prices of batteries
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That was a price increase because of a situation related to the chickens. Now the supply has been brought back up.
Walmart also has online shopping that will sometimes ( but not often ) have a roll-back-price special.
I snagged a new 24F Maxx for $88.00 + tax using online roll-back 3 years ago Sept 11, 2022. It says 725 cca but tested 1111 cca in the store with my tester. Now Sept 1, 2025 its down to 935 cca. The store does not list it, and does not tell you about it. But buy it online and you pick up the battery in store. Its the same batteries from the same rack. But if its on online shopping roll-back you can only see and buy it online.
I snagged a new 24F Maxx for $88.00 + tax using online roll-back 3 years ago Sept 11, 2022. It says 725 cca but tested 1111 cca in the store with my tester. Now Sept 1, 2025 its down to 935 cca. The store does not list it, and does not tell you about it. But buy it online and you pick up the battery in store. Its the same batteries from the same rack. But if its on online shopping roll-back you can only see and buy it online.
You need a battery. It is what it is. I stick with Costco because they are everywhere around here.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Some of this is based on the competition in a given area.
The last WM battery I purchased was at a WM about 20 miles west of me.
It was $11. cheaper than the WM in the city in which I reside.
However the city that I traveled to also has a Rural King.
The $11. price reduction made them $2. cheaper than RK on the same size battery.
The diehard batteries sold at AAP which the OP is referencing is also made by Clarios.
Depending on where the OP is, he might actually get an East Penn at walmart - but not at AAP.
Project Farm did a Vid on Car Batteries not long ago. The Walmart brand was just a relabeled name brand for cheap and I think it won out. I'd go with that one.. More money isn't always better.
I don't think of it as ripping people off, I think of it as you are paying for more than just a battery... they will help you look up which one you need, and depending on the car, maybe help you install it for free. You don't get that level of service with Costco, Sams, or Walmart... and 2/3 of those require a paid membership.
Your providing time/place utility. Its not the battery - your charging for the service. Those who want service need to pay. Its not free to provide.
Walmart is using it as a loss leader to get you into their store. The entire auto center is.
If your one of the few that just wants to walk in and pick up a battery and leave - then walmart is tough to beat. Even better if you go in the morning before the auto center opens - you can just pick up the battery and not even have to talk to anyone
Turnover is also important. Most sizes at Walmart move thru the store very well. There are very few that have been sitting on a shelf long.
Advance and AZ sometimes have returns that were abused and returned and charged up and being sold as new. And because of higher price, they are more likley to have batteries that have been sitting on their shelf for many months. That's not good for a battery health.
Advance and AZ sometimes have returns that were abused and returned and charged up and being sold as new. And because of higher price, they are more likley to have batteries that have been sitting on their shelf for many months. That's not good for a battery health.
For what it's worth my local Sam's Club and Walmart both provide free installation for batteries purchased from the store. It only applies to stores that have service centers however.
I do not know about Costco, I'll have to look the next time I'm in there.
Deleted, duplicate post.
Your providing time/place utility. Its not the battery - your charging for the service. Those who want service need to pay. Its not free to provide.
Walmart is using it as a loss leader to get you into their store. The entire auto center is.
If your one of the few that just wants to walk in and pick up a battery and leave - then walmart is tough to beat. Even better if you go in the morning before the auto center opens - you can just pick up the battery and not even have to talk to anyone
For sure. If you are capable of determining what size and type of battery you need, plan to install it yourself, and are paying retail price (no commercial account), it makes far more sense to buy your battery at Walmart than the auto parts store. I 100% agree. Yet somehow we sell batteries all day every day haha despite Walmart being a 3 minute drive from my store. There are definitely exceptions... we have more batteries available for oddball sizes that Walmart doesn't stock, but for 90% of vehicles, Walmart is a great option.
Same thing for oil... if you know what oil you need, buy it at Walmart. Heck, I work at an auto parts store, and my boyfriend bought oil for his 2017 Volt at Walmart because Supertech is cheaper than my EMPLOYEE price of our own house brand oil (plus, employee discount does not qualify for unmarried partners).
Only get batteries from WM these day. Price is better than anywhere else locally and turn over is high.
Walk in right through automotive department entrance, get the new battery, drop off the old one for the core credit, pay at the automotive register, and be on my way with little to no hassle.
Walk in right through automotive department entrance, get the new battery, drop off the old one for the core credit, pay at the automotive register, and be on my way with little to no hassle.
I recommend against costco for batteries now due to the prorated warranty. Walmart. Same price, better warranty.
Also, Napa sometimes has 20% off and you can get a decent price on an Odyssey, Redtop, etc... But Walmart is still cheaper.
Yes, true. I was referring to same type battery, ie; AGM/AGM, or EFB/EFB. What I meant is that just because the vehicle has start/stop, does not increase the cost of the battery of the same type it came with.
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