I've always bought units off the public market (when I'm not playing as commie) and I basically always ignored the private market... however, I'm trying to play as oiler this set and I'm thinking maybe this is a strategy where it makes sense to purchase from the private market... am I on the right track?

Buy wherever is cheapest.

I second Dutchy.

unless you invest on military tech (or try theo oiler for some obscure reason) your priv mkt has higher prices usually, you can change from country preferences whether to buy from cheapest (doesn't matter if its public or priv) or always buy from public, by default its buy from cheapest.

Got it, thanks for the input! I guess I was over thinking it.

just be lazy and always purchase from the public. there is a built in feature where if the goods are cheaper on your private market, it will buy from there automatically anyways.

this feature has the ability to be turned off as well. great for market buyouts.

Try again with other words. It doesn't make sense.