Toyota of Manhattan (NYC) = Ripoff Repairs; Toyota Doesn't Care

that's brutal, thanks for the warning.

 

Dealer service departments will try to get away with whatever they can. An informed consumer is NOT their best customer.

 

I do not see how this was bait and switch at all, especially if the $599 estimate was on the work order you signed.

You cannot rely on information given over the phone unless it matches up with the information on the work order you sign.

 

Usually a price isn't on a repair order, unless the writer put it on there. It'll pop up on the invoice when the work is done. The price was probably on a card that shows what and all would be done for the amount. Disinfecting the engine is a good one. Do they hang one of those pine trees under the hood when they're done?

 

This is unfortunately very common --- some dealers really push the "add on" services and then charge way too much for them. My local Nissan dealer is particularly bad.

 

All of the estimates I sign have a dollar estimate on them, unless it was warranty or a complimentary service. I would never sign a customer-pay work order without a $ amount written on it, that's just asking for trouble.

 

Dealer "service packages" are scams.
You don't need 'em, neither does your Prius.

Before you even call for any routine maintenance, you should check the schedule
in the Owner's Manual. Unless you have some problem, trouble light, or obvious
mechanical difficulty, all you neeed done to maintain your warranty is an oil
and filter change and tire rotation. Maybe $60-70, no big deal.

Don't ask for a XXK mile service. Tell the service writer exactly what you want;
oil and filter change, tire rotation, nothing more. Ask to have the intake and cabin
air filters checked. Tell them you want to see the filters so you can decide if they
need replacement.

It's your car, it's your money. You can do this.

 

Agreed. Plus, it's required by law in most (all?) states.

 

This is why Prius Chat is here! There are several important threads about what you do and do not need for a 30 k service. My 30K service cost only 39.00. I did most of the work, and let them change the oil, with a Synthetic that I provided. Do some reading, not just you, but all you new owners, no matter what variant of Prius you have. Get to know your car. It could save you a bunch O Bucks!!!

 

I'm not set up to do it myself, so I have to rely on someone else. My dealer used to pull this kind of BS years ago. I learned to go in and tell them exactly what I wanted. If they argued, I pulled out the owner's manual and refused to pay for anything that wasn't in it, including packaged "big intervals" that, as you found, included servicing parts that my 2005 Prius didn't even possess.

Several years ago they suddenly stopped doing that, and instead started following the Toyota recommended services, and occasionally even looked for ways to save me money. I'm not sure what caused the change, but it's been a much more pleasant experience. And now with my new 2012 it's free for a couple of years anyway.

That being said, I still go in armed with what should really be included. Now it's more to be sure they do all of it.

 

Someone getting ripped-off in NYC.... I'm shocked!

 

Exactly. The dealership is in business to make money but you don't have to go along with it. Just have them do specifically what's called for in the owners manual and both you and your car will be happy.

 

It sure sounds like it to me. One price to get you in the door and another price after you get there? Is there another name for it?

 

Did you read the OP's post? He didn't sign for that, and he didn't pay for it either. It was a cautionary tale.

Tom

 

I did. Prices quoted on the phone and in person can differ due to misunderstandings.


iPhone ?