NEVER, NEVER, NEVER AGAIN! I have been taking y vehicles to this shop for years without any problems. Apparently under previous owners. Took my wife's 2015 Mini Cooper Countryman in for heater fan not working. They replaced the heater fan assembly OK. The engine was making rattling noise. Jay (mechanic and present owner) said it was the timing chain. So we took it in a couple of days later to get that fixed. Quoted approximately $1,600 to do the timing chain. Jay had to order parts kit three times, each time claiming the parts people messed up in one form or another. They did not have a tool necessary to do the job and had to order a tool. Part way through the job I am inform that unless I have the replace the cam sprockets at approximately $250 each, two required they would not be able to fully warrantee the repair. So those got ordered, and installed. The repair bill came to just short of $2,200. Toward the end of the repair they showed a badly disintegated water pump drive pulley. They supposedly replaced that part. When I picked up the car, paid the bill, Jay says there is something else making a knock sound. We took the car home. A few days later, after checing the oil level, I started the engine. It did have a knocking sound, which turned out to be a loose air cleaner box. The protective cover over the ignition coils (I think) was missing. They forgot to reinstall it. I took it back to get that reinstalled. The original rattling sound was never remedied. It was getting worse. Took the car back to get the rattle rechecked. Was told it was the water pump drive pulley, the one that was supposedly replaced previously. Jay had a very difficult time finding another replacement. He could not remember where he got the first replacement pulley. Called several auto parts stores, but no one had the part.. I found this situation somewhat strange. By this time my wife was getting impatient with the pace of the repair. She called the shop, talked to Jay explaining her need for the car. Apparently he took this as permission to drive to Portland to get the part and charge us shop rate to do so. When picking up the car once the repair was finished, Jay proceed to tell what an apparent ordeal it was to drive to Portland. I mentioned that I checked Amazon. The part is available for under $25 and next moring delivery available. Again, it was because of whatever my wife said. I was charged $291 for the part he obtained in Portland. I was told it was an improved vesion of the part. Had to pay $634 for this subsequent repair. This time the noise for which the car was taken back after the heater repair, is now finally gone. Never had problems like these with the previous owners. What is your impression? read more

I have a vehicle that's over 11 years old and it runs rather reliably, so I'm not in hurry to replace it. That being said, it sometimes requires repairs. I've been fortunate that I haven't had any major mechanical needs for it, but the time is coming to where everything is getting old and needs servicing and replacing. I have previously used another local shop on Lancaster in Salem, but recently their prices have gone up incredibly and it seems that I get less services for a greater cost than I used to. I suspect it might have something to do with them getting consistent markings on the "Best of the Willamette Valley" list that drives more business their way, and while I wish them success, I started feeling as though my mechanical needs were starting to edge onto the high end of costs. So recently I needed a new water pump put on my truck. The dealership in Wilsonville quoted me $900, until they found out I only needed one belt, not two, and then quoted $1200 for the repair, since it was no longer a "package" deal. I was livid. Yelp! actually pointed the way to a local garage, Payless Garage on 12th. I made a call and the guy who answered the phone got on his computer, looked up the price of the part, the hours of labor their shop would need (quoting me 3.5 hours as opposed to the 5 hours the Wilsonville dealership stated), and told me it would cost $700. I sounded so surprised at the quote that the guy picked up on it, and said, "It sounds like you're surprised at the quote. Did you get other prices?" Well, I'm an idiot. So I told him exactly what I got quoted by the other shops, all around the $1100-1300 price range. He said he would double check that he had the right service list and went over each component again, listing exactly what every part would cost. He said it may be a little more if something else came up, but that was still a good price, so I set the appointment. Day of, I got the car there first thing in the morning. Jay met me at the front desk and was ready to get things going. He repeated the price quote and confirmed a few other things, including a new thermostat and belts. I needed a new belt put on, so that upped the price, but Jay insisted it would be no more than $800. I told him we'd have to wait in the waiting room until an Uber got there, to get me back home, but he told me not worry about it and got one of his employees to drive with me back to my place and then take my truck back in. That worked out pretty well! Another point to the shop's honesty (in my opinion): About an hour and a half after getting it there, I got a phone call from Jay. He said everything was going well but wanted to know if I wanted "all four done." As I only needed one water pump, I asked him to clarify, and he said he was calling to confirm that I wanted all four sets of brakes down on the vehicle, not just the two. When I said I was in for the water pump, he realized he called the wrong number on his ledger line, intending to confirm with another client that they wanted all four sets of brakes done. I include this because it means that, rather than bulling forward on repairs or assuming the most expensive option, he called to confirm what the client wanted ahead of time. Even though I was the wrong number, I can appreciate that thoroughness. The car was also done on time. I needed it done on the day because it's my only work vehicle, and sure enough; they had it done when they said they would. At the price they quoted. In the days since I got it back, all the symptoms that drove me to the repair shop in the first place are fixed, and the persistent little pool of water in my drive are gone. Seems like it went well, at almost half of what the dealership wanted to charge me. I also got some of the best customer service I've had in a mechanic's shop. I'm pretty sure I've found my repair shop in Salem. I have a radiator issue that I need to address, so when that's ready to go, I'll be heading back to Payless Garage to get it done. read more

Took my Dodge Ram back 3 times for a simple oil pressure sensor and had to be towed each time after driving it off the lot. They reversed cam/crank position sensor connectors and broke the fuel vapor return line bracket. Hose melted on exhaust. They did the same sensor wiring screw-up at the same time, with my friend's Ford truck. Shop absolutely sucks and refused to repair their mistakes! Roberson Dodge repaired it quickly. read more

I recommend Payless Auto. I took in my RV for a major tune up and was completely satisfied with the results. I will definitely have other work done there. read more

I took my f250 to them running rough. I figured tuneup, then they pointed out rear brakes.. ok.. then oil coolent lines. I was at Phils all day, one of the reasons went there. All day and still not done. All day the next day for the tuneup, then an almost 2,000 dollar bill. To top it off I took my truck to haul my boat and all of a sudden it barely ran and barely made it back to my driveway. They used to be good but I will never go back there again read more

The good... nice guys. The bad Horrible communication. VERY slow. The job stretched on for months and caused us to have to rent cars several times. Evan after they said they were actually finished, and they knew how anxious we were to pick it up morning noon or night at the soonest possible time... they never dropped it off as promised or even called and it had to sit there for another weekend, and yet another rental car. Now we are very patient people but we are talking months and months. One last cherry on the top...they cut the water line to the windshield washer and we had to spend $$$$ to get it fixed...because it will never go back there again... EVER. read more

We have used Payless for all 3 of our cars for about 15 years. They have always gone out of the way to help us. Jay has always treated us like old friends and solved our repair problems. Marty W. read more

I went in and got my car fixed within an hour no hassle and fairly done. Great job Tony thanks for getting me in so quickly.

had an inspection done through a place i trust, the issues were more than that shop could handle, payless was recommended because an employee there was highly trusted. 5175.00 later, wrong parts ordered, put on, then "fixes", break line twisted because it was too long and "we dont have the right size". very poor communication. not ordering the right parts and then blaming someone that "must have been him and he doesn't work here anymore" bashing other businesses and overall I feel overcharged and concerned that the work was half done and slopped together. debating on calling BBB. read more

I took my car to Payless garage for a grinding after it started the called after 3 days and told me it needed a tune up and oil change. They quoted $500 which I thought was outrageous for a tuneup but figured it would fix the grinding. It did not. Several unsatisfied conversations later they quoted me $2000 to replace a kit. I called Honda and they told me it was rare to replace that part with my low mileage. I called the owner jay and he claimed I was misquoted for a second time. He said it would be $300 to install the right part. Nine days they kept my car. When I got home the grinding is still there called the owner and demanded my $200 back. and NO return correspondence at all. read more

For mor than 20-years, Shane Rosenblatt and Chuck Bruebaker, at Payless Garage, Inc., are the only mechanics my family and I would trust our cars to. I recommend them without reservation. Five Stars, I wish I could make it Six. read more

we just had a splendid connection with payless garage in salem. Jay worked some magic and helped us get an old car "wound" put right, for which we're very grateful. he was very nice to us, we're seniors, and i can happily recommend! teresa read more

Took my mom's car to Payless Garage as they had previously done a great job on her brakes and it was now making another strange noise. We didn't want to put a lot of $$ into the car as she is 89 and most likely won't be driving much longer. They put in some "magic" oil and it's fixed! They easily could've told me it needed a lot more work, which it does, but he was willing to put a bandaid on it for now! Highly recommend them! read more

I used Payless auto in effort for a quick repair as my regular shop was booked out. Bad communication and I completely lost confidence in them due to their explanation and effort to figure out what was wrong with my car. After two bad starters, I took my car to regular mechanic and they got me a brand new start and addressed an underlying issue Payless Garage never discussed as a possibility with me, they just kept throwing "new" remanufactured parts at my car. It felt like they were leaving out information and not explaining the complexities of a car to me like I couldn't understand or care to know what the underlying issue may be even when I was begging for an explanation. I pretty much threw $600 away and the whole experience was very upsetting. I tried settling my concerns with the owner and after talking to him on the phone one, I was given another run around explanation, and when I called back he never returned my call. They already had my money and knew I wasn't coming back and I assume didn't care. Terrible and stressful experience. read more

Finally a shop you can trust! Payless Garage in Salem is worth the drive for me. Integrity and Service. If you need help with anything related to your vehicle come here. You will be taken care of!!! read more

Our family has entrusted our vehicle service and repairs to Payless Garage for many years now. They are honest, personable, and get the job done right. Your vehicle's safety is their priority. I appreciate the great customer service, and for making each of us feel like a valued customer.Great to do business with. read more

We took our 99' VW Passat in because it wouldn't start. The panel needed to be replaced (a costly fix) and we asked if it could be bypassed. Yes, they said for $225. But, neglected to tell us that our windows and doors would no longer work. Who in the world would opt for a fix that would result in the loss of use of windows and doors? Who are these folks? Please. We picked up our car and won't be back. read more

Petty Liars and Thieves!!! Poor work and the followup lie to bill for other 'unrelated' work, the standard auto repair theft. I brought them an engine tore-down on a hoist in the back of a pickup about 3 years ago and they put new seals in it for me, did a great job. I reassembled the engine, reinstalled it and put 34,000+ miles on it and the waterpump went out. After the new waterpump was installed by Payless I noticed a persistent leak and looked for any other cause than would be related to the repair, I replaced the radiator cap, inspected the overflow tank, etc. It became obvious the leak was antifreeze from behind the front plastic shroud, not the top of the engine. It had to be either the waterpump itself or the bypass hose that comes out the top driver side of the waterpump, turned out to be the latter. When I asked Chuck point blank if it was this bypass hose I get some half-baked BS about it being unrelated to the waterpump. After a surface teardown and rebuild you know an engine. Naturally, it was billed as 'requested' work and not a followup necessary due to Chucks paltry attempts to do the job correctly. When you lie for the money, that defines theft. OWN IT! They should stick to their specialty, installing breathalizer units for DUII convicts, at least the clients would all be there by court order, not just unfortunates who selected the wrong repair shop. read more