Walmart auto battery prices

[URY914]

I have bought batteries from Wally in the past but not anymore. There is a reason they are cheaper. Wally forces their suppliers to provide lower quality products to meet their price points. Home Depot and Lowe's does the same. For your truck I'd buy your battery at a auto parts store or even a commercial truck battery shop.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by URY914

I have bought batteries from Wally in the past but not anymore. There is a reason they are cheaper. Wally forces their suppliers to provide lower quality products to meet their price points. Home Depot and Lowe's does the same. For your truck I'd buy your battery at a auto parts store or even a commercial truck battery shop.

Did you watch the video posted above?
Pretty good test IMO.
It pretty much comes to the same conclusion that Consumer's Report did in their study of batteries from 3 yrs ago when I was looking for a battery.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Costco has good pricing on Interstate batteries. What's nice is you go get them at the tire section (no line) and they don't do installation so you're in and out quick.

I see a type 78 Interstate at Costco. 90 bucks.

I have to think what URY914 says about forced lower quality is valid.

You will get five years but not nine.

[legion]

The battery in my wife's minivan died. The cheapest I could find on the first round of looking was at Walmart, and it was $179! Finally found them on sale at Farm & Fleet and got a better battery for $150.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Did you watch the video posted above?
Pretty good test IMO.
It pretty much comes to the same conclusion that Consumer's Report did in their study of batteries from 3 yrs ago when I was looking for a battery.

Good info, but it shows that Wally World battery was manufactured by JC, which had a pretty good track record/reputation.
However, I don't think that's the case any longer, as many (most/all?) are now sourced from China and Saudi Arabia, and a lot cheaper.
I wouldn't be surprised if the other US OE vendors have jumped ship as well (Exide, East Penn, etc.).

[MBAtarga]

For those with Honda's - the closest two local dealers here (ATL) near me had the best price for replacement batteries. A buddy that works in the wholesale parts dept at one of them told me they don't mark them up - basically sell them at cost. Last time I bought one it was around $90.

[mattdavis11]

That would be less than I paid for a new battery for our 2002 Accord 4cyl. Wallyworld purchase. But I went to a 24F? to match our 2000 v6 camry.

I have paid more for the battery, starter and 1 fan (radiator) than I did the car ($200). 100K miles later, it's like any other vehicle. It will need parts. It has 269K now. I drive it everyday 200+.

[pmax]

Used them for the DD. Good so far.

[tabs]

Nine years and Six years on walmart batteries. Enough said.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Good info, but it shows that Wally World battery was manufactured by JC, which had a pretty good track record/reputation.
However, I don't think that's the case any longer, as many (most/all?) are now sourced from China and Saudi Arabia, and a lot cheaper.
I wouldn't be surprised if the other US OE vendors have jumped ship as well (Exide, East Penn, etc.).

East Penn still manufactures in Fleetwood Pa. Napa and other brands. Its increasingly hard to suss out who makes what, but East Penn is still Deka and MK, along with Duracell auto.

[Arizona_928]

I use to run the 50$ walmart batteries in the tractors. They do not last, and trying to get walmart to warrenty the battery is pathetic. They'll throw on the charger, do a load test. Say g2g. Take home and same schit. Switched to interstate from costco, and have been much happier. Especially at the 30$ more price point. It's worth the piece of mind.

[asphaltgambler]

Batteries and tires have a lot in common with each other - being either "Go" or "No Go". You can have the slickest $100K ride or all important work vehicle that makes you money and if it won't crank to due to a dead battery or a tire that is flat on the bottom; you aint goin nowhere, no how.

I use Interstate batteries exclusively, although I do get a fair discount because of my work relationship. Also buy good, proven brands of tires. There's not too much I skimp on regarding maintenance but definitely pony up when replacing these items.

[vash]

what about SAM's warehouse. i haven't been inside one for 2 decades. do they sell batteries? just curious. if so, are they less expensive that Walmart?

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by greglepore

East Penn still manufactures in Fleetwood Pa. Napa and other brands. Its increasingly hard to suss out who makes what, but East Penn is still Deka and MK, along with Duracell auto.

Yeah, I just don't think they are making Wally World ("Everstart") batteries any longer. If they are, then they should be good-to-go.
However, they are now much cheaper than before, and are reportedly coming out of China and Saudi, so I have my doubts.
Previously, they would have the OEM on the label (JC, Exide, EP, etc.), so it was easy to confirm.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by vash

what about SAM's warehouse. i haven't been inside one for 2 decades. do they sell batteries? just curious. if so, are they less expensive that Walmart?

Sam's appears to have two for group 78

Duracell lead acid $ 103
Duracell AGM $160

Walmart (lead acid)

Value Power 54.88
Value Ever Start $54.88
Ever Start Plus $79.87
Everstart Maxx 98.76

Walmart also has Optima available for well over $200

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Yeah, I just don't think they are making Wally World ("Everstart") batteries any longer. If they are, then they should be good-to-go.
However, they are now much cheaper than before, and are reportedly coming out of China and Saudi, so I have my doubts.
Previously, they would have the OEM on the label (JC, Exide, EP, etc.), so it was easy to confirm.

Seems Johnson Controls makes Walmart batteries and have for a decade.

That said, who knows what that means as to where and how they are actually crafted.

They make the Optimas for Walmart as well.

I have to get my Google on to figure out the difference between the $55 value start from Walmart and a legacy quality Interstate battery. The vid Jack posted sums up performance but what is not there in the lesser batteries?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Sam's appears to have two for group 78

Duracell lead acid $ 103
Duracell AGM $160

Walmart (lead acid)

Value Power 54.88
Value Ever Start $54.88
Ever Start Plus $79.87
Everstart Maxx 98.76

Walmart also has Optima available for well over $200

The Everstart Maxx is what I purchased . I installed one of them today but the passenger side metal battery tray was toast and no one had one in stock locally so I had to order . Should have that in 4-5 days . I got 6 years out of the Interstates that I bought at Firestone . If I get 4-5 years out of these I will be happy . Time will tell .

[RKDinOKC]

Light bulbs bought at Walmart burn out much quicker than same brand bought somewhere else. Don't know why batteries would be any different. Walmart has lower prices for a reason.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Light bulbs bought at Walmart burn out much quicker than same brand bought somewhere else. Don't know why batteries would be any different. Walmart has lower prices for a reason.

Walmart battery in my Cayman for 5 years now and doing fine. $30 cheaper than any place else at the time.

[stevej37]

5 years in my Prelude...2 years in my Fit.
Both work perfectly.
The one in my JD GX335 I bought last summer...saved $80 from the JD price.