1994 Toyota Corolla Fuel filter

I recently had a tune-up at a Toyota dealership. They recommended several repairs, including a new fuel filter. I subsequently went to a different mechanic for a different repair, and they also advised me to get a new fuel filter. So I scheduled it for a week later, but when the guy began work he was unable to remove the fittings and ended up hurting himself and cursing. The manager admitted that most mechanics do not want to work on Toyota fuel filters because they're embedded in the engine and very difficult to remove. He advised me to go to a dealership where they are specifically trained in Toyotas and would have the parts and bearings if something were to break while working on it. So I called the Toyota dealership back and he informed me that they "never replace fuel filters unless there's a good reason..." So why did both these places tell me I need a new fuel filter and now neither will do the work? How do I know what symptoms made them suggest I needed it in the first place?