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First time at this dealership after relocating to ...

First time at this dealership after relocating to California. We had a great 14 year relationship with our prior Toyota dealer and their service department, so our experience at Sunnyvale Toyota was surprising and very disappointing. We made an appointment, but don't bother making an appointment - it didn't speed up our service or prevent them from asking and reentering all the info again. Then they charge for diagnosis and don't apply the diagnosis cost to the repair, which all other dealers we have dealt with do. And their car rental is more expensive than other dealers, as apparently you have to reserve the two lowest cost rentals two weeks in advance or pay about $46 per day. The service people are indifferent, and treat you liked you're a number - they don't care. The wait is long, even with an appointment. We brought our car in at 9 am, with a very audible noise issue. We were told five hours to diagnose - it was nine hours. Despite calling and texting several times during the day, I was unable to get a response with a new time estimate or even where the car was in the queue. When we finally received a call at 6 pm telling us the car had been looked at, then call was the most unprofessional we have ever received - " the car's all gone underneath", and the technician will start by replacing the hub, but there may be more if that doesn't work. What?? I asked what does it mean the car is all gone underneath, and was told it was rusted away. I said that sounds odd, as our dealer had it on a lift and serviced three months ago, and there was no issue. And what does that mean, start with this repair, and maybe more? I had to ask twice for the price quote, as that was never offered - it was over $1300. I said, no, wait, we're coming in. Another service person (more professional, but obviously just putting in his hours, with no show of any customer concern), said both front wheel hubs need replacing, the axel may need repair if it breaks (??), and they are recommending new rotors and we may as well have the brakes done also to save labor, although the brakes are at 5 and don't require replacing until 3. So now they are saying well over $2000, plus possibly an axel. I called our old dealer's service department that has taken care of our car since purchase, and asked how can this be? They said only the wheel with a loose bearing should need repair, and that they didn't understand the concern over the axel, as the axel shouldn't need to be removed even if both front wheels were fixed. We took the car to another dealer for a second opinion. We said nothing about the visit to Sunnyvale Toyota, and waited to hear their diagnosis (which took 30 minutes). Bottom line - one wheel bearing, no need to replace rotors or brakes at this time, as they have thousands of miles left; cost less than 1/3. We paid Sunnyvale Toyota over $200, and walked away with nothing, except their attempt to maximize their charges at our cost. We tried to complain to the service manager, but there was none working... Go elsewhere - we definitely do not recommend. We prefer taking our cars to dealers and have done so for years, but it's important to find ones you can trust.

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