Excide battery not under warrenty

[millstreaminn]

I have a tractor that is less than 3 years old. I bought it used (from an individual) in March 2013. The previous owner had a new Interstate battery installed in it in February of 2013, based on the holes punched out on the label. Long story short is the battery is dead, and the local Interstate dealer won't replace it because I don't have a sales receipt. Of course I don't have a receipt and they won't replace a battery that is less than one year old without a sales receipt? What good is punching the label on the battery then?

Added to my frustration is the fact that I can't remember the persons name I bought the tractor from either to contact him to see if he might have a receipt. The fact that Excide won't replace a battery that is less than a year old ticks me off. It's not the $100 for a new one, it's the fact that their policy and their batteries suck.

 

[aczlan]

Looks like that is their policy and their warranty is non-transferable (ie: only good for the original purchaser): http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Products/Exide Limited Warranty Policy.pdf

Aaron Z

 

[millstreaminn]

I called Excide to vent about my local guy not replacing the battery. The lady I spoke with told me they would replace it with a sales receipt (which I don't have)

 

[Gunny]

Yeah, most everybody now wants you to save the receipt in order to honor the warranty. Walmart used to give you those stick-on label things so you could put the receipt in there and stick it on the battery just in case. Only problem is that the thermal printing on the receipt only last about 6 months before it fades so much you can't read it, then they won't honor the warranty because they can't read the receipt, so they go back to the date of manufacture.
I bought some caulking that had a 50 year warranty. Reading the terms, you have to keep the original receipt and the empty tube in order to file a warranty claim!

What if you bought two things at the same time and had to make a claim on both of them if the companies required the original receipt? I had an incident like that once, it took about twenty phone calls before the second company would agree to accept a photocopy of the receipt to honor their warranty.

 

[aczlan]

Yeah, most everybody now wants you to save the receipt in order to honor the warranty. Walmart used to give you those stick-on label things so you could put the receipt in there and stick it on the battery just in case. Only problem is that the thermal printing on the receipt only last about 6 months before it fades so much you can't read it, then they won't honor the warranty because they can't read the receipt, so they go back to the date of manufacture.

For stuff like that, I try to make a photocopy of the receipt and staple it to the original. Then I can say "here is a copy of the receipt which you can scan in, and here is the original which has become mostly illegible"

Aaron Z

 

[Gary Fowler]

Yeah, most everybody now wants you to save the receipt in order to honor the warranty. Walmart used to give you those stick-on label things so you could put the receipt in there and stick it on the battery just in case. Only problem is that the thermal printing on the receipt only last about 6 months before it fades so much you can't read it, then they won't honor the warranty because they can't read the receipt, so they go back to the date of manufacture.
I bought some caulking that had a 50 year warranty. Reading the terms, you have to keep the original receipt and the empty tube in order to file a warranty claim!

What if you bought two things at the same time and had to make a claim on both of them if the companies required the original receipt? I had an incident like that once, it took about twenty phone calls before the second company would agree to accept a photocopy of the receipt to honor their warranty.

On stuff with a long warranty, I make a scanned copy of the print out because like you said, the receipt fades to obscurity in less than a year unless stored in dark, oxygen free atmosphere. I wonder if this is planned on the part of stores.

 

[millstreaminn]

I guess that sometimes the rules need to be bent a bit when it comes to being a stickler about having a receipt. This is an 84 month battery that failed in 11 months. They shouldn't even think twice about replacing it.

 

[aczlan]

I guess that sometimes the rules need to be bent a bit when it comes to being a stickler about having a receipt. This is an 84 month battery that failed in 11 months. They shouldn't even think twice about replacing it.

I agree, just pointing out the "letter of the law" per their warranty terms. Might try another Excide dealer (Tractor Supply perhaps?)

Aaron Z

 

[smstonypoint]

I can report a customer-friendly battery experience.

I purchased a battery for my truck at AutoZone a couple of years ago. The battery failed back in October. Being absent-minded, I neglected to take my receipt with me when I returned the battery to AutoZone. No problem --they had my battery purchase recorded in their electronic database and I walked out with a new battery at no cost.

I can't remember whether they asked for my name when I purchased the first battery. I have an AutoZone Rewards Card, so they may picked up my name that way.

Steve

 

[murphy1244]

I can report a customer-friendly battery experience.

I purchased a battery for my truck at AutoZone a couple of years ago. The battery failed back in October. Being absent-minded, I neglected to take my receipt with me when I returned the battery to AutoZone. No problem --they had my battery purchase recorded in their electronic database and I walked out with a new battery at no cost.

I can't remember whether they asked for my name when I purchased the first battery. I have an AutoZone Rewards Card, so they may picked up my name that way.

Steve

Auto Zone puts you in their computer so no receipt needed.

 

[Baby Grand]

The last time I sold a tractor I tried to give the buyer my file folder for that machine. It contained all the manuals and receipts for a new battery, new deck spindles, baleds, replacement tires and a replacement engine. It also had a record of all filters, belt & fluids serviced. He acted like I was handing him my trash. That really surprised me. Whenever buying used, I factor what paper work I get into what I will pay.

 

[JRobyn]

But beware if you use more than one phone number, as their warranty data is keyed to phone number. You must tell them the correct one or they won't find it.

- Jay

 

[Sodo]

....had a new Interstate battery......
the battery is dead..... and the local Interstate dealer won't replace it because......
......Excide won't replace a battery that is less than a year old.....

I have been having some battery problems lately. 2 different highly experienced mechanics said they could smell my battery cookin and told me that they see a lot of problems with Exide (mfrs of Costco and many other brands). They say Exide is a cheesy brand. They both swore by Interstate, said Interstate is the best battery brand.

 

[Gunny]

For stuff like that, I try to make a photocopy of the receipt and staple it to the original. Then I can say "here is a copy of the receipt which you can scan in, and here is the original which has become mostly illegible"

Aaron Z

Excellent idea! Wish I'd thought of that a few years ago.

 

[Big Barn]

The last time I sold a tractor I tried to give the buyer my file folder for that machine. It contained all the manuals and receipts for a new battery, new deck spindles, baleds, replacement tires and a replacement engine. It also had a record of all filters, belt & fluids serviced. He acted like I was handing him my trash. That really surprised me. Whenever buying used, I factor what paper work I get into what I will pay.

I've also done the same thing with all the equipment I've sold along with any spare parts or filters not applicable to remaining machines. Everything labelled with paperwork in a heavy zip lock bag. Not everyone appreciates or understands the extra value but I like to think most do.

Terry

 

[Scooby074]

There is/was a company that was making a compact scanner just for receipts and business cards. Was automatic and sat on your desk, all you had to do was feed it. No idea of quality or cost, but it could be of value to those who want to hold onto their thermal printed receipts.

 

[Sodo]

For stuff like that, I try to make a photocopy of the receipt and staple it to the original

Wow what forum is this Rural Living?

I take a pic of the receipt with my phone and eventually migrate them to folders on my computer. And name the image file sensibly so I can search for it. I used to have places for receipts and was able to find them but that skill went away after hiring a bookkeeper (things change). I can find some stuff quick but a hard drive problem or the next upgrade could mess up my current system.

 

[AStanton]

I had trouble with an Interstate battery also. When I went looking for a pro-rated warranty, I couldn't find a local dealer. Most of the local auto repair shops around here refuse to carry them. From now on, I buy all my batteries at Napa. I never get hasseled returning a bad one there.

 

[BeezFun]

The previous owner had a new Interstate battery installed in it in February of 2013, based on the holes punched out on the label.

Here's a possible way to get something back. Buy a new Exide and use the receipt to take the old one back. Keep the one they give you under warranty as a spare. If you keep it inside and throw a charge on it once in awhile, it should last a long time. You have enough tractors you might be able to use it in something else.

 

[Sodo]

FYI Interstate and EXIDE are different companies.

It's my understanding that Interstate is a quality battery and Exide is the el cheapo battery mfr.