I called. The man was not necessarily friendly on the phone, but... I went in anyway. He was not particularly friendly in person either, but... If one is good at one's job, I'm not going to judge personality. I got charged $100 for a cleaning and diagnosis and was told I needed a new part that would be at least $200. Seemed excessive, but I had no basis of comparison so said yes and he said he'd order it. I waited a week and called. And called again. And again. Left messages every time. No answer. I went to Computerland and paid AGAIN for a diagnosis (at $40!). They ordered the part (at $120!) and applied my diagnosis payment to the labor of the work. In all, the entire process there was $162. Of course, this is on top of the $100 I had already paid here. A total waste of time, energy and money. Guess I should have trusted my gut and judged on personality! read more

Thank you, Peter, for fixing my broken laptop part for a fraction of what it would have cost to replace! Peter is The Man (in a good way) -- he knew exactly what was wrong within seconds of me plunking down my hardware. He gave me an accurate estimate, a great price and had my problem fixed very quickly. It is so rare that you can actually get any electronics REPAIRED these days -- usually the repair is more expensive than the replacement. But Peter, being awesome, does not support the corporate model of forced obsolescence. Instead, being highly knowledgeable and skilled, he will find out exactly what is wrong and if it is fixable he will fix it. So, next time you've got a computer problem, don't take it to the landfill, take it to Payless! Support local, independent, green businesses! read more

The storefront stated that they did repair as well as carried parts for PCs and Macs. I needed a mini display port to vga adaptor so I thought I'd give this merchant a try. I told the store owner what I needed when he appeared from the back from the store. "I don't know what that is," he said. "What kind of computer is it for?" "A mac mini," I said. "There are so many kind," he replied. "You have to bring it in." "It's a mini display port..." I repeated. I didn't want to leave and bring in a computer that didn't need fixing. "I only know the adaptor by the part number or looking at the port. Bring you computer in." "Um, can you look it up on a computer here...?" "No. Too busy cleaning in the back today. Bring in your computer." I stood around dumbfounded for a few seconds, then left. I still don't know whether the merchant's ignorance is feigned or part of his agenda to get me to bring my computer in. In any case it was unhelpful. I want to support my local merchant but I will not want to support this particular one. read more

Peter is my go-to guy for laptop repair. Referred by a good friend several years ago, Peter has helped me and many others I've referred. He does so with grace, speed, and at a price that is easy on my bank account. I'm thrilled with everything Peter has done for me. He's as good as it gets! read more

I had a horrific experience with the man who works at Payless computers. He did not communicate with me at all about what he was doing to my computer before he began looking at it, and when I asked him to give me a quote (while he was already looking at it), he said $200. I told him I'd take it to a different store that offered a free diagnostic, and would possibly return, he started raising his voice at me and yelling at me that "there's not such thing as a free diagnostic. you should learn. if you're not happy, then go. just go." i have never felt so disrespected and treated in such an unprofessional, rude, uncommunicative manner. basically, i walked in to ask questions, which were never answered, and walked out being yelled at. Oh, and the last thing he said to me as I walked out the door was, "you're not even american." WTF is that supposed to mean??? and when i took my laptop to a different place, they did indeed give me a free diagnostic, and the quote was $65, not $200. i would NEVER, EVER recommend this a-hole to anyone. read more

I try to support local business. I've conducted several transactions with Peter including a laptop. When the hard drive on the laptop failed, Peter was reluctant to repair it under 'warranty' and said the next time he would charge me to repair. I don't feel I was treated fairly, nor do I feel comfortable giving them my future business. Furthermore, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone read more

DO NOT! I REPEAT DO NOT waste your money!!! This "old man" is a scam artist! I bought a laptop from this place and I used it a handful of times until it stopped working. This is absolutely the worst experience I have ever had with bad customer service. The old man called the police (x2) and placed false reports. I will report you to the Better Business Bureau, 7 On Your Side, and I'll see you in small claims court! read more

These guys are clueless they do repairs with no receipts and you have to go to small claims to fix them, Peter the guy behind the counter doesn't have a clue about configurations and when screws are parts are missing they can in like that (right) if you have a good experience there good for you as for me small claims court. read more

Peter is a worker at Payless Computer. He sold me an Apple computer from 2006 with an outdated operating system which couldn't be updated for $220, maintaining that it could give my son access to all the internet sites he wanted. I believed him.When I got home the websites my son needed to use were unsupported by the operating system and the operating system couldn't be updated to support the site. When I asked for my money back the next day, Peter said he wouldn't give me my money back,even though he sold me the computer under false pretenses.The policy of the store is "All Sales Final", so he tricked me and cheated me out of my money!Beware! Don't buy a used computer from Peter or he will try to cheat you,like he did me. read more

My laptop was very slow. so i went there....Very nice and helpful.....reasonable priced...and lots of free advise....

My laptop stopped charging six weeks before a major deadline. Best Buy said it would be 4-6 weeks before they could fix it, and other computer repair folks that I talked to thought the motherboard needed to be replaced or just wouldn't touch it. Fortunately, I was referred to Payless Computers. I brought it in, and two days later it was fixed - and for the quoted price. Many thanks! read more

I'd gone in here with my friend who has brought his computers in here before and seems to like to patronize this business because he likes to patronize "small, local" businesses, and also because my friend is a very kind person. I had a little bit of trouble with my older model laptop and brought it back in after they had supposedly repaired it. I asked him questions politely, almost apologetically, in deference to how busy they were, and tried to ask my questions as clearly as possible. Peter jumped down my throat and raised his voice in impatience, scolding me as though I were his disobedient daughter. My heart started to thump in my chest in disbelief, for several moments a little scared, surprised by this rude attack. Not one to be treated with unnaccountable rudeness without a response, I likewise raised my voice at him, telling him that I was only trying to understand why the thing was still not working, and to understand the work he had supposedly done on my computer. I was on the verge of tears, a little shaken, and I could see that I had shut his mouth (for the time being) because he had nothing to say, and I just walked out. His attitude seemed to be that I ought to know all about computers and shouldn't be bothering him with any questions. Um, isn't good service answering customer questions? Especially when that customer asks pleasantly and politely, and has just paid you $200 for your service? The place is kept in horrible disorder too - you can barely step into the store for all the heaped up boxes and equipment piled everywhere. The store has a disorganized feeling, with the staff either appearing bored, completely disinterested in their work, or harried and impatient. Peter needs to admit he has an anger problem. The longer he denies it, the longer his business dealings will suffer. read more

Peter is such a liar. Just like others posted. His very rude and raise his voice by scare tactic's to make you spend your money!. Believe me don't let the name Payless computers fool you!?! Get out of the store or run! Peter is nothing more then a money hungry man. I, ended up paying $120 and my computer still has problem's!!!!! read more

I needed data transferred from one computer to another. Peter said they could do it but the end result was less than satisfactory. He lost emails, some data and did not transfer the drivers I needed. Not a place I would go back to. In their favor, they did clean up the first computer as I asked. I like Peter and I like to support local business but for complex things you might want to go somewhere else. read more

Did not come across as being friendly, honest or helpful. Will take my business elsewhere.

I have received nothing but great service from Peter. He is personable and competent, as are the people that work for him. They have all taken special efforts to help me with my computers, and teach me about them. He has a good stock of used computer parts and used computers as well, I always check with him before I buy anything retail. Ironically, a friend of mine from Novato also knew of him so he has a reputation that goes across the Bay. As far as being friendly , I must comment that he has gone beyond duty to help me out - keeping the store open to even. I do not understand the negative reviews. I must say this - sometimes computers get broken. They have built in obsolescence, and there are viruses and stuff that are more and more sophisticated. I should know, a worm just ate my material. However, Peter was able to restore the computer - one more reminder that I should install Carbonite or something to back everything up. My bad. But Peter worked with it for over a week and did as much as he could and now I have a workable computer. He also fixed my computer when other people could not, and the last time I was at Best Buy I just walked away because I felt like a number. All in all - great service. read more

I do not recommend Peter nor his Company, Payless Computer. Like the prior reviewer, I also had a problem with Peter standing behind his work. I was very unimpressed wtih his listening skills to help me problem solve after my computer broke down after minimal usage. Buyer beware of Payless Computers! read more