I had been using car batteries from Walmart for years. Had good luck with them and when I had a problem was treated fairly.
Will that is over and they lost any future business.

Had a 108 month (9year) battery in the main car. Failed today just short of 6 years. Went for the replacement.
Now I know pro-rating you don't get much so didn't expect a lot on a 6 year old battery.
They allowed $19.99 for the old battery. They don't carry that class of battery anymore so gave me it's replacement.
Say "ok that's fine understand that" New battery price is $89.95. They take the $19.99 off so with taxes and all I pay $83 for the new battery. However then they tell me since the new battery has a shorter warranty and it's a replacement for the failed one the new battery has no warranty coverage on it.
So I pay almost the full price for a new battery and have no warranty.
Next battery I need I'm going to ask a lot of questions on their policy....
Guess I should have brought Vaseline along..

I've heard lots of horror stories from others about battery. Just never had experienced it before... Guess I was just lucky..

OK, I'm done venting now....

Just as a side note, from what i understand Walmart demands from all its suppliers that every year they come out with new models of everything.. even if its just cosmetic change. In the case of extended 'replacement plans, it would pretty much negate them since when you brought ti back you can be sure there is no 1:1 replacement.

This came from an IT guy at the office that used to work for a supplier of clothing. It explained why every spring i cant find the sandals they had last summer.. ( i'm hard on shoes in general for some reason, so i tend to get cheap stuff for outdoor summer wear )

Battery is one of those things, like brakes, that I just kinda count on doing every couple years....but then my use pattern tends to be hard on them.

I would counter that you still had 36 months (108 - 72) warranty left on the original battery, so that should carry forward to the replacement.

I've bought several batteries from Sam's Club that carried 96 month replacement warranties. When one of them failed they just sold me a new battery (at the current price) and refunded the full amount I had originally paid for the failed battery. I went home with a new battery, a new 96 month warranty, and about $5 extra in my pocket. It's hard to beat a deal like that.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 05-08-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: However then they tell me since the new battery has a shorter warranty and it's a replacement for the failed one the new battery has no warranty coverage on it.

Was told the exact same thing on a 6 year battery that failed after 3 years. So I don't ever get the extended warranty, 12 month econo batteries in all of my cars.
The Florida heat seems to kill them anyway so why spend that kind of money

You got screwed, I would be pissed too.

I've never bought a battery from Wal-mart. I always use O'riely's or Autozone and 1 time Advanced Auto (whom I doubt I buy anything from anymore.) I have many times had them replace my battery under warranty, even if I wasn't the original purchaser. Sorry that happened. I can't say that it surprises me when dealing with Wal-mart.

who buys a 9 year battery..

buy the middle of the road battery and when it dies buy another..
most battery's fail with in a few months if defective...
otherwise they got 5 years . after that you're on boorrowed time..
I've had 12 month pro rated batteies last ten years..
I've had them last 4.. it's the luck of the draw..
most drop them in the car and forget it.. clean the top and sides once a year with baking soda/water mix.. and it last allot longer..

the warranties are not worth the paper it's printed on.. that 19 bucks they "gave you" you already payed when you over payed for that 9 year battery..
news flash 95% of all car batteries are made by one outfit.. johnson controls.. just have different labels on the out side..
open a 24 month battery and a 9 year battery. only difference is you payed extra..

[This message has been edited by E.Furgal (edited 05-08-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: Guess I should have brought Vaseline along..

Vaseline is over on Isle 15. (Health and Beauty Aids)

quote Originally posted by E.Furgal: who buys a 9 year battery..

I for sure haven't. Hell I didn't even know they existed. I really wouldn't expect one to ever last that long either. My batteries are around $175 each, but even at that cost, I don't think I would be too worried about having to 2 after every 5 years.

I've had excellent service from the cheapest 60 month car battery Wal Mart sells. Every one of them lasted much longer than the warranty.

Advance auto has great prices on batteries when you use their promo codes online.

Also, I was under the impression that top-of-the-line batteries actually tend to fail sooner than middle-line batteries - is there any truth to this? Something along the lines of the high-end battery having more plates, but each plate is thinner and thus doesn't last as long.

Routine battery life is 4 years. First time after that if you have a problem, just replace it. This is the one reason I just buy the cheapest battery I can find, and never over a 4 year warranty. Never get an extended one either unless it offers FREE replacement for the term. Sure Ive had them last 7 years and Ive had them last 1. Almost any will give you a free replacement in the first 1-2 years even if its $40.

I just replaced an OEM battery after 9 years. Depends on the use and quality of components... and your charging system.

Batteries typically last 3-5 years. I buy AC Delco because among other reasons, of the 7 year warranty. Chances are it will last 5 years, but it has a 2 year free replacement if it ends up being defective, and it'll end up being pro-rated if it falls in that 3-5 year range, paying for a good chunk of the replacement.

quote Originally posted by E.Furgal:

captain chaos?

quote Originally posted by Dodgerunner: I had been using car batteries from Walmart for years. Had good luck with them and when I had a problem was treated fairly. Will that is over and they lost any future business. Had a 108 month (9year) battery in the main car. Failed today just short of 6 years. Went for the replacement. Now I know pro-rating you don't get much so didn't expect a lot on a 6 year old battery. They allowed $19.99 for the old battery. They don't carry that class of battery anymore so gave me it's replacement. Say "ok that's fine understand that" New battery price is $89.95. They take the $19.99 off so with taxes and all I pay $83 for the new battery. However then they tell me since the new battery has a shorter warranty and it's a replacement for the failed one the new battery has no warranty coverage on it. So I pay almost the full price for a new battery and have no warranty. Next battery I need I'm going to ask a lot of questions on their policy.... Guess I should have brought Vaseline along.. I've heard lots of horror stories from others about battery. Just never had experienced it before... Guess I was just lucky.. OK, I'm done venting now....

The Wal Mart battery warranty is basically non-existent now. Instead of the sticker on top with the month and year punched out they now make you save the receipt that the original is printed on. I knew what would happen since the receipts are printed on heat sensitive paper so I made a copy of the receipt and kept it with the original. It was only a few months later that the battery died, I pulled the receipt out of the glove box and sure enough it was unreadable.

I went in to get a replacement and was told that they didn't accept copies of the receipt, only the original. I now go to a local place and buy batteries, they cost a little more but if something happens I know I'll be taken care of.

Brad

never ever buy the sealed batterys that they claim never needs water

BS every battery uses water as they charge
and in the fla heat they dry out in a few years

just get the kind with caps and check for low water
only use distilled water not tap or normal bottled water

I like deep cycle battery's as I think they last longer
and always have the caps for eazy refills

Umm...cheapskate me either finds them by the dumpster when the weather gets cold..people assume the battery is dead, and chuck it. I have found 3 this winter...all good when charged
If I can't find a good dumped one...I buy one from the wrecker's yard for 25% of original cost, with a 6 month guarantee. I always take a meter with me, and have only had 1 bad one in 14 years. The one in Ellie's car has been in nearly three years, and never misses a beat. $30

quote Originally posted by twofatguys: they now make you save the receipt that the original is printed on. I knew what would happen since the receipts are printed on heat sensitive paper so I made a copy of the receipt and kept it with the original. It was only a few months later that the battery died, I pulled the receipt out of the glove box and sure enough it was unreadable. I went in to get a replacement and was told that they didn't accept copies of the receipt, only the original. I now go to a local place and buy batteries, they cost a little more but if something happens I know I'll be taken care of. Brad

MMMMMM, thats a new one that they wont accept a copy of it. If you cut it out same size how would they know then ? I do the same thing as you since most stores with big ticket items use the same paper that disappears in a few months just so they can screw you. I always make a copy of every tv, camera and electronics device I buy. I might start making them actually hand write me a reciept signed by a manager now.

wal mart batteries are made by johnson's controls. i have one in my fiero that is going on 2 years now. i used to swear by Die hards as i had one in a car i bought off of my step-mom that lasted 12 years in the swfl sun and heat. bought another when that one died had it for 2 years sold the car. next car i bought one for when i got the car as the battery was very old, that one lasted a year, they replaced it free under the warranty, the next on lasted 1.5 years told them just give me the money and i will buy a different brand.

That Diehard you replaced with a Wal-mart battery is made by the same company, Johnson Controls. I am a service manager at Sears Auto Center, started there a year ago and have been impressed with the way they handle their battery warranties. A Diehard gold will get you a 3 year full replacement warranty, 100 month total warranty with pro-ration. Here in FL its not often we see any battery made by any company last more than 3-4 years. Sure there are the few that make it exceptionally long but I have noticed its not any one manufacturer's battery, its just a crap shoot. Dont worry about buying a brand of battery because you heard they lasted long or had a good experience with them, buy a battery based on how the warranty works and how hard it is to get your money's worth of that warranty when the time comes.

At Sears when you buy a battery your information goes into the system whether we install it or not. When the time comes to replace the battery all of your information is in the system, no need for receipts that may be faded. The associate doesnt decide on your warranty, its very cut and dry. The battery tests bad, the associate puts it into the system and the system takes care of the rest. 3 years or less you get a brand new battery for free, over that the computer pro-rates based on age and I think its very fair how the rate is figured. Sears has put a lot of time and research into making their Diehard battery warranties flawless that you will get the same warranty in Texas as you would in New York, there is almost no user error that could change the warranty and as long as you have the information to get to your account (name, number, even license plate or VIN number) your battery purchase history will be there with no arguing.

I have had good and bad experiences at other retailers when buying batteries. Mostly the good ones have been because I happened to get an associate who was willing to help me, but there have been times when things like this have happened and it makes you so angry that a company wont stand behind their product. The battery itself is not the problem its how the company handles your warranty that can leave a bad taste in your mouth.

-Joe

The consensus of opinion appears to be that batteries don't last more than 3-4 years most of the time.

The engine in my Indy is 28 years old, has had no issues out of routine maintenance, and runs fine..

quote Originally posted by maryjane: The consensus of opinion appears to be that batteries don't last more than 3-4 years most of the time. The engine in my Indy is 28 years old, has had no issues out of routine maintenance, and runs fine..

Lead acid batteries. If we are taking batteries in hybrids, then we need a different topic

quote Originally posted by joesfiero: A Diehard gold will get you a 3 year full replacement warranty...

That's what I buy and I've never had one last less than 8 or 9 years, but perhaps I'm rolling the dice here. Can't complain.

quote Originally posted by css9450: That's what I buy and I've never had one last less than 8 or 9 years, but perhaps I'm rolling the dice here. Can't complain.

Ive gotten 7-9 years out of a DieHard Gold too.

I have a 13 year old one in one of the "fun" cars I have (a 1973 Z28) and it still works, but its not a "daily usage battery either"

Geesh, and you can recycle used/dead batteries for around $8each. So they essentially knocked $12 off the price for no warranty.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joesfiero:

That Diehard you replaced with a Wal-mart battery is made by the same company, Johnson Controls. I am a service manager at Sears Auto Center, started there a year ago and have been impressed with the way they handle their battery warranties. A Diehard gold will get you a 3 year full replacement warranty, 100 month total warranty with pro-ration. Here in FL its not often we see any battery made by any company last more than 3-4 years. Sure there are the few that make it exceptionally long but I have noticed its not any one manufacturer's battery, its just a crap shoot. Dont worry about buying a brand of battery because you heard they lasted long or had a good experience with them, buy a battery based on how the warranty works and how hard it is to get your money's worth of that warranty when the time comes.


i didn't buy them for a long time as they were having troubles with their batteries. i did have one in another car(was already replaced by p.o.) it never gave me any trouble. i purchase batteries based on the free replacement part of the warranty. the rest of the warranty doesn't mean anything to me. if i need another battery Joe i might come up to your place and buy one just because you are a very good guy. by the way i found the missing screw from my steering column. it was under the seat.

Lol glad you found the screw but I don't imagine it will be making it's way into the column.

It was before my time but I know diehards were made by exide for a short period of time and had numerous complaints so they dropped them pretty quick for Johnson controls. I'm sure there aren't many exide made diehards left now I have never seen one.

-Joe