Where to get service in Central Mass??

Anyone have any suggestions on where to take my 2004 Prius for regular service in Central Massachusetts?

I was taking to Westboro Toyota, but they pulled the scam of the $170 15K mile service (unfortunately, I got stuck with that bill, even after arguing with several people for quite a while), so I refuse to go back to them. These guys were supposed to be THE expert Prius dealer in the area, too.

But I'm not sure I want to take my prius to just any mechanic either, or would that be OK?

If I take to a regular mechanic, what special instructions do you give them (it's a 3 cylinder engine right? And the it only takes 3.9 liters of oil)? Stuff like that?

Thanks in advance for anyone's help!!

 

My only issue with Westborough Toyota was them screwing me on my 15K service.

I called and scheduled, told them I wanted the 15K service - I specifically told them I had a 2004 Prius, and I wanted the 15K service for my Prius. I took the car in, service was performed, and then I paid at the cashier.

Westboro owed me a free oil change, which I was told was in their computer (this is from when I had brought my car in for the gas gauge fix, and they ended up not having all the parts, so I had to bring it back a 2nd time). I didn't pay much attention to the charge slip - I glanced at it, and thought it said $17 plus change - I knew that's low for service, but I thought that was just the tire rotation, and they'd applied the free oil change to this trip.

It was only after I got home that I took another look at the charge slip - it was NOT $17 plus change, but $170 plus change - BIG DIFFERENCE, obviously. The slip they gave me that should have had details on it about what was done had only a single line item - 15K service - $170.

I was NOT happy, so called the service department (I've always spoken with John Neill there). I left a message for John, and after he didn't get back to me after a couple of days, I called again. Asked to speak to John, but they wouldn't give me to him, nor put me into his voicemail. So I spoke with someone else (didn't get his name).

I told this guy, who was an ass’t service manager, that I was VERY unhappy at being charged $170 for an oil change (that should have been free) and a tire rotation. He was surprised, but he looked up my ticket, and said, well, you had a 15K service - the charge for that is $170. I said my service manual says it's an oil change and tire rotation - he then gave me a song and dance about how they do a bunch of other things in addition to the service manual, and that's why the service was $170.

I asked what additional stuff was done, and he rattled off a few things, most of which I now know from this board are either not possible for a Prius, or not recommended, and certainly not needed. I told him again that was NOT what I wanted done, I wanted the standard 15K service.

He basically told me tough luck, they would not do anything for me, and that is what the charge was.

I seriously considered disputing the charge on my credit card, but I had no documentation, nor would Westboro provide any documentation on what they allegedly did to my car. I did call and leave two more messages to John Neill, saying I had some issues from my 15K service that I needed to talk to him about - he never returned any of my calls.

This was back in July - a couple weeks ago, I get a message from Westboro Toyota service - my Prius was part of a recall, and I should call to schedule it to come in. No details on the voicemail.

I ignored them, as I will NOT be taking my car back to them. A week later, they called again, and I happened to be home. John Neill told me about a recall for my car, and when I asked what it was for, he said something about sealing the battery compartment. I asked if he was sure it was for my car, as I was VERY reluctant to bring it back to them after the problems at my last service.

John asked me about what happened, what problems I had, and I told him. His reply was basically the standard - that's what the 15K service costs. I told him I KNEW that was not what my car needed done, and the work that was claimed to be one could not have been done on my car. He just repeated what appears to be their standard line - with our experience, we know more than Toyota, so we do more at the services than they recommend.

I then cut him off, and asked did the recall apply to my specific car - he admitted that he didn't have my VIN in their computer (even though I’ve taken my car in for service there at least a dozen time). I then asked for the VIN range of the recall - he refused to give it to me. I also asked for more info on the recall - he couldn't tell me.

So I told John that I would not be bringing my car in for the recall unless I could find out more info about it, to see if it actually applied to my car. I posted the question here on these boards and found out the recall he said applied to my car is only for the 1st and/or 2nd generation Prius's (2000 to 2003, I think).

So I've not called them back, nor have they called me again.

I did send an email to the Prius sales guy there, Gil, letting him know I was very upset with the service department, and describing what happened. I also said I would not be bringing my car back there, and I'd recommend to others not to take their car there either. No response from Gil.

So at this point, they have lost me as a customer, and I hope my experiences there will help other keep from getting ripped off like I was.

This dealership was supposed to be the Prius expert dealer in the area, and have the absolute best service department for Prius's - not in my opinion!!

 

What about the Maintenance light? Would a regular (non-dealer) be able to turn off the maintenance light after they do an oil change? Or does that require some special computer?

I'm just trying to gather all teh info I can before finding a non-dealer mechanic to service my Prius.

Thanks for your help!!