Buying Batteries From Canadian Tire - Warranty Issues, Etc.

Originally Posted by CT_MANAGER

The question as to why we need the proof of purchase was answered.

Really?

Somebody asked a question about the store "needing the proof of purchase"?

Actually, there wasn't any question.

Just some reports from Consumers on how Crappy denied their warranty claim, and a warning to others.

Oh, and a need for the Crappy Manager to type a lot of crap.

Hey, Angry/CTMe/LawGuy/Owner:

Any estimate on when you'll get round to posting that information you "already have" to back up your claim that Crappy Tire has "the best warranty in the business"?

You remember - the objective data on every single battery retailer in all of Canada, large and small?

And don't forget to share with your faithful readers what your criteria is for deciding what's "best". How did you combine the years of free replacement, road-side, and the total coverage period? Did you include some other criteria? You know, the way Consumers Reports magazine does, when it rates things?

Also, you might think about re-freshing all your 'research', since that was a month or two ago, and some of the players might have left the scene, and others started up. Shouldn't be hard for you - you said it was easily available, right?

Or how about even posting just the data behind your down-graded claim? You know, about having the "longest" warranty in the business, and how you've got 'proof' that there isn't even 1 retailer in all of Canada with the same length of warranty?

If it's just too much for you to post all that data, how about something to back up your most-recently-down-sized boast?

You know, the one where you claim you've merely got the "longest" (but no longer "best") warranty among "Top" retailers (and no longer every retailer in the whole country). That oughtta be REAL simple for you, right ACLO?

Don't forget to include a definition of what counts as a "top" retailer. Did you use a cut-off based on market capitalization? On annual sales? Did you remember to exclude side-businesses like sporting goods, fuel sales, credit services and apparel?

Still waiting ....

An interesting perspective on battery warranties over time:

Originally Posted by mikie

A decade ago, a battery's free-replacement period was as little as 3 months, and the prorated period (which allows only partial reimbursement) might have been just 50 months. Today, a 36-month free-replacement period is typical, and the prorated period can stretch to 108 months.

But even with today's longer warranties, it's still important to choose a battery with the longest free-replacement period you can get.

A battery warranty code of 24/84, for instance, indicates a free-replacement period of 24 months and a prorated warranty of 84 months. But the amount you'll be reimbursed usually drops off pretty quickly once you're into the prorated period.

For example, the Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG carries a 96-month prorated battery warranty. Using the formula listed on the manufacturer's Web site, this means that after four years, or half the warranty period, you would be credited with $40 of the $80 original price if the battery failed. After five years, you would get back $30.

Signs of neglect, such as low-water levels and improper installation, can void a warranty. So can use in heavy-duty applications such as high-end car audio and marine use if the battery is not recommended for them.

I found this interesting page. It includes various date codes.

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/hweb3.pdf

Originally Posted by Owner 1

Dude what article did you read?

Look, Owner 1 is back!

Maybe now they'll finally provide some of that "proof" they said they had, that Crappy Tire has "the best warranty in the business" (whatever that means).

I'm sure they'll let us know when they are done their latest re-analysis of the warranty on every battery sold by every retailer in all of Canada!

LMAO!

Ok bought a Nautilus battery for my tent trailer 2 weeks ago. Store clerk advided me that battery is fully charged. The sticker on the battery said "charge by 11/11" When I asked about it, he did not know what to reply. So he asked me if I want to have a look at the back where the batteries are kept.(there were no deep cycle batteries on the floor)So I look on the rack and notice there were much newer batteries (one that said charge by 02/12) so ok one month off but I'll try anyway. Tried it yesterday, hardley any power, not enough to turn on a light, verrrry dim. Put it on charger overnight, tried it this morning charger says full charge, same result.
Tonight I will TRY to return or exchange......try to find my receipt, WE will see what happens......................

Did you check out the Date Code, too?

Buying Batteries From Canadian Tire - Warranty Issues, Etc.

Went to the store last night, had my receipt and warranty paper in hand. I noticed on my warranty paper, it states that they would test the battery "in store only". So brought in the battery and asked if he could test it, said nothing and went to the back with my battery. About 10-12 minutes later he returned with my battery and a small piece of paper that says the battery is ok. Then I noticed that the sticker on the front of the battery said "625 CCA" and the top sticker said "650 CCA". I know this was irrelevant but wich is it? I did pay for the 650 CCA but that is a mistake on the battery. So we started talking, there were no line ups. I said well maybe there is a problem with my trailer then. So if thats the case maybe I don't need the battery anyway. He did not know what to reply, exept that they can't accept return for refund on a used battery. I said I did not use it, just plugged it in briefly to try it. He said there was no manager at that time, if I could come back when there will be a manager present. So I said "well, I'm off on Wednesday" so he said ok come back on Wednesday and talk to the manager.
Maybe its not their fault, but there is a mistake on the battery sticker.
Does anyone have a comment on how to approach the manager?

SuperDave:

If it’s genuinely “unused”, they should give you a refund, but they might be jerks about it.

If you bought it by mistake, used it, and now realize you really don’t need it, that’s not their fault, and they could reasonably refuse to return it.

But if it’s genuinely defective, they should give you a refund, or at least a replacement, but they might be jerks about that, too.

It’s common to hear that defective batteries that Crappy Tire sold to someone, will miraculously pass the test. Make sure it’s a ‘stress’ test, and not just measuring the voltage with no load. If it’s the ‘add-water’ kind, they should be able to test the fluid in all the cells, too.

The Crappy People who post here say they’ll give customers better service if they stay calm and polite. It’s always a good idea to start out that way.

But customers who post here sometimes say they get a better outcome if they make a scene, complain loudly, etc. It might be worth trying if they are being jerks already.

Interesting about the sticker for 625 vs. 650. You should be able to tell from the part number or model number whether it’s actually a 625 or a 650. If you paid for a 650, and they gave you the wrong model (i.e, a 625) by mistake, you should be able to ask for a switch to the 650. Then you could rightly say, “Hey, it’s unused – give me a refund”.

Keep us posted!

Never buy from Crappy Tire ever again!

Their slogan should be, "No Refunds, No Exchanges”.

Originally Posted by SuperDave

The sticker on the battery said "charge by 11/11" ... (one that said charge by 02/12) so ok one month off

If "02/12" is Feb 2012, then it's off by 3 month. A long time in battery life.

If it was "charge by Dec 2", that means it might be 3 months over-due for a charge, and you have no way of knowing if it's been permanently damaged by over-draining