Originally Posted By: Carmudgeon
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
I'm guessing they're seeing a fair amount of claims after 36 months and that will save them $$$. Or just the fact that 42 mos or 3.5 yrs is an odd number to have a warranty period. Plus it helps them out and is more in line with what the competition is doing.
This.
It will help cut down on the number of claims, legitimate and not.
I was told they rely on the honor system, and don't require testing on returns like other sellers. They just refund your money, and you're free to buy another, or go on your way.
Perfectly ripe for abuse, like their old electronics return policy before they instituted a 90-day period.
After shortening the warranty, the next step would be to implement a testing process, but I doubt that's something they want to do.
Well - I returned one of the older Kirkland Signature JCI batteries from my wife's Civic after she had left the map lights on one too many times. It showed no signs of distress, but it was definitely in bad shape. They took it no questions asked after less than 3 years. I would have gotten another one, but since then (about 2010) I've never seen a Group 51R at Costco. I bought a Die Hard WeatherHandler for about $55, even though the warranty wasn't as generous as Costco. It was weird too. It was an online-only pickup price, and for a "North" version. The "South" version was selling for maybe $90. When I got there they told me there was no different version and gave me what they had. I've had to jump it a few times since, but it's still strong. I did replace the map and dome lights with LEDs, and I do charge up the battery regularly with an external charger since it's used on short trips.
I've returned my car's Kirkland Signature battery after less than 8 years. I got 15% of my original purchase price refunded, but they also gave me the core fee back since their records showed that I never returned an old battery.