WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

[tburda]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I used to work on construction of new wal-mart stores all across the States. They base what is in the store, geographically. The manager that told you they're phasing out all auto depts, probably was talking out her stinky brown eye.

In michigan, they did away with the gun counters in the lower half of the state, but in the northern half of the state, you can still buy shotguns/rifles out of the case. Why? Hunting is alot more prevelant in the northern part of michigan than it is in the southern. When they remodeled the wal-mart in the city I grew up in (last year) they kept the auto center. When they opened the brand new wal-mart (3 miles from an existing one) they put in an auto center. They work on demographics, the one thing the bean counters can work with. So although the auto center may keep you and 12% of the customers coming in in your area, doing away with the auto center and putting in, say more home decor, may bring in the other 88% more often.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

The new battery only has a 3 year free replacement warranty, no pro-rated coverage after 3 years.

To me that still sounds like an excellent warranty.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I used to work on construction of new wal-mart stores all across the States. They base what is in the store, geographically. The manager that told you they're phasing out all auto depts, probably was talking out her stinky brown eye.

I have no reason to question her, perhaps she was talking about the Wal Marts in the state I live in.

Now, I wish I had a Pep Boys or a Autozone in the town I live in, we don't even have those stores here, I am stuck with Napa, but we do now have a O'Reilly auto parts.

My biggest gripe about loosing the auto parts section is I was able to get batteries for my lawn tractor and ATV there for a good price. As far as marine gear, I have to order that stuff off the net most of the time.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

To me that still sounds like an excellent warranty.

You don't expect an automotive battery (not talking deep cycle here) to last far longer than 3 years?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I do but few have a 3 year replacement warranty. Most just have a pro-rated warranty. Name one other place that has a 3 year replacement warranty with a battery at a decent price.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Sams Club (probably Costco too, but I don't go there)

Autozone's 3 yr free/8 yr pro-rated battery is a bit more expensive ($89 instead of WM's $77), but a better deal when the warranty is considered.

Heck, I'd buy AZ's $79 2 yr free/7yr pro-rated battery over WM's $77 3yr/non pro-rated battery. If the battery takes a cr@p at 3 1/2 years (like mine did) you would be SOL at WalMart, but only have to pony up $40 at AZ. I guess that's a moot point since I was locked into WM and getting the pro-rated portion of my old battery back.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Costco has a one year policy. Just used it on a battery I bought that failed after 8 months.

Heck, I'd buy AZ's $79 2 yr free/7yr pro-rated battery over WM's $77 3yr/non pro-rated battery. If the battery takes a cr@p at 3 1/2 years (like mine did) you would be SOL at WalMart, but only have to pony up $40 at AZ.

Sometimes the prorated price is off a full retail price instead of what the battery is actually selling for. Have to read the fine print on that one.

 

[bigdee]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

Personally,I prefer the full replacement warranty. My experiences with pro-rated warranties has been lousy and like some else said,they base the refund against the current full retail price. A one year replacement warranty that is pro-rated after the first year is usually useless after 3 years.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I've only seen "pro-rating off full retail" one time when I had to go directly back to Interstate to warranty a battery, none were available at the local stores. I know what you are saying on that type of policy as it was just as expensive "Warrantying" the battery at the manufacturer, as if I would have purchased it from an auto parts store.

Though, I've never seen that policy from a retailer, seems kind of shady.... Bait-N-Switch... We'll replace your $50 battery with a $100 battery,,, same exact battery

 

[bruceb58]

Re: WalMart Battery Warranty changes....

I've had pretty good luck with auto batteries that the warranty aspect hardly enters my mind. To be honest, my battery failed within a year because I left an interior light on a couple times and the battery went completely dead. Most auto batteries can't tolerate that happening at all.