Complaint Review: Seeger Toyota Scion

I started researching which Toyota dealer in St. Louis I wanted to take my 2010 Prius for the 30,000 mile service.  Toyota provided a 2 yr free service package when I purchased the car new, and it is about to expire.  I had been having my Prius serviced at Seeger Toyota, so it only made sense for my to contact them.  

On 5/16/12 I called Seeger Toyota and was told the cost for the 30,000 mile service would be $340.52.  Thinking this was a little steep, I called a friend who took her 2010 Prius for the 30,000 mile service to Lou Fusz on Lindberg/Manchester to ask what she was charged.  She informed me she was charged $138.95 on 12/31/11 for an oil change w/synthetic oil, tire rotation, replacement of cabin air filter and a 15 pt inspection.  I called Spirit Toyota to ask what was their cost for this service and was told $174.82.  On 5/17/12 I called Seeger service again thinking maybe the person I had spoken with the day before had misquoted the cost.  Nope.  I was told the cost would be $340.52.  I asked to speak with the service dept manager.  Apparently, there are several, but I spoke with Tim Evers.  I told him that I had been taking my 2010 Prius to Seeger for service since 11/2010, had always been happy with the service and their staff, but because my 2 yr free service package would soon expire, I would be taking my Prius to a dealer who had a more competitive service department, explaining what I had discovered.  While on the phone, he looked up the 30,000 service in their book and commented that there was at least one mistake in their manual that he could see that would knock off $60 because it shouldn't have been in there.  He also said the difference in cost was probably due to a more extensive expection at 30,000 miles by Seeger. I commented that I doubted Lou Fusz or Spirit would compromise on safety and necessary checks just to charge their customers 59% and 46%, respectively, less than Seeger.

Once I told Mr. Evers that I would never bring any car to Seeger again, nor would I consider ever purchasing my next Toyota with Seeger, he was very apologetic, said he would look into my claim and wanted to know if there was anything he could do to regain my business.  I said "no."  My personal opinion is that this dealer thinks because they are located between Chesterfield and Creve Coeur, their zip code warrants and allows them to charge more.  I see it as a rip off, and I don't care how nice, accommodating and courteous they are!  I just want people to be aware there is a difference in cost between dealers.   Seeger charges more because they can.