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Toyota of Walnut Creek service dept?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Taxi/Limo, Nov 22, 2022.

  1. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Does anyone have any experience with Toyota of Walnut Creek Service Dept?
    Are they honest?
    I might have to bring my Gen 3 for a diagnosis

    Thanks
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I would think it depends on the mechanic and the service adviser. Not really the dealership
     
  3. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Not neccesarily
    The service department could be characterized by this or that quality as dictated by owners and management
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is debatable. But at the management level, if it has to reach that level, will always take care of you at Toyota. I wouldn't think any one dealership can say their quality of workmanship is better than another dealership (unless there is a specific trusted person you know)
     
  5. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Montgomery and Taxi/Limo like this.
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Dealearships are warranty specialists... They primarily replace the most expensive parts with brand new at the greatest cost because it benefits their dealer contract with Toyota to do that. That's ok if you have a new car under warranty, not an old car. Old cars are too much temptation for them to be corrupt. That's why we often refer to them as Stealerships.

    If you take a 12 year old Prius in there with a problem odds are they'll make sure they find enough things to repair to convince you to trade it in and finance a new car.

    On the other hand an honest mechanic will find the easiest least expensive repair because that's what an honest mechanic does. I typically charge 10% of what the dealership quotes for a repair and when that happens people tip generously.
     
    Foxglove likes this.
  7. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Good to know Thanks
    10% is good
    Where are you located?
    I think I have an honest Mechanic shop and so far they have given me useful information
    They are cheaper than the dealership but not 10%

    What I am going in for is an error message "Check hybrid system." with a no start. It is possible that it is an inverter and it is covered by an extended warranty. But I don't know if they would be up front with me and say yes it is the inverter and that is covered or would say something else in order to get more money. I have very little experience with dealerships. So my plan is get my own scanner and maybe also get it checked out by the honest mechanic first.
     
  8. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Thanks for the tip
    Nates has some good reviews
    I have been talking with ART's in Berkeley they seem forthright with me
     
    #8 Taxi/Limo, Nov 22, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2022
  9. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Quality of workmanship is not so much a concern at a dealership as honesty and trying to keep charges within reason.
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well Longo Toyota, a dealership that never charges over MSRP for their new cars. Also a dealership with one of the highest per hour charges for their service department. Their parts retail department is consistently charging over MSRP list prices. Same owner, same dealership.

    Different philosophy for the same dealership. MSRP for new retail customers. Over MSRP for their service department and parts. Honest or not honest to you?

    Looking for honesty is hard in the car business. They are out to make money from you. It's just how they put out the hook and sinker, that will make you feel better with doing business with them.
     
  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    So that mean the other 90% is bad. Those odds are not in your favor.
     
  12. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Good points
     
  13. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Prius Camper said
    I typically charge 10% of what the dealership quotes for a repair

    In this context paying 10% IS good and in my favor better than paying much more at a dealer provided the work is of good quality
     
  14. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's a lot different than a while ago . You stay away from dealers. The dealer is only for warranty coverage . .never
     
  15. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Just tell them you're planning to replace the hybrid battery and you aren't buying it from them so they don't try to sell you one. I've seen them try to turn a 5 minute repair for a bad electrical issue that takes 5 minutes to fix into wanting to charge $4K for a new battery pack install. So take that off the table and tell them you're only there to confirm the warranty repair on inverter.

    Also do lots of Googling and reading up on the inverter warranty so if they say it's not covered, you have facts to counter them with to get the work done without charge.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    IIRC there’s a component inside the inverter case, that Toyota does not consider part of the inverter. Came up in discussion of Toyota Canada warranty, but think that’s applicable in States too. They’re ballsy, gotta grant them that.
     
  17. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Thanks
    What kind of facts do I need to confirm it is covered?
    I have a list of the codes Toypta says need to show up to get coverage
    I can read over the warranty as well
    What else do I need?