Payless Auto Repair

Horrible customer service. Tri is rude, doesn’t keep good records of customers’ info, and fails to finish a job. The guy refuses to use a computer, voice mail, or caller ID and fails to apologize for his incompetence and communication skills while continuing to interrupt me while I was calmly speaking and asking questions.
I’ve left my truck with him and his crew at two different weekends for a total of 9 days and a few hundred bucks for a leaking coolant problem. It started leaking again a month after the second time I brought it in. Return for a third time for the same problem? No way.
I refuse to waste any more time with this poor customer service business ran by Tri. I will have to admit that his father who worked on my truck was a very polite and seemingly very capable old man. It’s unfortunate that he answers the phone and his English is 20−30% recognizable, too.
It pains me to have to write this 40^th something Unilocal review of mine under 4 stars, which is a first.
I gave Tri plenty of time to mend this situation after the second visit but he refused. I have no idea what his problem is.

I took my Mitsubishi Montero here to get work done. The price is fair. Really nice guys.

I don’t think you can ask for a better mechanic. Tri is simple and straight forward. This guy is integrity personified. You won’t get ripped. period! His diagnosis is spot on and he will recommend replacements/​repairs on need basis only.
My old Saturn had several maintenance issues and I drove to several mechanics to get comparative quotes and Payless Auto gave me the best rates.

Went in this morning and had an experience consistent with the positive reviews I read. Tri was polite and friendly and the work was done quickly and at a very competitive price.

For things like belts and run of the mill maintenance/​repair issues they’re good, price wise, but don’t bring anything in that needs a higher level of trouble shooting because they fall short. Used them for 4 years until running into a situation that required them to know something beyond the usual mechanical and they fell far short, gave me the runaround while they had the vehcle for a month and then were rude to me on top of it. Had to take it to another place to have it fixed at an additional cost. They weren’t up front in the first place to let me know it was beyond their skills and just kept putting me off for a month before coming clean. Won’t use them again.

The direction on Unilocal is mistaken. They are not between Terman Ct and Production Ave. they are right behind Dixeline on Caroll road.
I had used many auto repair shops and I know some basic car repairs. Payless auto is quick and simple. Not many shops want to work on Jaguar. I took my old Jaguar there to replace the fan, AC belts and fan clutch because I didn’t have the time to do it myself. I brought my own parts and just asked them to do the installation. Tru (the shop manager) only charged $ 85 which is a very reasonable price. Another shop on Miramar won’t do it unless I buy parts from them. I’ll definitely go back to Payless auto. A++++++

I found Payless Auto Repair through Unilocal.My BMW needed new rear brake pads and rotors as well as Freon for the AC. BMW of San Diego quoted me just under $ 800 for the rear brake pads and rotors and $ 200 for the AC stuff. that would have been $ 1,000 in total and they probably would’ve kept my car for a few days and left me with a Yaris or something as a loaner (speaking from experience).
I called Payless yesterday and got an appointment for 9:00 a.m. today. I brought my car in and they were super friendly. I was quoted $ 290 for the brake pads and rotors and $ 65 I believe for the Freon. I let them know that right now, all I really could spend on repairs for Inga was $ 350. and they promised to get me out for that number.
And they did! I was so happy. The AC is now freezing cold (just the way I like it!) and my car is driving better with the replacement of the brake pads. They were extremely respectful of my budget and didn’t try to nickel & dime me for random things.
They also quoted me a good price on an oil change, so I will go back in a few weeks and get that done as well.

Tri was referred from one of my good friends. He does a great job honest and very reasonable prices.

If you want something done right and not get ripped off, Payless Auto is the place to go to! I take my car here to get fixed. Prices are amazingly low for great quality work done. I’ve recommended my friends, family, and coworkers, and they are 100% satisfied.

We had a cold start problem that turned into a no start problem. PepBoys couldn’t diagnose it after 2 hours. Took it here to Payless and Tri helped us out right away. He was able to diagnose it, replace 3 parts, and get us in and out for a very fair price. He also answered questions by phone, and I was surprised to see at the end that they cleaned the engine bay up for us and topped off all the fluids. Happy Customer!

I needed to fix my bmw’s alternater belt, suspensions, and radiator’s leaks so my friends recommended to go here… they have the most reasonable prices ever!!! My car is running great! I will definitely come back!!!

I needed my radiator changed bc it was leaking and my car literally smoked up and everything! I was referred by my cousin to Payless Auto and sure enough Tri and his dad are the best! Fast, efficient, and the prices are reasonable!!! Tri is sooooo nice and he knows his stuff! I called back a couple months later to see if they did brakes, (they do!) Tri actually remembered who I was! Tell me that isn’t awesome customer service! I am for sure going back to Payless Auto for my car needs!!! =]

Do not come here!!! Super Sketch. The owner Tri is very disorganized. He has a hard time explaining to you what is going on. I came here for a steam clean of my engine top and bottom and he only did the top and didn’t even do that great of a job. I was instructed by my usual mechanic to go get a steam clean from another shop since they weren’t legally allowed to. Brought it back to my mechanic and he commented how I got scammed and they didn’t do a good job. Go to a trusted mechanic like Bruce’s autoshop, don’t go here!

Great work at a reasonable price. These guys are awesome.
I really think a non-​chain shop is better. They do the job quickly and you are on your way. They explain things here. They also tell you what they see for future maintenance without using stupid scare tactics that chains use. Makes me want to get more done at this place where they are honest and hard working.

Mention April recommended you! I just had another friend go to him and he hooked her up with $ 50 discount. She needed her O2 sensor replaced.
This guy will get the job done! Females — He’s very female friendly in the notion that the small things like getting your lights replaced, or making that noise go away, he’ll take care of it for you. What do u need the BF for then anyways? lol

DO NOT COME HERE! i first dropped my car off over 2 weeks ago due to the check engine light turning on, and asked general questions such as when they’d get a diagnostic and a quote. they told me the next morning by 9:30. i call them at 10 the next morning, they said they’d have it by the afternoon. I call them in the afternoon, they said they’d know on monday (it was a saturday at the time). i call them monday, and surprise, they didnt know yet. i FINALLY get a diagnostic 4 days after they said they’d have it for me and pick up my car 6 days later [which was another round of itll be ready by «this afternoon» or «the next day”], and im driving down the highway about an hour later and the check engine light turns on AGAIN. i drop my car off there again [like an idiot] and its the same story. its been a week since i’ve dropped it off last and the car is still not ready and i got a diagnostic about 5 days after they said theyd have one for me. i began calling them about 3 days since they had the car for about 4 days at that point and i hadn’t heard anything from them and they kept telling me it would be done «the next day» or «by this afternoon» i will NEVER come here again and would not recommend it for ANYONE. the most irritating thing is that they keep giving me timelines they arent meeting. if they had originally told me theyd get a diagnostic to me in a few days instead of the next day, yea id be irritated still but at least they told me a time that was possible for them. yes theyre cheaper, but it comes with a price. im taking my car to sears from now on. at least theyll get things done when they say.

It is very difficult to find a good car mechanic whom you can trust.
I was lucky to find Tri and his dad when they had first started this place some years back. I have recommended them to my family friends who have recommended them to others. I was hoping to be the first person to review here — anyways, not bad to spread the good word.
Its obvious they have grown bigger and better out of hardwork and through word-​of-​mouth, you will definetly like their service. It is useful to tell him what is your priority — cost of the parts, quality, etc., initially.

Great work and great prices. This local, non-​chain mechanic is where I take all of my cars from now on. Plus, they’ve always given me a ride down the street to my office.