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Cost of Auto batteries

kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,983 ✭✭✭
edited October 2012 in General Discussion
So I havnt bought an automotive battery in about 4 years. I just havnt had the need to, last time I bought one the avg. price was about 50-60 bucks. I finaly had to buy one for my truck today...100 bucks! I talked to the guy at the service counter...he said most batteries have doubled our trippled in price in the last four years....pretty crazy I think, I figured they would be more expensive because of higher fuel costs but dang!....core prices went from ten dollars to five as well.[V]
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Comments

  • 300rumgun300rumgun Member Posts: 437 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I buy mine at sams club for like 72 bucks.
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  • 35 Whelen35 Whelen Member Posts: 14,307 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Paid $65 for a battery two days ago. Only 450 CCA's though. Don't need much for 6.75:1 compression.
    [:D][;)]
    An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.
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  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You're lucky... The DODGE has TWO batteries... both priced at $109 each. [V]
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  • lew07lew07 Member Posts: 1,053 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah but I think you get a much better battery for your money today than you did a few years back or have I just been lucky with mine?
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  • rongrong Member Posts: 8,459
    edited November -1
    $195 thru my ex-local mechanic.
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  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
    You're lucky... The DODGE has TWO batteries... both priced at $109 each. [V]




    Taking my Dodge to have the charging system checked today....two batteries and a $310 alternator [V]...I noticed a strange current draw the other day, hoping its not the alternator going south.
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  • Waco WaltzWaco Waltz Member Posts: 10,836 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Two years ago I needed one before the next morning so had to buy it at wal mart, 75.00

    Had I the time I'd have gladly paid more for an interstate brand batt.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,499 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    January will be 5 yrs. for mine in the Diesel. I will change both of them out regardless when they get that old.
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  • countryfarmercountryfarmer Member Posts: 4,552
    edited November -1
    Increased fuel prices as well as lead prices
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  • MudderChuckMudderChuck Member Posts: 4,105
    edited November -1
    I honestly think the consumer is being played like a fish. Kind of like the burger joint who advertises the new super jumbo burger, $2, then slowly over the months the super Jumbo gets smaller and smaller, then they come out with the new super super jumbo jumbo for $3 and the cycle starts all over again.

    The manufacturers, the book keepers and the number crunches have it figured out, how to milk the customer for every possible penny.

    I know they do it, I've watched them do it, I've even documented the process for the retailer.

    Many of those batteries are the same innards with different outers. Sold for wildly different prices, most of the cost is just marketing. The same manufacturer produces the product for many different big name outlets.

    Sometimes they produce a run that pretty much lasts forever, so if you are observant you figure out it can be done. They don't do it on purpose, no percentage in a product that far outlasts the guarantee.
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  • 320090T320090T Member Posts: 2,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bought any lead shot lately? Lots of lead in a battery.
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  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought 2 brand new batteries right out of the back of the battery truck last week. $ 40 each but I did have to turn in 2 core batteries at the time of purchase. 5 year warranty.
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  • MudderChuckMudderChuck Member Posts: 4,105
    edited November -1
    I just tossed a 25 year old (five year guarantee) Die Hard that still tested OK (I have a hydrometer and a load tester). Sometimes they make a good run, sometimes not so good. I honestly think the engineers try to design them to fail shortly after the warranty or guarantee is up, sometimes they screw it up. Sometimes they design them to well, sometimes trying to build in obsolescence they make junk. That old Die Hard battery outlasted half a dozen other batteries. I doubt the previous Die Hards lasted that well or the later production run Die Hards, some engineer screwed up and designed a good battery.

    I don't mind paying more for a quality product, it upsets me to pay more for an inferior product.
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  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MudderChuck
    I just tossed a 25 year old (five year guarantee) Die Hard that still tested OK (I have a hydrometer and a load tester). Sometimes they make a good run, sometimes not so good. I honestly think the engineers try to design them to fail shortly after the warranty or guarantee is up, sometimes they screw it up. Sometimes they design them to well, sometimes trying to build in obsolescence they make junk. That old Die Hard battery outlasted half a dozen other batteries. I doubt the previous Die Hards lasted that well or the later production run Die Hards, some engineer screwed up and designed a good battery.

    I don't mind paying more for a quality product, it upsets me to pay more for an inferior product.


    A 25 year old battery!!! Was it in a daily driver? I've gotten 6 years out of a battery, but at the same time said battery also left me stranded at work. Accordingly I now swap them out every 3 years regardless. Haven't been stranded since.
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  • beneteaubeneteau Member Posts: 8,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Paid $109.00 for a battery at AutoZone about 2 weeks ago----$12.00 credit for the core.
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  • ForkliftkingForkliftking Member Posts: 4,907 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The battery in the GMC I drive to work, take fishing, hunting, etc... has a battery in it that is 11 years old. My house is one mile from my business so this truck is typically only driven on short trips. The factory battery lasted 3 years. the replacement is a Duralast gold from Autozone. I see no reason to change it until it fails.
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  • USN_AirdaleUSN_Airdale Member Posts: 2,987 ✭
    edited November -1
    i bought a battery for my Bronco about 12 years ago, my mechanic replaces it every 4 years while under warranty and it costs me NOTHING..., but then i have known my mechanic since he was 11 y.o., he is now 27 y.o. and owns his own shop !!
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  • dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 32,032 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by USN_Airdale
    i bought a battery for my Bronco about 12 years ago, my mechanic replaces it every 4 years while under warranty and it costs me NOTHING..., but then i have known my mechanic since he was 11 y.o., he is now 27 y.o. and owns his own shop !!



    You taught him to steal! Don
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,190 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by beneteau

    Paid $109.00 for a battery at AutoZone about 2 weeks ago----$12.00 credit for the core.




    Yep, the last new battery I bought was a year ago at CarQuest ande that is about what I paid.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    take about $50 now for a lawn mower battery...and most last one year at best
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