Payless Car Rental

[suzybear]

We are planning on renting a van while we are in Orlando, payless had the best price at $166 for 7 days. However according to mousesavers this company along with L&M had complaints - anyone here had any problems with them?


We leave June 8th yipeeee!

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

We've rented from Payless twice... the first time we didn't have any problems, other than being a little inconvenient (they are offsite and you must take their shuttle to get to the rental center, we then had to wait in line about an hour at the rental desk).

The second time we had problems - again we had a long wait at the rental counter, the salespeople were rude and very pushy with the rental insurance. Then once we returned the car, they tried to charge us for damage to the vehicle that wasn't our fault. On the way to return the car, a freakish windstorm blew the drivers side exterior mirror off - it was just hanging there. We explained to them what happened but they kept insisting they were going to charge our credit card $500 for the damage. After calling the main 800- corporate number we eventually straightened it out and weren't charged for the mirror - the woman at the main number was very nice and told us not to worry about it, that it wasn't our fault and they weren't going to charge us anything.

Bottom line, we would never rent from them again, even if they were $100 cheaper. Sorry - don't mean to scare you.. this was just our experience, but I'm sure many people have had good experiences. This was about 3 years ago, so maybe things have changed there.

Have you tried checking other rental agencies using the codes on Mousesavers? We were able to get the cheapest rate with National using those codes.

 

[suzybear]

I have tried the codes and so for haven't been able to save as much, but will keep trying - thanks - I may be williing to pay a little more and avoid the headache.

 

[Lewisc]

Actually you had a good experience. The question isn't if the mirror was your fault but rather it was your responsibility and they would have been within their rights to charge you for the repair. There may have been an earlier repair to the car or reatchment may have been as simple as just a few screws.

If you own a car you either have insurance you have to pay for the repair. If it's a freak accident someone still has to pay.

On the way to return the car, a freakish windstorm blew the drivers side exterior mirror off - it was just hanging there. We explained to them what happened but they kept insisting they were going to charge our credit card $500 for the damage. After calling the main 800- corporate number we eventually straightened it out and weren't charged for the mirror - the woman at the main number was very nice and told us not to worry about it, that it wasn't our fault and they weren't going to charge us anything.

Have you tried checking other rental agencies using the codes on Mousesavers? We were able to get the cheapest rate with National using those codes.

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

Actually, we DIDN'T have a good experience... I know they have no way of telling what really happened to the mirror and if we were telling the truth or not, but it was their behavior and treatment of us that was the bad experience - calling us liars and telling us that the wind couldn't have blown the mirror off and that we must have hit something...and then trying to charge us $500 for something like that. And as far as the insurance, I have AAA and called our agent and they would have covered it, so there was no need to charge our card.

If you weren't there (which you weren't), you have no way of knowing what our experience was.... even aside from the mirror issue, we wouldn't have rented from them again because of the inconvenience, long waits and rude & pushy salespeople. We have rented from several other agencies in Orlando and never experienced treatment like theirs. The OP asked for opinions - and I gave mine.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry my post didn't come accross right. Without buying the insurnace you're responsbile for all damage even if it's not your fault.

Sounds like it's worth the extra money to go with a larger agency.

Actually, we DIDN'T have a good experience... I know they have no way of telling what really happened to the mirror and if we were telling the truth or not, but it was their behavior and treatment of us that was the bad experience - calling us liars and telling us that the wind couldn't have blown the mirror off and that we must have hit something...and then trying to charge us $500 for something like that. And as far as the insurance, I have AAA and called our agent and they would have covered it, so there was no need to charge our card.

If you weren't there (which you weren't), you have no way of knowing what our experience was.... even aside from the mirror issue, we wouldn't have rented from them again because of the inconvenience, long waits and rude & pushy salespeople. We have rented from several other agencies in Orlando and never experienced treatment like theirs. The OP asked for opinions - and I gave mine.

 

[goodferry]

I also would not reccomend Payless. We used them one time, our travel agent arranged it for us. We waited FOREVER for a shuttle, we waited FOREVER in line once we got there, and the people who work there must not like their jobs because they were rude and nasty. We put the rental on our credit card, which had rental car insurance, but they STILL gave us a hard time. Our flight landed at 11 and it was after 3 before we got going.The van that we rented was dirty, it was the only one they had left, the car seat we paid to rent was disgusting. I didn't know what was more dangerous letting our daughter ride without a carseat or putting her in this dirty seat. I ended up cleaning it up with baby wipes until we got to the resort. It was nearly impossible to find the place when it was time to return the van. If you decide to use them, ask for a map so you can find them! It was such a bad experience that I can't talk DH into renting a car in Orlando anymore, and we kind of need one for our December trip. I would definitely go with one of the bigger names.

 

[Michael623]

I have used Payless several times without incident. Are they the best? Certainly not. But they can be cheaper and if money is your main concern I would have no problem suggesting them. That being said, I have joined EA and since then I haven't used Payless even if they're cheaper. If you're concerned try every coupon/code combination on Mousesavers and you can usually get the price at Alamo or National down to Payless prices.

 

[JEANMR1]

I have used them without problem in the past. However, I have found that, with a little research, you can get a fare very close to theirs and be at one of the bigger agencies.

 

[seashoreCM]

Using the toll saver route I suggest for everybody you cannot miss Payless on the way back to the airport.

Leaving Disney, observe first green signs carefully, get on I-4 East (northeast). Then get on 528 (Bee Line). Get off Bee Line at exit 9 Tradeport. Left at bottom of ramp, cross under, nice gas station right there. (After leaving gas station don't cross back under.) Get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy, about a mile, just after the toll plaza you skipped, is Payless on the left. One way toll: 75 cents, no exact change hassles.

For most other rentals, continue on past Payless to Semoran Blvd., left is for Thrifty and Hertz, right is the airport north entrance.

More likely the mirror that blew off in the wind was probably broken off a few hours later by someone who hooked it back on so you didn't notice. That said, the situation qualifies as a collision for which credit card coverage would take care of. Damage no matter how slight needs to be reported to the rental agency and your insurance company and your credit card company just in case someone makes a claim.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Taking out your Payless car, turn right out of their driveway instead of left as they suggest. Next light, two quick lefts, and you are on the Bee Line west to I-4 west to Disney.