New battery quality and replacement strategy

[pentode]

A few comments in the CAFE thread about people having problems with new battery quality have me rethinking my replacement strategy.

The group 59 in my truck is, ironically, a Delco which has to be nearly 10 years old, possibly more. It sits at about 12V now after the surface charge has dissipated (was 12.2 last week) so I probably better not wait until it lets me down. Funny enough, the voltage only drops to 10.9V cranking on a -10C morning, so I think this battery was built pretty dang well.

I shopped around at all the typical Canadian places and found that everyone's offering new group 59s at almost exactly the same price (~$200) and with almost exactly the same warranty (30 months). I was going to just do the normal lazy Canadian thing and buy one from Canadian Tire as I figure it offers me the most locations to complain and or deal with warranty issues... But full well knowing I have a good battery for 3 years max.

Then I decided to check the local U-pull and found that they have a deal that have me pause. They have a used Napa battery that tests 100% health for $79, but here's the kicker: for $20 extra they give you a lifetime free replacement warranty. I asked the probing questions and they were very adamant that it doesn't matter if I come back in 2 weeks or 10 years, if the battery tests bad they'll just exchange it for another one.

This is a u-pull chain with locations from Ontario to Nova Scotia and I've always had good experiences with them. I'm now thinking I probably ought to go the used route, I just can't convince myself it makes sense for some reason. Thoughts?

 

[Jazzer]

I’d ask them what they would replace it with? Any 59 battery in any stage of health they happen to have in stock at the moment?

$79 ain’t a bad deal at all for the one you described, though, if it’s truly 100% healthy. How was that checked?

 

[JoshT]

I'd consider the battery if I was in need of one but I wouldn't purchase the warranty. When you have to use that warranty you're in the mercy of whatever they have available. If I have a nearly dead battery that's what you going to get if they have no group 59 at all your SOL. They offer those warranties because they know that for every one the honor there will be 15-20 that they will never need to.

It's like the "shipping guarantee" that a bunch of places offer now. It's a few (or 20) bucks extra they can pocket for doing nothing.

 

[SenorNoob]

How far away from this place is most of your driving?

 

[pentode]

I’d ask them what they would replace it with? Any 59 battery in any stage of health they happen to have in stock at the moment?

$79 ain’t a bad deal at all for the one you described, though, if it’s truly 100% healthy. How was that checked?

They'll only replace it with the same group, and she mentioned they don't see too many group 59 batteries come through, which did make me hesitate. They tested it in front of me with a little digital tester -Solar brand IIRC, don't know anything about it but it did give a state of health, state of charge etc. I wouldn't bet my life on it but it tested at 12.8v and she said it had been on the shelf for a week.

I'd consider the battery if I was in need of one but I wouldn't purchase the warranty. When you have to use that warranty you're in the mercy of whatever they have available. If I have a nearly dead battery that's what you going to get if they have no group 59 at all your SOL. They offer those warranties because they know that for every one the honor there will be 15-20 that they will never need to.

It's like the "shipping guarantee" that a bunch of places offer now. It's a few (or 20) bucks extra they can pocket for doing nothing.

Yeah, going back to above, if these group 59s are going to be rare I don't know what that warranty will be worth. Good point.

How far away from this place is most of your driving?

Right now, 10 minutes, but if I move, I'm likely to always be within an hour of a branch, realistically.

All good feedback, thanks.