Came out to a dead battery after work this evening.

Old battery was over $200. I remember when I replaced it in 10/2021. It had a 3-year warranty. Expired.

Today they suggested another similar battery (same manf) about $209. Same 3-year warranty.

But they were also selling a $289 battery (same manf) with a 5-year warranty.

It was more than I wanted to spend but I chose the battery with the 5-year warranty. For $80 more, I'm effectively assured 2 more years. The math seemed right.

Do the batteries all suck the same amount and I'm just paying more for longer warranty coverage now? How does this business work?

I don't think they are bipolar.

When a battery goes dead it is just alternating current!

Most batteries made today are on borrowed time after 3 years. Buying a longer warranty on a battery is a crap shoot.

Most of the longer warranties are 3 year replacement and prorated after that, so check the rate of depreciation to help decide if the extra time is really worth it.

My thoughts are their bean counters have run the numbers and priced the longer warranties so that on average, they will not lose money. Therefore, warranty lengths are not going to be more economical. The only positive might be that you may not have to pay (or take the time to replace as often) with a longer warranty.

Used to be, you would get what you paid for-not so much anymore. Some are better than others, but I've not seen any that significantly out perform any others.

This is of. course comparing the same types of batteries. A lithium is going to last much longer than a conventional lead-acid battery.

Preference may be better applied to where you buy (Will they stand behind warranty and apply it without trying to weasel out of it). Also do they maintain stock levels to have product on hand and not have to order it.

In Texas, the heat is the worst thing for a battery. Don't pay attention sales tactics using cold cranking amps or other "cold" performance based qualities unless you travel far north.

I hope this helps and makes up for the shenanigans.

Was the more expensive one an AGM battery? Those do indeed last longer.

I agree that no matter the battery 3 years is the time for a new one. Compassionate store clerks have replaced mine when the warranty was still good if their tester states it is still viable. Hogwash. If I didn't accidentally leave the lights on or if the connections were loose, then there's hope but otherwise I get a new battery even if I have to pay for it myself otherwise it's gonna go bad at the most worst place and time.

BartInLA said:

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I agree that no matter the battery 3 years is the time for a new one. Compassionate store clerks have replaced mine when the warranty was still good if their tester states it is still viable. Hogwash. If I didn't accidentally leave the lights on or if the connections were loose, then there's hope but otherwise I get a new battery even if I have to pay for it myself otherwise it's gonna go bad at the most worst place and time.

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If you left your lights on, do you boost it wearing a jumper suit?

I'm lucky to get three years out of a battery anymore.

You gave them $80 extra dollars for the same battery.
After year 1, that's worth about $88 to them since they are probably paying 10% interest on the business loan they got to buy the batteries.
Year 2: $97
Year 3: $106
Year 4: $117
Year 5: $129

If your battery goes bad in year 5, They probably prorate the replacement and give you $58 toward a new battery, while they have $129 in their pocket.

If it goes bad in Year 4, they give you $116 toward the battery and they have $117 in their pocket.

As long as the battery lasts 3 years, they make money off you.

But that's not even the whole story. Margin is about 40% on car batteries. So if they give you $116 toward a new battery, and you buy a new one for $290, you gave them $174 for a battery that cost them $126 to make. So they made $48 on the battery but have $117 in their pocket.

Battery dies in year 2, they have $97 in their pocket, give you $171 toward a new $290 battery. You pay the $119 difference for a battery that cost $126 to make, so they lost $7 but have $97 in their pocket.

That's the simple math that neglects the opportunity cost selling replacement batteries at full cost, but every scenario is profitable for the business.

IIIHorn said:

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They are bipolar.

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i really like this joke.

agnerd said:

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You gave them $80 extra dollars for the same battery.
After year 1, that's worth about $88 to them since they are probably paying 10% interest on the business loan they got to buy the batteries.
Year 2: $97
Year 3: $106
Year 4: $117
Year 5: $129

If your battery goes bad in year 5, They probably prorate the replacement and give you $58 toward a new battery, while they have $129 in their pocket.

If it goes bad in Year 4, they give you $116 toward the battery and they have $117 in their pocket.

As long as the battery lasts 3 years, they make money off you.

But that's not even the whole story. Margin is about 40% on car batteries. So if they give you $116 toward a new battery, and you buy a new one for $290, you gave them $174 for a battery that cost them $126 to make. So they made $48 on the battery but have $117 in their pocket.

Battery dies in year 2, they have $97 in their pocket, give you $171 toward a new $290 battery. You pay the $119 difference for a battery that cost $126 to make, so they lost $7 but have $97 in their pocket.

That's the simple math that neglects the opportunity cost selling replacement batteries at full cost, but every scenario is profitable for the business.

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agnerd said:

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You gave them $80 extra dollars for the same battery.

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It's not the same battery though. I don't know enough about batteries to know the difference between EFB and AGM, but I'm guessing they aren't the same.

This is what they suggested:



This is what I bought:



Also, warranty isn't prorated. It's a full replacement.

King of the Dairy Queen said:

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IIIHorn said:

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They are bipolar.

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i really like this joke.

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Feel free to use it at no charge.

Optima batteries can do 5 years with ease, and its not uncommon for them to last a decade.

It's disgusting how battery companies amp up the prices when you need a replacement.

Not sure what kind of vehicle you drive, but go with AC Delco over Interstate Battery. I always buy the 5 year battery for about the same cost as you paid, and I look to replace sometime after 4 years.

UTExan said:

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It's disgusting how battery companies amp up the prices when you need a replacement.

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Revolting.

Some of y'all really get amped up about car batteries.

They can't help themselves.

IIIHorn comes in with one electric comment and the rest are just pulled along with the current of power until they hit the rectifier and then only one kind of comment can get through.

They all start out as alternating currents going back and forth, but I'm not sure it only the positive ones get through or only the negative ones.

I guess it depends on which direction your rectifier lens is pointed.

Either way, it seems it all comes to a stop once everything is grounded.

@NFLPlayerProps said:

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Optima batteries can do 5 years with ease, and its not uncommon for them to last a decade.

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I wanted to believe this and put Optima yellow tops in 2 Jeeps at ~$420 per battery. Got 18 months out of each one. They were at least replaced for free with no hassle by AutoZone.

That was after I got 18 months each out of 2 AGM Mopar batteries in one of the Jeeps.

If you make it to 3 years replace it no matter what.

AggieArchitect04 said:

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Came out to a dead battery after work this evening.

Old battery was over $200. I remember when I replaced it in 10/2021. It had a 3-year warranty. Expired.

Today they suggested another similar battery (same manf) about $209. Same 3-year warranty.

But they were also selling a $289 battery (same manf) with a 5-year warranty.

It was more than I wanted to spend but I chose the battery with the 5-year warranty. For $80 more, I'm effectively assured 2 more years. The math seemed right.

Do the batteries all suck the same amount and I'm just paying more for longer warranty coverage now? How does this business work?

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3 year battery, lasts 3 years, or 2 years 11 months.

5 year battery, lasts 5 years, or 4 years 11 months.

I have bought 30 batteries in my life time between cars, boats, trucks... I have no idea how all that works. But it does. Its kinda of scary, how accurate the batteries are. Not sure I would buy a warranty, just buy the 5 year battery...

Jokes aside I am surprised the three year warranty battery is basically the same price as it was 4+ years ago

1990Hullaballoo said:

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They can't help themselves.

IIIHorn comes in with one electric comment and the rest are just pulled along with the current of power until they hit the rectifier and then only one kind of comment can get through.

They all start out as alternating currents going back and forth, but I'm not sure it only the positive ones get through or only the negative ones.

I guess it depends on which direction your rectifier lens is pointed.

Either way, it seems it all comes to a stop once everything is grounded.

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Staff will be along soon to transform this thread.

maroon barchetta said:

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1990Hullaballoo said:

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They can't help themselves.

IIIHorn comes in with one electric comment and the rest are just pulled along with the current of power until they hit the rectifier and then only one kind of comment can get through.

They all start out as alternating currents going back and forth, but I'm not sure it only the positive ones get through or only the negative ones.

I guess it depends on which direction your rectifier lens is pointed.

Either way, it seems it all comes to a stop once everything is grounded.

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Staff will be along soon to transform this thread.

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Will you resist?

Btw,

I credit superunknown for this excellent hijack.

1990Hullaballoo said:

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They can't help themselves.

IIIHorn comes in with one electric comment and the rest are just pulled along with the current of power until they hit the rectifier and then only one kind of comment can get through.

They all start out as alternating currents going back and forth, but I'm not sure it only the positive ones get through or only the negative ones.

I guess it depends on which direction your rectifier lens is pointed.

Either way, it seems it all comes to a stop once everything is grounded.

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normaleagle05 said:

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@NFLPlayerProps said:

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Optima batteries can do 5 years with ease, and its not uncommon for them to last a decade.

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I wanted to believe this and put Optima yellow tops in 2 Jeeps at ~$420 per battery. Got 18 months out of each one. They were at least replaced for free with no hassle by AutoZone.

That was after I got 18 months each out of 2 AGM Mopar batteries in one of the Jeeps.

If you make it to 3 years replace it no matter what.

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Pretty sure you're doing something wrong.

He already said he has a Jeep.

Claude! said:

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Maybe the problem is the Jeep.

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Remove Jeep -> replace with something better -> problem solved, and you don't have dinguses handing out small plastic ducks as a means of upvoting your ride anymore!

The Fife said:

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Claude! said:

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Maybe the problem is the Jeep.

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Remove Jeep -> replace with something better -> problem solved, and you don't have dinguses handing out small plastic ducks as a means of upvoting your ride anymore!

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The ducks are vinyl or rubber.