Payless Car Rental

Pros: Car was fine, and the rates were way below other providers.
Cons: Location sucks.

We recently took a trip to Newark Airport where we rented a Ford Focus from Payless. I have no complaint about the car or the cost, which was far less than any competitors! But the Newark location, off-airport, was awful…in a Ramada Inn that's very hard to find one's way to and from.
We're somewhat familiar with the area, and we got lost. For people not familiar, it could be a nightmare.

Pros: Are You Kidding?
Cons: Terrible Location, Terrible Systems, Terrible Customer Service - RUDE!

I saved a few bucks by renting from Payless at Newark airport. However, I wish I hadn't. The experience was horrible. The Ramada location took forever to get to by train and shuttle, and was almost impossible to find when I returned the car (you have no idea the places I drove through), and they made no attempt to warn me of this when I rented the car. The Payless office at the Ramada was cramped and sleazy. Worst of all, the manager on shift (Saturday AM, June 2, 2007) was abrupt and rude. And, when I asked him for his name, he refused to give it to me! Also, their systems are backward and it takes them forever to process a customer. I will NEVER rent from Payless again - and would advise you strongly to stay away from their Newark Airport location at all costs!! Spend a few extra dollars and rent from someone who understands customer service... Don't let this happen to you!!!!!

Addendum: After writing this review, I went to their website and submitted a complaint. Their web site promises they would respond to me in three days. They didn't.

Pros: I got a map
Cons: Threaten to sue, if I don't pay them $2,500 for a ding

I had the same experience with this company as a lot of people. They hurriedly inspected the car, which was still wet from the car wash and checked in a shady enclosure for damage. I barely drove it. Returned the next day and employee checked for damage in the sun and he found one tiny ding in the top of the trunk. He said I would have to fill out an accident report. He said the owner makes him do this all the time, but "don't worry, they'll research it". They sure did, two weeks later I got a bill for over $2,500 for damage all over the car; the hood, front bumper, doors, etc. I thought it strange that their rates were half the cost of everyone else, now I know why. Please rent elsewhere!!!
These guys should be reported to the Better Business Bureau.

Pros: Cheap, like new cars, free shuttle, great location
Cons: None

Travel to Tampa 'bout twice a year and these guys are great.
Highly recommended.
Good cars, good service, great location.
Last time there was the best,
First car was not ready so FREE upgrade to almost new, 2500 miles, show room condition model, still had the new car smell.

Pros: Customer service was friendly.
Cons: Added extra charges for no reason, did not notify me there would be extra charges.

They tried to pull one over on me by giving the car to me with the tank only 3/4 full. The interior smelled like cigarette smoke. I also received a $20 and a $18 charge on my card a week later with no notification that they would be charging me extra.

Pros: None.
Cons: Horrible location off EWR, dangerous neighborhood, surly employees, bait-and-switch prices, lousy car.

I have rented cars all over the world, in all types of conditions – this was the worst car rental experience anywhere and anytime.

This rat hole is not worth trying to get a “deal” on a cheap car. Taking an hour to get to the HOTEL (train then bus), off in a trashy neighborhood, the sleazy personnel that work in the stinking little Payless dump (who barely speak English and can’t read a US map) will jack you around like a huckster in a back alley at an Afghanistan bazaar, then immediately run up the rental price by 25 % per day because you want to drive the car past their BS limit on how far you can go from the airport.

I state in the strongest possible terms: DO NOT RENT FROM NEWARK, NJ PAYLESS CAR RENTAL – IT IS THE WORST!

Pros: Car was in good condition, reasonable service at pick up and drop off counter.
Cons: Deceitful rates considering their insurance requirements

I reserved a car from Payless over the internet based on them having the lowest rates I could find. Our flight was delayed and we arrived about 2-1/2 hours late. I was told that they only hold cars for 2 hours unless they are notified of a flight delay. I didn't know, didn't call, and had to rent an upgrade at $12.00 day more than my reservation. OK, My Fault, but I suspect they had a car available.

When asked if I wanted extra insurance I declined since my own insurance and my credit card would cover any damage. At that point they told me that if I had an accident I would be charged their full rental fee for as long as the car was out of service, and that wasn't covered by my insurance. Additional $25.00 per day for their insurance.

Pros: in the city i visited
Cons: billed for unnoticeable damage

I will repeat after reading multiple reviews on this sneaky company. I, like others, rented a car (Phoenix). Upon returning was being charged for an unnoticeable ding in the windshield. I only had the car 24 hours and was confident the minor ding wasn't my issue. I asked to see the prior renters return contract but was offered no help. As you can see from the reviews here, Payless offers low rates but then makes up with charges to renters for damage, and my guess is I'm not the first renter that has been charged for that same windshield blemish. I wish I had the time and attorney smarts to ask the questions to prove my suspicions. Anyhow, I was sent the bill for $240 of windshield repair and loss of use of the car for one day. I paid it, but vowed to make my unpleasant experience known.

M in St. Louis

Pros: They always have Low rates , good cars and great service
Cons: Locations are off airport so need to wait for shuttle

I have bussiness in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec city. Since I fly a lot I always need to rent a car and now I always rent from payless. I used to rent from inside the airport car rental companies . I wanted to give the lowest advertised car rental company payless a try and I was quite surprised.Payless Montreal and toronto rates are always lowest and the cars are new. I have been renting from them in Montreal and Toronto from past 1 year and staff is very helpful. New cars ,low rates, good service right off airport. Do not have to pay double at the airport any more.
For people like me who do not mind taking short shuttle ride and save up to 45% on car rental should give Payless a try.

Pros: clean car
Cons: RIP-OFF - $15/day hidden fee

BEWARE. Payless charges a VERY well hidden $15/day fee for taking the car out of state. This is not mentioned on any price quote. The "fee" applies to the ENTIRE rental, not just to the time the car was actually driven out of state. On a 14 day rental, I was charged $195 extra. This is outrageous!

Pros: Fast and smooth transaction
Cons: None

Reserved the car online and once got to the Denver airport we confirmed our arrival at the Payless counter. Took the free shuttle to their Payless stop to get the car. They didn't have the compact we reserved so upgraded to either a jeep or PT Cruiser. We opted for the PT and everything went like a breeze. I was a little afraid to book the rental with them because some of the bad reviews, but the whole experience was pleasant. Their rate was the lowest and I'll definitely rent from them again!

Pros: Upon return we were at the airport in 15 minutes.
Cons: Long wait seems to be the norm. High pressure to buy damage waiver insurance.

Booked this rental online, as it was the best deal. Selected a "full-size", which their website describes as a Ford Taurus or similar. Upon arrival, after a short shuttle ride, I found myself in a very long and slow-moving line inside. It was so crowded, my family sat outside in the Orlando heat and humidity while I waited, and waited, and waited. After 90 minutes, I was finally talking to an agent. He informed me the "full-size" vehicle he had was a Honda Accord. There was no way the five of us and all our luggage were going to fit in this thing, so he up-sold me to a Dodge Caravan. At this point, their inexpensive rental, is not! Additionally, the van was very well used and not particularly clean inside or out. The key-fob didn't always work, and I actually installed a new battery in it, because it wouldn't start the car when we were at Daytona Beach! I won't use these guys again.

Pros: absolutely nothing. maybe a good story to tell your friends.
Cons: everything. service, quality, cars, tactics.

Ever see that Seinfeld episode where Jerry has a reservation but they don't have the car--and they try the bait and switch? It was just like that, but worse. We were early for our reservation, and they didn't have the car we wanted. They lied and said they didn't have the car we reserved so they could get us to pay more for what they called "a pretend jag." We finally got a car after waiting an hour, but it was smaller than the one we reserved. By that point we didn't have a choice, we just wanted to get out of there. Worst of all, they were extremely rude, unhelpful, and didn't understand simple questions or statements. In fact, every single person waiting on line had a problem with them! One woman had returned twice because her car wasn't working right and left shouting at them. She said they ruined her vacation.
Don't use them, but if you do, make sure to count every dent or scratch on the car--otherwise they'll charge you for whatever was already there!!!!

Horrible, awful, terrible, technologically backward, inefficient, shady and laughably obnoxious. DON'T RENT FROM THEM EVER!!!! STAY AWAY.

Pros: NONE AT ALL
Cons: OFFENSIVE RUDE STAFF, CAR NOT PROVIDED, RUINED A GOOD DAY

Payless in Orlando was the WORST service experience of any in my life. I contacted the national phoneline to notify them of my flight delay as required by my reservation. Upon arrival to pick up my reserved car, not only was my car not available but the staff member told me I was a LIAR about having called the 800-number (among many other rude comments he made). The manager finally (one hour wait) arrived and after demanding that he call the 800-number, they confirmed I had made the call. This information was not distributed to the local branch. No apology or offer of assistance was made to us.

NO cars were available to us...we had to return to the airport and make other arrangements at more than twice the cost of our reserved rate with Payless.

HORRIBLE PEOPLE and service.

Pros: None.
Cons: Rude and offensive over the phone.

My "guaranteed" reservation was cancelled because my flight was delayed by 1 hour due to bad weather at JFK. Since this Payless is pretty much located at a major airport, Pearson Airport (Toronto), they know that occasionally customers are delayed (and also most of their customers are travellers from Pearson).

I had arrived on the Saturday of Thanks Giving weekend and no other cars were available from any company - they were jam booked and me left stranded.

I would hate to see this happen to someone else. Especially when you have no control over the weather and flight delays.

This is what I was told at the end of the phone conversation with Payless at Pearson Airport: "Your reservation has been cancelled! It would have been cancelled even if you were TEN minutes late!..." (Spoken in broken English)