Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[rScotty]

Cheap doesn't mean poorly made. Walmart EverStart are better than most in testing.

I agree, though I do wish for the old days when price was more closely related to quality. I haven't tried the Walmart battery, thanks for the tip. Right now we are using Interstate brand - which might even be the same. My suspicion is that many brands are made at the same manufacturing facility.

For awhile I stubbornly bought high dollar batteries like the high CCA types from Optima and Odyssey for our heavy equipment and big tractors...only to end up with a bunch of defective batteries and difficult warranties.

Right now we've found a better battery for half the price. But it won't surprise me if that changes too.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

It's funny how things work out for different people...

The best batteries by far that I've bought, are Interstate.

The worst batteries I've bought are from Walmart.

These days I mostly buy group 31 batteries, and right now I have Interstate, Deka and one from Sams, which is the cheapest of the bunch. We will see how it holds up!

SR

 

[Gregster613]

Apparently there isn't any profit in building a really good reliable battery. If there was, all of us would know about it....and we don't.

So we end up gambling on quality while comparing mediocre batteries by price and advertising hype..
There's got to be a better way.

rScotty, I used Napa Legend 8 volts in my golf cart for years as they lasted well past the warranty period - and just like that - they stopped being reliable!! I don't have any idea what changed but something sure did! I am now running Interstates and hoping for success. Have no clue yet as I just started with these this year.

 

[grsthegreat]

rScotty, I used Napa Legend 8 volts in my golf cart for years as they lasted well past the warranty period - and just like that - they stopped being reliable!! I don't have any idea what changed but something sure did! I am now running Interstates and hoping for success. Have no clue yet as I just started with these this year.

I just replaced an Interstate battery for a client. It only made it 2 years and a few months. It only had a 2 years warranty. No heat pad. Just saying

 

[ultrarunner]

We carried Interstate for decades and had a great jobber… even back in high school I was the battery guy.

Good batteries and good prices.

About 10 years ago we stopped… they just were not lasting as long but company said it was parasitic loads of modern vehickes…

Our jobber was not happy because company bought out his territory… he worked decades to build.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Walmart EverStart are manufactured by the same people as Interstate. Johnson Controls

 

[morgancl]

 

[DigDoug]

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 ???

If you are keeping the car, do yourself a favor and purchase an Interstate Battery, white base, green top model. It will last for many years and worth every penny.

And maybe it’s time you raise the prices on whatever service you provide, to keep up?

 

[DigDoug]

Walmart EverStart are manufactured by the same people as Interstate. Johnson Controls

Maybe the same cooperate umbrella but definitely not the same battery. The low end John Deere lawn mowers are made by MTD, also not the same. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

 

[Johnb0311]

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 ???

Bideneconomics