Poll: new battery for old Honda —dealership or auto supply place like Auto Zone, NTB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had them replaced through AAA -- but didn't do any comparison shopping. For me it was the easiest option and their batteries have a reasonable guarantee.

This. If you are a AAA member they come to your home and replace it and take the old one away.

No, we have USAA. They know about the battery and didn’t offer so maybe they don’t offer that. I’ll double check. Thanks!

Walmart or Costco (if you have membership)

[Anonymous]

Look at where battery is and if you have tools. Honda should be easy but check first.

Then Costco or Walmart- both great deals. Dealer mark up is painful. But no judgement if you don’t want to do it- but if I didn’t want to do it I would be at NTB or a local place, not a dealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Walmart batteries are surprisingly good and cheaper.

+1

Look no further than Walmart.

[Anonymous]

Costco, first and foremost, because you can exchange/return for a new one if something bad happens to it, battery low charge, for example.
Walmart is next if the battery is not available from Costco.

Mostly because of value, decent pricing with good battery. Easy return helps.

[Anonymous]

I'm another poster who had AAA replace my last battery. It was on its last legs anyway, and they made it easy by coming to me. I'm not sure how the price compared, but it didn't seem especially high given the convenience factor.

[Anonymous]

Option 1: Costco
Option 2: AutoZone or Walmart or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Dealership, it comes with a warranty so if it loses charge or dies it gets replaced at no cost. I’ve benefitted from this before. Google for service specials from local dealers. Also most offer 10-15% military vet discount if you ask. Costco is also decent but I’m not sure they install batteries. Have never used Walmart.

Sorry about your husband. I have 3 people in my extended family fighting cancer. Be safe out there!

[Anonymous]

Every battery comes with a warranty. AutoZone Duralast Gold is 3-year, I think they have a 5-year warranty as well. I used to do the Sears batteries, but it's been a while. Who goes to Sears anymore?

Again, go to the $tealership at your peril, unless you just have money to burn.

[Anonymous]

Guy here. It doesn't matter where you go as long as it's not the dealership. I just go to the auto parts stores like Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts, Oreillys, etc. The dealerships charge a lot and in some cases charge labor (!) for battery installation. Auto parts stores will install the battery free of charge. Batteries are very easy to install but if you are a one car household like us, it helps because they charge a deposit (core charge) when you buy the battery and refund it when you turn in your old one. If you take it there and have them install it, they charge and refund the core deposit on the initial purchase and you can just leave when they're done. If you buy the battery and install it yourself then you have to come back with the old battery, wait in line again, and get the refund of the core deposit.

And yes, these come with warranties. My dealership only provides a one year warranty on batteries. Auto Zone has batteries with a 3 year warranty.

[Anonymous]

I always buy from the local auto parts store, it will be cheaper and quicker than the dealer. I can easily change it myself but last one I just had the store do it because it was very convenient. They typically hook up their test machine to verify it’s bad, then will help you identify which replacement option fits (usually a couple of choices at different price points/warranty), then install right there. He even hooked it up properly to keep the radio settings.

Not worth having the dealer do it unless you are already there for other service and want to save the trip.