Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[Mtsoxfan]

There are no Rural Kings around me, but for squeaks and giggles I looked up a replacement for my truck. Just as expensive as Walmart and the likes, but still much cheaper than a OEM Motorcraft.

 

[ttouring]

Is it a common size, or is it rare size today?

If item was $105 year 2000 it's about same as $200 in today's money.

Inflation calculator is here...

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2025

Easily calculate how the buying power of the U.S. dollar has changed from 1913 to 2025. Get inflation rates and U.S. inflation news.

www.usinflationcalculator.com

Gasoline for $3 - 3.50 a gallon today is actually a bargain!


If in doubt, ask Europeans or Canadians

Only problem with that is we dont live in Canada or Europe.

 

[CH4Ohio]

I was advised to replace my original Battery in my 2020 GMC Acadia. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) was recommended. Little hope of warranty if I installed it my self. $650 Cdn. Dealer installed. $20 Core charge

That's crazy! Your dealer took advantage of you.

I usually go online and price Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly, and Walmart. Also check Rural King but it's a few miles farther. Most carry 2 or 3 grades of batteries and I lean toward the "best" one -- seems like you get the most bang for your buck. Walmart usually beats the auto parts stores and they are super convenient and warranty trades are easy. They'll install for you or you can do it yourself. Never heard of a battery warranty NOT being honored because you install yourself.

Why was there a "core charge" if they installed it? Sounds like they charged you $20 to dispose of your old battery.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I used to work at a dealership, GM, for 10+ years back in the 80's. There are many expenses that they incur, that general repair shops have the option to opt out of if they wish.

Paid employee training for new product line, updates etc. as they unfold from manufacturer. ( I went for weeklong training in Terrytown NY and Dedham MA, travel and hotel)
Buying new tools required for diagnosis and repairs before new products roll out.
Buying parts from manufacturer, at manufacturers pricing. (at least warranty work)
Subject to reimbursement for labor at a much lower rate, at times, not enough to cover costs for quality employees, usually no to very little diagnosis time. (warranty work)
Buying mandatory marketing materials.

I'm sure there is more, just making a point here. General repair shops do not need to do any of those for at least 3 years (warranty period) and have the luxury of cherry picking what work they want to take on. Pricing on tools come down, training comes from utube, manuals, etc. or less intensive training or free from parts suppliers, parts from any source they want. the list goes on.

I'm not a dealership fan for certain repair work out of warranty. (think $93 air cabin filter replacement) and the list is long, but they do potentially have the best trained employees, parts/tools to do the work, if they can afford to keep them.

Again, not the biggest fan of dealerships, just want to bring to light things some might not think of.

 

[chim]

When I first started working, I could buy about 3.5 gallons for my hourly pay. When I retired in 2021 an hour would have bought a little over 13 gallons at today's local prices. Everything does cost more as time goes on. I ordered a well-equipped '75 Chevy Blazer for under $6K. There are many reasons, but my guess is that the government needs more taxes coming in to pay for all the nonsense programs and is doing all it can to create inflation in an attempt to avoid exposing that they're (we're) already bankrupt.

 

[danielk]

I just bought one for my daughters car, a Ford Fusion so a common size, $200.

That's a good dad.

 

[ultrarunner]

The costs that most concern me are the ones that just happen… increases in property tax and insurance are concerns because they directly affect the roof over my head.

I can selectively choose not to buy clothes, electronics, travel. L, etc… even a lot of leeway when it comes to food

Batteries… I do have the option of moving one between the antique cars with starters that is…

 

[chim]

The costs that most concern me are the ones that just happen… increases in property tax and insurance are concerns because they directly affect the roof over my head.

I can selectively choose not to buy clothes, electronics, travel. L, etc… even a lot of leeway when it comes to food

Batteries… I do have the option of moving one between the antique cars with starters that is…

Property taxes are punishment for succeeding. They are an unfair burden we bear because of our bloated government. In the home of the brave and the land of the free you never own your property. If you stop paying rent to the government, they will remove you from it.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I enjoy paying property taxes as much as the next guy, but if it wasn't property taxes, there would be another tax in it's place. I'm not sure what type of tax would be fair to all.

 

[grsthegreat]

I enjoy paying property taxes as much as the next guy, but if it wasn't property taxes, there would be another tax in it's place. I'm not sure what type of tax would be fair to all.

At least my property tax isnt very much money. On 30 acres its barely $2,400

I really feel sorry for those hit with many thousands in taxes.

And the property tax seems to be used to improve our area over the years

 

[Mtsoxfan]

At least my property tax isnt very much money. On 30 acres its barely $1,400

I really feel sorry for those hit with many thousands in taxes.

And the property tax seems to be used to improve our area over the years

The majority of our property taxes goes into funding a very dysfunctional education system. A great governor, the most bipartisan I have seen, but up against too many misguided socialist type.

 

[TractorGunn]

What exactly is a "blemish" battery? I don't seem to recall hearing that term used before.

It's a battery that needs a little dab of Clearacell.

 

[TractorGunn]

Why? Because they can.

 

[chim]

I enjoy paying property taxes as much as the next guy, but if it wasn't property taxes, there would be another tax in it's place. I'm not sure what type of tax would be fair to all.

Maybe not a popular notion, but a consumption tax would be more fair. My Grandma lived in a house without a mortgage because my Grandparents were wise with their finances. However, she paid the government to live there till she passed at age 84 including school taxes even though her youngest child graduated around 45 years before that. Of course then there were taxes on the modest estate after she passed.

If you can afford the toys you can afford the taxes. Older folks are the ones in a pinch.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Maybe not a popular notion, but a consumption tax would be more fair. My Grandma lived in a house without a mortgage because my Grandparents were wise with their finances. However, she paid the government to live there till she passed at age 84 including school taxes even though her youngest child graduated around 45 years before that. Of course then there were taxes on the modest estate after she passed.

If you can afford the toys you can afford the taxes. Older folks are the ones in a pinch.

I guess that would be the most fair. Basically a sales tax. Since VT taxes everything already, it'd have to be a hell of a sales tax to cover PT loss.

 

[wb3czi]

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?


WTH ???

Because Obummer closed ALL of the lead & copper smelting facilities!
The refined or recovered metallic lead comes from China. )-8

 

[TimberFarm]

Not reading all 22 pages! But, just last week I went out to start my Ram HO Cummins. Nothing! Put a tester on and checked both batteries and both showed bad. I just changed them last Sept. Put AutoZone supposedly top of the line for about $250 each. Couldn't find my receipt so I called AutoZone. Luckily they said I have a rewards account and they looked up the purchase. Manager wasn't too happy when I brought them in, but gave me two new ones.
The issue to me is not really the price, but the cheap junk you get. I have a Yellowtop that powers the accessories in a Mercedes I have. Even that battery that cost me something like $300 didn't last. Luckily again, the warranty covered. They charge a fortune for the batteries because they know they will be giving away free ones since they don't last.

 

[lman]

Not reading all 22 pages! But, just last week I went out to start my Ram HO Cummins. Nothing! Put a tester on and checked both batteries and both showed bad. I just changed them last Sept. Put AutoZone supposedly top of the line for about $250 each. Couldn't find my receipt so I called AutoZone. Luckily they said I have a rewards account and they looked up the purchase. Manager wasn't too happy when I brought them in, but gave me two new ones.
The issue to me is not really the price, but the cheap junk you get. I have a Yellowtop that powers the accessories in a Mercedes I have. Even that battery that cost me something like $300 didn't last. Luckily again, the warranty covered. They charge a fortune for the batteries because they know they will be giving away free ones since they don't last.

We bought a new F150 this summer and I figured out pretty quick that there is more battery drain on these new vehicles. I assume it's awake listening to remote commands. We don't drive the truck that much because it's more economical to drive the car. I suspect the truck would be dead after 3 weeks so I connected a battery maintainer to it. My old F350 has batteries that are over 10 years old. I guess the battery maintainer connected to it has paid off.

 

[grsthegreat]

Those optama batteries are good, unless you let them drain down to nothing. They cannot be revived.

One weird thing today. I grabbed a 2 year old dead interstate battery i had from a job and put it on my NOCO 10 restore mode. Ive tried this about 4 or 5 times in the past with no luck. But this battery was only 2 years old but showing only 45 CCA on a 550 CCA battery. It was actually restored back to 585 CCA overnight. This is the first time ive been able to restore a battery. Im going to use it for my fuel transfer pump.

 

[chim]

I guess that would be the most fair. Basically a sales tax. Since VT taxes everything already, it'd have to be a hell of a sales tax to cover PT loss.

If a sales tax covered ALL taxation, it would become evident to people just how much they're really being taxed. No further need for the IRS. States responsible for themselves and keep 90% of the revenue. Send 10% or less to Washington for defense.