when we cancelled the contract because we couldn’t use the vehicle as it was not roadworthy or safe for our autistic children (clients). They then relentlessly… Read more

pursued us and after we sent evidence of their failed contacts, sent the matter to the debt collectors.

They are ruining a small autistic led organisation that helps children with a disability. THEY FAILED US. THEY IGNORED OUR PLEAS FOR HELP. THEY PUT CHILDREN AT RISK.

Going with a company like this places everyone at risk as they are not responsive.

Disgusted. Betrayed and unsure how to tell the children.

CARBAR - I hope you’re ashamed of yourselves

Customer service on the car bar phone line 1300 620 685 is terrible... please put someone else on the phones – Every question I had the customer service rep wasn't able to answer...what's the point of her answering the phone? I also couldn't hear her, it was muffled at times. I asked basic questions about fees, pick up and drop off locations and info about a particular car and she wasn't sure. I had to email... slowing down the whole process for someone… Read more

short on time. I'm going somewhere else, as I have no trust in being able to talk to someone with a sense of knowing when I need them or to even get the right information. Pick up the standards carbar.

What a fantastic Service – These guys contacted me after my car was a total loss and where more then helpful Nathan went above and beyond for me however I ended up finding my own car but would certainly consider using them in the future

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE – Stay away from this company. Thousands in hidden fees, changes to contracts without appropriate notification, excess charges for damage to the vehicle that was pre - existing despite having photographic evidence. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

A Labyrinth of Hidden Costs at Carbar - Buyer Beware! – When I began my journey with Carbar, I had lofty expectations, lured in by the shine of their professional-looking website and grand promises. I anticipated a smooth, honest, and transparent vehicle purchase process. Alas, my experience was far from this. From the onset, what appeared to be a straightforward and fair deal quickly turned into an… Read more

infuriating maze of unannounced charges. The figures that were initially presented as the 'final cost' seemed to multiply like rabbits in spring, and I found myself cornered by an increasing pile of unwelcome surprises. Each payment felt like opening a Pandora's box, revealing a new set of 'hidden' fees that had conveniently been omitted from our previous discussions.

I was constantly bombarded with costs that were not only unexpected but downright confusing. Despite my countless attempts to seek clarity, the explanations provided were as clear as mud, cloaked in intricate legalese and jargon, designed to further obscure their murky operations. I felt like I was dealing with a mirage; the closer I got to understanding, the further away the truth seemed.

The contract, once a symbol of a promising agreement, quickly became a tool of cunning manipulation. Wrapped in professional verbiage, it was a labyrinthine document, full of underhanded tricks and traps. It felt like navigating a minefield, each step uncovering another cleverly concealed charge, leaving me feeling exploited and wronged.

In the grand tapestry of customer experiences, mine was woven with disappointment and frustration. I urge all potential customers to tread with caution when dealing with Carbar. Their enticing deals are not what they appear to be. Instead, they're a clever ruse, a facade for a cascade of extra charges that will leave your wallet feeling significantly lighter and your trust in their integrity shattered.

Carbar may promise a smooth ride, but brace yourself for some unwelcome bumps and jolts. One can only hope that they reevaluate their practices and strive for more transparency in the future. Until then, I will be steering clear of their services.

Where is the 0 star option – I wish I could give this place 0 stars, horrible experience, hidden fees. Many many hidden fees. So many hidden fees. Expect to potentially pay double! My experience was bad.

The worst company ever! – I am with this company for two vehicles because it was (WAS) the best option for me. I have had one Audi S3 which the engine blew up on because of their mechanic failing to change spark plugs and it breaking in the engine bay. (50,000 kilometres) They replaced it with another Audi S3 which the transmission failed on at only 45000 kilometres. … Read more

That Audi was replaced with a mustang that I eventually got tired of because I took it back 3 times to them saying it had transmission faults in the learning computer, it went unheard they told me it was normal and tried to made me think I was crazy.

When I returned the mustang and took a 4th vehicle a Hyundai, they waited 3 months and are now trying to charge me for excess kilometres on the mustang. No contact, when I call them I leave messages nobody calls back. Now they’re threatening me with debt collection for excess kilometres, think they contacted me back? Nope!

This is by far the worst run company, with the worst regard for customer loyalty I’ve ever seen, been with them for over 3 years to be treated like this.

Do not ever ever EVER use CarBar, if you can use anything else, a shopping cart would be better!

Illegal – One star only because I have to. Have been charging me over the subscription for toll fees which I already pay on my own linkdt account with proof, then charging the admin fee to charge me this payment. Then when I have only put the correct amount in the debit account charge me a late fee, then cancelled my subscription. 2 months later I’m still… Read more

receiving emails about how my account will be debited for a new charge for again-a toll that I’ve paid myself? Wouldn’t know because there’s no evidence for what is invoiced($7.50) so of course when I haven’t paid it due to the lack of understanding what it is I get the $20 late fee. Beware the direct debit!!!!! This is illegal. This company isn’t ethical and doesn’t communicate

Happy Seller – I sold my car and was grateful for the ease and positivity of the process. The buyer from the company drove almost two hours out of Melbourne to where I was living to see the car and then came to collect it after we organised the paperwork and I’d fixed a couple of small things ( eg new battery key). the buyer was experienced in the industry and made the process easy and positive . Show reply

Still waiting for car after service – Could someone please tell me where the Kia Picanto I gave in for service is? What am I supposed to with the loan car now? Was told that I would be contacted regarding car drop off following service at 9.30am. It's now 7.30pm. Where is the car????

Plenty off other professional Companies – Subscribed online paid my full upfront fee which isn’t cheap the car I picked was a 2017 VW Golf Wagon weekly repayments was $227. This repayment was not a problem to service. They asked for 3 Months worth off Bank statements which I provided. August I had $30k deposited in my account October was $27k deposited and Nov was $35k. That’s more then… Read more

enough to service the $227 a week for their car. When I rang to chase up my application I was greeted by a customer service rep who could barely speak English after 15 mins spelling my name she finally found me in the system and advised me my application was declined as they think I didn’t earn enough to service the payments. I actually laughed and asked to speak to a manager to no availability. I was then told my upfront payment will be refunded in 5-7 Business days. Now remember I was never asked in any off the application if I worked if I was asked I would have provided payslips . Instead they only asked for 3 months worth off bank statements to prove obviously if money was coming into the account. When I pressed more on the subject on how they can decline me with how much money was being deposited into my account again I was shocked when they answered money being deposited into my account wasn’t Sustainable income. Along with them claiming I didn’t also provide sufficient identification even though I provided everything asked for in the application and even verified my iD using their online System with my drivers License. After this circus I subscribed with Hellocars same car wouldn’t you know I paid no upfront fee approved same day car was ready to be picked up 2 days later unlike these shonk company making you wait minimum 3 weeks. Be Better…

Convenient & easy, I love car subscriptions – 1. Vehicle and Pricing Carbar has the largest range of vehicles, including EV. It’s important to understand that most vehicles are dealership vehicles (you will often find them on Carsales) and therefore the process from the time you book the vehicle to the time of delivery takes a few weeks. I have had 3 vehicles with Carbar. And delivery… Read more ·  1

times varied from 1 week to 3 weeks.

Important: The upfront payment is not an advance on the subscription, it is a fee that is charged and not refundable. So you will need to pay this fee as soon as you book the vehicle and on pick up, you will need to pay 4 weeks in advance.

It works out a little more expensive than buying a vehicle, however you do not have to worry about the whole buying/selling process, maintenance etc..so personally happy to pay a little more for convenience. And also that also means no loans. So if you need a mortgage for example, the bank will look at it as an expense only.

2. Customer service

I have mixed feelings about the customer service. When I first contacted Carbar, it was a very personal customer service (at the beginning when they first launched). Then a couple of years later, I had a different experience.

When calling you will get an answering service, they just take messages and “someone will call back”, you don’t have direct access to the account manager. However, they are prompt the reply to emails.

I had an average (frustrating) experience with a lady (can’t recall her name) for my second time getting a car. She had poor customer service skills and I felt like I was bothering her.

Now, my account manager is Garry and he is great! He takes time to call and explain.

3. Carbar vs Hellocars

I have tried Hellocars, and their customer service is excellent. I also like that their is no upfront payment and therefore you can swap vehicles easily, unlike Carbar. The online portal is better and easier to use. All cars on their portal are available, it only takes a couple of days for pick up. They even have brand new Subarus.

Hellocars however has less options for cars. For example, I like to drive a Ute with canopy. Carbar has plenty of options. Hellocars doesn’t.

Also for servicing, Hellocar expects you to drop off vehicle to their location, Carbar offers pick up and drop off service.

Carbar also has a loyalty program that reduced the pricing the longer you stay with them.

Overall, I am very happy with my subscription vehicle and can see myself using this service for years.

Suggestion to Carbar: A lot of people get out off by the upfront fee, I think what would be really appealing would be to allow 1 swap per year without upfront cost or at reduced cost.

Horrible Customer Service – The people I spoke to had horrible customer service skills… they had absolutely no emotion in their voices, sounded like a bloody robot and were really blunt. They make you pay an upfront fee which is extremely high compared to other places, they don’t tell you the waiting period is over 6 weeks!! The upfront fee is paid even before you are… Read more

approved and if they don’t approve you, they don’t give you a reason. I make $100,000 a year and was told I couldn’t afford it so I went elsewhere and brought an $80,000 car. Stay away horrible experience.

very happy! – Great alternative to financing a car of buying a used one. The process was easy, signed up online browsed the car options and submitted my request. They unfortunately couldn't get the exact car I wanted within the time frame I was looking at, but the team was really upfront/honest and helpful/proactive about it. They found me other similar… Read more ·  1

options and managed to get the car to me within the expected time window. Coordinating the delivery was super easy, car was spotless, and the team even followed up to see how I'm doing. Great customer service, would recommend if you are open to what car you get and able to allow a couple weeks. To me, that's no problem considering the alternative - finance or buy.

Disorganized and dishonest service – Announcement of cars that are not available, charge fees before subscription is approved, extremely long waiting times and then no delivery at all. Total failure.

Hustle free subscription and service – Very simple process to subscribe, great service, had a car of my choice delivered to my home at agreed date and time. No any hustles, I’d strongly recommend the carbar and their service to anyone looking for a car.

A+ vehicle and service – Started a car subscription in December. A++ service to date. Helpful sales and service teams with great follow up on questions etc. some delays but likely just due to the Xmas period. Car in good order and super clean when dropped off. Had minor service done this week with loan car provided while the work was done. More than happy to recommend CarBar.

Brilliant service – We’ve had our Carbar subscription for a few months now and we couldn’t be happier. The ease of getting set up and the prompt deliver was a dream and the car has been more than satisfactory. For the price we pay for the subscription we have this makes so much sense. Much prefer against the old format of leasing or buying second hand.

Just what I needed to help me navigate COVID's travel restrictions – Carbar has been great to deal with. With COVID, I don't want to be flying interstate every week as I had been doing prior, so I was looking for a driving option that would be cost-effective, low maintenance (for me) and flexible enough to work for however long it would take before I was vaccinated and confident to start flying again regularly. … Read more

Long-term car rentals were prohibitively expensive, and leasing placed too much burden on me. I hadn't heard of Carbar or subscription models before stumbling across it online. The up-front fee is a bit of a gulp moment, but when I spread that across the life of the term I'm planning to use it, the whole cost is actually quite affordable. So, other than the up-front fee, the weekly fee and petrol, I don't have to worry about anything else. And 500kms/week works perfectly for me and gives me plenty of flexibility.

Delivery was efficient, and so far, everyone I've spoken to at Carbar has had a good approach to customer service: helpful, responsive, accessible and good at listening to what I need.

And no, I'm in no way associated with Carbar (other than as a customer), writing a glowing review to make them look good. I am, though, a CEO of a consumer-facing company who recognises a good product, good service and value-for-money. I'd happily recommend Carbar to anyone.

Absolutely disgraceful – Never ever ever EVER again. They have taken away our vehicles, with our 2 year old witnessing abuse from the collectors (who after breaking a number of laws resulted in our having to have police called ) claiming we haven't paid anything for 4 months, despite getting acknowledgement from carbar not one week ago that we HAVE paid our premiums. Off… Read more

to court we go, fun fun fun. Absolutely disgraceful and this won't be the last time they'll deal with us. Absolute CRIMINALS. Anyone who wants to contact me about this experience, please do so at joannakingston2@gmail.com because I do believe this has either happened before, and it will definitely happen again in the future.

ETA: We have evidence that you thieves doctored an email and changed the date on it, so we know that you know that you took money from us after ending the contract (and not bothering to tell us that you'd ended the contract). So at the minimum, you'll be returning the money you happily took from us AFTER you had arranged for these tyrants to arrive on our property and seize our vehicles.

Day 2 update: So you've taken our cars, and despite that, you've just tried to debit another two weeks of premiums from our bank account. Thankfully we anticipated that you would try that, after everything else that you have illegally pulled, and yesterday we closed the bank account attached to carbar, but just another reason for anyone reading this review to run as fast as possible from this mob.

An easy process with a pleasing outcome – Booked the vehicle 6-weeks ahead of my requirement and the delivery at the scheduled time and location occurred without a hiccup. The car appeared as new despite more than 44,000km on the odometer and the Carbar representative was happy to spend time to highlight the features and ensure I was happy. Two issues are that only one key for the… Read more

vehicle is provided and despite initially thinking the 26,000km limit per annum was well within the realm of my expected travel demands, I now find this restriction quite onerous.