I purchased a Everstart Maxx Y16CLB battery for my Yamaha Wave Runner in Mid July of 2009 in a store in suburban Chicago for $80 plus tax and core charges.
I have a "fleet" of boats, snowmobiles, cars, trailers, so I know how to install and maintain batteries for long life.
I used this particular battery 3 times during the summer - I alway use a Walmart charger after use to maintain the proper charge.
I am not hard on anything - I take excellent care of my "toys".
I noticed in January that the battery would not hold a charge, but I "assumed" that because this was a top of the line battery, I could wait until spring (now) to get a new battery, and install it in time for the start of the season.
I examined the battery - and there is no mention of any warranty, so I went to the Walmart yesterday to look at the cartons. Surprise - also NO mention of a warranty - on the box, on the battery, as a display - NOTHING, even though the car Everstart batteries were displayed with 1, 2, and 3 year warranties.
In the past I have used the least expensive Walmart battery, and they always worked for one season.
I thought "lets try an AGM battery" - sure it costs double, but surely I'll get 2 years of service - sort of an equal trade.
Today when I brought the battery in, they told me the warranty had expired - it is only 1 month full replacement, and 6 months prorated replacement.
So I buy a battery that is 2x the cost of the standard battery, and the carton says "and it will provide years of service"...
The store manager offered me a 20% "customer satisfaction discount", which I declined. She told me that "I should always open the box and read the brochure" before I buy...
Don't they have a little responsibility to ensure that any products are properly labeled, so that their customers can make an intelligent decision on which product to buy (or not buy..)
I think I got a bum battery, and they should respond in kind, and replace it.
Thoughts?
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Karl
Highlands Ranch,Colorado,
USA
***BREAKING NEWS: It was just reported that one of Walmart's TOP executives was spotted at.....
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, April 26, 2010
the Animal Kingdom walking around with "CRAP" on his pants!
Inspector
Tobyhanna,Pennsylvania,
USA
Walmart batteries are crap!
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, April 26, 2010
I was burned buying Walmart (Sam's Club) batteries years ago and although I do buy most of my car care products at Walmart, and everything else for that matter, I will never buy another Walmart battery.