Payless Car Rental Bait & Switch San Diego, California

Got this company's name from a travel search engine, and their weekly rental was much cheaper than any of the competition listings. On arrival we waited a very long time for their shuttle while the other companies buses ran back and forth. Finally got a transport to their off-site lot. I presented my driver's license and CC as asked. The clerk quoted me a much higher rate than I had made the reservation for, but then reluctantly changed it when I showed him my paperwork. Then clerk demanded my proof of insurance for my personal auto. Having no need for it on vacation, I could not produce it. Was then informed that I would be required to purchase their auto liability insurance at an additional $14 day plus tax, or their full coverage insurance at an even higher rate. There was nothing on the original reservation requiring this, but online the clerk showed me that I had to "click on the link" for the FULL conditions of rental. I was unable to reach my insurance agent, as it was nighttime, to fax over my proof of insurance. I offered to pull it off the internet by logging onto my personal policy account, but they "didn't have internet access" to let me do it. Finally had to take their insurance and pay (for 1 day) until I could get my policy faxed later. They also charged a $250 damage deposit with the rental. The car was a piece of crap- dents all over, stained seats, 38,000 miles on it, 2 bald tires, front end out of alignment.

On return, no one inspected the car with me, and the clerk giving me my receipt tried to charge me insurance for the whole week for over $100 more than I was supposed to pay, even tho the amount due was shown on my original rental contract. It sure seems like these people are trained to rip you off at every opportunity. I would never rent from them again- EVER!