WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

[fishrdan]

WalMart changed their warranty on automotive batteries and I thought I'd let you guys know as I was a bit taken back by their policy change. The batteries carry a 1-2 or 3 year warranty now, no pro-rated warranty after that...

The battery in the truck died today and when I went to swap it out, the lady said it was out of warranty. Yes it was out of the 3 Year Free Replacement, 5 months past, but still well withing the 108 month, 9 year pro-rated warranty. They load tested it 3-4 times to make sure it was dead, then eventually replaced it... I tell you what, I was besides myself that they were causing such a stink over a dead battery warranty replacement.

The new battery only has a 3 year free replacement warranty, no pro-rated coverage after 3 years, and there was some confusion on their part, and mine, as to what would happen to the 5.5 years of pro-rated warranty left from my old battery... Honestly, I don't know what the deal was with the remainder of the old batteries warranty, I kind of took it that I had 3 years and after that I would be SOL.

Here's a thread I posted about WalMart's Marine batteries earlier this year, no warranty what so ever on those anymore.
Walmart marine batteries

The lady also said something about their light truck tires no longer carrying a warranty from the manufacturer, she commented on their $10 road hazard coverage, but I didn't pay much attention to that since I don't buy tires from WalMart. Just thought I'd mention it so those of us who buy tires from WalMart can quiz them on the warranty when purchasing tires...

This might be a sign of the times (bad economy) and other places might start doing the same. Time will tell...

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Based on the new Super Wal Mart they just built where I live, I suspect, you will find more and more of this, the manager of the new super store said Wal Mart is phasing out their automotive depts, I know the new store we have, the automotive dept is nothing like the old store we had, we got groceries, but lost automotive...

 

[roncoop75]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

^^^

How dumb is that? The reason I even shop there is because I can get a lot of different things all in one stop. Where else can I get a float switch, some hamburger, an air cleaner and a new pair of shoes without running all over town?

Make me go to the other side of town for the air cleaner and I might as well stop and the grocery store that's right across the street.

Bean counters doing what they do best...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Bean counters doing what they do best...

Ruining a good thing???

When groceries were added to our WalMart we tried it for a month, then found out the lower prices were due to lower quality. We don't shop there for groceries anymore, the local grocery store has better quality and the prices are about the same.

 

[mscher]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I've called Walmart a lot of names, but "dumb" was not one of them. They pretty much know what they are doing, when it comes to making money, in the cutthroat retail world.

My guess is that automotive parts and service, is more overhead than easy profit, plus the floor space that automotive takes up is like gold, which could used to turn over items faster, like more cookies, verses oil filters.

Walmart selling groceries, was the smartest thing they ever did (for Walmart). Sure the produce, meat and dairy quality, is lower (IMO), but then, hey, it's Walmart and that is what we have learned to expect.

 

[bassman284]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I have to say, the way a lot of people abuse their deep cycle batteries, I sure wouldn't want to be putting a warranty out there.

 

[roncoop75]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I've called Walmart a lot of names, but "dumb" was not one of them. They pretty much know what they are doing, when it comes to making money, in the cutthroat retail world.

My guess is that automotive parts and service, is more overhead than easy profit, plus the floor space that automotive takes up is like gold, which could used to turn over items faster, like more cookies, verses oil filters.

Walmart selling groceries, was the smartest thing they ever did (for Walmart). Sure the produce, meat and dairy quality, is lower (IMO), but then, hey, it's Walmart and that is what we have learned to expect.

LOTS of things in retail, especially a store like walmart, don't make a profit. You keep them in the store to bring people in.

Bean counters don't see that side of it. They just see something not making much money so they get rid of it. No sense outside of their little realm.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I hate wal-mart for auto supplies.

Took a car into the auto center. (Not mine). To have 2 front tires changed.
A little while later they call my name and I pay the bill and leave.

I finish up my auto work on the car and the gal comes to pick it up.
She immeadiatly notices that there are 2 different tires on the car.
I look sure enough, same size, 2 different brands.. Off to Wally world I go. Tell them they goofed and would like the one tire changed. He chuckled and said thats not possible.. He looks and accuses me of changing the tire for a lower quality tire (stickers are still not totally rubbed off). Finally after they, agree to swap tires, they want me to pay for the tire change.... Nope......YOu can guess I didn't pay for that either... It was a hassle.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Target Stores in our area used to have an automotive department.
JC PEnny's had an auto department.
Kmart had an auto department.

Gone. Gone. Gone.

WalMart, Sears, FleetFarm, all still have auto departments, at least around here. Our closest WalMart just did a major re-model, and kept their auto department. Would think they'd have used that opportunity to dump it if they were looking at that kind of thing.

Maybe certain underperforming stores got rid of their auto departments?

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Wal-Mart is vender oriented so they have little or no money tied up in inventory. Floor space is another matter. If 100' of floor isn't making a profit; replace it with something that will.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Target Stores in our area used to have an automotive department.
JC PEnny's had an auto department.
Kmart had an auto department.

Gone. Gone. Gone.

WalMart, Sears, FleetFarm, all still have auto departments, at least around here. Our closest WalMart just did a major re-model, and kept their auto department. Would think they'd have used that opportunity to dump it if they were looking at that kind of thing.

Maybe certain underperforming stores got rid of their auto departments?

Wal Mart, Target, Kmart and Sears no longer have an automotive center where I live, in fact, Kmart, Sears and Target never had one, Wal Mart was the only one that did and when they built the new store, they got rid of it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

she commented on their $10 road hazard coverage, but I didn't pay much attention to that since I don't buy tires from WalMart. Just thought I'd mention it so those of us who buy tires from WalMart can quiz them on the warranty when purchasing tires...

I bought a couple tires there and was told the road hazard warranty was included in the price, but when I really looked over the bill afterwards, it was added in as a separate charge. I told them to take it off and the guy tried to do some magic hocus-pocus explaining the price breakdown to me. They finally did take it off, but I went home and looked on their website, where it says that the road hazard warranty is totally optional. I was so PO'd that I printed that out and took it back to the store and complained to the manager. Well, he must have done something, because I have not had a problem since telling them I didn't want the warranty. I also filed a complaint with the NY Attorney General's office, only because the "magician" out and out lied to me and then tried to talk his way out of it. I don't get tires there any more.

But do you expect much more from Wal Mart?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

But do you expect much more from Wal Mart?

That is a key statement! but we continue to shop there don't we!

 

[lakelover]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

That is a key statement! but we continue to shop there don't we!

Yup, when "cheap" on certain items is a priority! They are cut-throat retailers, I'm a cut-throat shopper!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I have to say, I have very little faith about guarantees now a days, and figured at my age, why put myself through the frustration, it is just not worth the hassle..I always hope the products I purchase will last, but, you know on most things, I figure my staying calm is far more healthy for my heart!

I really started to change my perspective, after I was wounded in the first Gulf War, and it has worked out pretty good for me, but I can tell you a AK round to the hip, has a way of calming you down quite a bit!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I bought a couple tires there....................and the guy tried to do some magic hocus-pocus..............

I got the same feeling when I had my battery swapped out under warranty, like they were trying to bait-n-switch, confuse the situation so I would accept what they wanted to give me, say one thing then do the other... There were so many errors I couldn't believe it.

The new battery was $77, I had a credit of something like $47 for my old battery, yet the the total due was $42... $47+42=89... Hey WT# They charged me the $9 core charge, which they promptly refunded once I noticed their mistake.

 

[lakelover]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Have to agree with you there, sometimes the stress isn't worth the hassle. It's a fine balancing act to develop, picking your battles. I guess it all evens out in the end.

 

[mscher]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

LOTS of things in retail, especially a store like walmart, don't make a profit. You keep them in the store to bring people in.

Bean counters don't see that side of it. They just see something not making much money so they get rid of it. No sense outside of their little realm.

Walmart is not run just by bean-counters. They have legions or market saavy people, that have that game figured out, to a tee.

Of all the time I'm there, I see few people in the automotive dept. and carts bumping into each other, from so many shoppers, in the food, clothing, seasonal and video/electronics depts.

Also, the don't have the overhead and liability fo the service dept.

If one wants automotive, head down the street to Autozone, or Pep Boys.

 

[mscher]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

FWIW, If I ever had to have tires or batteries replaced (after several years) on a pro-rated warranty, the amount of money, was miniscule, at best.

If anything, it may lock you into replacing the warranty item, with the same model or part number, that may not have been that great, in the first place.

 

[robcarync]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I love wal mart here I NC. The automotive section is my favorite part of the store. It's also the only place I go to get tires for my car. I can go there, get a hair cut, grab a sub way sandwich, buy a DVD, some marine oil, a pork chop, get my nails done, play "the claw" game to win a stuffed animal, and buy any number of things. They also have a pretty good marine section!