Costco Batteries - Wow

[Don Plumley]

So the wife's Volvo needs a new battery (message that voltage is low, dealer says a couple of the cells are bad). Since stranding SWMBO is bad, I ask the dealer how much a battery is: $120.

Hmm. Seems steep. So I call Sears: $130. Interstate: $150. Yipes, who would have thought the dealer would be the cheapest choice? I knew Costco had batteries, picked up one for my son's car there last year.

$63 - and with a better warranty. That's half the price! I didn't realize just how much less expensive they are. That certainly paid for the membership this year.

Wow.

[Noah930]

I purchased a battery for the wife's car a few months ago. Had a similar experience, calling around. The quickie online research I did didn't seem to find that Costco batteries were in any way inferior to the stuff you find at auto parts stores/Sears/etc. Regardless of branding, they're all made by the same three companies, anyway. And if Costco merchandise does turn out to be cr@p, their return policies are fairly liberal and nearly always seem to be in favor of the consumer.

[VincentVega]

Great place for marine batteries too, much cheaper at Costco.

[Neilk]

If only they had some reasonably priced tires. The Michelins they carry are too expensive. Good to know about the batteries though.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by Neilk

If only they had some reasonably priced tires. The Michelins they carry are too expensive. Good to know about the batteries though.

Really? I was under the opposite impression on tire price - probably have purchased 4-5 sets of Michelins in 2 years there. It's really the only tire (other than RA-1's) I'll buy. Plus there is always a $60-80 coupon running.

Oh - you mean lower-priced than Michelins. They have Goodyears.

[aigel]

I buy my batteries at WalMart. Even cheaper and if I get stranded with a dead battery anywhere in the US, I know I can return it for a new one in a 20-30 mile radius.

George

[trekkor]

I need a battery for my 914 today.

Costco doesn't carry sealed gel-cell's like Optima, Orbital or Interstate.
Wal-Mart either...


KT

[Zeke]

I got a pretty good deal by going to Parts America's website, ordering and picking up at the local Kragens. Just under 90 for a 911 battery which Costco does not carry. It's made by Exide. Costco didn't live up so well in the last Consumer Reports survey. Surprisingly, neither die Interstate. Excide always is near the top. They make a lot of brands, many of them spec, which are not their top line.

[nynor]

the local costco here has optima batteries.

[azasadny]

My BIL got me an Optima red-top at Costco a few years ago for $100!

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Costco doesn't carry sealed gel-cell's like Optima, Orbital or Interstate.
Wal-Mart either...

The Rohnert Park and Novato Costco's carry Optima. But I think you are much better off with an Oddesey. There's a dealer for those up in Windsor.

[VincentVega]

Costco doesn't carry sealed gel-cell's like Optima,

They do near me, at least last time I looked.

Walmart is another good battery source, too bad I cant stand going there.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by nynor

the local costco here has optima batteries.

I purchased mine at Costco too.

Sherwood

[trekkor]

I got my Optima Red Top at Kragen today. I got burned at $169

Oh well, at least I fired off my new race engine!


KT

[onewhippedpuppy]

Reportedly Autozone also sells good batteries. They're also cheap. I've had several and been happy.

[Brother]

Is the costco battery an Exide product like most FLAPS?

It seems like they make most of them with interstate/optima being the other major player.

[Noah930]

My local Costco also sells Optima. However, they're inside the main store, not in the tire section where the "regular" batteries are.