Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?
- Thread starter Tpondel
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arto98607
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Is it a common size, or is it rare size today?
If item was $105 year 2000 it's about same as $200 in today's money.
Inflation calculator is here...
www.usinflationcalculator.com
Gasoline for $3 - 3.50 a gallon today is actually a bargain!
If in doubt, ask Europeans or Canadians
If item was $105 year 2000 it's about same as $200 in today's money.
Inflation calculator is here...
Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2025
Easily calculate how the buying power of the U.S. dollar has changed from 1913 to 2025. Get inflation rates and U.S. inflation news.
www.usinflationcalculator.com
Gasoline for $3 - 3.50 a gallon today is actually a bargain!
If in doubt, ask Europeans or Canadians
Last edited:
JTKub
Veteran Member
Long gone are the days of swinging into your local Wally and grabbing an EverStart group 51 (or whatever) for $60-70. They're 2-3x that cost now. More at car parts stores.
Hay Dude
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Parts like Batteries, emissions parts, repairs, and insurance have all about doubled in the last 5+ years.
And people wonder why their amazon stuff and food costs so much….
dodge man
Super Star Member
I just bought one for my daughters car, a Ford Fusion so a common size, $200.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I just bought a 51r battery for $160
It replaced a 4 year old battery
It replaced a 4 year old battery
true temper
Silver Member
I buy blemish batteries when I can get them two thirds of the price and in my opinion just as good.
Go to a real battery store they usually have them.
Some old school parts stores carry them.
Go to a real battery store they usually have them.
Some old school parts stores carry them.
Hay Dude
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So what are the reasons they are so expensive?
I don’t really know, but my guess would be batteries are very heavy, and shipping costs have gone up a lot with the prices of diesel fuel and crazy high trucking maintenance and insurance costs.
I don’t really know, but my guess would be batteries are very heavy, and shipping costs have gone up a lot with the prices of diesel fuel and crazy high trucking maintenance and insurance costs.
CH4Ohio
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Suddenly? Where have you been????
Gregster613
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What exactly is a "blemish" battery? I don't seem to recall hearing that term used before.
Midniteoyl
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Found the 'Interstate' ones at Home Depot are still fairly cheap most of the time. Also bought a Weize off of Amazon that was actually a really good battery a year ago... $150 for a H8 at the time.
chim
Elite Member
Shop somewhere else. I bought an RK battery for the Kubota and a Costco for the Trailblazer.
On top of the cost batteries simultaneously the lifespan of batteries has decreased; I've had car and motorcycle batteries fail at 3 years enough not to trust older batteries - which sometimes fail without any sign of decline (slow starter). Glass mat or plate, both types have failed. My last battery was an Odyssey which is more expensive but claims to last longer. We'll see.
ultrarunner
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I miss the days of auto parts with free lifetime replacement.
Several offered their best batteries with lifetime replacement…
Several offered their best batteries with lifetime replacement…
Think about it, if the battery is no better than ones manufactured last year.
Then the value of your dollar is worth less than this time last year.
Rock Crawler
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Rural king. Great batteries any great prices. Under $100 for many, but even the AGM for my F150 was less than half at Rural King compared to parts stores. I've been using them for around 7 years now.
Shawn T. W.
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This was for my RAM 1500 ...
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I have a Weize in my Polaris. It’s going on 4 years. Previous batteries all lasted about 12 months.
