I am considering buying a Prius and asked a woman in the grocery store parking lot about hers. She loved it, but when I asked about getting it serviced, she said that not all mechanics/garages can do it - she goes to the dealer. Is this true?
It would depend on where you live. Large cities now have so many Prius vehicles that good shops can work on them. The electricals are different, and I would personally take it to the dealer for that.
The rest of the car is not that different and a good shop acn likely fix it.
Any shop an work on them for routine items like brakes, tires, etc. Any electrical or hybrid system problems are dealer specific. These vehicles are extremely reliable and trouble free.