Buying vehicle batteries at Costco

[tee-bone]

Realizing that they might not be the highest performing battery, I just want to relate why I will be buying all my batteries at Costco. Another thread on here reminded me of it, but I didn't want to hijack that thread...

A couple months ago, my battery died. I vaguely remembered having bought a battery at Costco not all that long before, so I was a little bummed that it had died.

Turns out, when I went to counter and the guy looked it up, that the battery was only 13 months old. He says, "oh, that's not OK. Let's get you a new battery". Then he goes to process a return/replacement - on a thirteen month old battery - and says, "oh - sorry. there is a nine dollar and change price difference on the new battery - you'll need to go to the front desk" and hands be some paperwork to give to them. I figure $9 isn't bad to get a new battery, so I go to the front desk. Where they proceed to process the paperwork and then hand me BACK $9.57 in cash because the price had gone down. And, the new battery (probably because of the volume they sell) was less than a month old.

Obviously I wasn't thrilled with having to take the original battery back - but if they continue to give that kind of customer service I am sure they will work to make more reliable batteries (they can't afford not to) and I will continue to buy them there.

 

[JP5EDC]

Good story, thanks for sharing! My T4R battery should run for a while longer (just bought the truck brand new a couple of months ago) but I did buy a new battery for my wife's Mazda5. I understand that these are essentially Interstate brand batteries with a Kirkland label on 'em. Which is fine since their Macallan Scotch I picked up a few years back with the Kirkland label is awfully tasty

 

[02SE]

The Kirkland branded batteries are made by Johnson Controls. As are Interstate, Optima, Walmart's line of Everstart batteries, and a bunch of others.

Costco does have excellent customer service, though.

 

[blizz86]

I've always bought my car batteries at costco, but then i don't have any auxiliary things that consume/require a large power supply. Theres something like a 60 month prorated warranty on these batteries, and when you need replacing theres prorated charges if you change before 60 months. They have always been pretty good to me though.

 

[T4R2014]

You can't go wrong with Costco batteries and the great service is a bonus. My Costco battery is going onto its 9th year in service (knock on wood). I'll probably replace it next year as preventative maintenance.

 

[psiems]

Realizing that they might not be the highest performing battery, I just want to relate why I will be buying all my batteries at Costco. Another thread on here reminded me of it, but I didn't want to hijack that thread...

A couple months ago, my battery died. I vaguely remembered having bought a battery at Costco not all that long before, so I was a little bummed that it had died.

Turns out, when I went to counter and the guy looked it up, that the battery was only 13 months old. He says, "oh, that's not OK. Let's get you a new battery". Then he goes to process a return/replacement - on a thirteen month old battery - and says, "oh - sorry. there is a nine dollar and change price difference on the new battery - you'll need to go to the front desk" and hands be some paperwork to give to them. I figure $9 isn't bad to get a new battery, so I go to the front desk. Where they proceed to process the paperwork and then hand me BACK $9.57 in cash because the price had gone down. And, the new battery (probably because of the volume they sell) was less than a month old.

Obviously I wasn't thrilled with having to take the original battery back - but if they continue to give that kind of customer service I am sure they will work to make more reliable batteries (they can't afford not to) and I will continue to buy them there.

Last I checked Costco batteries were rated very reliable. Picked one up for my Lexus a couple of years ago and it is still turning the engine over just fine.
:hatsoff:

 

[shadow247]

Also check out your local Ford dealer. Motorcraft batteries are made by Johnson controls as well. You can get a 750 CC a battery installed for 120 bucks plus tax. 36 month free replacement, 100 month prorated with free towing for the entire warranty period. I will be putting one in my 4runner when its due. You can upgrade to an 850cca battery for 10 bucks more. Advance auto parts wanted 130 for an autocraft with 650 CC a.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Been buying Costco/Kirkland batteries for awhile.


A little Background on the Kirkland Brand Car Batteries

The Kirkland Signature Car Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls also manufacturers what is probably the best brand battery you can buy for your car (And also available at most Costco’s) the Optima® brand of batteries. They make the LTH and Heliar brands for South American Markets. Johnson Controls also
makes the Duralast/DL-Gold batteries at Autozone.
Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
Source from Consumer Reports.

 

[Antman]

Been buying Costco/Kirkland batteries for awhile.


A little Background on the Kirkland Brand Car Batteries

The Kirkland Signature Car Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls also manufacturers what is probably the best brand battery you can buy for your car (And also available at most Costco’s) the Optima® brand of batteries. They make the LTH and Heliar brands for South American Markets. Johnson Controls also
makes the Duralast/DL-Gold batteries at Autozone.
Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
Source from Consumer Reports.

^^^ He's right. I just received 2 pallets of batteries on my Dock last week! They arrive via an Interstate Battery truck. Costco also has procedures in place to rotate batteries ensuring you get a fresh one.:boink:

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Been buying Costco/Kirkland batteries for awhile.


A little Background on the Kirkland Brand Car Batteries

The Kirkland Signature Car Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls also manufacturers what is probably the best brand battery you can buy for your car (And also available at most Costco’s) the Optima® brand of batteries. They make the LTH and Heliar brands for South American Markets. Johnson Controls also
makes the Duralast/DL-Gold batteries at Autozone.
Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
Source from Consumer Reports.

Pretty sure the sears batteries (diehard) are made by enersys. I could be wrong though.

 

[mattleegee]

buying lots of things from costco are a good idea
electronics with 2 year warranty also, love costco

 

[Yoter]

Which is fine since their Macallan Scotch I picked up a few years back with the Kirkland label is awfully tasty

This could be a much more important discovery than good batteries!
arty:
Is this true??