Grill falling off?

I have a 2008 Prius, and about a year and a half ago, it was hit on the right front fender, in a way that it pulled the bumper forward, and the bumper had to be replaced. About six months after that, I noticed that the grill below the license plate was missing one of the three pieces. There is one long mid section to the grill and then a shorter piece at each end, and one end section, on the side where the car was hit. The center piece was hanging down, so I pulled that and the other side piece off and ordered a new replacement part. I wasn't able to get it in myself, or with the help of my son and husband. Thinking there must be some trick to it, I called the Toyota dealership and they said it had to go to an autobody shop to get it repaired. I took it to the dealer's autobody shop and they told me it would be $100 for labor (!) because the bumper had to be pulled off, and it would take two hours. I took it for repair about three months ago. (And they charged me $100, but it only took about 35 minutes.) Two days ago, we noticed that the same thing has happened with the grill. We're missing one side piece again. Is this a known issue with the Prius? I searched the forum and didn't find anything about it. Could it be that the first repair did something that is making the grill not fit correctly? Did I get totally ripped off at the Toyota bodyshop? My answer to the last question is yes, I think.

 

So basically I did get ripped off right? We'll get another replacement piece and try it your way. Thank you. I was thinking of duct taping it in place.

 

Thank you-- I had been wondering about those grills, but wasn't quite sure if it is a good idea. I think I may try one.

 

Thank you! That's certainly less expensive than the replacement pieces were at the local Toyota dealer. I think I'll go for the aluminum grill however, since I've had such bad luck with the plastic ones. Sorry to be so slow-- somehow I missed the mail notification for the last two messages.